2008 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14

Like any challenger that knocks off the champ, the Kawasaki ZX-14 must have known that Suzuki would be out for blood. Entering this fight the Kawasaki would have both the privilege and pressure of holding its top position with only minimal changes to the spec sheet.

Even though the Suzuki gets a slim nod by our testers in the engine department, the Kawasaki motor is a beautiful thing. A dangerous beauty, as the potent 16-valve Inline-Four can get you in trouble just as easy as the Busa mill. Although overall power numbers fell from '06, the big Ninja still crested 160 horsepower and matched its torque figures. The 7.4-horsepower drop from '06 can in part be explained by our dyno, which tends to be more modest in its power numbers. That said, the internal tweaks to meet Euro III emissions and sound regs, which include the addition of a third exhaust catalyzer, must have played a part as well.

The new Kawasaki ZX-14 does produce power earlier in the powerband compared to its predecessor. In doing so, the ZX-14 answered our '06 criticism that it was too neutered on the bottom end.

Make sure to check out the 2008 Ninja ZX-14 vs Suzuki Hayabusa video

So while it was deemed the ZX pulls arms out of sockets at a slightly less aggressive rate than the hairball Suzuki Hayabusa, there's a lot to like about the Kawasaki motor. In particular, we loved the Kawasaki's responsive throttle - a necessity for a machine putting out over a cavalry regiment's worth of horsepower.

"Throttle response is extremely crisp and precise on the ZX," recalls Adam. "The ZX throttle feels like it has a direct connection to the engine, which really makes riding it fun at any speed."

While the clutch pull on the Busa feels lighter, the engagement on the Kawasaki is flawless and the transmission is more precise. The ZX rolls through the gears lickety-split, one reason why the ZX was a bit easier to run at the dragstrip. Downshifts are effortless on the street, even lacking a slipper clutch - although we admit a day at the track may have changed our minds in this regard.

The brakes on the two machines left us split. While the Busa's initial bite was better, the Kawi's radial-mount four-piston Nissin units were up to the task, with the rear stopper deemed superior. Although they get the job done, they aren't the "clear-cut favorite" they were back in 2006.

Take a look at the rest of the Kawasaki ZX-14 photos

Even though its 160-plus horsepower motor will no doubt drive sales, the real feather in the Ninja's cap, and the distinguishing characteristic from the Busa, is its comfort. Yes, it sacrifices some handling, but the ZX-14 sports more comfortable and forgiving ergos. Although the two seats are similar, with near identical seat heights (31.5 Kawasaki, 31.7 Suzuki), the difference is in the riding position.

A rider on the ZX is not pitched as far forward. The handlebars are placed higher and footpegs feel lower than those on the Suzuki. Not that a rider will mistake the position of the ZX-14 for the Concours 14 its touring motorcycle sibling. A rider will still be shaking out sore wrists at riding stops, but not like their Busa-riding buddy.

Rider protection behind the windscreen and fairing is better on the Kawasaki, although the Suzuki delivers decent protection as well. At 31.7 inches wide the Suzuki is 1.8-inch wider, but the body of the Kawasaki behind the fairing is slimmer, increasing the fairing's effectiveness. One side note on the Kawasaki is the heat blowing off the engine. Believe us when we say that we didn't mind it during our 27-degree winter ride, but if we had held this test during triple-digit mid-July, we'd be bitching.

Read the Complete 2008 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Article at Motorcycle-USA.com