CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted January 21, 2006 08:10 AM
 Edited By: CrotchRocket on 21 Jan 2006 08:34
My thoughts on the ZX14...
Went to the NYC bike show with BrooklynZX12 and Big Jim...Here's what I have to say about the 14 !!!
I saw the Candy Blue on the small stage they had set up and thinking about how it looks...Then I see the Black 14 on the floor and said WOW the black is awesome looking!!!...From the pictures posted all over Bikeland I thought the Candy Blue was the best color...Seeing the 14 in person, it is definately better looking and the Black is my choice!!! 
I didnt sit on the 14 yet, I saw the cutaway bike and went right over for the inspection...First thing I did was take note of how much room is between the frame and valve cover, and then put a closed fist inbetween and it fit !!!  But I dont have big hands, still happy with the room for removing the spark plugs...There is only one air filter element and it has a triangular shape, and can be removed through the throttle body covers on the frame...The cooling system thermostat is easily accessable!!!...The oil pan is much flatter and only has about a 3 inch drop for oil capacity making that the lowest point on the 14, BUT it still has a whole lot more ground clearence than the 12...The oil filter screws onto the oil pan which makes oil changes a 15 minute project without removing any body work!!!
I like the semi flush turn signals...The front and rear fender area under the fairings are curved to the shape of the tire allowing for the 14 to be slammed low for DragRacing!!!  The lowering strap will fit between the steering neck and the tank cover screw...I also realized that Kawasaki made the head light assembly and faring long allowing for extra room for us to access the pinch bolts on the forks to lower the 14 without having to take the whole inside plastics off  Getting back to the motor, the clutch basket is bigger whick makes for larger diameter clutch plates and with the short oil pan making the oil sitting closer to the clutch plates will most likely lube the clutches and crank better than the 12 As for the rest of the motor changes, well Im just a Jockey and will leave the comments up to the motorheads!!!
Now my thoughts on the feel of the 14!!!...I threw my leg over the black 14 on the floor feeling the possition of how I was sitting...Thinking about it and immediately went into the DragRacing 2nd stageing light possition...The first noticable difference is the flatter gas tank that did not put pressure on my stomach making the DragRace possition more comfortable than the 12 The handle bars are a closer reach and closer together making for a better tuck to get out of the wind while blasting down the 1/4 mile...With that being said and the extra large ramair intake, Now I under stand why Kawasaki made the frontal area wider on the 14 The seating possition is much better than the 12 with the 14 having a thin seat width close to the gas tank, and after I dig out the padding and cut a little plastic away off the base of the seat against the gas tank, I know it will feel real comfortable The foot peg possition feels almost exact to the ZX12, I cant really tell the difference...To make it easier for everyone to understand the seating possition of the 14...The ZX14s DragRace possition is inbetween the 2006 ZX10 and ZX12...What I realize is, Kawasaki Finally made the ZX14 the way we all wanted the ZX12 to be!!!
Now I understand why all I hear about is Rickey Gadson and Coby Adams being overly excited about this updated version of the old dinosour ZX12!!!  Im not as excited as RG and CA, thats because I didnt ride it yet...
I thank Kawasaki for making this updated ZX12!!! Seeing the ZX14 in person and Analyzing the crap out of it I realize that Kawasaki made this 14 very functional for DragRacing, The MaxtonMile, Bonneville TopSpeed runs and then to make it street rider friendly!!!
I cant wait to make a few passes on this BadBoy
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
   
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spradling24
Expert Class
Posts: 304
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posted January 21, 2006 08:45 AM
Edited By: spradling24 on 21 Jan 2006 08:45
So what do you think about the 14 motor going in a 12? Is there much size difference between the two motors?
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted January 21, 2006 11:36 AM
I would say that since the 14 motor has the one piece block and a larger clutch basket, I think that the cases are different...I didnt really try to match the cases up by looking...But Im sure we will find out !!!
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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your car is slow
Needs a job
Fuck Nitrous...Got Boost?
Posts: 4089
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posted January 21, 2006 12:14 PM
wewt...sounds like ill be replacing the busa and going back to an all kawi garage
zx14 + dry kit.....streets will be teh fun again!
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Do not taunt happy fun ball!
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Nukedog
Expert Class
Posts: 449
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posted January 23, 2006 06:23 AM
Gonna be a good running bike. Can't wait for some roll ons...
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02 Busa...Turbo...
09 YZF-R6S...
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aliveagain
Needs a life
Posts: 5033
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posted January 23, 2006 07:12 PM
I don't know if anyone has mentioned it,but it looks like the valve guides are more or less flush with the ports.
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I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
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