Speed is the name of the game in today’s day and age. We want everything to be faster and quicker than its predecessor. A field that has a special relationship with speed is the automotive sector. Ever since the second motorcycle was built, the fight for speed had commenced.
Top speed is among the most vital data for any two-wheeler manufacturer to showcase their superiority over their rivals. And it is this scuffle for speed that gave birth to a motorcycle like the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. Although the two-wheeler giants have signed a “gentleman’s agreement” to limit their motorcycle to 300kmph, this hasn’t stopped them from manufacturing missiles on two-wheels. If the thrill of speed is what you are looking out for then the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R should a top contender in that list.
Despite the fact that the Ninja ZX-14R received a generation leap few years back, the boffins at Akashi felt the need to give their giant a facelift. So has the updates made any difference? We spend a few days with the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R to get you the answer.n the pursuit of speed, you need power and that the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R has in abundance.
The 1, 441cc, inline-four motor pumps out 200PS of power which can be hiked to 210PS with optional ram air and peak torque is 158Nm. With the stricter Euro IV norms being implemented, Kawasaki engineers have employed a revised ECU to abide by them without affecting the power output. I started my ride in low power mode which cuts power by 25 per cent while throttle response is gentler. The Ninja ZX-14R felt very docile at low speeds and surprisingly easy to ride despite its humungous size which seemed to have evaporated on the go.
Once on the highway, it was time to witness the Ninja magic and I opened the throttle rather generously. From a gentle giant, the bike turned into a monster once past 5, 000rpm as it picked momentum in a lunatic manner and the surroundings turned into a blur. Such is the performance that it redefines the word effortless and no wonder the stock bike can dismiss a quarter-mile in under 10 seconds! After spending some time on the saddle I switched to full power mode, and the difference was felt in the top-end of the rev range with more punch from the powerplant.