Kawasaki ZZ-R1400 (2006-2012)

After a year and 2,500 miles the bike has had highs and lows for me. Nice in poor wintery conditions even on sports tyres but clumsy and not that sporty in the dry...until I dialled in the suspension and got rid of the stock cans. Comfort isn't as good as the seat makes you think and even with a higher screen the windblast can hurt the neck much more than the Busa ever did. Wife loves the pillion side of things but having tried the gen 2 Busa out she finds its broader seat better on long runs. Its stupidly fast but flighty as well near the red line in 3rd and 4th so could do with a steering damper just to add confidence and with the suspension working as it should its much easier to go constantly quick than on any sports bike as gear changes are rare so you can focus on where your going rather than what gear you need next. Now it runs true and smooth from low revs and is filling in the job of my old busa quite nicely so no regrets just yet and a nice 48+mpg.. Build quality is so so..plastics are like tracing paper and are beginning to show cracks around the dash infill screws and the fur on the radiator core just makes it look cheaply made. I tried the new 2012 model and apart from having a better from the shop suspension I see no real benefits for road use as i've never had any traction issues with my riding style. I would consider getting a slipper clutch fitted as the downshift can get the back end moving about when on it coming downhill. Doing a back-back test against a Gen 2 Busa in a few weeks so that will be a fun day.

Had bike for just under 3years, 48,000kms. Minor weeping at valve cover gasket and tip over sensor that won't stop vibrating. Recently did valve adjustment, throttle sync and plugs -much smoother in all conditions. Been using PR2's and can't see a reason to try anything else. Have Yosh R-77 slips and blocked off kleen air recirc, and mra dbl bubble racing screen. Otherwise stock. Huge difference getting suspension sorted. For me, settings are very sensitive and took forever getting close to perfect. But once do, very controlled, predictable and just can't ask for better. Well, ohlins might make so but fine tuning gets to where I no longer feel it can get much better. With suspension working just so, everthing just seems to fall into place. Braking, shifting, turn in, exit. All good. Only major complaint is there always seems too much traffic and never enough pavement to ride. It goes without saying that it's fast but that's not what makes this bike such a great street/sport tourer. It's it's effortlessness, no fuss, any condition/road, do it all ability.

just got an 09' model after 4 yrs on a Gen 1 Busa.......so far it is lighter to control, faster and better in the wet.....but engine low down aint that smooth and theres no onboard storage of any kind....engine is less vibey and a bit more economical...its early days but so far happy with the change.

2 years and 11,000 miles later...it's time to give my silver ZZR1400 a review. Let me start with the negatives first... The part of the fuel tank under the seat is prone to corrosion. Keep it covered in ACF50 and then everything's fine. Erm... I guess that's it! It has been 100% reliable. Great build quality. Rides and handles brilliantly after the suspension has been set-up for your weight. The engine is just stunning. I've never been on a drag strip, so I'm still to reach it's limits. Absolutely shed loads of torque torque and more torque. 80mph is just 4k rpm, and returns a 180+ mile tank range, comfy, confidence inspiring, (relatively) forgiving, fantastic brakes, oh and did I say it was fast as ****? If you're reading this review and wondering whether to buy one...look no further, just go put your money down.

I've just bought an 07 ZZR1400. What a bike, my god I thought my ZX10r was fast but this thing is just in another league. The engine is so smooth, just roll on the throttle in 6th gear at any speed and it just keeps pulling like a train. 150MPH on the way home no problem (71mph honestly officer)It's friendly round town and the weight keeps it smooth and planted in bends. Very comfy, with loads of room, I'm 6' and have no trouble. This bike is immense, if you want a bike that is fast and comfortable, this is the bike for you. Ok, ZX10's and the like will out corner you, but you'll catch up on the straight bits with out any trouble. If you're thinking of buying one, buy it, you won't regret it.

