2009 Kawasaki ZX-14 / ZZR1400 gets even uglier
Now available in Truly Horrible Bronze™, Unfortunate Kawasaki Green™ and Just Plain Awful Monster Energy Black With Silly Green Claw Marks™, the ZX-14 has completed its metamorphosis into the ugliest motorcycle ever made. No mechanical modifications have been made to the 193bhp, 257kg / 557lb (wet) monstrosity for 2009. Making all of this worse are the truly awful Kawasaki press photos, which look like they were shot using a Canon Rebel fitted with the for-novices-only stock 18-55mm lens. Of course, even that’s not as bad as the “edgy” urban shots.
Styled with some of Icon and Joe Rocket's tackiest gear,
they just look like a lame, middle-aged marketing person who doesn’t
ride tried his hand at art direction, which is probably precisely what
happened. The company would have been better off just turning over
shooting duties to Icon itself, the clothing maker’s own press and
marketing shots actually capture the whole urban street aggression
thing Kawasaki tried to go for.
Wes Siler. September 21, 2008 — Permalink
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Yes it's hard on the eyes but the BMW1200C cruiser-thing was harder.
Hey, the Kawa cruisers are even worse.
BLJ: We choose not to acknowledge their existence.
Oh come now, the ZX14 is a wonderful bike. It handles better than the 'Busa, and makes stonking torque and hp. Sure, it's not very pretty, and it's awful in these colors (I still really like the red from '06), but do you really have to call it the ugliest motorcycle made? Think about the Multistrada, or the Helix, or the Mantra. Come on, there is worse...I think. Kawi's color and design group needs to be fired after what they've done the last couple of years.
Ben: Yeah, it's a pretty good handler and it's ridiculously fast. But it's really hard riding with your eyes closed (trust me, I've tried it).
Orange/black looks like a tarantula. But in a good way.
I would have this over a busa any day.
A face only a mother could love!
dc
Love it, cool bike. Love kawasaki's lime green color.
I'm ordering one now.
Dr. J
Spiderbike.
That green one looks like it should have a neon glow underneath it to complete the "fast and furious" look.
Tell it like it is boys! Ha ha
It is funny how Aprilia appears to carve a bike out of pure sex, while Kawasaki looks to use solid ugly with nary a sprinkling of sex appeal.
Maybe Kawasaki are trying to teach us an important lesson through the medium of motorbikes about how everyone deserves to be loved, no matter how ugly they are?
Sam
I realy like the new Bronze ZX14,
It is even better looking than the 1999 Hayabusa was.The Green
looks like my 2001 zx12 Green,
decisions,decisions.
well I have Busa also I do respect zx14 which is 0.02 ms is slower than new 2008 busa and pro riders agree that you can have more fun on busa as experienced rider.Well about that 2009 zx14 from the top photo if is available to order I will order it now i love it zx14's same as Busa's they are the best on the earth but also for that people who making war between busa and zx I can told 'em from own experience ...there is no slower ZX14's there is no slower Busa's ,slower can be only a riders skill because the skill is what is make as win .I love my 2008 Busa her power is something from dream of any rider but if you know how also 1st time upcoming 2009 i want to try as people says new king around the block zx14's Im happy he is and if is anyone of you have any photos of zx14 2009 please send to my email thank you and have safe ride .
As always looking as King of power
everybody must love it ZX 14's in 2009.
Greetings from sunny South Africa,i like the new colours on the 14.The new Busa has the ugliest tail ever looks like a old vintage.I disagree the new busa is not faster on the road.
is the ZZR1400 the same thing as the ZX-14. I really need to know cause im going freaking crazy seriously. Give me the 411
I have owened a CBRXX 1100 Blackbird & still owen a zx12r, & now the 2008 ZX 14, & let me tell you this bike is a work of art!!! I don't think that anybody should talk crap about the 14 or the Busa. These machines are truly awsome in there element. Color can be changed to anything you like people... Now could somebody wake up Honda please?
Folks who think the ZX 14 is ugly, have to reconcile with the fact that they are just plain jealous. Personally, I think it’s a great looking bike. I applaud the candy orange and I must say, bikes are about the riding experience, looks are about impressing non-riders and women. Although I highly support impressing women, as a married man with a little boy a home, I have this to say. Ride one, it is fierce and truly smooth machine to throw around at highway speeds. For my own bias, I've got one on order.
