Busa vs. ZX-14 and GSXF Review

[KatanaSoldier]

I got home today and the new issue of Rider magazine was waiting. It has a head to head of the 2008 ZX-14 and Busa. It also has a review of the 2008 GSXF650. Check it out, it is very informative.

[StevieB]

An evenvitable comparison. Hope to read the article soon. Thanks for the heads-up, KS.

[KatanaSoldier]

An evenvitable comparison. Hope to read the article soon. Thanks for the heads-up, KS.

You are welcome. Here is the cover.

[Zepp]

I got home today and the new issue of Rider magazine was waiting. It has a head to head of the 2008 ZX-14 and Busa. It also has a review of the 2008 GSXF650. Check it out, it is very informative.

I don't have the magazine. Which one did they like more? What did they say? C'mon KS don't hold out on me

[KatanaSoldier]

I don't have the magazine. Which one did they like more? What did they say? C'mon KS don't hold out on me

They rated it from a touring type review instead of the drag strip. Not really one over the other. Each had some strengths over the other.

[giggles88]

seen the drag review on tv the zx-14 was able to keep up:smt084

[KatanaSoldier]

seen the drag review on tv the zx-14 was able to keep up:smt084

I can't decide which one looks better. They are both purty!

[BIGKAT1100]

To make an educated guess, I would have to say that it probably would come down to brand preference. Both "Beasts" have enough hp's to make that part of it a mute point. Both are high quality products. I've ridden my brother-n-law's Busa and I've sat on a 14, I think the Busa does tall people better. I'm sure the 14 has it's strengthes to counter the "tall" thing. You can go tit for tat all day long and still not come up with a favorite. Even performance wise, how fast do you want to go ? How fast do you want to reach that top speed ? Ever hunt field mice with a 12 gauge shotgun using #12 buckshot ? Get my point ? Motorcycles hit a point about 10 years ago. That point being the average rider (myself included) could never ride these bikes to their potential. I know maybe 1-2 real world guys that may be able to really scratch the surface of todays hi-performance 600's, the 1000's are out of the question. I'm not talking about the giuy who makes a living racing, I'm talking about the guy you see motoring around town.

Just my opinion, but brand preference wins in a real world contest.

[KatanaSoldier]

To make an educated guess, I would have to say that it probably would come down to brand preference. Both "Beasts" have enough hp's to make that part of it a mute point. Both are high quality products. I've sat on a Busa and I've sat on a 14, I think the Busa does tall people better. I'm sure the 14 has it's strengthes to counter the tall thing. You can go tit for tat all day long and still not come up with a favorite. Even performance wise, how fast do you want to go ? How fast do you want to reach that top speed ? Ever hunt field mice with a 12 gauge shotgun using #12 buckshot ? Get my point ? Motorcycles hit a point about 10 years ago. That point being the average rider (myself included) could never ride these bikes to their potential. I know maybe 1-2 real world guys that may be able to really scratch the surface of todays hi-performance 600's, the 1000's are out of the question. I'm not talking about the giuy who makes a living racing, I'm talking about the guy you see motoring around town.

Just my opinion, but brand preference wins in a real world contest.

[Zepp]

I was wondering on things like riding comfort and handling, which they liked better.

I agree that both bikes are really sweet looking and perform better than I will ever need.

I sat on both bikes at the bike show and really like them both.

[Nero]

Comparisons go stock for stock. I have a '14, but one thing that I don't have is stupid brand loyalty. I'm a consumer and whoever has my personal favorite product at the time I'm buying gets my dollar.

Everyone has their shopping list and the '14 fit mine better when I made the purchase and having sat on the 08 'busa, it still does. Do I care who ends up .00003 faster in a quarter mile. -Not in the least.

By the way, as tested, both of them have been shown to have slightly less power and torque than the 06 '14 because of the new Euro standards they had to comply with. Yessss!

Too bad I weigh 250 pounds.

[Zepp]

Comparisons go stock for stock. I have a '14, but one thing that I don't have is stupid brand loyalty. I'm a consumer and whoever has my personal favorite product at the time I'm buying gets my dollar.

Everyone has their shopping list and the '14 fit mine better when I made the purchase and having sat on the 08 'busa, it still does. Do I care who ends up .00003 faster in a quarter mile. -Not in the least.

By the way, as tested, both of them have been shown to have slightly less power and torque than the 06 '14 because of the new Euro standards they had to comply with. Yessss!

Too bad I weigh 250 pounds.

I would like one of each please, the busa and a ZX-14

[BIGKAT1100]

Comparisons go stock for stock. I have a '14, but one thing that I don't have is stupid brand loyalty. I'm a consumer and whoever has my personal favorite product at the time I'm buying gets my dollar.

Everyone has their shopping list and the '14 fit mine better when I made the purchase and having sat on the 08 'busa, it still does. Do I care who ends up .00003 faster in a quarter mile. -Not in the least.

By the way, as tested, both of them have been shown to have slightly less power and torque than the 06 '14 because of the new Euro standards they had to comply with. Yessss!

Too bad I weigh 250 pounds.

Well, it's not only brand preference / loyalty, however that crowd does exist. I myself, am with you, it is what fits you better (price, ergos, power, whatever). As stated, after riding my brother-n-laws Busa and sitting on a 14 (after sitting on it a test ride was not ness, I couldn't get into the feel of it, that's just me though), my preference went to the Busa between those two. Real truth be told, I prefer Hondas (I do like the CBR1100XX).

That's just me though.

250 lbs, that's cute little fella

[arsenic]

what it comes down to is engineering. The Busa is a Suzuki, great design. The ZX-14 is a Kawasaki, completely a$$ backwards Yes, that is my professional opinion.

[BIGKAT1100]

what it comes down to is engineering. The Busa is a Suzuki, great design. The ZX-14 is a Kawasaki, completely a$$ backwards Yes, that is my professional opinion.

I was reading in Motorcylclist that the target for the Suzuki was to handle better than a Kaw and to be faster than a Honda. They were doing the history of the "GS" and spotlighted the GS1000. Don't recall if Yamaha figured into that formula at all. My point is I believe it has always been and always will be pilot capability and preference.