superbike shootout

The new Beemer looks promising, but I am so tall the bike looks like a scooter with me. And I wouldn't be caught dead riding a Suzuki, not even if they pay me. No offense to the Suzuki riders out there, lol

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 5/1/2012 @ 3:17 PM *

Kawasaki is the new king, not even the mighty Beemer can touch it for all around performance. Good job Kawasaki!

I don't know why they included the RR. Not really in this club. It's pretty much a re-hash, but still interesting.

I don't think they can really include the busa anymore.. LOL

The RR is not in is element but still it has amazing number for a liter. The 14R tq is what's making the difference. Suzuki's got to go back to the drawing board lol. Just to show that it is mainly a rider thing. Unless you're a pro it doesn't matter which bike your chose there is somebody out there who can beat you with any/each of this bikes (drag race).

* Last updated by: dragking on 5/2/2012 @ 12:29 AM *

BMW recalls S 1000 RR for Potentially Loose Connecting Rods
Friday, April 27, 2012 BMW North america

BMW of North America is recalling certain 2012 S 1000 RR sportbikes due to possibly loose connecting rods in the engine. The potential number of units affected is 1,414.

Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bolts may become loose during high engine temperatures and/or high engine operating speeds, which could result in catastrophic engine damage. In the event of engine damage, escaping oil could cause handling issues, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall affects models manufactured from Sept. 1, 2011, through April 10.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connecting rod bolts free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May.

Please contact our Customer Relations team at 1-800-525-7417 if you have additional questions.

Would you feel conmfortable with that bike after a dealer tech pulled the engine and tore it completley down to to get to the rod bolts? Not me, I'd be selling it and wouldn't buy a used one that the recall applied to. I heard one let go somewhere in Europe, busted through the crankcase and coated the rear tire with oil...not good!

Unless you're a pro it doesn't matter which bike your chose there is somebody out there who can beat you with any/each of this bikes (drag race).

Yup, a hundreth of a second difference between the ZX14R and the BMW, the difference is the ZX can tour and the BMW is a good track weapon. Similiar straight line performance dynamics and some overlap in other areas of the performance envelope but ultimately, two different types of rides for two different missions.

For those counting the Hayabusa out, I wouldn't, it still out sells the ZX-14, lots of appeal becuase of it's near cult status.

Would you feel conmfortable with that bike after a dealer tech pulled the engine and tore it completley down to to get to the rod bolts? Not me, I'd be selling it and wouldn't buy a used one that the recall applied to. I heard one let go somewhere in Europe, busted through the crankcase and coated the rear tire with oil...not good!

@ Kruz: Hopefully people will see your point now! Remember when you said that difference in ETA at the drag strip between a 14R and 14 shouldn't be as big as people think. See the difference in time between the Busa and the 14R? Now imagine what it would be with a 14 with a full system. Only people like Rickey G can substantially exploit the full potential of the 14R are the drag strip. Same thing with the liter shootout. People talk about the Panigale understeer, the 1000RR lack of feel on the front, etc. All of that is "expert racer talk". It just happen that in our modern world we have access to so much information that in a way we are misinformed!

* Last updated by: dragking on 5/2/2012 @ 12:01 PM *

in our modern world we have access to so much information that in a way we are misinformed!

This is the deciding factor. I was with a couple real hotties in my younger years but none could ever do this for me. I going out to get a bimmer.

http://www.dragbike.com/forum/showthread.php?62952-Man-sues-BMW-alleging-motorcycle-seat-gave-him-two-year-erection&p=636371#post636371

* Last updated by: Rook on 5/2/2012 @ 2:04 PM *

Lol I have met chicks better than that bmer!!!!

@ Kruz: Hopefully people will see your point now! Remember when you said that difference in ETA at the drag strip between a 14R and 14 shouldn't be as big as people think. See the difference in time between the Busa and the 14R? Now imagine what it would be with a 14 with a full system. Only people like Rickey G can substantially exploit the full potential of the 14R are the drag strip.

Agreed, that's the reason I stayed with my 14, I can't ride well enough to tell the difference!

Not so quick guys,i have the new zx14,came from the old 14 had the 09 se with full brock system and gearing. New zx14 has all the same done to it. Now on the track is one thing you only race for 10tseconds or so,but on the street in the real world i have raced my buddies with the older 14'syears and believe me there is a definitely a difference.

I agree, I just would not be able to utilize the extra power, I can't even come close to using what I already have!

What mods your buddies have and are they better riders? Too many variables...The only way to tell would be to do two races and swap bikes!

I'm kind of a twisties nut, hunt for tasty corners and curvy roads where it's more about riding ability than pure HP so I'm not sure I'd see any real difference. Straight line, I could see the new bike walking the old one mod for mod, especially beyond 150 but when you're getting your lean on all bets would be off.

any real difference.

