Inspired by this video...
Accelerating on a GSX1400...
...is like eating all of the ocean's plankton in 4 big gulps.
...is like being injected by a 4 inch wide syringe of freedom four times in a row.
...is like taking off in a fighter jet.
...is like being pulled by a planet.
What's it like for you? And I'm specifically referring to giving it a handful in the first 4 gears. Because as a new owner I'm stunned by it's seemingly endless enthusiasm for wanting to accelerate out of my hands and I've only ever taken it to about 5,000 RPM! I've never felt anything so powerful in 56 years on this planet. I've driven 650hp Lamborghinis, ridden Kawasaki 900s, 1100 Katanas and Big block powered Buicks and Cheviews but nothing comes even close to how my 14 feels. I feel like I own and ride the best of something. Help me bank some superlatives so I can describe it to others in ways they might understand.
Go.
...is like being pushed by a tsunami of torque.
Ahem!!! Pay attention at the back...... :facepalm:
Like a magic carpet ride, with a rocket up it's arse. :whistling:
SA14, they do go so nice. Reason i keep mine. Today at work we serviced a 200 series Land Cruiser, it puts out 800 bhp on dyno, not bad for a diesel. Not as quick as 14 but bloody good for a big heavy 4wd. Turbos spin up, then re boot it, lhf wheel comes up. Unreal to drive.
Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 14 October 2020, 07:30 PM
SA14, they do go so nice. Reason i keep mine. Today at work we serviced a 200 series Land Cruiser, it puts out 800 bhp on dyno, not bad for a diesel. Not as quick as 14 but bloody good for a big heavy 4wd. Turbos spin up, then re boot it, lhf wheel comes up. Unreal to drive.
Crickeys!
I remember reading an article in Hot Rod magazine (illustrated by the great George Trosley) explaining torque versus horsepower and how torque was the most important thing for any street car. When I read the 14 doesn't have as much HP as some other sport bikes but had ship loads of torque I knew it was the bike for me.
I believe torque & bhp curves always cross at 5,250rpm, although I can't say why. So low revving engines always win on torque compared to their HP.
just remark:
5250rpm is in case Horse Power and Pound-foot
Form math point of view, Power is Torque multiplied by Speed. In case of engine RPM.
HP = lbf∙ft * RPM / 5250
or
HP = N∙m * RMP / 7127
or
kW = N∙m * RMP / 9550 (International System of Units - SI)
Form math point of view, Power is Torque multiplied by Speed. In case of engine, speed is RPM.
There is formula, where this 9550 is coming, but I would not bother you with it ;)
My HP & NM curves are crossing at 7300 rpm. I just don't know what it means in practice.
Acceleration from low speed, is the reason I can't allow myself to sell my 14, even I'm using less then before (less then 1000km this year).
Cruising in traffic on third, then you see some space, slight wrist turn and it pulls like a train! Put smile on my face every time :boogie:
Accelerating on a GSX1400 is like.......accelerating on any modern day hyper sports bike :stir:!
Thats taking nothing away from either bike.
They are both super quick and probably equal in terms of time to the magic `Ton, and after all, thats all that really matters on todays roads.
What makes the `14 so special is that regardless of how much you dial in, the thing stays planted, digs in, and just flies. Its like a powerful spring constantly uncoiling, a sensation experienced through every gear. The aforementioned sports bike, being light, will try its level best to leave planet earth and dump the rider. Especially as the HP hits its trigger point, and constant gear changes are needed to keep the power plant on the `edge`.
Not so with the `14. In point of fact, the `14`s weight & torque combination combine and force the bike towards the horizon at an incredible pace whilst the pilot is able to stay in complete control, regardless of gear selection or revs.
Horsepower is fine, but weight and torque combined make a much better package. In my opinion, the `14 is probably as good as it gets, having an amazing combination of both.
