Kawasaki ZZR 1400 Hyperbike Review & Test Ride by Joe Average

[@hoomannili]

What a simple, detailed, humble, no-frills, not stupid music and friendly review. I have a CB1300 and love my bike, but I'd also love to have a ZZR1400. Thanks for the review buddy!

[@ColGadarby]

Just been riding one this evening - Wow ! What a bike...cornering is just incredible...Power on tap in spades and comfort beyond my expectations. Loved every second of it.

[@nunom1973]

Spent the last weekend ringing the neck off of mine, couldn't love it more

[@maunsellanderson5646]

Great review. I am 56 and on my second ZX1400R totally agree comfortable long distance tourer but if there a need to have a quick squirt in a twisty bit of road you have a great balanced motorcycle. As a earlier post mentioned nothing is perfect but this bike is pretty close - if you haven't ridden one do your self a favour and you will come back with a big grin after opening one up. However I bought a 2008 ZX1400R from new had a lot of sentimental attachment to it (many adventures 80000KM with no mechanical failures) 6 months ago I parked it on its stand on a slightly downhill slope on my drive way got off the bike to close the garage door heard crash my bike was on its side scratched fairing a two cracks on the main fairing and lower panels plus the stainless steel exhaust got scratched - thought its insured I'll get it fixed 2 days later (it was only cosmetic damage) the insurance assessor wrote the bike off the cost to repair was AU $6500 so I got a payout wasn't too happy at the time due to my attachment to the bike. The new bike has all the fruit a akrapovic exhaust - its sounds sweet and I have to say a much more refined and power every where and I forget about sentimental value when I put my leg over it what a great bike - I didn't even look at another bike!!

[@robertreasor7522]

Don't feel bad I did the same thing. I didn't realize I had my ZX1100D in neutral and it was on a tiny bit of incline and all of a sudden crash! The bike didn't have 500 miles on it yet for the first break in service as we dealers like to call it lol.

[@Rayk76]

Had 3 zzr's previously, wish I never traded my zzr14 at the time ! A phenomenal road bike, plush, comfortable, good handling, huge power, hugely capable bike, wish the next gen zzr14 will have cruise control, quickshifter and heated grips.....

[@plymouthjanner8940]

Good sensible review. Totally agree as I own a 2013 ZZR, had the Gen 2 Busa before but the ZZR is so much more refined and comfortable. If you've not tested one then do yourself a favour give it a blast and you'll never look back. Cheers.

[@GhostHunterWV]

I agree!

[@chasinsunsets917]

took an 08 14 out today and i must say after my d4 zzr11, what a wake up call! deposit paid!

[@timmasonguitar]

As a VFR800 VTEC owner, I'd always wanted to try a ZZR1400, so when a test ride day came up at my local Kawasaki dealership I decided to try one. Within a month I was the proud owner of a 2012 model. I've since test-ridden the H2 SX SE, but it's not a patch on the mighty ZZR1400 imo.

[@Land-Shark]

Getting a zero-mile 2016 14r in a few days. Can hardly wait! :)

[@Land-Shark]

9-months later and I love my ZX-14R more than ever. Best motorcycle I've owned in 47 years of riding. Rather keen to start seeing reviews on the H2-SX, now... but, unless I win the lottery, I'll be more than happy riding my ZX-14R for a few more years. :)

[@MRUNDISPUTEDCHAMPION]

Land Shark 503 Do you still own the ZX14r?

[@buddhastaxi666]

Im 65 and have had a zx14r for a year after having a zx14 for 12 years. I ride it most days on open roads in west Australia at high speed. They are fantastic. Easy to manouvere. Handle well especially on michelin 5 tyres. Cant beat that power

[@82davidjohnson]

Hello to you OZ I have the 2018 performance sports , as you say, great Bike, ps i am bloody 80 . LOVE FROM ENGLAND

[@buddhastaxi666]

@@82davidjohnson must found your reply. 80! Great. Show the zombies up! I give mine heaps. Our roads are poor not like Europes main roads. I canthammer it some days but i watchmy diet my alertness improves and i still work and keep upper body strength. I love my bike.

[@jfro5867]

Hi, just watched this. Good balanced review ridden at sensible speeds. I have the same bike. Similar age to you, had all sorts of bikes over last 25 years. No bike is perfect but this is probably the closest yet. As a real world road bike it's almost impossible to criticise. Riding at 'normal' speeds it feels effortless. Have given it a squirt here and there and it's awesome naturally. I know the H2 is attracting all the hype and probably rightly so but I think the big Z wraps up 25 years of heritage into an awesome package. I wanted a zzr1100 when in my early 20's but couldn't afford one. I can now & yes, it really is that good.

[@xchalibur77]

I have a zzr 1100 and I love it just for the reasons you said cause its fast and comfortable and more one little thing , it has a center stand

[@GhostHunterWV]

The 14R's can and will run with the H2's.

[@iandavies6620]

Would only ever part with mine (2013 Special Edition) for another ZZR. I just cannot imagine riding anything else!

