Road – The Return of Godzilla – KAWASAKI Occasions

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The Return of Godzilla

Road - The Return of Godzilla - KAWASAKI Occasions

A threatening look, tight lines and 200 horsepower under the saddle, the ZZR 1400 imposes it. Yet Kawa never stops hammering him: his new flagship is not limited to either the 400 m standing start or the cafe terrace … !

A threatening look, tight lines and 200 horsepower under the saddle, the ZZR 1400 imposes it. Yet Kawa never stops hammering him: his new flagship is not limited to either the 400 m standing start or the cafe terrace … !

Released in 1990, the ZZR 1100 set the performance standard for a decade of sporty production and naturally became Kawasaki’s flagship model. A marriage of unprecedented performance and astonishing versatility, this two-wheeler Godzilla quickly became a planetary triumph..

But its successor the ZZR 1200 has not enjoyed the same fame since its launch in 2002. It was therefore time for Kawasaki to restore the image of a family at the end of its rope – the 600 is no longer even imported into France…
Paris, 08/02/2006 – Kawasaki’s new flagship arrives in France. Video Site.

Presented at the 2005 Paris Motor Show (read), the ZZR 1400 landed last month in France, selling 180 copies (read). For you, Moto-Net is testing it … in a restricted version of course!

Starting from the premise that "Kawasaki bikers take pride in the certainty that they drive the most efficient machines in their category", the Japanese manufacturer has decided to build the "undisputed all categories" champion. Because between the ZZR 1200, the ZX-12R and the ZX-10R, Kawasaki had three flagship models … two too many !

There can only be one

“Despite these three impressive machines, I felt something was missing,” says Yuji Horiuchi, project director, “as if the image of our performance had been diluted in all three models”. Combining the comfort and charisma of the ZZR, and the performance and technical solutions of the latest ZX-Rs, the 1400 shows the firm intention of leading the Kawasaki … and the sport-GTs !

What impresses the most when you first see Kawasaki’s new flagship is its face. Equipped with six lights, the ZZR 1400 has the menacing gaze of a tarantula ready to devour its prey. Very wide but also particularly collected, the front part of the new beast imposes much more than that of the 1200 with the debonair aspect.

"More intimidating than really beautiful"

In its blue livery, the prominent head brushing the ground of the new model also recalls that of a certain Pacific Express locomotive: the 4468 Mallard, the fastest steam locomotive in the world….

In addition to the kinship with the current Ninjas, the central Ram Air intake guarantees the beast its status as the giant of the road, ready to snatch whatever comes before it. Too bad the French version only benefits from this aesthetic advantage because in free country, the black hole above all allows the new engine to increase its power by 5% to reach the 200 horsepower cap. !

The whole design of the ZZR 1400 cultivates this aspect which is both massive and eye-catching by means of taut lines which characterize it perfectly: thus, the slits in the sidewalls of the trim find their echo on the front fender, the mirrors and footrest plates.

However, the "clean line that runs from the front wheel to the seat cowl" claimed by Kawasaki is not that pure … And that’s good: as if the big ZZR could look like a thin 600 !

Nevertheless, the thick brute allows itself to arrange certain points such as the seat cowl "sculpted to comfortably accommodate the legs and hips of the passenger" explains Kawa. This detail further distinguishes the appearance of the ZZR 1400.

The new leader Kawa also knows how to remain faithful to its precursors by wearing the traditional 4/1/2 pot – in stainless steel – which leaves no doubt about its belonging to the ZZR family, despite a ZX-14 designation elsewhere. Atlantic…

In the end, the result corresponds to the wishes of the project manager: "the stylistic theme of the ZZR should visibly evoke power and a special presence, more intimidating than really beautiful". First part of the contract fulfilled !

On Godzilla’s back

After the first apprehension, we carefully mount the monster. The handlebars are placed both slightly lower but also less far than on the old ZZRs, so that the driving position – with a saddle and footrests still as accessible – offers an excellent compromise between sport and comfort..

The dashboard oscillates between tradition and modernity, the use of a CAN-type interface allowing the addition of many instrumental functions compared to the 1200. On the one hand, the two dials of the counter and tachometer remain analog. and will appeal to the nostalgic. On the other hand, the large liquid crystal screen – grouping together gear indicator, odometer, fuel gauge, watch, two trip totalizers, instantaneous consumption, average consumption and remaining range indicators, etc! – will satisfy the most demanding.

The gaze naturally lingers on the speedometer which plays the "politically correct": the graduations stop at 300 km / h – the 1400 is electronically restricted to 299 – and the last numbered mark is 280 km / h, ie 40 less than the legendary 1100 !

Disconcerting ease

Then comes the time to relieve the side stand by tilting the motorcycle on its two wheels with a slight sway. Light because the ZZR 1400 is just as light compared to its capacity: with its 215 kg empty, it exceeds the ZX-12R by only 5 kg.

To maneuver, the ZZR is surprisingly easy. Only the adjustment on the central is impossible … for the simple reason that the new ZZR is not equipped with it. A disappointment all the more serious since everything is already in place for the future "GTR 1400" (?), Evidenced by the holes in the frame to accommodate the axis and the stop.

