News, Reviews and Rally's

GigaBikes

News, Reviews and Rally's

Top 25

1/4 Mile Times

Position	Motorcycle	Year	BHP	1/4 Mile Seconds	1/4 Mile mph
1	RSS Yamaha R17	2001	160	9.8	152
2	Suzuki GSX-R 1000	2001	152	9.8	144
3	Holeshot Turbo R1	2001	215	9.9	145
4	Dyno Mite R1 SPX	2001	156	10.0	126
5	Suzuki Hayabusa	2001	160	10.2	136
6	Kawasaki ZX-12R	2001	163	10.3	137
7	Aprilia RSV Mille R	2001	120	10.4	134
8	Honda Blackbird	2002	139	10.5	130
9	Suzuki GSX-R 750K1	2001	119	10.6	135
10	Honda VTR1000 SP-1	2001	124	10.6	133
11	Kawasaki ZZR1200	2002	146	10.6	131
12	Honda FireBlade	2001	132	10.7	138
13	Kawasaki ZX-9R	2001	133	10.7	136
14	Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace	1997	130	10.7	134
15	Yamaha FZS 1000 Fazer	2001	122	10.7	123
16	Yamaha YZF-R7	2001	135	10.9	138
17	Kawasaki ZZ-R1100	1999	139	10.9	137
18	Suzuki TL1000R	2001	118	10.9	131
19	Kawasaki ZRX1200S	2001	112	10.9	120
20	Yamaha R1	2001	134	11.0	134
21	Suzuki GSX-R 600	2001	98	11.0	125
22	Yamaha YZF-R6	2001	98	11.0	125
23	Yamaha VMX1200 V-Max	1998	121	11.0	121
24	Cagiva V-Raptor	2001	104	11.1	130
25	MV Agusta F4S	2001	122	11.1	130

Kawasaki ZX-6R

Kawasaki will combine the ZX-6R 636cc engine with the Z1000 style to create a new bike for 2004.

There will be few changes to the Z1000’s styling. A conventional single exhaust replaces the quartet of pipes on the Z1000. To keep the price of the Z636 down, it’s likely to also get right-way-up forks with little or no adjustment and a bargain-basement rear shock. The bikes strength will be the 37cc advantage it has, which will aid mid-range-torque.

Sources suggest it will launch at Milan in the autumn, priced to compete with Japanese rivals at around £4500.

The Ducati ST4S

Ducati’s "S"express

When Ducati declared it was re-entering the sport-touring segment in 1997 with the ST2 there were plenty of riders who doubted the Italians really could build a comfortable, reliable bike.

They were wrong: against all the clichés the ST2 worked just fine as a sports tourer, offering good comfort with excellent handling. It also went against more preconceptions: it didn't look particularly special, where Italian bikes are supposed to be gorgeous, but it didn't rust and fall to pieces either. In fact, the resistance to corrosion of the ST2 and since then the ST4 has proved to be outstanding - you can use one through the winter and it'll still come up shiny in the Spring.

The ST4S will cost you £700 more than an ST4 at £8490, but how it's worth it! The suspension alone justifies the extra. At the front you benefit from a pair of top quality inverted Showas with full adjustability and cool-looking, low friction, gold titanium nitride finish on the sliders, which gives you more grip and a superior ride quality from finer wheel control.

At the back is a top line Ohlins unit, adjustable for ride height plus the rest, and you can tell this is the business because those adjusters make a big, noticeable difference.

This is just as well because as it comes from the factory, and probably your Ducati dealer too, the suspension set up is biased towards high-speed stability at the expense of everything else. Ducati is playing safe - the ST4S is capable of around 160mph (not bad for a sports touring V-twin!), but unlike a 996 or other supersports bike, is quite likely to be ridden flat out while loaded with panniers and passenger, maybe in blustery crosswinds and possibly on a poorly made road. In these days of seven figure product liability suits, Ducati (which is owned by Americans, who know about these things...) decided to take no chances and make the ST4S as secure as possible.

You don't need it like this though as ground clearance is compromised and the handling awkward. So (make sure you have a Biro handy...)... increase the front compression damping from eight to 12 clicks off minimum to reduce dive. Then increase rear ride height by 10mm and the preload by 5mm from minimum. This sharpens the steering and the ST4S holds tight lines, steer neutrally and generally eggs you to take on the next sports bike you see. And this chassis is so good, you might just beat him, too!

