"Falcon!" exclaims Wen, an Asian colleague, as she passes the Hayabusa.
astonished by the interest, enthusiasm and, above all, the perceptiveness of her judgment, I ask her where this knowledge of the GSX 1300 R comes from.
quite simply, the word drawn in Japanese on the fairing means rocket! I was also thinking that if Wen started to take an interest in motorcycles...!
Why are the others backing off? - GSX 1300 R vs ZZR 1400 comparison
by Oli le Belge
"Just under 200hp and just over 300km/h" - how many times have I repeated this phrase throughout this week's test?
these two figures sum up the philosophy of these bombs.
LOOK :
![\"La](\"http://www.motoplanete.com/comparo/2008-kawasaki_ZZR-1400_vs_Suzuki_1340_GSX-R/2008-kawasaki_ZZR-1400_vs_Suzuki_1340_GSX-R-2008-1.jpg\")
when it comes to overall looks, the Hayabusa is the clear winner. Just look at the crowd surrounding the Suzuki when Fred, who was riding the ZZR, and I stopped to refuel: "I think he could have got naked on the bike and it wouldn't have made any difference!
in detail, we note a cosier dashboard on the Suzuki, a much more successful rear end on the Kawa (the plunging rear end on the Suz, yuck!).
on the other hand, the ZZR in its gray paintwork gives an impression of seriousness and luxury, while the GSXR stands out for its aggressive sporty look.
ENGINE :
1,340 cc and 197 hp for the GSX-R and 1,352 cc and 193 hp for the Kawa.
in both cases, I won't surprise you by saying that it pulls! But at this level, we're no longer talking about acceleration, but rather horizontal take-off.
until now, when I rode a 130-150 hp motorcycle, I often had the impression that other riders were treading water when I accelerated. With these 2 missiles, it feels like they're going backwards!
![\"La](\"http://www.motoplanete.com/comparo/2008-kawasaki_ZZR-1400_vs_Suzuki_1340_GSX-R/2008-kawasaki_ZZR-1400_vs_Suzuki_1340_GSX-R-2008-6.jpg\")
several times during this week of living together, I screamed into my helmet: "We're all going to die!"(the bike and me!), so impressive is the feeling of power and constant acceleration.
however, the engines don't deliver their horsepower in the same way: Right from the start, the Kawa's engine revs jerkily, a bit like a race engine, covering the Suzuki's discreet purr with its song.
the two big four-leggers make the most of their torque when moving slowly, and the Kawa's fan (which runs continuously in town) blows hot air towards the rider's boots. The Suzuki's pots heat up. So, in both cases, the city is not their preferred playground.
pERFORMANCE: ?
contrary to what its discreet appearance might suggest, the Kawa's engine is most often at the center of the rev counter.
cogent at low revs, there's no point in pushing it to the limit of the red zone. But between the two, it's THE festival! The 50 horsepower ![\"La](\"http://www.motoplanete.com/comparo/2008-kawasaki_ZZR-1400_vs_Suzuki_1340_GSX-R/2008-kawasaki_ZZR-1400_vs_Suzuki_1340_GSX-R-2008-3.jpg\")
difference compared to the rest of the motorcycle market is most noticeable when throttling off at over 230/240 km/h. Where many engines need a second wind, these missiles accelerate without faltering. It's mind-boggling to see how fast the speedometer needle climbs!
as for the Haya, it's already big at low revs, while the slight dip before 7.500 rpm gives you a little respite before the low-down rip to 11,000 rpm. I never dared pull the second, but on both machines, the third climbs to + 235, the fourth to 250 and the fifth to over 270 km/h.
and I'm forgetting the sixth! Yes, there's a sixth too, but that ...
i must mention the brilliant Suzuki Drive Mode Selector, which saved my ass during an apocalyptic downpour. 200 hp in the rain is a bit chilly, but then, miracle! You switch to phase C: power instantly drops to 40%, and above all, instead of barking at low revs, the engine meows. And it's real, I wasn't dreaming.
DAY TO DAY:
the very different riding positions will force you to face everyday life in two ways: On the GSXR, the body is fairly balanced forward. I know that many of my colleagues find that the Suzuki's position is not extreme, but I find it tiring... The ZZR spoils its rider: the torso is straighter, the legs less bent, and I even had the impression that the seat was more comfortable.
only the Suzuki's large bubble protects the rider's shoulders better. As for the head, it's kif-kif.
200 hp: WHY?
![\"La](\"http://www.motoplanete.com/comparo/2008-kawasaki_ZZR-1400_vs_Suzuki_1340_GSX-R/2008-kawasaki_ZZR-1400_vs_Suzuki_1340_GSX-R-2008-2.jpg\")
these two machines were developed for the US market. Despite their even more draconian speed limits, Americans love horsepower in abundance.
for Europe, their wish is harder to defend.
of course, if your aim is to tour Germany by freeway as quickly as possible, the Haya will be the most comfortable. Cruising speed, in the dab position, should be around 255 km/h. The engine purrs in sixth gear at 8,200 rpm (red zone at 11,000 rpm). Only stops at the pump will punctuate your journey (range 220 km in normal driving).
for daily use, the ZZR's torque, ABS and driving position will be your best allies. Despite all this, the Haya really comes into its own thanks to its brilliant S.D.M.S., which allows you to tackle difficult weather conditions more serenely, or simply the desire to ride more serenely.
In any case, I think this type of machine exists mainly to flatter the ego of its rider. What a pleasure to gargle with: "it's limited to 300", "yes, yes 200hp", etc. ...
i was impressed when I picked up the first of these two monsters, then astonished to be able to use it on a daily basis. But, even after 10 days together, the little black devil hidden in my helmet was still "forcing" me to take one last pull one last time, just so I could crush my eyes to the back of my skull and outrun anything that moved!!
i don't have the bikes anymore and I'm still alive!
i'm still alive!
A+
Oli the Belgian - manufacturer's photos
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