Kawasaki ZZR 1400 motorcycle test

Menus

• The Very High Speed ​​Motorcycle according to Kawasaki
• "We do three kilometers at 200 then at my signal, we open wide." Sitting next to me, assayer Kawa gives me a final briefing before the start. In a few moments we will go 5 kilometers in a minute. And to think that I thought I had already driven fast ….
• Discovery: What can be seen …..
• And what cannot be seen ….
• In the saddle
• Motor !
• Track test
• Braking
• Electronics in power
• Welcome to the fourth dimension ….
• First assessment
• Three questions to Mr. Oshima, project leader 1400 ZZR
• Has the aerodynamics of the 2012 model been improved compared to the previous version ?
• How is the motorcycle bridged and how fast it would go without bridle ?
• The KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control) traction control system is both discreet and efficient. How did you achieve this feat ?

The Very High Speed ​​Motorcycle according to Kawasaki

"We do three kilometers at 200 then at my signal, we open wide." Sitting next to me, assayer Kawa gives me a final briefing before the start. In a few moments we will go 5 kilometers in a minute. And to think that I thought I had already driven fast ….

Introduced in 2006, the Kawasaki 1400 ZZR is heir to a long line. Slightly revised in 2008, it comes back to us today in an even more successful and efficient version which quite simply claims the best acceleration in the world (in production bikes)…. For good measure Kawasaki introduced him to the fastest speed track in the world: Nardo !

Discovery: What can be seen …..

Aesthetically, the new ZZR does not differ fundamentally from the old one. The family resemblance is indisputable. The front end has, however, been redesigned with optics grouped into 2 blocks on either side of the huge dynamic air intake. A familiar "big mouth" from Kawa, which evokes the voracity of the 1450 cc engine.

The shapes are tighter and in profile we notice the significantly increased air extraction to improve cooling (there is even a second fan now for the city). The cylindrical chrome mufflers gave way to a pair of voluminous pentagonal pots, all coated in black. As an accessory, Kawasaki offers, among others, a very nice pair of Akrapovic silencers which will surely be successful…. Finally, the redesigned rear part does not give in to the fashion for minimalism and, on the contrary, maintains a balanced volume compared to the front.

And what cannot be seen ….

Inside, too, there are many changes. Starting with the displacement which goes from 1352 to 1441 cm3, that is to say 89 cm3 additional by an increase of the stroke of 4 mm. Increased compression ratio, redesigned and polished intake ducts, enlarged exhaust ducts, camshafts which gain in lift, larger and more permeable air filter and finally the completely revised exhaust line increase the torque by 15, 7 to 16.6 mkg, still at 7,500 rpm and bring the power to 200 horsepower in static. Best of all, average consumption would be reduced by 8%! Note also the reinforced box and the final reduction of one tooth. This promises great covers !

In the saddle

Once installed on the 1400 ZZR 2012 there is a familiar world, but little things have changed, almost as if someone had broken into your home and moved some knickknacks around to get your attention. Let’s start with the driving position, a pleasant compromise between sport and GT, but quite a bit stretched out all the same. Indeed, the engineers worked on integrating the rider into the bike. The new handlebars are now slightly narrower, as is the tank thinned out at the knees. The footrests are lowered and the profile of the saddle is redesigned. It should be remembered that one of the peculiarities of the big Kawasaki is to have a hull chassis. A solution that optimizes the volume of the motorcycle, since here the space usually lost by the enormous double spars serves as an air filter box. This makes the bike narrower, which is not insignificant when you want to go at 300 km / h…. In fact, compared to its displacement and the capacity of its tank (22 liters) the 1400 ZZR is welcoming for its pilot who keeps his knees relatively tight..

The other novelty is the dashboard. If it retains the same shape as the old one, it swaps its white background for black. The whole “cockpit” has been redesigned, with among other things a magnificent upper triple tree. New data appears on the center display screen. It acts as an on-board computer, indicating remaining range, average or instantaneous fuel consumption, time of day, outside temperature in addition to the two usual trips and total mileage. We can also see the engaged report. The information scrolls from the left stalk, without letting go of the handlebars. As on the small ER6, the pilot has an economic driving aid which displays an "eco" logo below 6,000 rpm, 30% throttle opening and less than 160 km / h.

Finally, still on this display and using the left stalk switch, you simply manage the engine power (150 or 200 horsepower) and the level of traction control efficiency (KTRC). The pilot has three positions and the power to deactivate it at any time. Between these two functions, all combinations are possible, i.e. 8 in total.

Motor !

Heavily revamped, the 1400 ZZR delivers fantastic torque at lower revs. From 2000 rpm, almost 10 mkg are available !!! So inevitably, despite the increased weight (268 kilos announced with the full tank, or 9 more than in 2011) the 16.6 mkg at 7500 rpm tears your arms out and immediately propels you to shameful speeds…. except here !

To prove it to us, Kawasaki organized a "runs" session for us on a straight test track. The acceleration is impressive, since at the passage of 400 m the odometer exceeds 250 km / h and the bike accelerates furiously! A real beast, but one that can be controlled as long as you don’t let go of the clutch too vigorously in first. Thank you also the KTRC…. However, its large displacement also allows it to respond very gently to the injunctions of its pilot. The range of use is immense and the elasticity flawless. You can keep the same gear over a very wide range of gears, without the pickup really suffering. In short, it’s flexible and full like an egg at all levels and on all levels !

Track test

Although not designed for such an exercise, the 1400 ZZR was put at our disposal for a few laps, so that we could "judge its handling". She got out of this mess with a lot of gusto. It goes without saying that in addition to handling, we took the opportunity to assess its handling and braking at the same time. Having only two sessions to take the measure of the apparatus and the track, this judgment is by no means final. However, the ZZR is surprisingly lively in the chicane for a machine of this weight. In addition, in fast curves, the rigidity of the hull frame is absolutely not at fault..

