What Next After ZZR 1400?
Discussion
2020 model had from new, remapped and I like a lot!
3 year service tomorrow and I will be in a bike shop whilst its being attended to. Lots of bikes to view.
Bit bonkers this, but I like ZZR fit, speed, how comfortable it is. Is there anything significantly better that I should look at?
3 year service tomorrow and I will be in a bike shop whilst its being attended to. Lots of bikes to view.
Bit bonkers this, but I like ZZR fit, speed, how comfortable it is. Is there anything significantly better that I should look at?
It’s a good question and one I’ve powered. I’ve owned mine since 2011 and still love the power and brutish “seriously quick bike” looks. However I’m now early 50s and I find it make my neck and wrists ache on long rides to the point I just want to get off the thing. I’ve been looking at something more upright that still has some performance, like a Multistrada.
wormus said:
I've been looking at something more upright that still has some performance, like a Multistrada.
"Some" performance is an understatement for a lot of the sports touring bikes currently available, so you'll be happy. H2SX is probably the natural answer. But maybe give the KTM Superduke GT a look? It's got a proper heft of power available anywhere in the rev range. To be fair any of the current crop of 1000cc plus stuff would probably do you fine in this regard.
Maybe try something completely different?
I've had fast-ish (600's) and fast (1000cc+ super nakeds) since I could ride and have gotten to the point now I have to do absolutely ballistic speeds to find them entertaining. I've since gotten into off-roading and trail riding since doing a couple of epic biking trips to Thailand, Himalayas, Vietnam etc and am going to sell the fast road bikes in place for an adventure bike and a small capacity scrambler. I've really enjoyed learning the off-road riding skills and doing everything at speed that is less likely to get me killed and locked up! Worth a go, its not for everyone but you might find you love it!
I've had fast-ish (600's) and fast (1000cc+ super nakeds) since I could ride and have gotten to the point now I have to do absolutely ballistic speeds to find them entertaining. I've since gotten into off-roading and trail riding since doing a couple of epic biking trips to Thailand, Himalayas, Vietnam etc and am going to sell the fast road bikes in place for an adventure bike and a small capacity scrambler. I've really enjoyed learning the off-road riding skills and doing everything at speed that is less likely to get me killed and locked up! Worth a go, its not for everyone but you might find you love it!
rugbyleague said:
2020 model had from new, remapped and I like a lot!
3 year service tomorrow and I will be in a bike shop whilst its being attended to. Lots of bikes to view.
Bit bonkers this, but I like ZZR fit, speed, how comfortable it is. Is there anything significantly better that I should look at?
NO!!!3 year service tomorrow and I will be in a bike shop whilst its being attended to. Lots of bikes to view.
Bit bonkers this, but I like ZZR fit, speed, how comfortable it is. Is there anything significantly better that I should look at?
as the past owner of a ZZR that did 100 000 in four years
current owner of a GSA and H2 SX
STICK WITH THE ZZR - still looks current, goes like stink
why kawasaki did away instead of just upgrding with cruise and led lights - no idea
engine is bullet proof, standard of build high it was just the other bits - forks weeped, brembo calipers a nigtmare to maintian and poor stopping even with pad and disc upgrade so at 100k it went but never forgotten
in my time of owning zzrs i have had at the same time an s1000rr, s1000r, zx10, ktm 690smcr, ktm 690 sm, tl1000r, tuono 1100 factory. if you know you have distance to do, know its going to be quite fast (sweeping a roads preferable) and not be too heavy on b road action it has been the only choice. only the aprilia and the ktm remain out of that list (and i am sure i have missed stuff as well) and many many times i have pondered whether i need a 1400cc bike...thankfully i have never bailed from them. they just do everything so well. oh, apart from getting manhandled out of a garage, they dont do that well!!
Thanks everyone for your help with this ..........so I did my usual and looked around the bikes.
The same as last year at my bike service......last year H2s were being pushed quite hard and even though the junior sales men were quite convincing, the bike wasn't what I was looking for (a great moment when the sales manager said don't listen to them keep your zzr you will regret getting an H2 he did......).
After looking around it's clear the only bike which does what mine does but has better lights, brakes and tech is the Hayabusa.
I bought one pick it up Monday
The same as last year at my bike service......last year H2s were being pushed quite hard and even though the junior sales men were quite convincing, the bike wasn't what I was looking for (a great moment when the sales manager said don't listen to them keep your zzr you will regret getting an H2 he did......).
After looking around it's clear the only bike which does what mine does but has better lights, brakes and tech is the Hayabusa.
I bought one pick it up Monday
rugbyleague said:
Thanks everyone for your help with this ..........so I did my usual and looked around the bikes.
The same as last year at my bike service......last year H2s were being pushed quite hard and even though the junior sales men were quite convincing, the bike wasn't what I was looking for (a great moment when the sales manager said don't listen to them keep your zzr you will regret getting an H2 he did......).
After looking around it's clear the only bike which does what mine does but has better lights, brakes and tech is the Hayabusa.
I bought one pick it up Monday
Well done!The same as last year at my bike service......last year H2s were being pushed quite hard and even though the junior sales men were quite convincing, the bike wasn't what I was looking for (a great moment when the sales manager said don't listen to them keep your zzr you will regret getting an H2 he did......).
After looking around it's clear the only bike which does what mine does but has better lights, brakes and tech is the Hayabusa.
I bought one pick it up Monday
Having now done over 30k miles on an H2 SX and placed an order for another new one in 2024, I'll disagree with the sales manager


black-k1 said:
rugbyleague said:
Thanks everyone for your help with this ..........so I did my usual and looked around the bikes.
The same as last year at my bike service......last year H2s were being pushed quite hard and even though the junior sales men were quite convincing, the bike wasn't what I was looking for (a great moment when the sales manager said don't listen to them keep your zzr you will regret getting an H2 he did......).
After looking around it's clear the only bike which does what mine does but has better lights, brakes and tech is the Hayabusa.
I bought one pick it up Monday
Well done!The same as last year at my bike service......last year H2s were being pushed quite hard and even though the junior sales men were quite convincing, the bike wasn't what I was looking for (a great moment when the sales manager said don't listen to them keep your zzr you will regret getting an H2 he did......).
After looking around it's clear the only bike which does what mine does but has better lights, brakes and tech is the Hayabusa.
I bought one pick it up Monday
Having now done over 30k miles on an H2 SX and placed an order for another new one in 2024, I'll disagree with the sales manager


I've got the 23 model busa grey and red. It seems very like the zzr and it has been improved in the looks department. LEDs, cruise, electronic safety features, traditional and a modern dash all swung it for me.
Looking forward to new bike Monday and wondering about yoshimura cans!
rugbyleague said:
I think the sales manager had the high performance H2, and he felt it was hard work to ride compared to his Zzr.....,.he picked up that I wanted an easy to ride, comfortable, physically big bike. His H2 wasn't that at all!
Sounds like crossed wires. The H2 SX is big and comfortable, easy to ride for what it is. I expect sales manager was boasting about a possibly modified H2 which is uncomfortable and potentially hard work. They have also been going up in value, which isn’t the case for the SX.Anyway you can’t go wrong with a ‘busa so enjoy, hope the weather holds out for you.
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