I took a bit of a gamble on buying this bike, I saw one of the last black models with gold wheels at the old price and prior to the vat increase. My Blackbird had served me well but was 10 yrs old now, snow and ice meant a much shorter test ride than I would have liked. First impressions were this was a bike designed to fulfill a number of roles. A sporty riding position, but not extreme as my mates blade.The engine was a revelation, I thought my Blackbird was smooth and had power but the ZZR is in a different league. Initial acceleration is rapid but get into the mid range and it really takes off, you either run out of road or bottle it. Overtakes are a dream and the combination of smooth engine and a slick gearbox ensure progress is rapid but controlled. Plenty of room for pillions and luggage, but my Autocom used the last of underseat storage space. Another nice suprise was the buld quality, huge improvements in all areas and definitley up there with Honda now,the clocks are fabulous with a mix of digital info on consumtion and fuel range etc which I find useful! this is my 5th Kawasaki and I have no regrets buying the ZZR. Handling, power, stability, looks, brakes, this bike ticks all the boxes and a trip to France in summer beckons, I can't wait to give this bike a good workout. This is not a bike for novices or those with poor anger management skills though, I have had to recalibrate my riding as everthing happens so much quicker now, when compared to my Honda. I am glad I bought my ZZR and my gamble has paid off, I have no hesitation in giving this bike full marks in all departments, one hell of a bike.

i bought a 08 zzr 1400 and i have just got back from a 3000 mile european tour through france , switzerland, and spain , the bike was immense and extremely comfortable and practacle, and for a big powerful bike fantastic on fuel, it carried me and my luggage all over without any hassle and with great ease , this has to be the best bike i have ever owned, i have had a blackbird, hiyabusa and a sprint st , this is the best bike ever, a real credit to kawasaki , they have produced a real class leading sports tourer...:-)

To date (2010) there are really two flavours, pre-2008 and 2008 onwards with one big difference. Early (06/07) models have gutless low down caused by Kawasaki restricting them to make them easier for new riders, somehow having CG125 power up to 6,000 rpm, then immediately exploding into a ZX10R on steroids made them safer? From 2008 Onwards this was fixed, but early bikes can be easily sorted if you remove secondary butterflies and fit a Power Commander, this costs a few hundred quid so be aware if looking at used bikes. Every owner I know who has done this rates it as the best mod they have ever done to any bike. Some early ones were re-called due to frames cracking where the engine mounts had been overtightened in the factory, should all be sorted now but wirth checking if you have 06 / 07 or are planning to buy one. Generally they are quite good out of the crate: Later models or flyless early ones are mega grunty from 3,000rpm upwards, even two-up with luggage you rarely need to go above 6k or drop more than a gear or two for overtakes. Early ones with flies in are very flat and often need 3-4 downchanges when overtaking - very tiresome. Handling is OK for a big bike, but can be made much better, they are better than ZZR1100's and such like but the front end is a bit harsh and the rear struggles with two people especially if you tour with luggage. I had my forks and shock re-sprung and revalved and it became a different bike, cost about £500 but improved handling, feedback and comfort immensely. Felt about 20kg lighter afterwards, much closer to sportsbike handling. Everything else is OK, clocks etc work well, comfort is pretty good, some serious mile munchers add bar risers, taller screens and Gel Seats but compared to any sportsbike it is a sofa. Reliability is generally OK but there are some common issues, early bikes could leak oil from head or balancer shaft area, discs warp repeatedly, the Kawasaki ones are awful and can go in as little as 3,000 miles, I am on third set in under 10k - once warranty is up replace with aftermarket items. Top fairings can crack around screws where lowers meet up as screws are so close the edge, look out if buying and be very careful when removing / refitting panels. Tanks can rust under the seat, keep clean / dry and apply something to protect them. I have been abroad quite a bit two-up with luggage, with the lowdown power sorted it was very good but suspension struggled first time on the roads of the Pyrenees, especially when loaded. Second Euro-trip involved reworked suspension and the handling was excellent, bends could be enjoyed even with two people and full (hard Luggage) Stable wallow free handling with stacks of feedback - perfect. Generally a very good bike let down a bit by a few niggles, but they are very easy to sort and can be massively improved quite cheaply making early ones a bargain. Running costs are HUGE, Service every 3750 miles, minors are about £200 and Majors (every other) over £300 at stealerships. OE tyres are poor, fronts feel vague and many owners get well under 2,000 miles from rear, I shredded two in under 3,000 steady (ish) mainly touring miles. Better rubber will see 3-6k depending on "Style", Roadsmarts and BT-021's are popular as all round tyres. loads more info on www.zx14r.co.uk

A great bike- smooth and with heaps of torque, great stability, easy to read at a glance uncluttered instruments and good views from mirrors (although everything in them soon becomes a micro dot!). ps Keep an eye out for what's up in the sky in North Wales- it's not the clouds I'm talking about!!!!!!!

i bought mine in march and have done 3700 miles of biking heaven,a truly awesome bike nice and docile round town if you want it to be but just crack the throttle open and mayhem breaks loose without a doubt the best bike i have ever owned