The ZX14 is deceptively fast. Somehow it manages to be ungodly fast without seeming like it. The whole bike is buttery smooth. You crack the gas and you're doing 100mph and it feels like you're doing the speed limit. There's no drama, no fuss, no nothing. So while it is technically extremely fast, no doubt about it, somehow it doesn't feel as fast as other bikes. It doesn't make a lot of noise, shake, and make you soil your britches when you nail it.
I've always thought there's a definite distinction between a bike that is fast and a bike that feels fast. The 14 somehow doesn't feel very fast even though it is. The Vrod isn't really that fast, but yet somehow makes it feel like you're going faster and having more fun than evidenced by the speedometer.
I got about 145-150 indicated on my Vmax on a slight downhill. That was a very harrowing experience, probably about as close to God as you'll get. This bike just was not designed to go that fast, and makes this fact well known to the rider should you try.
This is kind of why I like the Z....yes it's an inline, but it makes cool noises, has enough vibration to let you know something's going on, and has a lot of engine "personality", all things I think help a bike "feel" fast and overall make it more fun to drive.
Speed is all relative. If you're used to liter class sportbikes the vmax is going to feel pretty pokey. If you've only ridden a Rebel 250 it feels like a rocketship.
