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Original Article:
2008 Hyperbike Shootout: Hayabusa vs ZX-14

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2008 Hyperbike Shootout: Hayabusa vs ZX-14 in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

 

[12er]

Nice write up, luckily these arent tempting to me in the least anymore. My k12rs is fast enough for me and offers much more versatility and comfort. That and after getting a lovely 76 in a 55 this weekend on the way up to tahoe in the cage I'll be keeping my throttle hand in check moving forward. Cant wait to see what that is going to run... $250 -$300 in CA highway tax? Plus traffic school. They better name a repaired pothole after me...

 

[longride]

Nice article boys. My licence took a severe beating from owning a Busa for 2 years. I really like the new 14 though, and would love to own one. Thankfully I still remember all the meetings with the Illinois State Troopers and narrowly escaping a free ride the the Graybar Hotel a few times. If you have a big gun, you are going to shoot it, and shooting these will get you big trouble!

 

[newagetwotone]

Whats this Drive mode thing? kids version of the busa at the flip of a switch!

 

[seruzawa]

If only Kwacker would lose the stupid George Forman Grill lines. Otherwise the bike looks pretty good. Better than the bulbous Zook. Though the bulbousness probably gives better aerodynamics.

I probably wouldn't survive either bike seeing how much trouble I already cause myself on Z-Rex. If I got the bug for a new road burner the Sprint or Tiger would be my choice, but if I got a hankering for a big new I-4 these would be the definite choice over the race replicas. They also come in way under the 650lb+ obscene weight of the Japanese and German misnamed "Sport Tourers". The Kwacker's better bar position would probably seal the deal. I could always bondo the grill.

 

[acecycleins]

I haven't really been interested in the Superstock to Open GT class of sportbikes because I figure I can get into enough trouble with my 21 yo K100rs, but the Busa turns 10 next year. Why is this important? Because I write business with a company that rates sportbikes as performance bikes once they hit 10. Performance bikes are muuuuuch cheaper to insure. Yesterday I did a policy for a guy on a ZX11 for under $500 annual with all the bells and whistles. If I buy a 99 Busa and jump on the Custom bandwagon I could probably have a pretty decent show bike without spending much.

 

[Buzglyd]

If only Kwacker would lose the stupid George Forman Grill lines. Otherwise the bike looks pretty good. Better than the bulbous Zook. Though the bulbousness probably gives better aerodynamics.

I probably wouldn't survive either bike seeing how much trouble I already cause myself on Z-Rex. If I got the bug for a new road burner the Sprint or Tiger would be my choice, but if I got a hankering for a big new I-4 these would be the definite choice over the race replicas. They also come in way under the 650lb+ obscene weight of the Japanese and German misnamed "Sport Tourers". The Kwacker's better bar position would probably seal the deal. I could always bondo the grill.

Or you could make burgers for your friends at rest stops, duh!

 

[seruzawa]

Stops?

Or you could make burgers for your friends at rest stops, duh!

Heh heh. You said "stops". Heh heh. You have me confused with a Race Replica owner. I haven't been to Newcomb's ranch since 1981.

One of those wouldn't do you much good where you live either. Not a lot of fun to be had poking along behind rusty 20-year-old two-wheel drive Japanese pickups full of chickens and lawn mowers.

 

[Buzglyd]

Heh heh. You said "stops". Heh heh. You have me confused with a Race Replica owner. I haven't been to Newcomb's ranch since 1981.

One of those wouldn't do you much good where you live either. Not a lot of fun to be had poking along behind rusty 20-year-old two-wheel drive Japanese pickups full of chickens and lawn mowers.

No it's more like doddering blue-hairs cruising 20 below the speed limit on the way to the Indian Casino. We're up to about a dozen of those now.

 

[The_AirHawk]

No it's more like doddering blue-hairs cruising 20 below the speed limit on the way to the Indian Casino. We're up to about a dozen of those now.

The Blue-hairs? Or the Casinos?

 

[DonM]

Great job on the video Pete. Be careful showing off for the camera though.

 

[bmwclay]

I haven't really been interested in the Superstock to Open GT class of sportbikes because I figure I can get into enough trouble with my 21 yo K100rs, but the Busa turns 10 next year. Why is this important? Because I write business with a company that rates sportbikes as performance bikes once they hit 10. Performance bikes are muuuuuch cheaper to insure. Yesterday I did a policy for a guy on a ZX11 for under $500 annual with all the bells and whistles. If I buy a 99 Busa and jump on the Custom bandwagon I could probably have a pretty decent show bike without spending much.

Good point about the drop in insurance rates for a model that is ten years old. I never would have thought about that and since the bikes are so close in performance and ability it makes the choice a no-brainer. This is the kind of input that people can use. Thanks.

 

[Pete_Brissette]

Thanks to Fonzie

Great job on the video Pete. Be careful showing off for the camera though.

As much as I like to steal credit for things I don't do, the video was primarily the work of the Fonz (Alfonse).

Showing off for the camera? It is my intention to incite as many venomous, mutinous comments and feelings as possible... every time.

 

[longride]

"It is my intention to incite as many venomous, mutinous comments and feelings as possible... every time."

I think I have that one covered so far Pete!

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

The Blue-hairs?

We call 'em Q-Tips here. Deadly, they are...

 

[sarnali2]

We call 'em Q-Tips here. Deadly, they are...

I hear that, my mothers one of them. Even wears a purple coat, I rode with her in her Sable to pick up my Explorer a few weeks ago......the nightmares still haunt me....

I'd be inclined to get the Suzuki based on looks alone. I think it's a nice tight design that flows well, I wouldn't mind picking one up one of these days.

 

[The_AirHawk]

"While I appreciated the analog instruments of the Hayabusa with its big silver-ringed tach and speedo that illicit the word 'classy,' I wasn't as enthused after a time about what I think is a small digital display in the middle."

il·lic·it -adjective

1.	not legally permitted or authorized; unlicensed; unlawful.

2.	disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons.

e·lic·it verb (used with object)

1. To draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke: to elicit the truth; to elicit a response with a question.

a. To bring or draw out (something latent); educe.
b. To arrive at (a truth, for example) by logic.

2. To call forth, draw out, or provoke (a reaction, for example).

 

[vermicious]

Airhawk; representing The 305th Spelling Nazis Union right here in our very own MO.

 

[The_AirHawk]

Airhawk; representing The 305th Spelling Nazis Union right here in our very own MO.

303rd and 7/8ths.............

 

[pdad13]

I'm sorry but someone's got to say it. The new Busa is even uglier than the old one.

Any of you that have been reeducated by the Suzuki Ministry of Information and Styling, please report to the deprogramming center immediately.

(I know, I know, they'd be crazy to change the styling radically. It's actually distinctive. It's an icon. It's actually a distinctively hideous icon...but it works for them.)