I picked up a copy of this months's Brit bike magazine PerformanceBike because the top speed shootout caught my attention. If you remember the Cycle World 0-180mph shootout last year, the ZX-14 topped out fastest at 187 mph but was midpack getting to 180. This time it took the overall crown with highest top speed of 187 again but also a crazy fast time of just over 27 seconds to get there. The Hayabusa was just a mile per hour or so slower and a few ticks of the clock behind the 14 to the 180 mark but a clear victory for the 14. Most of the liters were surprisingly in the 32 second range with the MV August 312 being the quickest of those but still almost 5 seconds back from the 14 and Hayabusa. I think there is a lot of variations in these machines power output from the factory and it shows up more in the acceleration times to top speed and less in the actual top speed.
Regardless, it was nice to see the Hayabusa knocked off it's pedestal for a change.

I'll look it up too.

These tests often have me wonder why bikes are so different.
And also why euro spec jap bikes (cbr1000 and r1) are so much stronger than
the us of a spec machines. My gf's r1 needed the euro spec ecu, complete harness,
head gaskets and what not (for a ton of $$$) to get going. The American cbr is a joke.
They might be aware in Japan of the driving (and probably riding) skills of the average american
and are just doing us a favor with these detuned bikes.

I know my 14 has no problems walking the liters even with much
better riders than me on them or 50 lbs. lighter.
I just can't launch well as I've never drag raced with any consistency
but in any roll ons the monstrous torque on the 14 clearly shows.
There's not even one person in my riding circles with a gen 2 Busa though,
never had a chance to run against one.

I have to do some back to back tests this Spring. I don't do drag launches but maybe I will go with a 5mph roll to WOT. Both bikes will have the exact same mods and map from same tuner. Only prob, the busa has only 1000 miles on it which might be a disadvantage. Who knows? Like Kruz said, you can't compare one factory bike to the next down to the last detail of performance. They all have their own life to live.

APRILIA you fools ..Everybody knows its the top speed bitch

* Last updated by: Badzx14r on 12/28/2009 @ 4:01 PM *

There's not even one person in my riding circles with a gen 2 Busa though,
never had a chance to run against one.

Same here. I turned and followed two this year and even had a coffee with one of the guys, but still no race(believe me I tried). Kruz, was this a 2010 shootout? Agree, nice to here the 14 got the nod 4 a change.

APRILLA AU FOOL is ah months away U pasta fu zool

Have any of you guys ever run the limiter in top gear? I have done 300 indicated and just over quite a few times, and then I leave the liter bikes behind, specially when we are both two up.I know that is stupid, but when the time is right etc, I just can't help myself! I have run against and beaten a lot of Gen 1 Busa's, but only raced one Gen 2 and I pulled him in top, but we only got to about 290 indicated when he backed off. A bike mag in SA took a Gen 2 busa, deristricted it and did one or two very minor alterations and did just over 300 GPS true speed. This is the fastest road bike speed they have done. All other bike mags rate the ZX 14 tops in SA.

* Last updated by: harleyzx1400 on 12/28/2009 @ 11:45 PM *

For some reason the 14 gets a lot more credit over in Europe, the Brits especially love it. This month in Bike magazine, they tested the Hayabusa, ZZR1400 (ZX-14) and the K1300S BMW and the ZZR1400 won the overall despite being down 8 hp on the Busa. They have a tendency to treat the Hayabusa as all motor but lacking in other areas, especially refinement and suspension on their rough roads. Here in the states the Busa usually wins the shootout. It could be different testing criteria or a cultural thing or maybe Suzuki spends more money on advertising. One thing is for sure, the Busa has more rear wheel hp but it has dificulty in converting that into a real advantage on the dragstrip. The Busa and 14 are so close in 1/4 mile times and top speed you could throw a blanket over them at the finish line.

Makes me wonder, is the ZZR1400 identical to the U.S. spec ZX-14? As an aside, the article said a Brit owner had simply removed the speed restrictor on his ZZR1400, no other mods, even had the mirrors on their and ran a certified 194 mph at one of their events. Not bad!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/29/2009 @ 7:19 AM *

Same here. I turned and followed two this year and even had a coffee with one of the guys, but still no race(believe me I tried). Kruz, was this a 2010 shootout?

I'll have to go back and check it but I believe it was all '09's as the '10s are not really out yet. The ZZR1400 in the test was that Prestone antifreeze green. I believe that is an '09 color in Europe.

Who knows? Like Kruz said, you can't compare one factory bike to the next down to the last detail of performance. They all have their own life to live.

You got that right Rook, they may have got a ringer of a ZZR1400 or a dud Busa. I've seen variations on identical literbikes of 8 hp or more on the same dyno. On a 150 rear wheel hp bike thats over 4%. It happens.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/29/2009 @ 7:18 AM *

And also why euro spec jap bikes (cbr1000 and r1) are so much stronger than
the us of a spec machines.

Not sure on the R1 but the '08 and '09 CBR were restricted above 10,000 rpm to pass tighter U.S. noise emissions standards. Supposedly it's an easy fix to de-restrict them though and it then kicks butt on the ZX-10R above 10,000. Add an Akro to the ZX-10 though and it stomps all over the unrestricted CBR...and so it goes.

They have a tendency to treat the Hayabusa as all motor but lacking in other areas, especially refinement and suspension on their rough roads.

It's not night and day, but the busa has a more refined sound and feel to the motor -- calmer, I would say. I enjoy the rawness of the 14 for most of my riding. <<Like I said, it's not night and day but the difference is noticeable.

Who knows? Like Kruz said, you can't compare one factory bike to the next down to the last detail of performance. They all have their own life to live.

