KAWASAKI ZZR1400
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics|February 2021
It seems fitting that with the Kawasaki ZZR1400 being discontinued at the end of 2020 and 2021 rumoured to be bringing a new Suzuki Hayabusa, we check out this green king of speed.
KAWASAKI ZZR1400

The Kawasaki ZZR1400 was unveiled in 2005 ready for the 2006 model year, so it also sportingly fits into our/VJMC 15-year slot.

Now, Kawasaki always knew how to make big, brash and ballistic bikes that were fast with a capital F… From the 1984 GPZ900R, through the GPZ1000RX and ZX-10, to the ZZ-R1100 of 1990 and then its replacement the ZZ-R1200, and not forgetting the quirky ZX-12R of 2000, the motors on these bikes were immense. For 2006, the Big K decided to replace both the ZX-12R and the ZZ-R1200 (which was a softy, sports-tourer by now) with the ZZR1400. What a bike.

The bike itself boasted a 1352cc motor (this would be boosted to 1441cc in 2012) with a Mikuni fuel-injection system and an aluminium monocoque frame. Uni-Trak suspension at the rear and 43mm inverted front forks completed the chassis.

This story is from the February 2021 edition of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.

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This story is from the February 2021 edition of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.

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