2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R First Ride

Kevin Duke
by Kevin Duke

Quickest streetbike ever!

Loyal fans of Suzuki’s iconic Hayabusa have something to be seriously worried about. Kawasaki has overhauled its fast and smooth ZX-14, adding a bigger and more powerful engine that promises to outgun the venerable Busa.

I just spent a day hammering the new ZX-14R In Las Vegas, beginning with a blast through the desert and ending with several runs down the quarter-mile dragstrip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Even though atmospheric conditions were unfavorable, calculating to a 3000-foot altitude, the 14R posted a blazing 9.77-second run!

Think about this: Here’s a completely stock and EPA-legal production streetbike that can from a dead stop accelerate to nearly 150 mph in just 1320 feet!

You might think such a monstrously powerful motorcycle to be an uncivilized animal on the street, but you’d be completely wrong. If throttle openings are kept to less than a quarter turn, the ZX-14R is incredibly docile and silky, giving no indication it’s now the undisputed quickest-accelerating machine ever offered to the public.

Look for a full review of this awesome new land-bound missile tomorrow!

Related Reading
2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Preview
2008 Kawasaki ZX-14: First Ride
2008 Suzuki Hayabusa vs. Kawasaki ZX-14 Shootout
2006 Kawasaki ZX-14 Model Introduction

Kevin Duke
Kevin Duke

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