A Tribute to the ZX14R: How the King Earned Its Crown
The warrior king of displacement is stepping down from his throne. The brute force battle he waged in his heyday has become a digital brand of warfare with TFT displays, launch control, wheelie control, electronically adjustable suspension and quick shifters defining the new era of superbikes. The rules have shifted as well with ever tightening emissions regulations - I'm looking at you Euro 5! The King gracefully acknowledges his time has passed, and we, his humble subjects acknowledge that his specific blend of power, style and authority, can never precisely be matched again. I am talking about the venerable ZX14R, also known in certain markets as the ZZR1400. Kawasaki's big boss Ninja will be riding off into the sunset, but not before making one last stand in showroom floors with a final edition 2021 model. Living in LA, it was very rare for me to spot a ZX14 in the wild, but here in Kobe, I see one of these almost daily - a tribute to the refinement, ease of use and daily r...