ZZR1400.....a Blonde Birdseye Review!

[dizzyblonde]

Well.......I can understand why Tiger55 was shaking like a leaf when he handed Peg the keys back a couple of years ago....and proclaimed

'That things faster than my helicopter'

Sorts the men out from the boys, and certainly the girls, my hand was shaking on the throttle just going off up the road


So, I pulls up on the SV, and swaps keys with Peg on a nice stretch of road I know well with destination of coffee at Hollingworth Lake. I've lifted it off the stand before, and to be fair, its not as heavy as one might first think. In fact I'd be so bold to say the SV is more awkward.
Starts her up.....the twin Leo Vince pipes likened to a B52, purring and off I go. Now you really do have to be gentle, its extremely responsive, no ham fists allowed or its going to spit you off and laugh. I now know its the perfect bike for Peg and his smashed up hands to play with the throttle, as you don't have to pull it far, if at all. The gearbox is as smooth as a babies ar$se, Kwak clunk?? Where?
The chain rattling around was a bit un-nerving, but then it needs a new one, and is as slack as Slack Alices knicker elastic!

2, 3, 4 gear, I was told to get it up in gear ASAP as if you leave it too long it will want to lift the front wheel......then pull you along for the ride. You have to look and look again to check to see if you have moved into the next gear, as there is no audio change in low revs, smooth transfer, and no jerk like a twin, if that makes sense.

Blooooooody hell, I see 70, and I ain't done owt! Peg said he really had to work hard to keep up, he didn't expect me to take off as quick as he anticipated, I'm a predictable rider, and quite sedate, but then I was being sedate......I thought I was doing 40, its so damn effortless!

Extremely agile for a barge, and although BIG to look at, it folds around you like a tiny tiny thing, and I feel more comfortable with the clip on position than that on the SV, as they are slightly lower. You certainly sit up a little bit more. No diving, very compliant.
Not so great for me in slow moving traffic, I'm smallish, and finding the floor on a strange bike is a bit odd, a bit scared of tipping it over and falling off.

Stupendous bike, once in a lifetime opportunity to own one or ride one. I did. I'd certainly do it again, but then I can whenever I want, as I'm lucky to have three bikes to choose from. At this point however, I will say, I do indeed prefer the Vtwin, and its predicatability, and engine breaking, I had to use the brakes a lot, I don't usually do that, I use the bikes natural ability.........the brakes are well and truely magnificent. I'm not an IL4 person, but then this isn't any other IL4, this is one of the best hyperbikes money can buy.

it is now obvious, that no matter what, there is no way the ZZR14 we own can be sold for now, its astonishing. Besides, theres no way we could afford a new one, and apparently they are rubbish! Ours now has nearly 40k on the clock, and needs its suspension doing, but is clearly a very superior bike, even if its parts are supposed to be getting on the tired side of life. So saving up a bit and getting some work done is paramount now. It ain't going anywhere!

The best thing about today.....people on bikes riding the opposite way, looking at me, and ignoring Peg on the SV behind. Mr Gixxer1000 giving me the thumbs up as I was mounting to set off, made me giggle me t1ts off Little bird, getting on giant bike, he slowed down to snails pace just to check

[Geodude]

Nice one Dizz your well hard now

[NTECUK]

Don't they do the growl from the air box like the old 1100 used too.
I was always convinced there was a turbo hidden in there ,but never found it.
Nice first impression right up.
You could do with Ricktuk's private runway

[dizzyblonde]

Hardly Geo!
Ntec it does growl, higher up the revs. No turbo, but we do know somebody who has Nitros on one....bit daft really!
Lol, I'm sure Rictus will lend me his runway.....when I have time for another run

[rictus01]

Sounds like you had fun, Kawasaki do some cracking engines and the ZZR14 is another in that long line.

Hope the rest of the day was good to and you enjoyed you ride.

Cheers Mark.

[TheRamJam]

If I was the touring type it defo be the bike i'd go for too.

I'm booked in with MCS Kawasaki for a go on their ZX 10R nutter machine next month, i might just ask for a go on Kwakship Enterprise too... Warp Speed Captain

[dizzyblonde]

Just to prove I did ride it











mmmmm billet top yoke

Warp factor 10 Mr Sulu......ENGAGE!!!!

[Geodude]

You been working out Lou, i would have been scared about the weight of that but you look well comfy I really like the look of them 14's and yes your top yoke is pretty

[dizzyblonde]

I've not been working out, although, now my stomach has knitted back together properly, its a start!
Its not that heavy Geo, plus I can get both feet flat on the floor, as its not tall either. The Busa is like a squashed blamange, and is lower still. This I feel is 'manageable'. The only time its a bit of a problem is in slow moving traffic, but I think thats more down to self confidence on someone elses bike, you do have to get used to the sidestand position though, as its not where you expect it, so theres almost a moment where it might tip over, if you aren't tall enough.
Once on the move its a very nimble thing, you are nicely surprised by how small and light it suddenly gets!
However, I will point out, that the new version is heavier, longer and different, as they have been faffing with the engine. It now has tipped the 200 mph/bhp mark. Its got three different settings of power mode, and new stupid elektrickery. The best version in Pegs opinion is the 08-11.

Very nice,,,looks like the pillion will be comfy too. Bum wise,,holding on for grim death is another matter

My next bike will be between the Kwak & Busa.