Kawasaki ZZ-R 1400 Performance Sport

With a reputation as being the fastest accelerating mass production motorcycle currently available, the ZZR1400 has also won plaudits for its reassuring sporting handling characteristics.

Now Kawasaki has announced a Performance Sport version of the mighty ZZR1400 which, for the European market, will come equipped as standard with a bespoke Öhlins TTX rear shock absorber and Akrapovic lightweight titanium silencers.

With its patented concentric twin-tube design, the Öhlins TTX rear shock – complete with easy to adjust remote pre-load adjuster – separates the compression side of the main piston and rebound valve delivering the possibility to completely separate the adjustment for each function for a high degree of suspension compliance.

Having 22 possible adjustments for both damping and rebound, plus high quality components in its construction, the TTX shock fitted to the ZZR1400 Performance Sport is a joint development between the two companies and promises to deliver increased rear stability, riding comfort and an even more “planted” feel.

Combined with the new rear shock, the European market Performance Sport model also features titanium Akrapovic slip-on silencers which reduce weight and deliver a sporty note adding to the considerable riding pleasure. That pleasure is further enhanced by a bubble screen which allows even more comfortable highway cruising and new seat covering material creating a unified overall look

From a rider perspective, the final part of the ZZR1400 Performance Sport specification is the adoption of black effect speedometer and tachometer meter rings with the Kawasaki “flying K” logo appearing between the respective dials.

“The ZZR1400 is understandably at the forefront of our sports touring offering”, commented Yasushi Kawakami, Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe. “With so many dedicated ZZR fans – and significant numbers of riders migrating from other offerings in the market – the new Öhlins TTX equipped ZZR1400 Performance Sport looks set to add yet more choice for those who appreciate ultimate performance in terms of power, poise and handling”.

Based on the platform of the strongest production motorcycle, the ZZR 1400 packs 1,441cc of fuel injected displacement, now tweaked for a noticeably more powerful thrust above 4,000 rpm. Dual engine mapping and dual throttle valves make sure the 2014 Kawasaki ZZR 1400 Performance Sport delivers the optimal performance for any throttle-gear combination. With 200 horsepower @10,000 revs and the RAM Air adding 10 more horsies, the new ZZR 1400 packs 162.5 Nm (119.7 lb-ft) of torque at 7,500 rpm. Speed is obviously limited electronically just under 300 km/h (186 mph), but this is a different story…

The 2014 Kawasaki ZZR 1400 Performance Sport comes with a slipper clutch, a shorted-geared 6-speed transmission, Eco riding indicator, a longer and stronger swingarm for the monocoque aluminium frame and standard ABS for the dual 310 4-pot, 4-pad radial front calipers, complemented by a twin-piston opposed 250 rotor. Öhlins suspensions are stock, with a TTX monoshock in the rear, and the 2014 Kawasaki ZZR 1400 Performance Sport also comes with a multi-adjustable 43mm USD fork. The titanium exhausts come from Akrapovic, and the KTRC traction control is also a standard trim.

With a 125mm (5”) ground clearance, the 2014 Kawasaki ZZR 1400 Performance Sport can load 22 liters of fuel (5.8 US gal) for solid touring range, and comes with a curb mass of 268 kg (591 lbs). The aerodynamics has been revised, and a double bubble windscreen adds better protection form elements, while the new seat introduces better ergonomics for both rider and passenger. A wide range of optional touring accessories is also available.