Thread: The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R- Holy Crap

Impressive numbers, too much for these roads and my wallet

There are a couple of roads where you could open it up a bit, but, yeah, it's not the ideal bike for LOS.

The cost gets me as well- the US price of (the equivalent of) 375K baht is certainly justifiable, but 800K (which, again, is my guess, but I'm sure it's pretty close- I doubt it will be 1mil) is crazy for a toy.

I still want one, though- I loved my Hayabusa, and this bike is the next level (maybe two more levels).

Originally Posted by FailSafe

I still want one, though- I loved my Hayabusa, and this bike is the next level

A bit like saying a Maclaren is a step up from an Aston. One is a GT and one is a track bike - apples & oranges.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by FailSafe

I still want one, though- I loved my Hayabusa, and this bike is the next level

A bit like saying a Maclaren is a step up from an Aston. One is a GT and one is a track bike - apples & oranges.

Sorry, Marmite, but you're incorrect- both weigh ~250kg (more like 260kg for the Kawi) and have a wheelbase of ~58"- with those porky dimensions and long wheelbases, neither would ever be considered a 'track bike' by anyone who has ever actually ridden on a track.

The Hayabusa and ZX-12R/ZX-14R have always been in the same class.

Now, if you were to use a literbike as an example, those are truly 'track bikes' made for the street- that means ~200kg and a wheelbase of ~56", and on a tight track would eat either of the bigger bikes for breakfast- on the street in a fast sweeper or stoplight-to-stoplight it's a different story, of course.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Sorry, Marmite, but you're incorrect

No. I'm correct. While you can take a Hayubusa onto a track the ZX will destroy it. You can also tour on a ZX, but you'd wish you hadn't.

No, you're wrong- I owned a Hayabusa (and I've ridden it on the street and on the track) and ridden both a first-generation ZX-12R and a ZX-14R (though not the 2012 version)- have you ever even sat on either one?

'You'll wish you hadn't'? Are you kidding? It's a very comfortable ride (compared to a literbike), and it's actually less cramped than the Hayabusa (I'm fairly tall, and I actually found the ergos on the Kawi better-suited for me)- I rode one from San Diego to Long Beach (I swapped bikes with another rider) and quite enjoyed it.

Don't care.
I'm nursing a semi..

Originally Posted by the dogcatcher

Don't care.
I'm nursing a semi..

Yup- it's really an amazing bike.

Kawi has been sucking hind-tit to Suzuki for over a decade- they announced the 2000 ZX-12R in 1998, and Suzuki introduced the Hayabusa in 1999 and it was faster- the first-gen ZX-12R was a disaster and barely sold- they bumped it to the ZX-14R in '06, and Suzuki came out with the second-gen Hayabusa (which was again a bit faster, though not by much) in '08.

Kawasaki really hit it out of the park with the 2012 version.

From what I've been reading there really isn't much more to be gained by going into the engine- it will be all about exhaust systems and ECU settings and making the thing lighter- 200hp+ with just a pipe and tuning- I wouldn't have believed it last year.

2012 ZX-14R stock out of the box ran 9.31 sec with Rickey Gadson on board.

Then with the bike lowered slightly, and a rear sprocket with two extra teeth it ran 9.18 sec.

Finally, switching to a freer breathing exhaust it ran 8.99 sec. reaching 155 mph.

Yep- Ricky is a great drag-racer, and he's not a midget- he weighs near 80kg in full leathers- that Kawi is going to re-write the record book for street bikes.

Roll on global warming. Gonna need some more long salt flats.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

No, you're wrong

Hmmm... I was thinking of the R1. Sorry.

^

No problem- the R1 is a completely different animal- it would bury either the Suzuki or Kawi on the track, and I agree it's no tourer.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Hmmm... I was thinking of the R1. Sorry.

I was going to say you were getting it confused with the ZX-10r, the R1 isn't even a Kawa!

Kawasaki has always been the leader in motorcycle performance.
The old two stroke H1 and H2 triples smoked the competition in more ways than one.
Even the old W650 was a ground breaker when it was introduced.

The dimbulbs who turn their noses up at Kawasaki bikes don't know dick.

Originally Posted by peterpan

Right Earl.
I started and nearly ended my MC life with an 500cc Kawa triple, it was mile in front of anything available at that time.
My first bike in Thailand was a 1100cc ZX 1100 c1 (92) it was ground breaker for its time, billed as the first 200 mph bike, covered a lot of Thailand on that. then a C3 and a Hayabusa a fat slug, following with a ZX12R, a storming bike. on the road.

The ZZR1100/ZX-11 wouldn't break 180mph (176mph stock is I believe the fastest verified speed), no matter how it was 'billed'- the 1999 and 2000 Hayabusas would hit 194mph topped out in 6th (and the 2000 ZX12 would come close)- from 2001 all bikes were limited to 300kph (~187mph)- it used to be easy to defeat the restriction, but it's at the point now where the ECU might have to be replaced rather than re-flashed.

The ZX12R and Hayabusa both weighed ~250kg wet- either they were both 'fat slugs' or neither one was.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

No, you're wrong- I owned a Hayabusa (and I've ridden it on the street and on the track) and ridden both a first-generation ZX-12R

Agree, the ZX12R was my favorite touring bike for a time, more leg room and a horn raising raw feel to it.
Even tho it had the same rotor caliper fitment as the Hayabusa the brakes were consistent & reliable.
I remember well, a solo trip around the Mare Kong, I hammered it for 4 hrs, not much traffic in those days but even still, dangerous for a pensioner.
But it stands out in my mind as one of my more memorable trips

Originally Posted by peterpan

dangerous for a pensioner

One of the best riders I know rode the hell out of his Busa (and embarrassed more than a few riders less than half his age) when he was ~70- he still rides, but has switched to a Ducati Streetfighter.

Riding skills stay with you for a long time as long as you remain in the saddle.

that looks quite nice, and I bet it would look nicer with a dude on it in full black leather suit

Originally Posted by peterpan

Right Earl.
I started and nearly ended my MC life with an 500cc Kawa triple, it was mile in front of anything available at that time.

I still can recall the sound those things made.
I always wanted one, though I reckon I'm lucky I didn't get one cuz it probably would'a killed me.

Is this a U.S. Spec bike, on a U.S. dyno? For some reason I recalled that the U.S. version Ninja is restricted, and it is the ROW (that is not Japan) that are making these crazy numbers.

I realize I am retarded. It is not the ZX-14 that is restricted; it is the ZX-10. ZX-10 is supposed to make over 190 hp in unrestricted ROW configuration.

The new ZX-14R is coming to Thailand (officially- there may be a couple 2012 models here already) at a price of 800K (that's through Kawasaki Thailand fully registered with a green book- invoice-only models will probably be closer to 700K though other outlets) in early 2013- not cheap, but what a machine.