Off Duty, Automotive - Marine Corps Times

Road rockets — 2007’s six hottest sport bikes

Warm weather — and track days — are back at last. If you’re in the market for a new sport bike, here is an up-close look at six of this year’s hottest knee-draggers.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14

Perhaps the world’s ultimate muscle sport bike, the ZX-14 one-ups the old ZZR1200 and ZX12 by a considerable margin in every category of performance and functionality. It is, quite simply, the most powerful street bike Kawasaki has offered for sale to the public — surpassing even the former king, the Suzuki GSXR1300 Hayabusa.

The ZX-14’s 1,352cc dual overhead cam, inline four produces more than 170 horsepower — enough to get you to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds, through the quarter mile in 9.83 seconds, and from there to a top speed that’s “limited” to 187 mph.

This bike was designed for sustained high-speed riding on European roads, where a bike like the ZX-14 can stretch its legs at 170-plus mph. Accordingly, it features a large 5.8-gallon tank, excellent wind protection and rider ergonomics (such as seat height and bar position), plus quad projector-beam headlights — which are just about the only things that can outrun this machine. The ZX-14 also accepts hard-sided bags for extended touring. It’s available in Diablo Black, Candy Plasma Blue and Special Edition Pearl Crystal White.

One caveat: The ZX-14’s a big machine — 474 pounds at the curb — and with so much power, it can be a handful. Approach with caution if you don’t have a lot of seat time on powerful open-class bikes.

Suggested retail: $11,599.

http://www.kawasaki.com

Suzuki SV1000S

Consider it a Hayabusa on a budget (with much lower insurance costs). The SV1000S is a handsome V-twin “naked” sport bike powered by a 996cc dual overhead cam, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, 90-degree V-twin engine connected to a six-speed gearbox. The short-stroke, big-bore engine features 11.6:1 compression and is designed for high torque output on the bottom end with enough power on top to tickle 150 mph.

The result? A forgiving bike that’s equally at home slogging along in heavy traffic as it is on an open road. And unlike some of the bikes in this price range, the SV’s front forks are fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping, as is the rear monotube suspension.

You also get a stainless steel exhaust system and full instrumentation that includes a low-fuel light. Seventeen-inch rims with a fat, 180/55-ZR series tire out back tie it all to the ground. This bike weighs in at just 410 pounds, making it as “flickable” in a corner as it is comfortable to maneuver in tight city traffic.

The SV1000S is available with bikini-style minifaring, or “Euro” style with open headlight and small wind deflector.

Suggested retail: $8,699.

http://www.suzukicycles.com

Yamaha YZF-R1

All-new for ’07, the latest R1 street bike is not far removed from full-on MotoGP race bikes. It features drive-by-wire throttle control instead of cables, and a ram-air, variable-length intake funnel system that adjusts from 65mm to 140mm, boosting low-end torque and high-rpm power.

The 998cc DOHC inline four features 12.7:1 compression and titanium valves, and a new liquid-cooled oil cooler has been added. A 15,000 RPM tachometer, shift light and lap timer are included with the gauge package. The six-speed transmission has a race-style slipper clutch to limit wheel spin during downshifts at high-speed corner entrances, and there are six-piston, radial-mount calipers to bring you down from the 160-plus mph speeds this bike can reach.

An underseat titanium exhaust and ultra-compact engine package increase cornering clearances, allowing for aggressive lean angles on the track. This is a serious bike for serious riders looking for a track-ready machine that’s almost unbeatable (in the right hands) on the street.

Suggested retail: $11,599.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com

Aprilia Tuono 1000 R Factory

Built around a superlightweight and high-strength twin-spar alloy frame that holds a pumped-up version of Aprilia’s famous 60-degree DOHC V-twin, the Tuono R Factory is more than just two-wheeled eye candy. It’s a machine built for the expert rider who wants the ultimate in naked bike aggression.

The R’s magnesium V-twin gets larger intake and exhaust valves, special high-flow exhaust and re-mapped, twin-throttle body electronic fuel injection to produce 139 horsepower at 9,500 rpm, making it one of the most potent V-twins of its type ever offered in a production bike. In a chassis that weighs less than 400 pounds, the resulting performance is nothing short of spectacular.

Built as much for the track as for the street, the Tuono R’s race-derived features include radial mount Brembo brakes, Ohlins front and rear fully adjustable suspension, and available options that include superlightweight forged magnesium alloy OZ racing wheels, twin-silencer Akrapovic exhaust, Ohlins steering damper, frame sliders and carbon fiber covers.

The R Factory is a limited-run bike, so order soon. Only one color is available: Lion Red.

Suggested retail: $16,999.

http://www.aprilia.com

Honda 919

A great choice for the sport bike enthusiast who finds good looks and good value as important as great performance. The 919’s fuel-injected DOHC inline four isn’t hidden behind plastic fairings, so everyone can see what you’re packing. Plus, if you lay the bike down, you won’t end up spending thousands on expensive bodywork (but be sure you buy some sliders, just in case).

With a compression ratio of 10.8:1, the 919 is also happy on a diet of midgrade unleaded. The bike features a six-speed close-ratio gearbox and fully adjustable front and rear suspension, with seven position preload settings for the rear monoshock. The 919’s ergonomics — front rake, peg position, seat and bars — are sporty but still comfortable enough for longer rides. The seat height makes this a good bike for medium-sized riders, who might find other sport bikes too tall. A center stand is available, too — a feature many sport bikes don’t offer, but which makes changing tires and other basic maintenance a lot easier. The 919 comes in just one color in ’07, Candy Red.

Suggested retail: $8,499.

http://powersports.honda.com

Buell Firebolt XB12R

A different-drummer sport bike, the Firebolt’s 1,203cc air-cooled 45-degree Thunderstorm V-twin peaks at a relatively low 6,800 rpm (most high-performance, liter-class sport bikes have engines that run to 10,000 rpm and beyond), but it pounds out 103 peak horsepower. With 84 foot-pounds of torque, the power band is strong throughout the range. You won’t find any abrupt power spikes as the engine reaches the higher end of the rpm range (an issue among some high-revving inline four bikes) that can get less experienced riders into trouble. The XB’s ample torque also allows the use of a five-speed gearbox instead of the usual six-speed, and you’ll find it’s not necessary to shift as often to keep pace with changing traffic/riding conditions.

Also unique to the Buell is the use of a belt drive instead of the usual chain, which cuts down on adjustment and eliminates the need for chain oiling.

The XB12R is available in Midnight Black and Sunflower Yellow, with either Cherry Bomb or Designer Black 17-inch, six-spoke rims and a Kick Ash translucent windscreen.

Suggested retail: $10,495.

http://www.buell.com

Eric Peters is an automotive columnist who has covered the auto industry since 1992. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, among other publications.