[@cramalnig]

Crackin vid! Sensible riding (it's also always nice to hear the commentary over wind noise), and you gave good reasoning too.. this is a bike I've dreamed of for a few years now, and one I will own when circumstances are right. I love sports bikes, ridden all the R1's n jixers n blades but at 6'5" I found them no pleasure for my knees nor back...yep, once 5k rpm arrives things happen very quickly, and it's all good fun, but doesn't bode well for my back. I took a zzr1400 out for test ride a while back and I was simply blown away by its ballistic performance and most of all - it's comfort. How it accelerates so quickly from low revs is impressive.. the seat is simply clever, long so when it's tootling through a town I'm up against the tank, wind on the throttle and I slip back in the seat leaning down. Brill!

[@Absinthe2401]

ECU flash, slip-ons, lithium battery...unleash the beast! My 2013 flies much better now with a big weight loss and better engine mapping. Great review tx!

[@ridmik6]

Agree totally with your review. At 52, I'm still a sport bike rider, the comfort plus mind blowing acceleration makes me a teenager again. How is a bike like this legal? Who cares!

[@GhostHunterWV]

It's very nice!

[@keithroberts6189]

have wanted one for few years now

[@goody1571]

Great review, I agree with everything you say..except that it's not a performance edition, it's a standard one with the Akra cans that you normally get on the performance sport model. The PS model also has a different paint job, Ohlins shock, black clock surrounds, MRA screen and gold fork tops. Still an amazing bike all the same though, great all rounder and really comfy. I love em

[@joeaverage8316]

Stu Goodson Hi Stu You are perfectly correct regarding the Performance Sport Spec, however a number of dealers fitted the Akrapovics & Screen to a standard bike, this was known as a Performance Edition, which was the bike reviewed, hope this clarifys.

[@jamesbird5406]

Great review fella.

[@marktroughton1064]

Thanks for an excellent review - this is how they should be done.

[@geoffpoole1972]

Enjoyed that review. Real world riding of the mighty ZZR :)

[@countbasingstoke]

Just placed my order getting her next week. :-))))

[@GhostHunterWV]

Awesome!

[@MrSimonfoz]

Got a 2008 model best bike I've owned.

[@whirinakii]

Great review I own a 2008 ZX14R (not as quick as the one you reviewed) agreed with the comfort, smooth engine and comfortable riding position I'm 54 and a sports bike would kill my back and wrists and you mentioned its only a quick bike if your right hand opens up the throttle but when you do cant wipe the smile off your face - if you haven't ridden one or in the position to purchase one give it a go.

[@GhostHunterWV]

Amazing Bikes!

[@michaellilley6725]

Love the licence saving strips of red tape on the Speedo😉

[@chris_rides_kawasaki]

Hi Joe, you haven't made any videos for a while. Just wondered if you're ok?

[@shanauk]

Great work ! I'm in a very very bad dilemma between 2013 R1 (Can not get rid of superbike habits) ad 2012+ ZZR1400 :( I'll use in streets, city tour, traffic or the main cause; long way out... With these circumstances; you offer me ZZR1400; as an Everyday Bike?!? Take Care...

[@GhostHunterWV]

Awesome vid!

[@jfro5867]

Yea, with you. I rode a zzr1100 years ago when a mate had one, it was as good as i had hoped and to be fair the sensation to this 1400 is very very similar. An elastic and intoxicating whoosh as you open her up....ride safe m8

[@GhostHunterWV]

Good stuff!

[@Davidlouis3]

Stunning

[@harryflashman4542]

spot on review.

[@MrBlue200tdi]

I have a 2014 Performance Sport, which is the next model up from this one. I've had these bikes since 2011 and I wouldn't ever change it unless Kawasaki made a new one. I tour all over Europe on mine and they are happy in traffic or on the open road and round the Nurburgring. There is no bike that can do what these can do. They will lean over so far that the lower fairing will scrape on the floor and they destroy litre sports bikes. If you haven't ridden one, go and ride one because the torque is phenomenonal. Just watch the speedo because 130mph feels like 70mph.

[@myreality7817]

Can't afford one and I like the older styling better. I have a 91 zx11. The zx14 is obviously a superior machine at 186mph, 2.5 sec 0-60 and quarter mile, but 176mph, 2.95 sec and the quarter mile isn't too shabby. Cost me less than $1 US per cc.

[@evilelf5967]

got a zzr1200 and the zzr 1400....wouldn't swap them for anything.

[@hejustleft]

This bike doesn't accelerate, It launches.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Especially on the dead motorways these last few months....I have seen a few hurtle past me while I've been driving my Peugeot 106 diesel...

[@williamsterben]

Keep it below 4k and it's very docile.

[@DynamiteDaveLlewellyn]

what happened to the sound ???

[@GhostHunterWV]

Listen to my Brocks exhaust on my channel! Sounds amazing!!

[@informationproducts442]

ZX14R BUSA KILLER

[@countbasingstoke]

What risers have you got Sir?

[@GhostHunterWV]

Meanest bike on the road!

[@stephenhayston4314]

They are mega

[@MotoM1234]

Let it loose!!