Test Notes
Kawasaki ZX-14R
+ Most powerful engine ever
+ Solid chassis, good suspension
+ Good brakes
– Could lose some weight
– Thirsty engine
– Difficult to dragstrip launch
x 8-second quarter-miles, here we come!
Suggested Suspension Settings
Front: Spring preload—6 lines showing; rebound damping—5 clicks out from full stiff; compression damping—9 clicks out from full stiff
Rear: Spring preload—15mm thread showing; rebound damping—1.5 turns out from full stiff; compression damping—2.5 turns out from full stiff
Test Notes
Suzuki Hayabusa
+ Still a stout engine
+ Rock-solid chassis
+ Tons of aftermarket parts
– No longer the power king
– Suspension getting dated
– Numb, high-effort brakes
x Hasn’t survived this long on just good looks…
Suggested Suspension Settings
Front: Spring preload — 6 turns out from full stiff; rebound damping — 6 clicks out from full stiff; compression damping — 7 clicks out from full stiff
Rear: Spring preload — 10mm thread showing; rebound damping — 7 clicks out from full stiff; compression damping — 7 clicks out from full stiff
| Ratings | | |
|---|
| | Kawasaki ZX-14R | Suzuki Hayabusa |
| Fun to Ride | 9.5 | 9 |
| Quality | 9 | 9 |
| Instruments & Controls | 9 | 8.5 |
| Ergonomics | 9 | 8.5 |
| Chassis & Handling | 8.5 | 8 |
| Suspension | 9 | 8.5 |
| Brakes | 9 | 7.5 |
| Transmission | 9 | 9 |
| Engine Power | 10 | 9.5 |
| Engine Power Delivery | 9 | 9 |
| Ratings Total | 91 | 86.5 |
| Specifications | | |
|---|
| | 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R | 2012 Suzuki Hayabusa |
| MSRP | $14,899 (as tested, Blazed Green Special Edition model; $14,699 base model) | $14,299 (as tested, Limited Edition model; $13,999 base model) |
| Engine | | |
| Type | Liquid-cooled, DOHC inline four-cylinder, 4 valves/cyl. | Liquid-cooled, DOHC inline four-cylinder, 4 valves/cyl. |
| Displacement | 1441cc | 1340cc |
| Bore x stroke | 84.0 x 65.0mm | 81.0 x 65.0mm |
| Compression ratio | 12.3:1 | 12.5:1 |
| Induction | Mikuni DFI, 44mm throttle bodies, dual injectors/cyl. | SDTV EFI, 44mm throttle bodies, dual injectors/cyl. |
| Chassis | | |
| Front suspension | 43mm inverted cartridge fork, 4.6 in. travel | 43mm inverted cartridge fork, 4.7 in. travel |
| Rear suspension | Uni-Trak single shock, 4.9 in. travel | Single shock absorber, 5.5 in. travel |
| Front tire | 120/70ZR-17 Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact | 120/70ZR-17 Bridgestone BT-015F M |
| Rear tire | 190/50ZR-17 Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact | 190/50ZR-17 Bridgestone BT-015R M |
| Rake/trail | 23 deg./3.7 in. (93mm) | 23.4 deg./3.7 in. (93mm) |
| Wheelbase | 58.3 in. (1480mm) | 58.3 in. (1480mm) |
| Seat height | 31.5 in. (800mm) | 31.7 in. (805mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.8 gal. (22L) | 5.5 gal. (21L) |
| Weight | 582 lbs. wet (full fuel tank, all liquids); 547 lbs. dry (no fuel) | 581 lbs. wet (full fuel tank, all liquids); 548 lbs. dry (no fuel) |
| Fuel consumption | 34 – 39 mpg, 36 mpg avg. | 38 – 47 mpg, 42 mpg avg. |
| Quarter-mile | 9.69 sec. @ 148.7 mph | 9.89 sec. @ 141.7 mph |
| Roll-ons | 60-80 mph/2.55 sec.; 80-100 mph/2.53 sec. | 60-80 mph/2.49 sec.; 80-100 mph/2.65 sec. |