GSX1400 Owners .org

General => Bike Chat => Topic started by: grog on Wednesday, 23 October 2019, 07:03 PM

Title: New Naked Kawa
Post by: grog on Wednesday, 23 October 2019, 07:03 PM
Not a lot of new models i like but this one just looks brilliant. Ill bet it does most things perfectly as well. Just makes Suzuki fall further behind. Nice bike IMO.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Andre on Wednesday, 23 October 2019, 08:24 PM
 :thumbs_down: Ticks about every UGLY-checkbox.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Mick_J on Wednesday, 23 October 2019, 08:35 PM
Quote from: Andre on Wednesday, 23 October  2019, 08:24 PM
:thumbs_down: Ticks about every UGLY-checkbox.

Have to agree with you on this Andre, the only bike they currently make which isn't stunningly ugly is the 900rs.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: GSXKING on Wednesday, 23 October 2019, 08:36 PM
It looks like it's half finished  :stir: :stir: :stir: :stir: :whatever: :whatever:
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 12:50 AM
I'm with grog, I like it. It looks chunky.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Notty on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 12:55 AM
Ugly  :bugga:
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 01:04 AM
Mind you, it has been a bit overshadowed by Ducati announcing their 220hp V4 naked today: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/ducati-streetfighter-v4-/

I'm beginning to wonder who can actually ride these things properly? Must be a tiny fraction of people. And what use is it on a public road?
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Notty on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 01:09 AM
Quote from: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 01:04 AM
Mind you, it has been a bit overshadowed by Ducati announcing their 220hp V4 naked today: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/ducati-streetfighter-v4-/

Wow what a beauty !  :) :) :)
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Andre on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 01:29 AM
Quote from: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 01:04 AM
I'm beginning to wonder who can actually ride these things properly? Must be a tiny fraction of people. And what use is it on a public road?

Just about every cafe is by a public road.  :whistling:
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: seth on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 02:04 AM
I'm with @Andre the retro z900 looks good (but tiny tank)
And I'm loving the Ducati Street fighter.
But nothing really gets me in the new market .
:frustrated:
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 03:48 AM
Quote from: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 01:04 AM
Mind you, it has been a bit overshadowed by Ducati announcing their 220hp V4 naked today: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/ducati-streetfighter-v4-/

I'm beginning to wonder who can actually ride these things properly? Must be a tiny fraction of people. And what use is it on a public road?

The Duc's 220 is with an aftermarket race pipe. The Kwaks SX engine makes 220 with a derestricted ECU and a stock quite legal pipe. It makes 235 / 240 with a similar full system.

Modern big horsepower bikes are very clever and not at all like a 200hp Busa, GSXR or aftermarket turbo bike. The electronics make the performance very useable but still fun. The reason Kwak have used the SX and not the H2 engine is because it is very useable, not more of a drama than any big performance bike. I'm about to commute to work on a H2-SX, I can ride it very similar to my 14 untill I want to get up and go. 

From the specs released, 11.2-1 compression, electronics package etc the Z-H2 will have the same engine as this bike....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kGpCAC_Zs

To all the folk who don't like the look of the headlight, the shape of the tail, the size of the can etc etc, you need to think about the specs, performance, handling and ability, unless you just want a pretty bike and the riding side isn't that important to you.  ;)
:grin:
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: KiwiCol on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 04:05 AM
That looks very quick Tony.  Bit much for this ole boy to play with I reckon.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 04:24 AM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 04:05 AM
That looks very quick Tony.  Bit much for this ole boy to play with I reckon.

Yes. They go OK when you pull the wire.

The clever bit is you can cruise along and ride it like any normal bike.
I'm about to head out to the Port, cruise control on the motorway,
using less fuel and with better brakes than my 14.

Folk who only read peak horsepower figures on the internet compare them to their own bikes and shake their heads at the big numbers. In reality they are very different bikes and not as ridiculous as folk imagine, untill you want them to be.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Sweaty on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 07:48 AM
Dosen't do it for me. And unlike our maniac Rev head Tony  ;)  :cheesy: i am not too focused on spec's & performance. I would have to like the look of a bike before i would consider buying it and as i am not getting it for the track or drags, there is only so much power you need or can use on the roads.
Give me the z900rs or even the GSX-S 1000F to work with.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 08:30 AM
Quote from: Sweaty on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 07:48 AM
Give me the z900rs or even the GSX-S 1000F to work with.

My point was it's not all about horsepower.

Ride an SX SE at the same speeds as those two bikes and in many ways it's still a better bike.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Sweaty on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 11:31 AM
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 03:48 AM

To all the folk who don't like the look of the headlight, the shape of the tail, the size of the can etc etc, you need to think about the specs, performance, handling and ability, unless you just want a pretty bike and the riding side isn't that important to you.  ;)
:grin:

I was referring to this.  :smile2:
:confused1:
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: GSX1400Convert on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 03:48 PM
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 03:48 AM


The Duc's 220 is with an aftermarket race pipe. The Kwaks SX engine makes 220 with a derestricted ECU and a stock quite legal pipe. It makes 235 / 240 with a similar full system.

Modern big horsepower bikes are very clever and not at all like a 200hp Busa, GSXR or aftermarket turbo bike. The electronics make the performance very useable but still fun. The reason Kwak have used the SX and not the H2 engine is because it is very useable, not more of a drama than any big performance bike. I'm about to commute to work on a H2-SX, I can ride it very similar to my 14 untill I want to get up and go. 

From the specs released, 11.2-1 compression, electronics package etc the Z-H2 will have the same engine as this bike....