Wolfman
To be honest, the ZX 14 has it's apeal, every rider has there likes and dislikes so one lame report can not judge the bike as he/she is puting there own personal likes and dislikes on the bike instead of doing a proper review on it!
don't take every review personaly, instead go to your nearest dealer and go take it for a test ride then you can judge it for your self on looks, power and proformence...
i personaly like the look of this bike and i am going to go test ride it then make my dicition... i am now drooling over the 2009 ZZR 1400cc and the 2009 GTR 1400 tourer... sex on wheels i say lol
I miss my '97 & '99 Blackbirds!!
However, my Atomic Silver '08 ZX-14 is scary fast, and so sure footed. I've had it two weeks and have over 1700 miles on it. I just wish it had the fairing coverage of the Blackbird for those rediculously long, fast rides I like to take.
I don't care for the "electric" green, or the "Monster" scheme. But, the black, orange, and silver are ok. I did see one with a mix of red and grey that was alright.
Like the man said, the colors are easy to change.
I told the dealer who sold me mine, "I want black. I can pull the panels off and change the color if the price is right.
He pulled the bike out in the sun, and I immediately knew I didn't need to change a thing.
The Atomic Silver POPS! It reflects other colors when the light is right.
I HAVE THE 06 ZX14 AND ITS NOT ONLY FASTER THEN ANY BUSA I HAVE BIN AROUND THE BUSA LOOKS LIKE A RACON ON TWO WHEELS WITH THAT BACK END
Every person out there has a look they hate, me I hate the look of Harleys and certain parts of all the new litre bikes especially the megger ugly exhausts.
The 14 and the busa rule the roads if you don't believe try and catch em. This will fix the wankers who need to complain about the looks of the bike you won't seem them for long.
Dave
To ride a 14 is to love it (2006)
Yes I agree with you, you can't go wrong with a Busa or 14. I have a 2006 ZX-14 and I'm totally satisfied. Until this up coming year of 2009, the Busa color schemes were much more stylish than the 14's. Now that I've seen the 2009 ZX-14 color PKG's, they jump out at you like the Busa color schemes have all along. From 1 to 10 I give the Busa a 10 and the 14 a 9.9 on initial look value. The Busa looks like a cross between a Shark and a Eagle. And the 14 looks like the Bike that the (Predator) would ride. I love that Alien looking front end with all those head lights, which have come in handy when riding on poorly lit unfamiliar roads where I had to turn on the brights. I got a 14 instead of a Busa because the riding position is more comfortable during long distance interstate rides with the boys. I'm J.R. bike friends call me Jay-Ah. Also, one more thing, my 14 is lighter than the 07, 08, & 09 Busa's and 14's out the box. They both have gotten a little heavier each year since 06. PEACE OUT !!!
Hi,
I bought myself a brand new orange n black K8 Busa , rode her for about a 150kms and then sold her off to be able to buy myself a brand new K8 pearl white and silver Gixxer 1000.
I totally love my Gixxer 1k and plan on buying another bike in addition to my Gixxer. I am looking at either the K9 Busa if not the '09 zx14. I have not ridden the zx14 hitherto hence canot comment on it but then in regards to riding the Busa as long as I did have her I did pretty much have no grouse againt it excepting for the underside of my right thigh almost getting burned up is all.
Peace all!
Now that's what I'm talking about. These 2 bikes are flagsships of (Sport Touring). You can ride easy & comfortably ( Tour )without your wrists, hips or knees getting sore after 15 minutes, ( If you haven't been riding regularly ) especially on the 14. Or you can find a open stretch of highway and open it up to 120-145...^in a second or two. You got the best of both worlds here. I have a unique styled 14, but I have to give kudos to Suzuki for the beautiful Busa, it stood alone and untouched for 8 years, now there are two to chose from, the Busa a little more towards sport and the 14 a little more towards comfort & touring, cruising. Can't go wrong with either one.
the zx14 doesn't look all THAT bad but it could be in another color
My first bike was a 1982 kawasaki gpz 550. Since then I've had an intercepter,then an fjr then a cbr,a black bird,and on and on til 2006 when I bought my black ZX14. It is by far the best bike I have ever owned or ridden. Of corse I have personalized it with chrome wheels,carbon fiber this and that,muzzy exaust...etc... Guys on Busas aren't my rivals. They are my compadres cut from the same mold with different tastes. There is a reason why riders,no matter what the ride give each other the thums up when we cross paths. We all love to ride and give each other props for dealing with the f-*.kin idiots in cars....... Keep the faith and ride gentlemen!!!!!!!!!!
Larry Q