We also regret the disappearance of other practical aspects such as the stowage hooks, the storage compartment – small but useful – or the total absence of storage under the saddle, where a large part of the gas tank is housed..

ZX-14R ?

These first clues denote a slight change in the ZZR philosophy, largely corroborated by the name of the model in the United States: "ZX-14". And marketing is not solely responsible !

Indeed, it should be known that the ZZR was born from an international survey whose conclusions were clear: "European bikers wanted a cardan road suitable for classic tourism with luggage. The Americans’ request was simple: they wanted the best acceleration. in the category. The Japanese, finally, demanded more raw Kawasaki style in high doses ", summarizes the manufacturer.

The Japanese have therefore opted for a synthesis of American and Japanese tastes, "another model to be responsible for satisfying long-haul travelers from the old continent" very soon … Suddenly, the engineers were directly inspired by their ninjas to offer the new Kawasaki standard the best of their technology.

And that starts with the engine of course. The 1352 cc block inspired by the ZX-12R engine benefits from the progress made on that of the 10R: "the cylinders tilted forward are cast in a block with the crankcase, and the three axes are grouped into a set" compacted ". Thanks to this configuration, the engine block is not wider than on the Ninja ZX-12R, despite the gain in displacement. […] Just like the 10R again, the ZZR is equipped with Forged cams and pistons, as well as carbide-treated connecting rods, for reliability and longevity, "Welcomes Greens.

The gain in performance makes Kawasaki equally stunned: "190 hp at 9,500 rpm (200 hp with Ram Air), 154 Nm at 7,500 rpm and, even at a quiet 2,000 rpm, the engine still develops an astonishing 100 Nm ". Figures – we want to reassure Remy Heitz – which can only be observed outside our borders !

Still, at low speed, the 1400 is a credit to the reputation of the ZZR. Indeed, it shows an unsuspected agility and reassures the pilot too impressed by the face of the monster. The front end engages just enough in the turns to make the first kilometers go smoothly. Would godzilla be nice ?

The two balances of the engine filter vibrations and even at 1000 rpm, the 1400 resumes without flinching and without jostling. The gearbox is just as pleasant even if the flexibility of the four cylinders limits its use. The noise of the gears – a priori right – of the primary transmission just generates a slight whistle that goes unnoticed as soon as the rhythm accelerates.

or rather ZZR Ninja !

Side suspensions, the ZZR remains stuck to the road whatever the coating thanks to the elements borrowed from the ZX-10R pistarde and specially adapted to the size and program of the road – classified as such by Kawasaki France -. The original settings offer the ZZR the hoped-for versatility and only a few speed bumps – or dromedaries? – damaged the front fork and its 117 mm travel.

But whether on the departmental, national or highway, imperfections are swallowed like mosquitoes are by the forced air intake! In attack mode, the mother ship certainly does not have the sharp side of a real Ninja, but it is intractable at high speed and easy in slower sequences..

"Compared to the unibody version used on the 12R, the ZZR’s frame offers 230% stiffness in length and 90% torsional stiffness. In addition, the use of a less stiff swingarm contributes to its excellent stability. and increases its liveliness ". Behind these cold data and these somewhat pompous comments hides the truth: the ZZR is devilishly efficient on the road !

The braking – also inherited from the ZX-10R – is powerful and more biting than that of the old models while the ABS goes unnoticed, even when it kicks in on greasy surfaces. As the 1400 is only available in France in an ABS version, diehards who deny this driving aid will have to fall back on the ZX-12R or on the competition. !

On the other hand, we can blame too much righting torque, requiring special attention when braking based on the angle, especially on little-known tracks where the trajectory can close. A tire fitment different from the original one – Bridgestone BT014 – may perhaps reduce this inconvenience.

Comfort level, the ZZR is up to the task because long journeys are covered without incident, whether you are a pilot or a passenger. The sidewalls effectively deflect the wind – but not the rain – from the driver’s legs thanks to the air flow which comes out of the "Z-shaped gills". The only point that leaves something to be desired: the bubble that is too low does not completely protect the driver’s helmet.

Half portion

Akashi’s latest production therefore does not aim only at pure performance: "I believe that we have succeeded in creating a motorcycle whose performance can be appreciated by any rider," says the project manager. And it is clear that the Japanese engineer is not wrong…

But the performances are all the more "appreciable" – or rather exploitable – that they are halved with us! The ZZR 1400, a real "half-portion" in its handling, almost passes for a runt once it has cut off half its potential by the law of 100 horses. As such, it would be logical for the state to reimburse half the price – € 14,399 – !

While the engine breathes after 4000 rpm, it suffocates around 8000 rpm. We can push him to the red zone but the acceleration stops its ascent so far exponentially and greatly frustrates his pilot, to whom we had promised a 400 m DA and record times !

While the arrival of the "GTR 1400" becomes clearer, what remains to the French ZZR 1400: an almost irreproachable road behavior, a seductive line and a foolproof charisma? 2007 sales will tell.

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