Kawasaki ZX9R - Ride With The Wind Kawasaki ZX9R is one of those bikes that literally inspire you to go ahead and leave your job and spend the rest of your life riding from one end of the world to another. With me it has been love at first sight. The stage has not yet come when I can leave my job, but it comes as a consolation that it is a ZX9R that ferries me to the office and back. And on weekends I still have the spare moments to give reign to my dreams of riding across the landscape on the perfect bike. Best thing about the ZX9R is the feeling of size that it conjures. By all means, this isn't a small bike; compared to its rivals it is wide, high and has bars that are much higher. With a digital odometer, dual trip meters, clock and temperature gauge, its instrumentation is all analogue. Turn the ignition key and the instrument needles climb around the dials and back as everything sets itself. Crank the choke, press the starter button and feel the engine rev to around 3000 rpm. Adjust the choke lever and bring the idle down to 2000 rpm, check your helmet & gloves and you are ready to go.

It is not unusual for Kawasaki to squeeze incredible power and speed from its 899cc engine. Ever since its launch in 1994 the top speeds for the ZX9R have been more or less in league with the leading sports bikes in the world. One might as well say that the definitive growl of the ZX9R engine sounds as inspiring, as the sounds made by the bikes in the immensely competitive super bike group. Despite the ballistic speeds ZX9R is capable of two fingers are all that is required to slow it down. Many motorcycle enthusiasts have termed the braking system in the new ZX9R as the best in any standard motorcycle.

While the engine remains the standard four-cylinder, it is fed by a new set of 40mm Keihin CV carburetors. The incorporation of Kawasaki's Throttle Responsive Ignition Control (K-TRIC) system, which calculates the optimum ignition timing for any throttle setting, means that the bike gets the most from the fuel/air mixture on each stroke. Also the motor now spins at faster pace due to modifications in the flywheel. The power delivery extending from just an above tick-over to its 12,500 rpm redline makes this bike an ideal candidate for long distance runs.

The frame and suspension are a big improvement in this year's ZX9R. In their factory settings the front forks may seem a bit on the soft side, but there is plenty of room for improvement to accommodate all kinds of riders. Andthe swing arm for the bike is hexagonal and braced. The adjusted shock linkage ratios are far more linear as the rear suspension moves through its entire travel. Titanium silencer in the exhaust has been repositioned for increased ground clearance and for enhancing the bike's looks. The ZX9R conjures just the right kind of aggressive appeal.

For this bike strong usable power is the name of the game. Best part is that the power is delivered with minimal vibration, and you get only the very slight hum coming through the bars and pegs, and just enough to know that the beast you are riding on is healthy and running. On initial acceleration the bike utilizes only torque and literally takes off. Fast or slow, it is sheer pleasure to ride the ZX9R.