Straight line, I could see the new bike walking the old one mod for mod

many of us say we don't care about a half second from 60 160 mph. I'm sure it's not a huge dif if you are by yourself. Either bike is freakin fast! It starts to matter a whole lot when you run neck and neck. Ever race a 600 in a straight line? That half second translates to a few hundred feet and if you have the extra speed you totally innihilate the other really fast bike.

Ah Rooksan grasshopper.... but Confuscius say "every straight road must end in a corner" and we already know how that all works out.

Realistically, it appears that the Bimmer handles the new 14R in straight-line speed and acceleration and easily outcorners and outbrakes it. The 14Rs main claim is it can keep the Bimmer honest and do it in comfort.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/5/2012 @ 11:49 AM *

Realistically, it appears that the Bimmer handles the new 14R in straight-line speed and acceleration

If the Bimmer starts gaining ground, it is long after the 14r has left it in the dust. Deresticted, I would bet $$$ the 14r has a much better top speed capability. I bet every one does 205 with a pipe and 200 lb rider.

I would like to know where the heck are all the videos. The S1000rr had video of it supposedly beating a modded busa within a few weeks of the bimmmer's release.

* Last updated by: Rook on 5/5/2012 @ 1:20 PM *

hey kruz you must be a 14r hater or something??? Let me tell you the 14r in the right hands[someone who has the balls]will kill the other bikes.My friend has a 2010 zx14 full exhaust and pulled 176 on the dyno,after him i went on the dyno and pulled 201. Yes thats a 25hp difference,thats FUCKIN HUGE,not to mention over 10 pounds of tq also.So yes the new 14 equel riders the new 14 is toooooooo much bike in a straight line roll on race. You keep talking about cornering,well yes the 1000's are a lil better,but i had a 2006 gsxr 1000 imo the best 1000 ever,and this thing is almost as good in the corners with a lil more work. by the way they had a gixxer 1000 2011 with exhaust dyoned also and it pulled 166hp,79tq. OUCH i would KILL that thing in a race.

These kind of debates are always so controversial! That being said this is a topic I like to talk about. On one hand I think that our modern era production bikes are too much bike for us to handle (we don't develop enough skills to master a bike before we jump to a more powerful one) and on the other hand I feel like because of the lack of competition, the major manufacturers seat on their hands for too long and too often.
Stock for Stock and mods for mods the 14R is clearly a superior bike. However, rare are the guys/girls who buy sport bikes and leave them stock! My problem with the 14R (which I like by the way) is that it came 6 years after my 1st generation. With all its mods I estimate my 2006 to be worth about $8500 if I were to sell it private. This is a 180 hp bike that handles almost as good as the 14R (Front forks), has a better shock and weight considerably less.

In a straight line, I'm now convinced that the BMW has little to no chance. However, just the fact that its name gets mentioned in ZX-14 and ZX-14R comparo is an insult. I don't see the 14R crashing liter bikes track tests and comparo but all of us keep an eye out for that beemer lol. Another thing is the fact that I would have to go to 150 mph to show a liter punk (no offense, I'm getting one soon) that it shouldn't mess with me. Furthermore, if that punk is a better rider that .10 goes out the window and all bets are off. Casey Stoner or Mc Guiness could never mod the 14R and step on podiums but J Teasley is kicking butts with that modded RR: pobably the same mods and a longer swingarm I'm not happy about that! Reduce the wheelbase and the weight of the 14... you're still not winning TT's!
@ZXracer: I don't think that anybody here hate on the 14R, people including myself are just frustrated that it took so long for kawazaki to produce so little (relatively).

the Bimmer starts gaining ground, it is long after the 14r has left it in the dust. Deresticted, I would bet $$$ the 14r has a much better top speed capability. I bet every one does 205 with a pipe and 200 lb rider.

At the end of the day it all comes down to your terrain. In the hill country it just doesn't matter, liters and 600 eat 14's for lunch. You've gotta have big balls and matching skills to follow a 600 on a 14, that and good insurance. In Montana or Nebraska with all those straights and open sweepers( Montana) the 14 is king. Now that I think about it, I was always looking for a "fight" in NE but here I just watch and learn lol

@Kruz: About the liter shoutouts. I think you should read Fast Bikes. In 2010, they said the Beemer was king. In 2011, Kawazaki took the throne with a better chassis and smoother TC. Now they're saying the Beemer is back, Why? Because the power is more linear (midrange), the front more stable, the chassis more nimble and TC in slick mode less intrusive. That to me, makes more sense. Face it, all your need is your collection is an 1000RR, or a Panigale or a RC8 lol but I digress-wrong thread.

* Last updated by: dragking on 5/6/2012 @ 2:12 AM *

Hmmm - startin' to sound like we should turn this into a liter bike forum... Every other thread on every other topic is about liters... BG.