You got that right Rook, they may have got a ringer of a ZZR1400 or a dud Busa. I've seen variations on identical literbikes of 8 hp or more on the same dyno. On a 150 rear wheel hp bike thats over 4%. It happens.

...and the smoothest busa might not be the fastest busa.

APRILIA you fools ..Everybody knows its the top speed bitch

It will be nice to see the compare in the shootouts between the BMW 1000RR and the Aprilia RSV4. So far it's beginning to look like the nod may go to BMW.

It will be nice to see the compare in the shootouts between the BMW 1000RR and the Aprilia RSV4. So far it's beginning to look like the nod may go to BMW.

It's like a game of musical chairs, all those new bikes were already in the pipeline when the music stopped (world economy imploded). With nobody spending on R and D right now we are going to be frozen right where we are at for awhile.
Aprilia and BMW have fresh sheet designs, the R1 is now two model years old as is the GSXR. Honda and Kawaski may be the losers with 3 year old designs but hey.. they were some of the best so maybe they will hold their own....?

Those BMW's tech specs look great, but I've got to say, I just don't think I could ever get past those god-awful cockeyed headlights.

I'm waiting for the shootout wars to begin in '10. I know a lot of people poo poo the things but let's face it, none of us can afford to go out and buy 6 or 7 new bikes, test them back to back against each other long term and then keep the one we like. Believe me, I own several bikes and the only way to really know is to ride the heck out of them back to back for a while over the same roads (not just a short test ride), only then do the differences begin to emerge. If you look at three or four of the shootouts then a fairly clear consensus begins to form. I'll have to say, I bought three of my four bikes from shootout results and have not been surprised too much.

I want to see the Aprilia RSV4 and BMW 1000RR go up against the big four on U.S. roads and tracks with American testers on board. The RSV4 has gotten a huge amount of hype press over in Europe "in a class by itself" etc. but that is on European roads with European riders. I've noticed the European press has a huge bias towards European produced bikes. If you believe everything they said, we'd all be riding Ducatis, KTMs and Aprilias.

I want to see the Aprilia RSV4 and BMW 1000RR go up against the big four on U.S.

Dido, I think this is all great. Now and only now will the Japs raise the bar. 2011 will be a great year for advancement. All the 2011 bikes will now have some 190 rear wheel HP and the suspension to tame. Can't wait. All good for us in 2011 me thinks...what you say ?

I've noticed the European press has a huge bias towards European produced bikes. If you believe everything they said, we'd all be riding Ducatis, KTMs and Aprilias.

In front of the world press the RSV4 had a motor failure, 1000 bikes were built with conrod failures(ouch).some off site machine shop drilled the holes off center. These bike were all pre-production, but none the less, casts a shadow. I'm just thinking this gives the big 4 time to give us a new weapon...we all know they can. I'll bet 2011 is a great year for the bike lover. Yes ?

I'm just thinking this gives the big 4 time to give us a new weapon...we all know they can. I'll bet 2011 is a great year for the bike lover. Yes ?

Hard to say. I wouldn't bet on it happening in a year but it will happen sooner or later. I think the Japanese companies can coast on their reputation for excellence for a couple more years. Maybe there will be some weak points to the 1000rr that will make it less competitive.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/29/2009 @ 9:14 PM *

I did check last night and the article begins on page 86 of the December 2009 issue of Performance Bikes. Borders Book Store carries the magazine. The test is of all the '09 literbikes and hyperbikes.

In front of the world press the RSV4 had a motor failure, 1000 bikes were built with conrod failures(ouch).some off site machine shop drilled the holes off center. These bike were all pre-production, but none the less, casts a shadow. I'm just thinking this gives the big 4 time to give us a new weapon...we all know they can. I'll bet 2011 is a great year for the bike lover. Yes ?

Honestly. I think the Big Four are going to have their work cut out for them just staying in business in 2011. Buell was the first shoe to drop over here and I hear Harley is not doing well either. Time will tell.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/30/2009 @ 12:11 PM *

Have any of you guys ever run the limiter in top gear? I have done 300 indicated and just over quite a few times, and then I leave the liter bikes behind, specially when we are both two up

did I read that correctly you did 300km/h or 186 mph two up....how big is the Turbo.

did I read that correctly you did 300km/h or 186 mph two up....

somebody is in FANTASY LAND ..But its his story

I think he just meant the power(torque)is more noticeable when riding two up....I think?

ive read the articles on both those bikes and yes they are impressive but careful what you wish for with the jap bikes do we really wanna shell out $20,000+ for your next ninja? Alot of hype imo for 2 bikes that havent proved themselves yet

ive read the articles on both those bikes and yes they are impressive but careful what you wish for with the jap bikes do we really wanna shell out $20,000+ for your next ninja? Alot of hype imo for 2 bikes that havent proved themselves yet

That’s true I have never seen a case were new bike hype was even close to being true. Remember when the zx14 was released its was suppose to have 200rwhp and then it changed to 200 at the crank LOL... by the time I got one and put it on a dyno jet 250i it pumped out 158.9 bone stock what the hell happen to my other 40hp LOL .Most of this hype is generated not by the manufactures but by the magazines that need something to write about every month and by the "dip shits" that actually quote the articles. The bottom line is hype sales bikes and magazines real world performance is something totally different. I have yet to see one manufacture step up and state true weight and HP numbers ever not a single one minus Honda on the weight issue only they still BS the HP numbers. Nor has a manufacture ever bothered to correct a magazine for overstating the performance of one of there products. I have no doubt the BMW will be a great bike but if it lives up to 10% of the hype I would be shocked.