Incidentally, due to the torque available i find that its really easy to ride the `14 quickly without ever fully opening the throttle. I`m sure you`ll all know what i mean! So, next time out, try holding the throttle on the stop in the first few gears - i guarantee you`ll wonder what the heck just happened. I consciously did that last Saturday for the first time in a while, and i`m still walking about with a huge smile! :onya:
Quote from: DP1400 on Thursday, 15 October 2020, 06:22 AM
...try holding the throttle on the stop in the first few gears...
Is that even possible? I can't even hang on at half throttle! It's going to be a long time before I think about giving it full throttle in 1st, 2nd or even 3rd. I was warned to not even try it in first or second or the bike will throw me off the back. Not keen to find out so I'll ride around with too much respect as a safety measure. :cheers:
Try an electric bike if you want TORQUE. Not sure if it will rip your arms out :happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
Quote from: GSXKING on Thursday, 15 October 2020, 12:49 PM
Try an electric bike if you want TORQUE. Not sure if it will rip your arms out :happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
Been keeping an eye out on the electric cars because of the torque and it excites me but when I have to literally hang on for fear of dying I've got more than I can deal with on this bike.
Plus...four gigantic pistons makes goodly sounds that make me happy. This 14 is everything I could ever want from a bike and here's a nice side benefit; being naked I'm getting buffeted so much by the wind at even legal speeds that it keeps me happy and satisfied. 100km/h feels like 200 to me anyway. I love the growl, the punch and the fear. Couldn't ask for more.
I can't believe that I shot this video 5 years ago now.
Rear mounted SJ4000 action camera on my GSX14 riding home after a 12 hour night shift. It really does give an idea of the acceleration and I wasn't pushing it too hard either...
I miss mine!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_HnldNNEXU&t=15s
Quote from: SA14 on Thursday, 15 October 2020, 11:14 AM
Quote from: DP1400 on Thursday, 15 October 2020, 06:22 AM
...try holding the throttle on the stop in the first few gears...
Is that even possible? I can't even hang on at half throttle! It's going to be a long time before I think about giving it full throttle in 1st, 2nd or even 3rd. I was warned to not even try it in first or second or the bike will throw me off the back. Not keen to find out so I'll ride around with too much respect as a safety measure. :cheers:
Very possible, pinned in 2nd doesn't even lift the front. In first you have to feed it in smoothly to stop the bike standing up.
Bit of a story when in wrong gear. Ask me how i know. Went to beat a car at roundabout, yeah im in 3rd, kick her back and gun it, pity i was in 2nd. A big corner ahead, bloody front wheel in the sky, corner to turn, car coming at me. Guess i made it. Still here to tell.
Quote from: Hooli on Thursday, 15 October 2020, 05:07 PM
Very possible, pinned in 2nd doesn't even lift the front. In first you have to feed it in smoothly to stop the bike standing up.
Ok that's good to know. Because eventually the rev head in me is going to want to punch it. Not yet, possibly not even soon...but eventually.
Quote from: grog on Thursday, 15 October 2020, 06:28 PM
Bit of a story when in wrong gear. Ask me how i know. Went to beat a car at roundabout, yeah im in 3rd, kick her back and gun it, pity i was in 2nd. A big corner ahead, bloody front wheel in the sky, corner to turn, car coming at me. Guess i made it. Still here to tell.
This is what I'm afraid of. Afraid might be the wrong word..."respectful of"? If the front wheel comes up, I'm not sure how to react. I fear I'll just shut it down in a panic and it'll come slamming down and I'll be on the ground swearing. I'm guessing the best would be to stay calm and ease it off but not sure my instincts and impulses will be as calm as a forum post. But I'd love to be able to stand it up at will like I see so many do. I'm waiting for it to happen accidentally, I bring it down slowly and then have a flash of realisation "
oh THAT'S how you do them!" but any words of advice will hopefully be remembered for the event should it occur. One day I want to be able to drag and circuit race this bike. Maybe race is the wrong word but you know what I mean, get the best out it and be able to get it to do what it's capable of.
