MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted September 16, 2005 06:49 PM
quote:
I do know that if the performance of the ZX14 is awesome, most of us will buy it anyway!!! 
Not I......
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
   
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BROOKLYNNYZX12
Zone Head
Posts: 520
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posted September 16, 2005 06:50 PM
Everyone was drooling for a big motor and Kaw gives us a 1400!!! I haven't made my mind up on the looks I would need to see it in person but it's clear that this bike is aimed squarely at the Hayabusa...period!!! It's not as hard edged as our 12's are and that seemed to hurt it sales wise.The busa to me became the heir apparent to the ZX-11 because it appears on the surface to be more versatile than the 12's,we know that they arent. This bike (the 14)is better looking than a Busa .I'll put it in perspective if the 12 had the slight performance edge over the busa,and had been well received by the media as the busa was...how ugly would the busa be ?Fuggin uglier than it is now! If this bike runs really good it will grow on everyone!I'm glad Kaw isnt sittin on their hands.
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Orient Express Top Street Bike Winner 8-4-07
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aliveagain
Needs a life
Posts: 5033
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posted September 16, 2005 07:03 PM
I'm with 238- 1352 is not 1400.Lets see if the factory hides its head and denies there is a problem with any quirks in the new motor.I doubt the crank will retrofit into the 12's but I'ld like to see if the oil system has been changed.
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I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
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aughtsix
Expert Class
Posts: 277
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posted September 16, 2005 07:54 PM
quote:
They really do read the site..
quote:
For the most part, global reaction seems to be "disappointment"
These two statements stand out in my mind as quite contradictory. If they actually took the time to read this or any other similar forum they would currently KNOW and would have already KNOWN what we want(ed).
Assuming for a moment that someone - someone who's a mover and shaker within Kawasaki - is reading this, why now should I even bother to tell you what disappoints me about what you've decided to puke up onto our front porch?
It's glaringly evident that you didn't bother to take the time to read this or any other similar forum before you made your decision(s).
So why now?
And let me ask you why, when the opinions of your customers have been so readily available, didn't you bother to make the product that we've been asking you for the past 4(+) years to make?
Is it really such a mystery to you why 'For the most part, global reaction seems to be "disappointment"'? Is that in which we're so disappointed anything remotely like what we've been talking about for years? Could that be why we're all so disappointed??
So I'll ask again - why haven't you been listening when the opinions you supposedly now seek have been all around you for years and so easily tapped in to...
Next, this being just one more mounting problem, why in the world should I spend any more of my money with your company when your response to problems in the past has been so poor?
So, makebelieve concerned Kawasaki rep, answer my questions and I just might begin to care to answer yours.
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gunner
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
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posted September 16, 2005 08:05 PM
I say we Burn it!!!!!!!!!!!! Burn them all or NOT? you decide I'll just be over here. 
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted September 16, 2005 08:08 PM
quote:
quote:
They really do read the site..
quote:
For the most part, global reaction seems to be "disappointment"
These two statements stand out in my mind as quite contradictory. If they actually took the time to read this or any other similar forum they would currently KNOW and would have already KNOWN what we want(ed).
Assuming for a moment that someone - someone who's a mover and shaker within Kawasaki - is reading this, why now should I even bother to tell you what disappoints me about what you've decided to puke up onto our front porch?
It's glaringly evident that you didn't bother to take the time to read this or any other similar forum before you made your decision(s).
So why now?
And let me ask you why, when the opinions of your customers have been so readily available, didn't you bother to make the product that we've been asking you for the past 4(+) years to make?
Is it really such a mystery to you why 'For the most part, global reaction seems to be "disappointment"'? Is that in which we're so disappointed anything remotely like what we've been talking about for years? Could that be why we're all so disappointed??
So I'll ask again - why haven't you been listening when the opinions you supposedly now seek have been all around you for years and so easily tapped in to...
