The new for 2016 Kawasaki ZX14R then – as my colleagues who had ridden the previous model noted – rides almost exactly like the older bike. And in a straight line, it is as solid as a block of steel (or should that be aluminium…). And not just around long fast corners, but the 14R feels nimble around tighter bends and through quick direction transitions as well. Its long wheelbase and weight don’t make it lazy or slow. ![]() So, scary the 14R might be in F mode with the throttle wide open, but it’s equally reassuring around bends. It’s all over within seconds, but this high stays with you forever. The tyres grip, there’s enough clearance and before you know it you are straightening up and gassing the 14R again, this time turning up the courage dial a bit more. But no, the 14R drops into the bend as if it were looking forward to it. You roll off give a firm push to the left clip-on expecting some resistance to turn in. ![]() There’s no time to check the speed, but you can tell you are travelling very fast, illegally fast, if you will. And, it isn’t an open, almost straight left-hander anymore. The steering goes light almost immediately, the howl from the engine turns visceral, and that open left hander which seemed almost like a straight kilometres away, comes up on you within seconds. Toggle to F or full power mode, dial up the revs and launch the 14R. The suspension, both front and rear, is adjustable for preload as well as rebound and compression damping. The ZX14R has a huge array of adjustments for its 43mm front USDs forks and (new for 2016) Ohlins monoshock. This, of course, is in the factory setting. It floats over undulations and manages the bumps and potholes like most comfort oriented touring bikes would. It doesn’t have the firmness, harshness or the crashy nature of most superbikes. Its seating, though a tad crouched, is nowhere near as demanding, uncomfortable or backbreaking as litre class rockets. Then, as if to showoff, the Ninja ZX14R proves it is comfortable too. The more you roll on the gas, the faster you go. It’s almost like twist and go, though a hugely powerful one. Just open gas – even if you are sitting at 4,000rpm – and it goes about building speed as if that’s all it was ever designed to do. Plus, the 14R’s engine is a case study in tractability. Ride it in L or low power mode, and its light and predictable fuelling, its robust and flat torque, and its aluminium monocoque chassis’ flickable nature, not to mention the engine’s superb cooling tech, makes it as easy to ride on state highways and in fact within the city as most 250cc bikes. So, once on the move it shrinks around you. The Ninja ZX14R isn’t a light motorcycle but the weight distribution on the bike is brilliant. Its closest competitor, the Suzuki Hayabusa, is being assembled in India and is priced way lower than the ZX-14R. India Kawasaki Motors is selling the 2016 Ninja ZX-14R in completely-built-up (CBU) form. The Japanese manufacturer claims that the suspension has been re-tuned for improved high-speed stability. The 2016 Ninja ZX-14R is powered by the same 1441cc liquid-cooled engine that produces 200bhp and 210bhp with RAM air and maximum torque of 158Nm. The ZX-14R also gets new front brake calipers, revised higher and closer handlebar with wider grips. In terms of features, the motorcycle gets a new instrument cluster with LCD display. ![]() The major updates are seen on the mechanical end with revisions done to the ECU and the inclusion of a new exhaust system so that this bike can meet the Euro IV emission without any drop in power. It’s been on sale in India since 2013, however, the 2016 version promises to be a whole lot better. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R has a good fan following in India, thanks to its hyper sport pedigree.
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