Blue14 first ride report.

Blue14 · Post by **Blue14** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:09 pm

Well i finally got to get the weapon out for a decent ride today.

First thing i noticed was it doesnt feel as responsive down low, but i guess its still tight and will get better.

And with some mods to come will most certainly sort it out even more. You have to be very careful and watch your speed on the highways as it gets right away and at times found myself comfortably sitting on 140-150 without even realising.

Top end acceleration is fair dinkum mind blowing, now remember i had a 180rwhp rocket, but this thing is in a class of its own, and i reckon would out run anything in straight line

In the tight stuff i found it really tipped in beautifully and wanted to corner like it was made for it. I feel very comfortable on it, but as some will say it is a sports tourer, and yes it does have the looks i guess to fit in to that category, but find me a full blown sports tourer that brakes like a sports bike, and with some fine tuning would give a full on sports bike a good run for its money through the tight stuff.

I found the gearbox to still be a typical kawasaki box and just couldnt seem to get my changes spot on, but again its tight and will loosen up.

Overall i can honestly say this is an awesome machine. Its certainly not for the feint hearted, but will purr along all day, leaving behind those who can only wonder..

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:29 pm

I'm thinking some rear ride height, a WP shock, rearsets, Forks revalved, Braided lines, and a decent high mounted pipe, it would be an insanely fast road bike. What sort of geometry does it run?? ie- steering head angle, wheelbase, rake/trail etc mate, do you know/Have the stats?
And when can I ride it? I promise I'll treat it like it was my own mate

Blue14 · Post by **Blue14** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:33 pm

Strika wrote:I'm thinking some rear ride height, a WP shock, rearsets, Forks revalved, Braided lines, and a decent high mounted pipe, it would be an insanely fast road bike. What sort of geometry does it run?? ie- steering head angle, wheelbase, rake/trail etc mate, do you know/Have the stats?
And when can I ride it? I promise I'll treat it like it was my own mate

Not sure on geometry Marty. As for braided lines it dont need em, its stops on a button. As for rear ride height, hmmm you could be on to something there, and as for exhaust, i am going Two Brothers Titanium and sticking with the twin..

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:36 pm

Blue14 wrote:
Strika wrote:I'm thinking some rear ride height, a WP shock, rearsets, Forks revalved, Braided lines, and a decent high mounted pipe, it would be an insanely fast road bike. What sort of geometry does it run?? ie- steering head angle, wheelbase, rake/trail etc mate, do you know/Have the stats?
And when can I ride it? I promise I'll treat it like it was my own mate
Not sure on geometry Marty. As for braided lines it dont need em, its stops on a button. As for rear ride height, hmmm you could be on to something there, and as for exhaust, i am going Two Brothers Titanium and sticking with the twin..

......................uhuh........hmmmmm ................and............................

Lainie · Post by **Lainie** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:42 pm

Good to hear Paulie

Gosling1 · Post by **Gosling1** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:47 pm

sounds great Blue - when I test-rode the one here back in April last year, (only 80km on the clock, 165 when i took it back

), it also felt pretty gutless under 6 grand. It may get better once its run in, but the top-end

, WOW its insane. And the brakes !!! Mick C almost had a brown-undies moment when he took it out for a test-fang.....

Everything else will loosen up once you get past 10k, but you gotta ride it EVERY day mate !!

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:33 pm

Strika wrote:...snip... What sort of geometry does it run?? ie- steering head angle, wheelbase, rake/trail etc mate, do you know/Have the stats?
And when can I ride it? I promise I'll treat it like it was my own mate

stats................
Engine ZX1400A7F
Type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four
Displacement 1,352 cm3
Bore and Stroke 84 x 61 mm
Compression ratio 12.0:1
Valve system DOHC, 16 valves
Fuel system Fuel injection: ø44 mm x 4 (Mikuni)
Ignition Digital
Starting Electric
Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler
Transmission 6-speed, return
Final drive Sealed Chain
Primary reduction ratio 1.541 (94/61)
Gear ratios:
1st 2.625 (42/16)
2nd 1.947 (37/19)
3rd 1.545 (34/22)
4th 1.333 (32/24)
5th 1.154 (30/26)
6th 1.036 (29/28 )
Final reduction ratio 2.412 (41/17)
Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual
Frame Type Monocoque, aluminium
Wheel travel:
front 117 mm
rear 122 mm
Tyre:
front 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
rear 190/50ZR17M/C (73W)
Caster (rake) 23°
Trail 94 mm
Steering angle (left/right) 30° / 30 °
Suspension (left/right)
Front: 43 mm inverted fork with top-out springs
Compression damping 13-way
Rebound damping 11-way
Spring preload Fully adjustable
Rear: Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock and top-out spring
Compression damping Stepless
Rebound damping Stepless
Spring preload Fully adjustable
Brakes
Front: Dual semi-floating 310 mm petal discs
Caliper Dual radial-mount, opposed 4-piston, 4-pad
Type Single 250 mm petal disc
Caliper Opposed, twin-piston
Overall length 2,170 mm
Overall width 760 mm
Overall height 1,170 mm
Wheelbase 1,460 mm
Ground clearance 125 mm
Seat height 800 mm
Dry weight 215 kg
Fuel capacity 22 litres
Maximum power 140 kW {190 PS} / 9,500 rpm
Maximum power with Ram Air 147.1 kW {200 PS} / 9,500 rpm
Maximum torque 154 N·m {15.7 kgf·m} / 7,500 rpm

geez even Lainie could ride one with the seat at 800mm

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:30 pm

Thanks Smitty....faark those numbers are sharp!

23 degrees and 94mm trail! It's a GP bike!

Lainie · Post by **Lainie** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:32 pm

Smitty wrote:geez even Lainie could ride one with the seat at 800mm

Yeap your right

But to much bike for me already thought about it

Sorry Paul it was Ian's fault

Blue14 · Post by **Blue14** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:32 pm

Good work Smitty.. And yeah Gos i know i gotta ride it. But mate when you got a company car which is all paid for im driving that..

FrogZ · Post by **FrogZ** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:41 pm

They definitely need higher pegs.

Like Strika said maybe the rear ride height will do it but I am guessing some adjustable rearsets will be needed before too long... oh and an umbrella

hoffy · Post by **hoffy** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:54 pm

so its no 12 then?

Just as I expected...

nah, seriuosly it looks like a great bike paul

Nanna10r · Post by **Nanna10r** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:47 am

Top Stuff Paul, enjoy mate.

Blue14 · Post by **Blue14** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:56 am

hoffy wrote:so its no 12 then?

Just as I expected...

nah, seriuosly it looks like a great bike paul

Correct its no 12.. Its in a serious class of its own..

Blue14 · Post by **Blue14** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:58 am

FrogZ wrote:They definitely need higher pegs. Like Strika said maybe the rear ride height will do it but I am guessing some adjustable rearsets will be needed before too long... oh and an umbrella

Yes will have a look at the rear ride height... NOw what would i need an umbrella for Frog.. I aint going in the rain..