The Godzilla of bikes

IF you are into bikes, I am sure you have heard of Kawasaki's new game in the field, their latest ZX14.This is one big looking bike, and with six headlights sneering at the front, the look can be intimidating.

Imagine seeing that bulbous face in your rear view mirror and I am very sure you will not want to stay in its path. But giants are usually a sloth, slow and unwilling to change a direction on a dime.

I am afraid this Japanese giant however, is as lithe as a slim marathon runner. Amazing, but quite true.

By having said that, I don't mean it is as manouverable as a kapchai. You can never pick it up, turn it around and speed off like a bicycle either.

But comparing it with other litre bike (that's 1000cc bikes for you car nutters), the ZX14 is pretty nimble. Check the new frame, lighter and more rigid than the one in its older sibling, the ZX-12R.

Then there is the two balance shafts to cancel out harsh vibrations from the 1,400cc engine. Fuel tank has been relocated further down and at the centre of the bike to make the CG lower (what you see as the fuel tank is actually a coverup for the airbox). The battery too is somewhere down there.

The engine is quite advanced. Though capacity wise it is bigger, it is no

more heavier than the older 1,200cc version. With the Ram Air effect (which means when the bike utilises the 'nosestrills'), that engine kicks out 200hp. With a dry weight of about 218kg, nobody will be complaining about power.

Suspension is a pair of inverted forks at the front and a damper with fully adjustable rebound and compression rate plus spring preload adjuster for the rear.

Stopping power is via four-piston front calliper, matched to a set of floating petalised brake discs. The rear gets one petalised disc (petalised refers to its shape, which looks like flower petals; used to help dissipate heat faster).

This bike has a dashboard, not a meter panel. The huge LCD screen (everything is big on this bike I guess) gives you tonnes of info.

There is also a programmable shift light and a launch rpm light, just in case you need to out drag an Evo or the WRX.

On the road, I am quite surprised with its calming nature. I can prod along around town at kapchai speed, the injection system feeding fuel smoothly. Clutch actuation too is light and engages perfectly.

But if I am bored with playing sheep and want to show of my real skin, I can just twist the throttle at ANY rpm and have your car, your neighbour's car, your teacher's MPV and your uncle's sportscar for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a teh tarik session after that. This is one powerful bike!

I managed to get close to 280kmh before some trucks started blocking the fast lane but I am pretty sure given the road, you can easily see 300 plus kmh in amatter of seconds.

Gear change is not as nothcy as the old Kawa and the steering feels neutral. I guess there is no need for a
steering damper here because I doubt one can get a tank slapper easily on the ZX14, unless he is rather stupid to induce one.

All is not that rosy afterall. There is a flatspot around 4,000rpm (easily overcome by dropping the gear a notch down or just feed it more gas) and the bodywork allows heat to build up and swell over to the rider.

I believe if you continue riding this bike too often in the city, sooner or later you need to stop your Betong trips completely as something between your legs will get roasted. It is really hot!

To say that I love this bike to death and I will not have any other bike than this is quite ridiculous. Yes, I'll
win the who-has-the-biggest-bike contest during the teh tarik discussions, but with no roads to enjoy its full
potential, I rather be riding a smaller 600 cc inline four or perhaps a 1,000 cc twin machine.

But if I am allowed by my wife to have a collection of a few bikes, this ZX14 will definitely be on the list. Rock solid performance with good after sales backup by Sunrock, the 14 will become one of the legendary bikes.

By Hazman Hamzah

I've ridden this monster machine and found it to be more exciting than the fantasy of sex with Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Alba all at the same time in a giant vat of jell-O. It is fast, fabulous and freaking scary all at the same time, yet those with gonads of steel and a the innate balance of a cat will find it to be the ultimate sports tourer. The only thing I fail to understand are the looks. The six individual headlights are quite frankly ugly and that nostril of an air intake is scary too, but overall, this is a bike to love and savour for many years to come. Just don't expect me to to be one of the fans. I'm too busy looking for a giant vat of jell-O anyway.

By Dirk Diggler (11/8/07)

Specifications

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four Displacement: 1,352 cm³

Valve/Induction system: DOHC, 16 valves

Maximum power: 190 PS/ 9,500 rpm

Maximum power with RAM Air: 200 PS / 9,500 rpm

Maximum torque: 154 N.m / 7,500 rpm

Fuel supply/Carburettor: Fuel injection Transmission: 6-speed, return

Frame type: Monocoque, aluminium

Suspension, front: 43 mm inverted fork

Suspension, rear: Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock

Tyre, front: 120/70ZR17M/C

Tyre, rear: 190/50ZR17M/C

Brakes, front: Dual semi-floating 310 mm petal discs, dual semi-floating 310 mm petal discs

Brakes, rear: Single 250 mm petal disc, opposed 2-piston

Dry weight: 215 kg (without ABS) 218 kg (with ABS)

Distributor: Kawasaki Sunrock Sdn Bhd