Houston, We Have a 350 Horsepower Problem...
Friday January 11, 2008
If you're old enough to remember the moon landing, you might identify with Joe Capicotti of 2Xtreem Motorcycle TV, who was so moved by the experience it inspired him to have a 350 horsepower tribute bike built... 39 years later.
According to a press release, a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14, "with power like a Saturn V rocket," was considered "the perfect salute [to] one of the greatest times in America's history." And I quote.
With its NASA livery, jet nozzle-like exhaust can, and pedestrian-skewering nose appendage, I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of likening a trick Japanese bike to a 6,699,000 lb lunar launch vehicle... but I'll go with it, waving spacesuit leather-clad rider and all.
Click the photo for a larger view, and go 2xtreem.com for more on this motorcycle oddity.
Photo © 2Xtreem
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Comments
Except for the ridiculous spear on the front of the bike, the bike looks like a normal sport bike. The real oddity is the guys outfit. Looks like a clown suit make from wonder bread bags…
The ZX14, while very fast, isn’t a particularly nice bike….I bet the extra 200 HP doesn’t help.
The Blackbird was always a much nicer bike…not quite a fast, but who cares if it will only go 170MPh instad of 185…
Yeah, like there was ever really a moon landing. Tell me another one. With todays technology nasa will never pull that scam again…
“Gordon,”
That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard you say here!
Pete,
I’ve spent some time with the ZX-14 and actually enjoyed it, for what it was. What don’t you like about it?
Basem
Basem,
I found the quality control and fit & finish to be less than one would expect from a flagship. I rode a ZX11, 12 & 14 and came away with the impression they spent too much time making it fast and not enough making it crisp, solid and realy refined. The ZX14 I rode…we had it on the ctr stand and you could move the back wheel up and down half an inch and it as nothing more a cumulative amont of slop and free play in all the connections and bearing points in the rear shock to swing arm links.
Really surprised and dissapointed in the quality. Again..the Blackbird is twice the bike ….just not as fast.
Pete,
I don’t entirely disagree about the ZX-14 fit & finish issue, but the Kawi is a remarkably smooth, easy to ride bike with tremendous abilities.
Basem
Hey Gordon. Thanks for you comments. To bring you up to speed, the suit was designed after Neil and Buzz’s suit. The bike also has extensive modification if you look closely, including the command module exhaust can and an authentic piece from launch control on the top of the tank. The bike handles very well.
By the way all. The Astronauts loved it! A chopper or V-Twin would not represent the pure “on the edge” performance of any space vehicle. That is why we chose the ZX-14.
Thanks for all the comments.
JC