To all the folk who don't like the look of the headlight, the shape of the tail, the size of the can etc etc, you need to think about the specs, performance, handling and ability, unless you just want a pretty bike and the riding side isn't that important to you.  ;)
:grin:
[/quote]

Try this, me in Germany with the fastest one!
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 04:30 PM
There's definitely one H2R on the road in Australia, maybe 2, certainly a couple in the US.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 04:55 PM
Some of the road legal H2's are starting to get pretty special.

Folk are getting into some clever ECU mapping, different supercharger gears, air filters, full race pipes, intercoolers etc etc.

This ones local.

Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Snapey on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 07:04 PM
I thought Suzuki cornered the ugly market with the B King but judging by the photo's in this thread Kawasaki have easily taken that title.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 07:13 PM
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 03:48 AM
...
Modern big horsepower bikes are very clever and not at all like a 200hp Busa, GSXR or aftermarket turbo bike. The electronics make the performance very useable but still fun. The reason Kwak have used the SX and not the H2 engine is because it is very useable, not more of a drama than any big performance bike. I'm about to commute to work on a H2-SX, I can ride it very similar to my 14 untill I want to get up and go. 
...

I get that, but the Ducati is a naked bike. From the MCN news article: "Both variants will also feature a striking set of biplane wings, producing 28kg of downforce at 270kph (168mph)."

I don't know about you, but I can count the number of times I've done 168mph on the fingers of no hands. On a naked bike I can't even imagine it, maybe you have to strap yourself on with duct tape before setting off.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: grog on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 07:20 PM
Maybe ive been sterilised, looking at MT10 at work each day.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 07:50 PM
The best thing about the 220hp SX, 260hp H2, the new 220hp naked Ducati Streetfighter and the other Superbikes and Supernakeds is it sets the benchmark for Suzuki to beat.....

......  :rofl2: :happy1: :lol: :grin:
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 07:53 PM
Quote from: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 07:13 PM

I don't know about you, but I can count the number of times I've done 168mph on the fingers of no hands.

EDIT:  Nothing to see here, move along...  :whistling:
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: GSXKING on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 08:07 PM
OK 168mph is some considerable speed.  :hat: :hat:

Backing it in to the corners like the professional rider in the photos would be the only aggressive riding style for a thoroughbred of this status.  :stir: :stir: :stir:

It looks as though it's another inner thigh toasting/roasting set up for the exhaust system also.  :furious: :furious: :furious:

Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Andre on Thursday, 24 October 2019, 09:27 PM
Quote from: GSXKING on Thursday, 24 October  2019, 08:07 PM
t looks as though it's another inner thigh toasting/roasting set up for the exhaust system also.  :furious: :furious: :furious:

The Ducati does have a feature to  keep your thighs from getting roasted. At idle and 75° water temp the rear cylinders get "turned off".
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: KiwiCol on Friday, 25 October 2019, 04:01 AM
Ya won't go very far at idle
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Andre on Friday, 25 October 2019, 04:11 AM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Friday, 25 October  2019, 04:01 AM
Ya won't go very far at idle

That's the problem. It get's very hot for the thighs (and the rear cylinders). The wings, besides producing downforce, help to cool the engine. Can't do that standing in traffic.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: KiwiCol on Friday, 25 October 2019, 07:27 AM
sounds like a real winner of design then, yeah right.  If they go to the trouble of making it that way, wouldn't it be just as easy to make it right?
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Andre on Friday, 25 October 2019, 07:53 AM
The heat issue of the rear cylinder(s) is a "feature" of V-engines, especially the air cooled. You'd think with water cooling they have a handle on that. Lots of compromises have to be made. The proximity of the cylinders to thighs and balls could only be changed by designing a different bike.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: KiwiCol on Friday, 25 October 2019, 08:21 AM
Or engine
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Mick_J on Friday, 25 October 2019, 07:11 PM
My Ducati monster runs quite cool in clear air, engine temp is usually in the low 70's and although it does climb when stopped I haven't really noticed any excess heat in traffic but I did try a KTM superduke R a while back and that's a bloody hot bike in traffic, its very uncomfortable.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Friday, 25 October 2019, 09:27 PM
Quote from: mjgt on Friday, 25 October  2019, 07:11 PM
My Ducati monster runs quite cool in clear air, engine temp is usually in the low 70's and although it does climb when stopped I haven't really noticed any excess heat in traffic but I did try a KTM superduke R a while back and that's a bloody hot bike in traffic, its very uncomfortable.

The benefit of living on that little island up North.

We are in the middle of Spring here and it was 41 degrees C on a ride recently.
(Qld, out the back of Dalby).  Some bikes chuck out serious heat when used in anger over 40 degrees.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: grog on Friday, 25 October 2019, 10:12 PM
40 degree day, 14 doesnt blink. Try same on Diavel. Legs are cooked if you stop, engine temp very high. Oil / air cooled old girl far superior.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Saturday, 26 October 2019, 01:55 AM
Quote from: grog on Friday, 25 October  2019, 10:12 PM
40 degree day, 14 doesnt blink. Try same on Diavel. Legs are cooked if you stop, engine temp very high. Oil / air cooled old girl far superior.

I guess this is a result of having a moderate state of tune - a large engine making relatively low power with a nice big radiator on the front.

I went for a ride with some friends who have BMW S1000RRs. Great bikes, but if they stop for even a short time the big fans kick in and they are bloody loud. My GSX, on the other hand, I'm not sure I could tell you what the fan sounds like. I don't recall ever hearing it.
Title: Re: New Naked Kawa
Post by: grog on Saturday, 26 October 2019, 06:42 PM
Fishy, agree about 14. Ive run mine hard on hot days, temp gauge/ laser thermometer rarely above 80 degrees. Amazing cooling system. Those BMW sure can move along. Just me but their motors make some strange noises. Rode mine yesterday, normal ride, not ultra fast but quick, air temp maybe 28. I was running late so i guess was quick. Temp gauge on 60 when home.