AI Video Summary: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R! The Quest to Break 8 Seconds in the Quarter Mile - On Two Wheels Episode 27
Channel: MotorTrend Channel
TL;DR
This video documents the attempt to modify a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R to break the 8-second barrier in the quarter-mile drag race. Despite installing a full bolt-on performance kit including an exhaust, fuel tuner, and suspension modifications, the team consistently hit a 9.2-second wall, concluding that more extensive changes are needed to reach their goal.
Key Points
- — The video introduces the Kawasaki ZX-14R as a high-horsepower machine designed to compete with the Suzuki Hayabusa, noting its stock capability of 184 horsepower.
- — The team visits Brock's Performance to install a drag race kit, which includes a full exhaust system, Power Commander, adjustable suspension, and lowering links.
- — With modifications installed, the bike is dyno-tested, showing an increase to 204 horsepower and 119 foot-pounds of torque before heading to the track.
- — Initial drag runs reveal difficult launch characteristics due to the reflashed ECU, causing the bike to wheelie excessively and limiting the rider to 9.2-second elapsed times.
- — To improve traction, the team changes the rear sprocket from 41 to 42 teeth, but this modification fails to improve the 60-foot times or break the 9.2-second barrier.
- — After numerous runs, the team concludes that bolt-on modifications alone are insufficient to reach the 8-second bracket, though the 9.2-second performance is still impressive.
Detailed Summary
The video begins by establishing the legacy of Kawasaki's high-performance motorcycles, specifically the ZX-14R, which was engineered to surpass the Suzuki Hayabusa. The stock ZX-14R already produces 184 horsepower and has been clocked at 9.7 seconds in the quarter-mile. The goal of the episode is to see if simple bolt-on modifications can push the bike into the 8-second bracket. To achieve this, the team partners with Joey Lombardo from Kawasaki and visits Brock's Performance in Dayton, Ohio, to install a comprehensive drag race kit. This kit includes a full exhaust system, a Power Commander fuel tuning module, fully adjustable rear suspension, lowering links, and a clutch modification kit. The installation process involves removing the stock bodywork, installing the new exhaust to reduce weight and increase flow, and adjusting the suspension geometry to lower the bike's center of gravity for better stability. Once the modifications are complete, the bike is dyno-tested, revealing a significant power increase to 204 horsepower and 119 foot-pounds of torque. The team then travels to Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California, to put the bike through its paces on the drag strip. Initial runs show that while the bike is powerful, the launch characteristics have changed drastically due to the reflashed ECU. The rider struggles to find the balance between clutch and throttle, often causing the front wheel to lift too high, which ruins the start. Consequently, the rider is stuck at a 9.2-second elapsed time, unable to break through to the desired 8-second range. In an attempt to fix the launch issues, the team tries turning off the traction control, but this results in excessive tire spin and loss of control. They then decide to change the gearing, swapping the rear sprocket from 41 teeth to 42 teeth to improve traction off the line and lower the 60-foot time. However, after numerous runs, the gearing change proves ineffective, and the bike continues to hit the 9.2-second wall. The video concludes with the team acknowledging that while the bolt-on modifications have made the bike incredibly fast, breaking into the 8-second bracket will require more extensive modifications than what was attempted. Despite not reaching the ultimate goal, the consistent 9.2-second performance is deemed impressive for a stock-based build.
Tags: kawasaki, zx-14r, drag racing, motorcycle modification, quarter mile, performance tuning, motorcycle