The charismatic engine's a lot torquier than the ST4 with big power at the top. The " S " gets the full power 996 motor whereas the cooking model ST4 makes do with the older, smaller capacity 916 engine, making the " S " the fastest bike in its class as well as the best handling. Yet you still get the ST attributes of good comfort and a long tank range - reckon on 180 mile gaps between refills.

2003 Kawasaki Z1000

Mount a fuel-injected NINJA® ZX-9R-based engine in a lightweight chassis, equip it with state-of-the-art Ninja running gear, and wrap in the slinkiest bodywork this side of a Milan fashion show and what do you get? The all-new 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 motorcycle. Kawasaki is taking the “naked” category to an all-new level by introducing the world’s first Super Naked motorcycle. In addition to a visual impact no other machine can match, the ZX-9R-based engine gets a displacement boost to 953 cubic centimeters producing heaps of gutsy torque resulting in hard-charging performance.

The Z1000 flaunts aggressive style and backs it all up with a sleek, high-performance engine. An in-line-four, DOHC 16-valve engine produces tractable power delivery for quick acceleration in any rpm range. The lightweight, all-aluminum cylinder block, with chrome composite plated lining for wear resistance and superior heat dispersion are features borrowed from the Kawasaki Ninja sportbike line. The new aluminum cylinder head is designed to run on regular gas while cam timing and profile are designed for abundant low- and mid-range power. In addition, a new front cam-chain guide is lighter. Performance and appearance meet again at the new horizontal intake ports to suit traditional styling.

Digital fuel injection utilizing 38mm throttle bodies and sub-throttle valves promote smooth engine operation. The advanced system provides excellent engine response and power with less fuel consumption. The high-speed 32-bit digital ignition

provides precise engine management and enhances the fuel injection system.

Keeping the entire engine cool is a large-area radiator with an electric fan that maintains operating temperatures at the optimum level. Simultaneously, a liquid-cooled oil cooler helps keep the six-speed transmission operating at maximum performance. Part of the Z1000’s allure lies in the four stainless steel mufflers that are heat-treated to an attractive golden color. Enhancing its appeal is the KLEEN (Kawasaki Low Exhaust Emissions) catalyzer system that helps keep exhaust emissions that flow through the quad mufflers environmentally friendly. In select markets, an additional honeycomb catalyzer system reduces emissions even further.

The Z1000’s engine is mounted in a rigid, yet lightweight diamond frame with thin-walled tubes, which contributes to responsive handling performance. The engine itself is mounted as a stressed member of the frame, adding an unflappable feel to the chassis. Plus, a detachable right front-top engine mount eases maintenance.

At the front of the frame, an inverted fork with 41mm tubes deliver exceptional stability and steering performance. To meet the requirements of different riding conditions, the fork is preload and rebound adjustable. In addition, the fork offset has been reduced to improve handling and provide a fluid ride.

On the rear, an extruded-aluminum swingarm features a hexagonal structure with ribbing for reduced weight and exceptional rigidity. Attached to the swingarm is Kawasaki’s bottom link UNI-TRAK® system, equipped with a nitrogen gas-charged rebound adjustable shock. For adjusting and ease of maintenance, the shock is equipped with a piggyback reservoir and a rebound damping adjustment. All shock settings are modified to match the new chassis.

Contributing to the Z1000’s superb handling characteristics are 17-inch rims and radial tires, borrowed from the ZX-9R.. The tires offer excellent traction, while the rims look great with a polished finish that contrasts nicely with painted hubs and spokes. Front brakes are dual semi-floating 300mm discs gripped by lightweight four-piston calipers from the ZX-9R, while the rear brake caliper holder is also designed for low weight and mounts directly to the swingarm, negating the need for an independent brake torque-rod.

To the naked eye, the Z1000 can best be defined by the sexy lines and stylishly crafted bodywork and ergonomics. The seat cowl with LED taillight, swingarm-mounted

inner fender and front fender are all designed to give the Z1000 an aggressive, sporty image. The galvanized steel fuel tank is slender and helps create a seating position that is comfortable allows the rider to mold to the machine naturally. Meanwhile, the bikini cowl with dual, multi-reflector headlights accentuates the bike’s provocative lines.

The slinky cowl covers and protects a lightweight, compact instrument cluster featuring a bar-type LCD tachometer and digital LCD speedometer. In addition to a digital temperature gauge, clock, tripmeter and fuel gauge is a comprehensive range of indicator lamps.

The Z1000 takes “naked” to a new level with high performance, responsive handling and knockout good looks. The Z1000 didn’t move to the head of the class, it created a class of it’s own – the Super Naked.