Hyperbike ZX14R or ZZR1400.

The ZX14r was created in response to the Suzuki Hayabusa. It was designed to surpass it in terms of power, top speed, and acceleration. And it succeeded.

So, let me tell you about my motorcycle.

It's a 2010 model, European, equipped with ABS.

There's been a lot said about the usefulness of ABS. In relation to this motorcycle, it would definitely be quite bleak without this system. The fact is, with the large mass, it becomes extremely difficult to feel the front wheel slide. More than once, I've felt vibrations on the brake lever, and in those moments, I wondered how different things might be.

Recalling my initial impressions, I can say the following: at first, the motorcycle seemed very big and unwieldy. But this feeling passed very quickly. Now I can confidently say that it’s definitely possible to ride it on the track and lean through turns with your knee down.

The guys at Kawasaki worked hard on reducing the motorcycle’s weight. The bike isn’t light, but it feels completely different compared to the GTR1400. The center of mass is positioned as low and centrally as possible. This provides excellent handling and maneuverability.

There's no need to talk about the power reserve. One might wonder why you need 200 horsepower? But, in reality, you don't have to constantly shift gears; you have the ability to accelerate at any moment and from any gear. I should note that, compared to a 600cc bike, there’s no desire to constantly rev the engine to its maximum, squeeze every bit of power out of it, and constantly shift gears. The power reserve gives a devilish confidence. This kind of power is both mesmerizing and calming at the same time. Paradoxically, I rode more dangerously on bikes with smaller engine capacities.

Ergonomics and Riding Position:

This motorcycle leans heavily towards touring. It has a comfortable yet sporty riding position—the clip-ons are positioned widely for touring but not too high. In my opinion, the footpegs are where they should be: not as high as on sportbikes, but not particularly low either.

For me, a riding position where the body is leaned forward with some weight on the hands is the most comfortable. For some reason, my rear and back get significantly more tired with a vertical sitting position typical of pure touring bikes.

Wind protection is adequate, but at high speeds, you have to hunch over. The motorcycle’s plastic shields almost the entire body from the wind—feet, legs, arms, torso, and neck. For me, this is a big plus, as it minimizes road dirt on the gear in rainy weather (as much as possible) and prevents cold air from getting where it shouldn’t in cold weather.

Compared to the Hayabusa, the ZX-14r has excellent touring qualities. Anyone who has ever ridden a Hayabusa will understand me. The comfort of the riding position there is sacrificed for sportiness. But comparing these two motorcycles deserves a separate post.

Appearance:

I really like how it looks—big, beautiful, aggressive. Just look at those mirrors, headlights, and dual exhausts.

Mirrors:

I’m satisfied with the mirrors; they show everything you need to see. The only thing is, in traffic, you sometimes have to fold one of them.

Suspension:

The suspension is soft and comfortable, yet there’s no vagueness. I’d say it’s more touring-oriented rather than sporty.

Brakes:

For me, they are simply perfect. Modern (radial setup, 4-piston calipers), precise, and powerful. The downside is that depending on your riding style, the discs can wear out very quickly. I would check them first when buying. They are not cheap.

Engine:

The engine here is simply fantastic. I absolutely love it. It has locomotive-like pulling power from very low revs, with a noticeable kick around 4,000 rpm. Without this kick, I’d get bored quickly.

The power is such that it’s instinctively frightening to open the throttle sharply even now. During acceleration, the motorcycle lifts the front wheel with its not-so-short wheelbase. Your hands are yanked forward, making it very hard to hold on. The throttle controls both fuel injection into the cylinders and adrenaline injection into the bloodstream.

The feeling of acceleration is why people buy these motorcycles. For me, it’s like a drug. It’s the acceleration that matters, not the speed. Going 300 km/h has long ceased to be interesting to me.

I should note that the ground clearance is not high. With such a wheelbase and soft suspension, you need to be very careful when driving over speed bumps, as you can hit the engine case. I’ve heard that some people have broken the drain bolt. This only applies to non-standard "artificial unevenness" made of asphalt.

In conclusion:

The motorcycle is solid and gives a sense of status. It’s simply pleasant to be on, to own, and it gives a feeling of self-respect, as if you’re wearing an expensive suit. Or to put it simply—it's an image motorcycle.