2015 Kawasaki ZX-14R Review

Sport bike, commuter, or touring? The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 debuted in 2006, replacing the ZX-12R.

The ZX-14R weighs a lofty 590 pounds wet. The combination of street tires and the weight of the bike prevented the 14R from matching the triple-digit corner speeds of the race-inspired sport bikes on the abrasive track, however.  

Overall, the bike is nimble, considering its size. Kawi has the ECO indicator on the LCD screen to suggest a conservative throttle hand. The indicator turns off right about 6,500 rpm.

Turning off KRTC is an option, if you dare, but turning off the ABS is not an option, short of pulling fuses. This bike really blurs the line between a sport bike and sport-touring machines.

The low seat height makes it easy to walk the bike around despite its weight and the seat is very plush for extended rides. The weight of the bike and sheer power going to the rear wheel means tire longevity is sacrificed.

Don't buy this bike if you hate attention. Kawasaki did an excellent job of keeping this big-displacement bike in the middle ground by mixing sport bike handling and sport-touring ergonomics. To be honest, though, Kawasaki has produced a middle-ground bike that's still fun.

2007 Kawasaki ZZR600

Specifications:

1.      Compression ratio: 12.8:1.

2.      Cooling: Liquid.

3.      Ignition: Digital.

4.      Front suspension / wheel travel: 46mm Cartridge Front Fork, fully adjustable / 4.7 in.

5.      Front tire: 120/65ZR17.

6.      Rear tire: 180/55ZR17.

7.      Front brakes: 300mm dual hydraulic disc with six-piston calipers.

8.      Rear brake: 220mm hydraulic disc.

9.      Overall height: 46.3 in.

10.  Dry weight: 377 lbs. (49-state model), 381.5 lbs. (Calif. model).

Kawasaki W650

The Kawasaki W650 is a retro standard motorcycle marketed by Kawasaki for model years 1999-2007 and superseded by the Kawasaki W800. The "650" refers to the engine displacement.

In 1999, superseding the Zephyr series, Kawasaki introduced the W650, resembling British motorcycles of the early 1960s, notably the Triumph Bonneville. The W650 has a long-stroke engine of 72 mm bore x 80 mm stroke with an anti-vibration balance shaft and modern electronics. In 2006 Kawasaki added a short-stroke W400 model, in Japan. 

Kawasaki 125 Eliminator

Specifications 2001 Kawasaki 125 Eliminator:

1.      Fuel mileage: 47 mpg.

2.      Average range: 160 miles.

3.      Engine type: Air-cooled, four stroke single.

4.      Final drive: Chain, 46/15.

5.      Front suspension: 33mm stanchions, 5.1 in. travel.

6.      Rear suspension: Two dampers, 3.9 in. travel, adjustable for preload.

7.      Wheels: Wire-spoke, 2.00 x 17 in. front, 2.75 x 15 in. rear.

BMW G 650 GS vs. Kawasaki KLR650

The BMW offers amenities not found on the Kawasaki, including a trip computer, emergency flashers and heated grips. The BMW's shock-spring-preload handwheel is great for dialing in sag on the fly. Kawasaki owners might want to use the KLR's luggage platform to carry a tool kit. At first glance, the KLR's internals seem complicated, but the carbureted bike is pretty basic when it comes to roadside repairs.

BMW recently released the G650GS, which is essentially the single-cylinder F650GS of yore with a few minor tweaks. Not least are some timely economic incentives, such as the inclusion of BMW's new-generation ABS and heated handgrips in the bike's $7670 base price. G now describes all single-cylinder models, while F is for the parallel-twins, R for opposed-twins, K for multis, etc. For beginning riders, the G also offers one of the lowest standard seat heights in dual-sport history at 30.7 inches. Order it with the factory-installed low suspension for an additional $175 and seat height drops further, to a squat 29.5 inches. Conversely, you can order the bike with a high seat and raise it to 32.2 inches

Kawasaki's august KLR650 needs no rambling introduction. In stature, it's Lerch-like next to the BMW, its 35-inch-high seat more on par with trailbikes. If you're tall, that aggressive posture is a call to serious adventure riding. On that playing field, the Kawi is more comparable to BMW's trail-ready F800GS. Apart from the ABS element, the KLR's brakes to offer slightly stronger feel.

The BMW is more like huevos rancheros with a side of guacamole. Kawasaki doesn't offer accessory panniers for the KLR, but there are a number available from the aftermarket.

Ironically, the stock hand guards on the bare-bones KLR actually kept our paws warmer than the G650's fancy heated grips. Both bikes come with short windscreens and luggage racks. Both luggage racks are useful, though the BMW's actually enhances the look of the bike and features a convenient, lockable stash box. As for fuel efficiency, the injected BMW offers substantially higher mpg, but holds only 4.0 gallons of fuel to the Kawasaki's 6.1 gallons.

The BMW's seat is unfortunately canted so that it pushes the rider's hips toward the tank, making even our shortest tester feel cramped. It's also perhaps the easiest BMW in history to ride.

Despite identical bore and stroke figures, the G650 stomps the KLR, pumping out 9 more horsepower in a smoother, friendlier manner. Despite its dual-sport intentions, the GS's ergonomics are street-biased, with a short peg-to-seat distance and long seat-to-bars reach. If you're vertically challenged, the GS is for you: Its seat is 5 inches lower than the KLR's.

Power isn't the KLR's forte, but it is sufficient to get the job done. The KLR delivers with a lofty 35-inch-high seat and high, wide handlebar. If you're shorter than 5-foot-10, you'll need a stepladder.