Motorcycle.com

Administrator · 10-10-2011, 06:08 AM

Original Article:
2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Preview

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Preview in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

Duken4evr · 10-10-2011, 06:48 AM

Ricky Gadson, your new ride is ready!

I will admit this to the world here, in electronic form. I do not possess enough self control to own this motorcycle. Usually call it quits on remote public roads at 125 mph or so. This thing would just be catching 3rd gear and getting up on the cam at that speed.

The Spaceman · 10-10-2011, 07:18 AM

Where's the supercharger? According to the print mags, Kawi has patented a supercharged I-4 motorcycle engine design that is going to put out almost 300 hp. According to the pundits, the performance gap between the lighter liter bikes, and the 14/Busa, has shrunk or gone negative, and the supercharger is the way out of it.

Hopefully some of the new tech in the Ninja will make its way into my Concours 14 that I haven't bought yet.

Kevin_Duke · 10-10-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

Where's the supercharger? According to the print mags, Kawi has patented a supercharged I-4 motorcycle engine design that is going to put out almost 300 hp. According to the pundits, the performance gap between the lighter liter bikes, and the 14/Busa, has shrunk or gone negative, and the supercharger is the way out of it.

Hopefully some of the new tech in the Ninja will make its way into my Concours 14 that I haven't bought yet.

That was some wild speculation by print pubs. Modern sportbikes are tightly packaged, so fitting a supercharger would involve a complete redesign to accommodate one and the extra heat it would produce. If the economy was still like 2007, we might've seen Kawi spend the extra resources to develop and build such an animal, but now isn't that time.

Dr_Sprocket · 10-10-2011, 05:10 PM

A monster on steroids -- totally overbuilt for our streets. I like it!

jmdonald · 10-10-2011, 05:33 PM

This bike is a bargain at less than 15 large. It's hard for me to fathom this level of world class performance at such a cost.

seruzawa · 10-10-2011, 06:16 PM

Well, I for one and glad that they did something about the old ZX-14's lack of power.

The_AirHawk · 10-10-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Well, I for one and glad that they did something about the old ZX-14's lack of power.

I'm certain Ol' Dirty is absolutely thrilled with it, too....

rsalco · 10-13-2011, 05:31 AM

Um.....doing some 'rithmetic here...seems that the '06 model should be faster than this new & improved '12. 2.52 lb/hp vs. 2.9 lb/hp for the '12. I base that on an estimated 202 hp at the crank for the new bike; the 202 hp number is simply an extrapolation from the increased displacement. Even if they've squeezed another 10% power increase, that only yields 206 and to get to the '06 power-to-weight ratio would require 233 hp at a dry weight of 587 lbs.

Frankly, I suspect the weight given in MC.com's '06 review [467 lbs] was wrong, or Kawi lied to them [mfr's don't ever lie....do they???]. The bike has assuredly gained weight over the years, but 100+ lbs.....? Unlikely.

Kevin_Duke · 10-13-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsalco

Um.....doing some 'rithmetic here...seems that the '06 model should be faster than this new & improved '12. 2.52 lb/hp vs. 2.9 lb/hp for the '12. I base that on an estimated 202 hp at the crank for the new bike; the 202 hp number is simply an extrapolation from the increased displacement. Even if they've squeezed another 10% power increase, that only yields 206 and to get to the '06 power-to-weight ratio would require 233 hp at a dry weight of 587 lbs.

Frankly, I suspect the weight given in MC.com's '06 review [467 lbs] was wrong, or Kawi lied to them [mfr's don't ever lie....do they???]. The bike has assuredly gained weight over the years, but 100+ lbs.....? Unlikely.

Back in '06, OEMs were still using their bogus "dry weights," which was basically invented numbers that had no basis in reality. The last few years have seen the emergence of curb weights, which are pretty much factual. Re the 14R, it'll accelerate quicker, I'm sure.

10-10-2011, 06:08 AM	#1
Administrator Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On My Bike Posts: 0	2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Preview Original Article: 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Preview Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Preview in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

10-10-2011, 06:48 AM	#2
Duken4evr Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 707	Ricky Gadson, your new ride is ready! I will admit this to the world here, in electronic form. I do not possess enough self control to own this motorcycle. Usually call it quits on remote public roads at 125 mph or so. This thing would just be catching 3rd gear and getting up on the cam at that speed. Last edited by Duken4evr : 10-10-2011 at 06:51 AM.

10-10-2011, 07:18 AM	#3
The Spaceman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,394	Where's the supercharger? According to the print mags, Kawi has patented a supercharged I-4 motorcycle engine design that is going to put out almost 300 hp. According to the pundits, the performance gap between the lighter liter bikes, and the 14/Busa, has shrunk or gone negative, and the supercharger is the way out of it. Hopefully some of the new tech in the Ninja will make its way into my Concours 14 that I haven't bought yet. __________________ *"Adidas has officially unveiled the Adidas Bystander, the first shoe designed for running away from a mass public shooting."*

10-10-2011, 05:10 PM	#5
Dr_Sprocket Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delmarva Peninsula Posts: 2,331	A monster on steroids -- totally overbuilt for our streets. I like it! __________________ "Aid to the helpless indigent is civilized. Aid to the irresponsible is socially corrosive." ----- Schizuki (c. 2011)

10-10-2011, 05:33 PM	#6
jmdonald Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 1,231	New Favourite This bike is a bargain at less than 15 large. It's hard for me to fathom this level of world class performance at such a cost. __________________ Secede.

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement

10-10-2011, 06:16 PM	#7
seruzawa The Toad Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 17,408	Well, I for one and glad that they did something about the old ZX-14's lack of power. __________________ http://www.badmovies.org/movies/deadalive/ I kick @ss for the Lord!

10-13-2011, 05:31 AM	#9
rsalco Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 5	Um.....doing some 'rithmetic here...seems that the '06 model should be faster than this new & improved '12. 2.52 lb/hp vs. 2.9 lb/hp for the '12. I base that on an estimated 202 hp at the crank for the new bike; the 202 hp number is simply an extrapolation from the increased displacement. Even if they've squeezed another 10% power increase, that only yields 206 and to get to the '06 power-to-weight ratio would require 233 hp at a dry weight of 587 lbs. Frankly, I suspect the weight given in MC.com's '06 review [467 lbs] was wrong, or Kawi lied to them [mfr's don't ever lie....do they???]. The bike has assuredly gained weight over the years, but 100+ lbs.....? Unlikely.