Issue:
May/June 2008

Text:
Chris Myers

Photography:
Christa Neuhauser

Pages:
84 - 89

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Apprehension and sheer curiosity were the sensations rattling around inside my head the first time I thumbed the starter on the Kawasaki ZX14 Ninja. Though we ride bikes of all different stripes, I was uncharacteristically anxious about this particular model. After all, this is a machine capable of sub 10-second quarter miles and a top speed electronically limited to 186 mph, bone stock. Is there touring potential here, or am I merely astride a big bad ego stroker?

From the second the 1352cc inline four fires up, it's obvious that this machine means business. I didn't need a blast down the local drag strip or an elbows-in run across my favorite deserted road to know that this is one powerful ride. A mere blip of the throttle established that. The throaty wail emanating from the long, twin tail pipes serves to reinforce the point that the Highway Patrol does indeed have a special place for anyone unable or unwilling to exercise restraint. Power is, admittedly, a tremendously appealing aspect of motorcycling. But can there really be too much of a good thing? Here at RoadRUNNER, we don't run our test bikes on the dyno. Comfort, handling and the ability to go the distance check in as our benchmarks. But the purported dyno numbers that Kawasaki has provided are hard to ignore. I'm confident I can corral the ZX14, but after I rack up a few hard miles will I want to?...