Next, this being just one more mounting problem, why in the world should I spend any more of my money with your company when your response to problems in the past has been so poor?
So, makebelieve concerned Kawasaki rep, answer my questions and I just might begin to care to answer yours.
well written
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted September 16, 2005 09:57 PM
what u mean they didnt listen? it doesnt have an underseat exhaust does it? 
seriously tho, seems to me they did deliver on alot of what people wanted, but went in the wrong direction on a number of items that were never really discussed, mainly style. the one thing that strikes me as a complete mystery is the lack of weight loss. this was certainly something damn near everyone had neat the top of their list (often the #1 item) and indications so far suggest it will not be any lighter. i can only hope when we receive the final specs my premonitions will prove wrong.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted September 16, 2005 10:07 PM
rumours on other sites claim it's lighter... but there's no way to tell till we get our hands on one.
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gunner
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
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posted September 16, 2005 10:08 PM
Nope Freek you're not wrong! You don't have to know the exact number to look at a FAT girl and tell she's heavy from across the room. This bitch is heavy. That much plastic and lights has got to weigh a TON.
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aliveagain
Needs a life
Posts: 5033
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posted September 17, 2005 03:45 AM
Looks like the new 14 won't be able to fit a steering damper.
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I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
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BROOKLYNNYZX12
Zone Head
Posts: 520
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posted September 17, 2005 04:45 AM
To answer the 1352 not being a 1400...the 1052 ZX11 doesnt qualify as an 11 either??? C'mon do we have to be such nit pickers....its 1352 cc's...Hopefully a nice torque monster !
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Orient Express Top Street Bike Winner 8-4-07
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tuusinii
Pro
Posts: 1031
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posted September 17, 2005 04:51 AM
Itj's funny that when the ZX12 came averybody said that it was dissapointing after the 11. The single exhaust was too big because there wasn't two of them. The tank was stupid because it was too small and had a plastic over it (You can't use magnetic tank bag). And now when KHI gives us new bike people say it's dissapointing because of two mufflers and it looks like it's more like the ZX11 - which means that it is a hypersports autobahn burner.
I bet that in real life it looks a lot better and when I'll get my hands to ride it it WILL blow the ZX12 like the 12 did with ZX11. Time goes on and You have to go with it. ZX11 was produced for over 12 years and people always asked why not new model. The ZX12 was also allready 6 years old...
That thing looks like a real good and fast to ride transeurope!
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deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted September 17, 2005 04:57 AM
Well - I guess don't do anything. I'll just buy a zx-10 - but be REALLY unhappy that I can't get a zx-10 with the zx-14 motor,
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted September 17, 2005 05:01 AM
quote:
Jeezus HDL.... why dont you just buy a wheelchair you pussy! 
If KHI will build it to those specs I will take one, hell I will take 2......
Oh and Turboblew me.........blow me biatch........lol
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted September 17, 2005 06:00 AM
quote:
Itj's funny that when the ZX12 came averybody said that it was dissapointing after the 11.
Not I!! I loved the 12!!! everything about her was better then the 11 in my opinion.... only complaint I have had was the 40+ clutches I have put in her over the last 5 years.... LOL...
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crashtech
Zone Head
Posts: 574
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posted September 17, 2005 11:20 AM
I just about lost my lunch on the George Foreman comment. That was some funny shit. But true.
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rac4it
Needs a job
Bergie
Posts: 3009
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posted September 17, 2005 12:50 PM
I will go 200 mph on it just like it is
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Dino
Pro
Posts: 1422
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posted September 17, 2005 01:37 PM
I already told them what to build. They sure as shit didn't listen to ME!!
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lizard
Pro
Modulator
Posts: 1483
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posted September 17, 2005 07:14 PM
Diesel power , marble floor and a place to park my 10.
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238mph
Pro
Posts: 1145
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posted September 17, 2005 08:55 PM
In any OTHER business, if you advertised something as a 1400, and it only had 1352,
it would be considered false advertising and fraud.
