Kawasaki ZZR1400
Tue, 03/01/2012 - 16:07
I'm riding the revised ZZR1400 on January 18 in southern Italy, including at the high speed Nardo proving ground so we test top speed behaviour (like it really matters...). This is the main European press launch so there'll be plenty of senior staff there - any questions you'd like me to pose or anything else you want me to look out or, then here and now's the time to ask!
Sat, 21/01/2012 - 15:03
#2
Re: Kawasaki ZZR1400
Kevin - thanks for your review.
The Kawi green paint job with flames looked really special and of high quality.. The bike shown at NYC's motorcycle show had chrome and black wheels which added to its appearance. Not sure if they were part of the special "green" package here in the USA?
While the bike has demonstrated to have superior performance in early road tests, too bad it doesn't have neck snapping low end torque one would expect from a 1450cc motor. The price one pays for that extra bit of top end. Cam profiles - lift, duration & overlap, make huge differences in power/torque curves.
Just look at how Ducati improved its 1198 low end response by reducing overlap to 11 degrees. While only losing a bit of high rpm hp which is rarely felt.
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 21:13
#3
Re: Kawasaki ZZR1400
While the bike has demonstrated to have superior performance in early road tests, too bad it doesn't have neck snapping low end torque one would expect from a 1450cc motor. The price one pays for that extra bit of top end. Cam profiles - lift, duration & overlap, make huge differences in power/torque curves.
It didn't feel like it had enough punch at low revs to me but I'm reserving judgement (the cop out way of saying I could be wrong...) until a proper road ride as all we got on the launch were straight line acceleration tests, a circuit and the Nardo ring, and no road riding at all.
But yes, I was thinking of the Multistrada while riding the ZZR and thought the Ducati has more kick at lowish road speeds.
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 23:07
#4
Re: Kawasaki ZZR1400
"I was thinking of the Multistrada while riding the ZZR and thought the Ducati has more kick at lowish road speeds"
... I think there's a typo? I think you meant to say Diavel! :-D
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I'm riding the revised ZZR1400 on January 18 in southern Italy, including at the high speed Nardo proving ground so we test top speed behaviour (like it really matters...). This is the main European press launch so there'll be plenty of senior staff there - any questions you'd like me to pose or anything else you want me to look out or, then here and now's the time to ask!