Kawasaki Zx-14

Kawasaki ZX-14

NEW BIKES 2008

When great is no longer good enough

We don’t live in a vacuum. What we see on the pages of magazines and Internet websites is viewed and interpreted simultaneously by others around the globe. So when rumors of a bigger, better Suzuki Hayabusa emerged, you can bet the Kawasaki engineers who designed the CW Ten Best-winning ZX-14 were paying attention, too. Question is, what did they do about it?

More power! More speed! Less noise!

That latter reference not what you expected? Get used to it. Tightening emissions laws continue to force manufacturers to address issues that previously required little brain power. Engine clatter? Can’t have it. Smoky tailpipes? History.

In the case of the big Ninja, the ’Busa counterattack began with re-profiled pistons and urethane-sheet insulation inside the magnesium left-side countershaft cover. Step two widened the injector spray angle for better fuel dispersion, smoothed intake porting and enlarged the secondary air ports. A higher-flow Air Switching Valve (part of the emissions gear) was fitted, too. Capper was a redesigned exhaust, complete with a honeycomb catalyzer in the collector (joining existing muffler cats), enlarged crossover-tube openings and tweaks to silencer baffling.

Exactly how much cleaner, quieter and more powerful is the 2008 ZX-14? Kawasaki isn’t saying. One thing that won’t change is top speed, which was-and will remain-an electronically limited 186 mph. At least now you’ll get there quicker.

Matthew Miles