After a few laps, you gain confidence and the entry speeds into the corners increase without the bike breaking apart. On the all-new Bridgestone S 20, the ZZR grips the asphalt and transfers its power to the ground well. Admittedly, the suspensions start to seem a little soft then, but after a pit stop, a simple tightening of the damping immediately corrects this "defect" which is not one. They do a job they are not really meant for..

Braking

Same satisfaction on the side of the brakes that do not balk at the task. Powerful and progressive, they retain good efficiency under the circumstances. ABS is very discreet. Admittedly by increasing the pace further the guard increases, but it is not on the road that we will be able to keep up such a pace, so again, no worries on this side. Petal discs, radial mount calipers, the ZZR is equipped with the current top, it’s no worries. For its part, the rear disc is just as flawless.

Electronics in power

This passage on the track also allowed us to evaluate "life-size" the behavior of the traction control…. which at a steady pace on level 2 proved to be very discreet, as did ABS on the front wheel. We will therefore praise the qualities of these not too intrusive assistants which let the pilot push his machine without bullying or restraining him. It seems that insisting on level 3 sometimes results in a sudden engine shutdown after several warning shots, but at such a rate of use, the choice of level 1 might have been more appropriate…. Here again we are talking about rates that are not possible on the open road ….

This brief foray on the track also showcased the impressive blast of the engine that lifts the front wheel as you pass fourth, causing the handlebars to wobble briefly. Hat’s Off ! Moreover, we could easily do the entire track in third or fourth gear, as this mechanism has the trunk and the extension (11,500 rpm maximum).

Welcome to the fourth dimension ….

Last part of this essay, a passage on Nardo’s speed ring, to see what the beauty has in her stomach and if she holds the course.

Even if the exercise does not require any particular piloting skills (this large circle of 12.6 km in circumference is comparable to a straight line), when leaving, we feel a little anguish, probably comparable to that of a airplane pilot who will cross the sound barrier for the first time.

Accompanied by an "opener" we take the track to cover 3 km at around 200 km / h … the opportunity to first assess the protection at high speed. With its reworked stiffness chassis, longer swingarm and 1480mm of wheelbase, the ZZR 1400 boasts flawless stability. We ride serenely taking advantage of the good protection of the fairing thanks to a retracted position. At this pace, we would cross indefinitely. Then on a sign from the opener and we go full throttle. There everything changes. The heart speeds up, the breath becomes short, the field of vision narrows…. The slightest crevice causes a small movement of the handlebars without consequence but which lifts the heart of the novice that I am in this exercise. Under the effect of stress, the adrenaline rush is violent. I hesitate for a split second and glance at the opener still deep in the bubble, so I let go and it doesn’t flinch. The ZZR leaves like a rocket to reach the breaker on sixth gear, at 11,000 rpm (11,500 on the others). 12 seconds later, the first kilometer is swallowed and after a minute, or 5 kilometers at full speed, we slow down. Mazette. 300 stopwatch is mind blowing! We are used to often very optimistic meters, but this is another dimension. I, who had driven at 285 meters on a Hayabusa (probably a small 260 chrono and more), or at 280 on a BMW (K 1200 s or S 1000 RR), I have never felt such a sensation of speed, because here, unlike on the road or on the track, the exercise takes a long time. Impressive ! ! ! For information, the clamping occurs just before 300 and several mobile phones and other GPS have measured 296/297 km / h, which corresponds to the indications of the meter (whose graduations which go up to 300 are no longer encrypted beyond 280…. Did you say hypocrite?)

First assessment

Well finished, muscular, this Kawa impresses, as much by its ease as by its performances. The electronics, the quality of the components (brakes, suspensions), the availability of the breathtaking engine make it an exceptional machine. We’ll have to confirm that the 100 horsepower version doesn’t lose too much of its luster, but it looks like this silly law is going away soon! However the speed limits will always be in force and it will be necessary to remain very vigilant with the handlebars of this ball. Because when you have so much on hand, it is difficult to stay calm ….

Strong points

• Spectacular performance.

• the powerful and full engine everywhere.
• The frame both stable and manoeuvrable
• Discreet but present electronics
• Braking

Weak points

• The field of use too restricted (hence the title …)
• Lose 50% of the potency
• Very large exhausts
• The usage budget.

Competitors: Suzuki Hayabusa, Yamaha FJR 1300

Datasheet

Practical information :

Price: 15 599 €

Availability: mid February

Three questions to Mr. Oshima, project leader 1400 ZZR

Has the aerodynamics of the 2012 model been improved compared to the previous version ?

No, our goal was simply to modify the bike and improve its cooling without degrading this characteristic..

How is the motorcycle bridged and how fast it would go without bridle ?

We hit 315 km / h in private testing on an oval, but the straight is not as long as it is here and it is possible that we could have done a little better…. however, I preferred to put an end to these tests so as not to risk the driver’s life, as the tires suffer a lot in these conditions. The clamping is done by the speedometer. It is the rear ABS notched disc that tells the computer the speed limit…. (mischievous smile)

The KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control) traction control system is both discreet and efficient. How did you achieve this feat ?

To put it simply, our system is “predictive”. If you intervene when the bike is slipping, you must suddenly reduce the power in significant proportions to regain grip. It’s very unpleasant for the pilot. With the KTRC, when the conditions for skating are met, we start to gradually decrease the power and if the phenomenon starts we reduce it even more, otherwise we release the engine and the pilot does not notice anything ….

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