The return of the Speed Champ

By Editor ZX14.Net
11/07/2005

(Also published Motorcyclearticles.com)

With all of the rant and rave going on about which motorcycle is the fastest lead us to this thread of words. In a day and age when fuel consumption is high on the priority list, motorcycling is taking on an all-new light. Many manufacturers are jockeying to be the focal point of that light, from super fast liter bikes, to ground covering hyper bikes and metric cruisers, now breaking all the rules. The drive to be the focal point of the motorcycle world has the true enthusiast salivating at the mouth.

Years ago the horsepower crave kept many in garages all night long tweaking for every little ounce of power left to find. These days’ motorcycles roll off production lines with more power than a V6 car. There is certainly a power war going on. This next year will be one to watch. Who will carry the title as the “Speed Champ”? More importantly how long will they keep the title?

Kawasaki Heavy Industries knows all about “flagship” motorcycles. In its recent quest to regain its position from history as “The Speed Champ” one can only remember where this quest started with the GPZ900 and others to follow.

In, 1990 Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) blessed the motorcycle world with a bike many feared.  A lot of the fear was based on a reputation of speed and power that could force a riders grip loose while accelerating through the gears. I can clearly remember the rumors to this day. With that fear respect came within the motorcycling community.

 The ZX-11 Ninja also known as the ZZR1100 was "the speed champ".  The ZX-11 was fast and very powerful boasting some mph numbers and horsepower output figures well ahead of its time.  One of the big questions at the time was why?

KHI more than likely made the bike for the advanced rider, not for the novice. A bike with the ability to accelerate like the ZX-11 would surely be a death trap if left in the wrong hands. The ZX-11 found a home with the right demographic; predominately guy’s ages 28-45 with at least five plus years of riding experience. KHI’s intentions then were to make a very strong statement “here we are, catch us if you can”. KHI endured that “top of the mountain” status for nearly ten years until Suzuki released its Hayabusa. Ten years is a long time for any bike manufacturer. But don’t think for a minute KHI just went to sleep.

The ZX-11 or ZZR100 evolved into the ZZR-1200 in 2002. Many of the traits of the ZX-11 were still present almost twelve years later. Lacking fuel injection certainly dated this motorcycle. Its other shortcomings left the ZZR1200 to a small niche following which resulted in mediocre sales and ultimately the demise of the brand.

In 2006, KHI has re-appeared like a shadow in the night. KHI has returned to claim it’s thrown. Only this time the entrance to the “Grand Ball” has not been so silent.  A storm is brewing in the hyper-bike world and at the center of the storm lays the all-new ZX-14. Rumors are that this motorcycle will be the fastest production motorcycle for Kawasaki and possibly the fastest production motorcycle in the world. KHI is not being shy about their regained presence. At a recent motorcycle show KHI boasted that the ZX-14 would be capable of 200 mph stock. Though the gentleman’s agreement will keep those numbers caged at 186 mph.

So what will this all mean to the motorcycling world? There will surely be a lot of talk and attention pointed to the KHI camp. There will be production counters by the other manufacturers that will vie for the spot in the light.

The ZX-14 will sell. Since KHI has stopped the production of the ZZR-1200 and the ZX-12R, those caught between the sport-touring world and sport bike world may find themselves in Hyperbike town.

Although no official specifications have been released by KHI as of this date the numbers, when they are actually released, will do nothing but further the passion that is brewing about this Herculean bike.

Here is what we do know about the ZX-14:

KHI is boasting that the power plant will be its most powerful ever. Attached to a newer generation Aluminum Monocoque Frame. According to KHI the combination of a balanced engine and the monocoque frame will empower this lightweight hyper bike to run smoothly and handle very well.

KHI also spent some time in the wind tunnel reducing the wind drag of the ZX-14. Reducing wind drag increases speed. So when you are not carving up your favorite twisty you might want to sign up for a speed trial with the ZX-14, it will surely leave an impression on any crowd.

We sit back in anticipation of the next crown bearer of the “Speed Champ” title; the agony of the wait will hopefully end with a smile on the seat. Many of us will scurry to the store to read all of the editorials over the winter, written in Cycle World. Hopefully all of our thoughts and dreams will be reflected in the evaluations and reviews of this intriguing motorcycle.  

Only time will tell. The real question here is are you ready for the “adrenaline rush unleashed”?

By Editor ZX14.Net