posted October 25, 2005 10:54 PM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 26 Oct 2005 11:12
What was Kawi thinking? I'll tell you... time for a little history lesson... So many of you have reacted so strongly to the design of the 14... Especially those of you who consider youselves to be "diehard" ZX-12R owners... Even those of you who "swear" by your "A" model 12 Rs...
So what was Kawi thinking? They've been thinking it all along... Take a tour of the "Silver Book" published and printed in 1999.... for "A" Model owners like myself who received this little gem from Kawi along with your bike...
Open it up to pages 27, 28 and 34...
The 14's design is not "new" at all.. they've been planning it all along... it would seem as though the 14 incorporates elements designers wanted right from the beginning...
From page 34, printed in 1999...
From page 28, printed in 1999...
From page 27, printed in 1999...
From page 27, printed in 1999... ____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted October 26, 2005 03:18 AM
Time for more recent history, I didnt take the time to scan the photos but I made reference to what fish just said ( I couldnt find my #2 silver book and #1 has never been opened, still in the cardboard shipping box) http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=27&TID=19095
quote:They should have made it then, now it's too late...
The problem with them "Making it then" was they would have to had restricted it also and plus be Fugly!
Scrary looking at those pictures, I remember seeing them in the book and saying "I am glad they did not use them!
____________
Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
posted October 26, 2005 07:43 AM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 26 Oct 2005 08:44
quote:Time for more recent history, I didnt take the time to scan the photos but I made reference to what fish just said ( I couldnt find my #2 silver book and #1 has never been opened, still in the cardboard shipping box) http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=27&TID=19095
did you ozz? glad you noticed it too... . it was freek who put the bug about this in my head a week ago... Last night I just happened to find the Silver book in my bedroom, still in its box, as I was about to fall asleep.. I hadnt taken the time to check on what freek mentioned, so I opened it up, and low and behold... there she is.. the ZX-14!
Too late for Kawi? maybe not.... 5 years of working the bugs out of the 12R motor might have paid off in their favor.. til we can get a ride on one of the things, it's anyone's guess..
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted October 26, 2005 07:57 AM
This thing just doesnt fit into any catagory.
Styling i'd give it a D
Handling I couldnt imagine it being better than a B (same as a 12r)
Engine performance I'd guess an A (185RWHP?)
Braking I'd guess an A (12r being a B with lines and HH pads)
Comfort possably a C (I doubt any sport bikes are above a C)
Cost ? maybe a B ($11,500?)
With a few fairly minor changes that Fat D could be at least a C maybe even a B
An "R" model would solve 90% of all the issues i've read on here.
Better tail looks.
Remove the side louver looking crap.
posted October 26, 2005 08:11 AM
how's the styiling any worse than the 12R? 12R styling wasn't great by any means.. the 10R looked leaps and bound better than the 12R... pretty much everyone agrees with that...
so if the 12r aint no "looker" and this one isnt either, then doesnt it all come down to handling and performance?
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted October 26, 2005 09:09 AM
I like the look of the 12r. Personally I never had an issue with its looks.
And as for handling? Well theres only so much you can do with a 530 pound bike. Putting the bike on diet is all you can really do. The math is ok.
I think everyone expected a zx10r scaled up 15% and 30% on the engine displacement.
Sell it for 10,999 and try to keep up with demand.
But the 14 only has its engine to sell the bike. And a crank and piston kit in a 12r will match anything that 14r has for performance.
The bike with the most performance enhancement this year I have to say is the honda 1000. Its what they should have made right after the 900rr instead of the stopgap bikes they offered. Last years 1000 just didnt cut it in the engine department. This year? Well, lets wait and see what all those changes amount to on the road.
I think Honda might have the best overall 1000 now.
Whats with the Big CBR?
____________
Y2KZX12R
CompetitionCNC.com
posted October 26, 2005 11:01 AM
All this speculation sure is fun. Fish when you going to get your trip on like you did with the 10? I can't imagine how gushy you are going to be when you get back from this trip!
What up KMC? No spare plane tickets for the Fish man?
posted October 26, 2005 11:26 AM
Yes it was designed in 1999 or earlier. That's the problem. It's 2006. It looks 10 years old and it's not even here yet.
posted October 26, 2005 01:08 PM
Perhaps it should be called the Busa killer that looks like a Katana ?
