Kawasaki ZZR1400 to be discontinued after 2020
Kawasaki’s 200hp missile will cease to be produced after a production run lasting 14-years
THE Kawasaki ZZR1400 is to be discontinued at the end of 2020, after a production run spanning 14-years and smattering of updates that saw the bike peaking at a claimed 207hp.
The ZZR14’ was born in a time when almost all of the Japanese manufacturers had a bike in the battle for top-dog in the outright speed wars. Honda had the Superblackbird, and Suzuki had the ubiquitous Hayabusa. Each had its own way of cracking the hyper-touring nut, but none of those bikes has managed to go on for as long as Kawasaki’s intercontinental ballistic missile.
The Kawasaki ZZR1400 was built around a specially developed 1352cc engine, which produced up to 190hp in its early versions. In years to come the advent of ram-air induction would see maximum power swell 210 hp. 2012 saw the bike undergo a major restyling, with sleeker and more aerodynamic bodywork appearing on the new model. The model was also treated to a new exhaust system, 3-level Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) and a new ignition (all taken from the Kawasaki ZX-10R), a slipper clutch and a second radiator fan.
The death of the ZZR may make some people think that Kawasaki are going to have another pop at a normally aspirated sports-touring machine, although the chances of a bike slim. Kawasaki now has the supercharged H2 SX SE in its line-up. While that machine may not offer the same silky-smooth delivery as the big-capacity ZZR1400, but it is lighter, slightly more powerful and better for Johnny Polar bear – which is probably one of the main reasons the bike is soon to be axed.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
