2008 Kawasaki ZX-14 - First Ride

The most obvious change from the older bike is the new Ninja's tendency to wheelie down the strip. The improved low- and mid-range punch is responsible of course, and though it made perfect passes down the track challenging, it was sure to equate to a better ride on the road.

And that assumption was confirmed after lunch when we headed for the highway. There was never any question whether the ZX-14 was fast, but there were mild concerns regarding ridabilty. Cruising below 5000 rpm on the old bike made it feel bulky and sluggish until its two-stroke-esque power delivery kicked in and lit the afterburner. But now, that fire sparks much further down the tach where we need it-pulling away from traffic lights and darting between the pedal-pushing cager crazies.

The sweeping sections of mountain road on our test route were what this brute was built for (besides drag racing of course), and the combination of comfort, power and agility allow for a pretty constant adrenaline drip. With better low-rev response from the motor a brisk ride seems almost effortless, as is this bike's tendency to dangle your license in front of the police like a donut.

By now we all know that Suzuki has stepped up with some serious firepower to take the all-out title, but Kawasaki must've seen the strike coming. Though the changes to the 2008 ZX-14 are rather mild, they're made in all the right places and have turned a wild weapon into a smart bomb. Who'll come out on top when the smoke clears? Time will tell, but there are bound to be some interesting war games ahead.