I heard it will put down close to 200 ponies at speed !
Red, *<(:{)-
____________
1998 Prostar West Super Gas top ten.
1999 Prostar West Super Gas Champion !
2000 NMRA / Prostar Pro E/T runner up.
2001, 2002, & 2003 NMRA Pro E/T Champion !
2004 #3, 2005, & 2006 NMRA Pro E/T runner up.
2007 Pro St. Legal #6, NMRA Pro E/T Champion !
2008 Motorcycle Drag Race Assoc. SS Champion !
www.dragbike.com - www.MDRA4U.com
www.PMRcomponents.com www.NAARDEN.biz
Photos by www.HooliganUnderground.com
posted October 26, 2005 06:03 PM
Im sure this 14 will be a much better bike than the 12...The looks will grow on everyone!!!
The only thing I dont understand is why Kawasaki made the 14 with brown rims, calipers and bottom of forks???...If Kawasaki painted the rims, calipers and bottom of forks black or paint the rims to match the color of the body work, then it would look finished...
posted October 26, 2005 10:46 PM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 26 Oct 2005 23:49
quote:All this speculation sure is fun. Fish when you going to get your trip on like you did with the 10? I can't imagine how gushy you are going to be when you get back from this trip!
What up KMC? No spare plane tickets for the Fish man?
two things... first off no one has invited me or anyone from this site (as far as I know) to ride the 14.
second... if we do get a chance to ride it, we'll be honest with you, just like we have been in the past. If it sucks, we'll tell you. If it rips, we'll tell you. I was less than gentle about the ZX-12R... I had a ton of problems with mine and I certainly shared my opinions freely with the members of this site over the past 5 years.
The 10R trip was a real treat for us. I specifically told XL when we met him that I hoped that the thing didnt suck or be "1 mph slower than the Suzuki" cuz if it did, I'd have to tell everyone and then it was out of my hands. You can confirm this by asking him or swft or Redelk or anyone else who was there. Fortunately the 10R rocked. I liked it so much I traded my 12R when I got back home. I put my money (or my bank's money) where my mouth is, and that's what counts.
What is cool about this site is that we are all "straight up" with everybody. An please dont take dates and times of press releases as "not being straight up"... All publications are bound by the same dates and times..
So whatever happens with the 14, if we are lucky enough to get a chance to ride it, we will gladly take the opportunity. Who wouldnt?
Will I buy one? Dont think so.... not because I dont want one.. but because I'm out of cash.... I'm still paying for the 10R... every month.
Reality bites. ____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted October 27, 2005 04:02 AM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 27 Oct 2005 18:25
well it looks like that can't even fiqure out which side the clutch and chain will be on
____________
Builder and tuner of some of the fastest N.A. and P/A Hayabusas and ZX12 /14 in Texas
quote:This thing just doesnt fit into any catagory.
Styling i'd give it a D
Handling I couldnt imagine it being better than a B (same as a 12r)
Engine performance I'd guess an A (185RWHP?)
Braking I'd guess an A (12r being a B with lines and HH pads)
Comfort possably a C (I doubt any sport bikes are above a C)
Cost ? maybe a B ($11,500?)
With a few fairly minor changes that Fat D could be at least a C maybe even a B
An "R" model would solve 90% of all the issues i've read on here.
Better tail looks.
Remove the side louver looking crap.
Comfort is relative, it will be more comfortable than a RC51 no doubt about that. More comfortable than a ST1300, I doubt it. It'll fall somewhere in the middle.
I find my Corbin equipped 12R to be comfortable for 600 mile days ...
I am glad that Kawi didnt make it an "R" model, there are many of us that don't want an "R" model. The sucess of the ZX11C&D models show that.
I agree on the tail, give it a 12R/Dino modified tail trunk. Slight hardness to the edges would help though. But leave its dimensions the same overall. Lets see it with the oem hardbags on, then I may change my mind about this point.
"Remove the lower louver looking crap" I say leave it alone, Hans has to have something to build!
The headlights, upper fairing. They should have used this design
Engine,brakes,handling, all speculation at this point, but I have no doubt that they all will be class leading(busa ) or better. Again, not "R" class but supersport gt class( or whatever class you want to call a hypertour bike like the ZX14)
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posted October 25, 2005 10:54 PM
Edited By: 
posted October 25, 2005 11:50 PM
