So on Saturday I finally got my Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. I only rode it for 10 minutes because of the weather (about 20 degrees, frozen rain water from the week in the parking lot, and freezing winds). I wasn't prepared to freeze to death or crash the bike from frozen parking lot pavement haha. My super duper early initial thoughts though, I sat back and forth between the Busa and the ZX-14R and the ZX-14R felt 10 times more comfortable to me. The Busa's handlebars are I think more aggressive, that combined with the fact that I'm not a tall guy contributes to my discomfort on the Busa. The ZX-14R has 2 power options: L and F I think? Don't exactly remember, all I know is I had it on the most powerful option. It has 3 traction modes, I put it on 3 because of the weather.
I was slightly disappointed with the ZX-14R's stock exhaust sound. I guess I was expecting it to be more aggressive than the Busa stock. Instead, it sounds the same as my Busa when it was stock in terms of decibel levels with the only difference being the exhaust note. I've since upgraded my Busa with Two Brothers slip-ons and it sounds like a beast. I'm planning on doing the same thing with the ZX-14R over the summer. I saw the Two Brothers video with their ZX-14R system and it sounds amazing. I do have a video of my Busa rev before the upgrade and the ZX-14R does sounds dignificantly louder, but I think that had more to do with the fact that I used an external mic for the ZX-14R video.
I turned a few corners on my 10 minutes and the ZX-14R feels heavier than the Busa, but rides very similarly. My Busa lost a few pounds with the Two Brothers exhaust so I'm sure that's why the ZX-14R felt heavier on turns. If I was blindfolded, I don't think I'd be able to tell if I was on the Busa or on the ZX-14R aside from the fact that I'd feel more comfortable on the ZX-14R. I hesitate to comment on the speed and acceleration because I don't think I even got out of 2nd gear. However, I honestly couldn't feel the difference. There is no, "OMG! This is out of this world so much faster!" Then again, I don't race. Maybe in the higher RPMs it becomes extremely obvious to pro racers, but for me I really didn't feel anything.
In conclusion, I love 'em both. Aesthetically, I have a bias towards the Busa because I love red accents on black and yeah... it's a Busa. But really at the end of the day I think these 2 bikes will really come down to the rider and/or the skills put behind the modifications. Looking back, I probably did get caught up in all the hype way back in November when this place almost turned into a ZX-14R forum. Overall, they're both awesome motorcycles and to me there's really no point in arguing which one is faster. Make love not war everyone.
Here's the video I'd like to share, hope everyone enjoys!
I was slightly disappointed with the ZX-14R's stock exhaust sound. I guess I was expecting it to be more aggressive than the Busa stock. Instead, it sounds the same as my Busa when it was stock in terms of decibel levels with the only difference being the exhaust note. I've since upgraded my Busa with Two Brothers slip-ons and it sounds like a beast. I'm planning on doing the same thing with the ZX-14R over the summer. I saw the Two Brothers video with their ZX-14R system and it sounds amazing. I do have a video of my Busa rev before the upgrade and the ZX-14R does sounds dignificantly louder, but I think that had more to do with the fact that I used an external mic for the ZX-14R video.
I turned a few corners on my 10 minutes and the ZX-14R feels heavier than the Busa, but rides very similarly. My Busa lost a few pounds with the Two Brothers exhaust so I'm sure that's why the ZX-14R felt heavier on turns. If I was blindfolded, I don't think I'd be able to tell if I was on the Busa or on the ZX-14R aside from the fact that I'd feel more comfortable on the ZX-14R. I hesitate to comment on the speed and acceleration because I don't think I even got out of 2nd gear. However, I honestly couldn't feel the difference. There is no, "OMG! This is out of this world so much faster!" Then again, I don't race. Maybe in the higher RPMs it becomes extremely obvious to pro racers, but for me I really didn't feel anything.
In conclusion, I love 'em both. Aesthetically, I have a bias towards the Busa because I love red accents on black and yeah... it's a Busa. But really at the end of the day I think these 2 bikes will really come down to the rider and/or the skills put behind the modifications. Looking back, I probably did get caught up in all the hype way back in November when this place almost turned into a ZX-14R forum. Overall, they're both awesome motorcycles and to me there's really no point in arguing which one is faster. Make love not war everyone.
Here's the video I'd like to share, hope everyone enjoys!
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on the new scoot! Look forward to more of your review with more seat time.