Ill follow up my story. Last year when i had Diavel, was in full mode, 162 bhp, I again pulled left, up hill, to beat car. First gear full throttle take off, had forgotten the 5 or so big bumps on that turn. Really thought i was in trouble, such acceleration incredible, electronics set on minimum, they did their job, wheel only up minimally, into 2nd and no dramas. Technology sure helps sometimes. That same bike in 100 bhp mode, full electronic help, reckon it was much quicker than 14, not as smooth, not pull away in same gear, but could really move.
Baz l don't really bother cracking it on in 1st or 2nd, for me the gears are too short. But l do like to bung it into 3rd or 4th and twist it. Its sure got some hammer in those gears. Love riding it like an auto, so much torque and it slows nice with engine braking. Have a twisty hill nearby. Often have to follow cars or trucks down it. Some cars have their brake lights on all the way down. Am guessing the bike is in 3rd, l can accelerate much of the way down just rolling the throttle off for some engine braking. lf l get it right l don't even touch the brakes. Same applies going up. They are a nice bìke to ride smooth. Getting the revs up a bit in those gears and they start getting pretty lively.....
just love it !! :smitten:
Quote from: SA14 on Thursday, 15 October 2020, 07:18 PM
I'm guessing the best would be to stay calm and ease it off but not sure my instincts and impulses will be as calm as a forum post. But I'd love to be able to stand it up at will like I see so many do. I'm waiting for it to happen accidentally, I bring it down slowly and then have a flash of realisation "oh THAT'S how you do them!" but any words of advice will hopefully be remembered for the event should it occur. One day I want to be able to drag and circuit race this bike. Maybe race is the wrong word but you know what I mean, get the best out it and be able to get it to do what it's capable of.
The problem with seeing other people wheelie is that you're only seeing a demonstration of where their skill is at that point. What you're not seeing is all the broken plastic and dented metal they went through to get to that point. It would be nice to think that it comes in a flash of inspiration and you 'get it', but I just don't think it works like that.
The only couple of scary moments I've had are when I open the throttle not much, but obviously too much, when leaning over to feel the back tyre starting to slide. I reckon I'd have to do it purposely a hundred times before I could overcome the natural reaction of closing the throttle.
Quote from: numbskull on Thursday, 15 October 2020, 09:00 PM
The problem with seeing other people wheelie is that you're only seeing a demonstration of where their skill is at that point. What you're not seeing is all the broken plastic and dented metal they went through to get to that point. It would be nice to think that it comes in a flash of inspiration and you 'get it', but I just don't think it works like that.
The only couple of scary moments I've had are when I open the throttle not much, but obviously too much, when leaning over to feel the back tyre starting to slide. I reckon I'd have to do it purposely a hundred times before I could overcome the natural reaction of closing the throttle.
Noted. I'm happy to never do one. I just like feeling the gravitatious acceleration and am happy to stay enjoying that.
Accelerating on a GSX1400 is like flipping the bird to Einstein and Newton as you defy gravity
Like riding a missile launched in anger!!!
Once at a red light, wife perched on the back and a cage full of youth beside us, I took off with much gusto and almost left the wife at the lights, she falls backwards and grabs on with her legs, arms flailing, so roll of the gas. We could hear the laughter from the car beside us!!
Quote from: sandman_2091 on Sunday, 18 October 2020, 08:54 PM
Like riding a missile launched in anger!!!
Once at a red light, wife perched on the back and a cage full of youth beside us, I took off with much gusto and almost left the wife at the lights, she falls backwards and grabs on with her legs, arms flailing, so roll of the gas. We could hear the laughter from the car beside us!!
I did that with a lass I used to know on the back once, but it was just coming out of a corner quick & going for an overtake. I noticed when her knees got level with my elbows - cue quick braking to catch her.
She held on better after that, funnily enough she rode & rode quick so should have known better.