Perfect example was McDonalds quarter pounder... that was but an OUNCE shy of
being 1/4 pound... they got the dog shit sued out of them....
And how many times has GM been sued when they advertised the Corvette made 405hp
and it came up 2-3 hp short???
This is the only business I know that can say you get 1400 but truthfully get 1352...
They should have called it a 13 1/2  No, they should have given us the full 1400!!!!
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connman
Zone Head
Posts: 506
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posted September 17, 2005 09:28 PM
I think a lot of people are missing the boat on this 14. It's not supposed to be the new and improved 12. It is what it is, a new model. As I said before, the 12 is somewhat of a "middle-market" bike. Something that has extreme speed potential and handles relatively well. While there clearly is a market for the 12 (all of "US"), look at the sales numbers. The busa outsells the 12 and the 10 outsells the 12. The correct business decision would be to do away with the 12, and it's relatively small market and cater to the two larger markets. Now Kawi has the new 10, a bike for those who like riding the twisties, and the 14 for straight-line riders. When (IF) the time comes that we go out looking for a bike, we will choose the 10 or the 14.
Am I personally happy about it? No, I'm in the 12 market, so I'll likely keep my 12 until the wheels fall off. Would I like to have seen a new and improved 12, you bet! Do I understand Kawi's strategy, unfortunately, yes.
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gunner
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
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posted September 17, 2005 09:38 PM
Hell all they needed to do was give the 12 some more Beans and leave the damn body alone. Well, go back to the original A model body, but leave it that way. It's perfect that way. They could have saved a ton of cash in toolng cost alone by doing this.
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238mph
Pro
Posts: 1145
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posted September 17, 2005 09:44 PM
 Edited By: 238mph on 17 Sep 2005 22:45
Your right Connman... but the reason the 12 doesn't sell is that it is technologically
obsolete...
In all honesty, the 10r should not be produced. It's really a track bike, for little boys that
that are wannabe racers. It doesn't do well with two up, it's cramped if you're over 5'8"
or if you weigh over 150lbs. You can't spend a full day riding one... It's really just a track bike.
It should be sold as purely a track bike and not licensed for the street. Problem is that
nobody lets you ride the bikes before you buy.
Every guy I ride with I ask them to try my 12... and that way I get to try their bike too... and
when we get done, every rider so far has liked the 12 better than their bike for daily use.
If Kawi had let people try their bikes, I think the 12 would have been their number 1
selling bike.
To me, the Japs sell the liter bikes to all the squids who wish they were pro riders...
But the literbikes are really terrible for a daily ride. (I know I just pissed off a lot of guys... )
On the other hand the 12 is pretty good at being 90% racer... but can still ride two up with
ease, and do long trips pretty well... In the real world, the 12 is a much better sportbike
than the 10r.
It should have been lightened, with the new 1352 motor... and it would have been an
awesome REAL WORLD sportbike.
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ninja12
Needs a job
Posts: 3310
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posted September 17, 2005 09:56 PM
IF you are asking for a wish list.
I WISH FOR 200 hp and 400 lbs wet. How
Styled like a slightly bigger (read more comfortable ) zx10.
Look how suzuki tested the water with the k5 and then the internet 06 busa followed the styling statement.
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trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
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posted September 18, 2005 01:17 AM
Edited By: trenace on 18 Sep 2005 02:26
At the very least, in my opinion, Kawasaki would increase sales by offering no-strakes panels and fender and a without-that-bottom-part tail (thusbecoming much more sportbike-like in appearance) as no-cost options.
And further, they'd almost certainly improve sales and make more money to offer as standard either the outer-4-headlights-only or inner-2-headlights-only; with the "full-insect" look being offered, if at all, as an extra-cost option.
My expectation is that few would choose the six-headlight option, even if it were a free option.
The Kawasaki logo should move to the traditional "gas tank" position where it won't interfere with the overall perceived shape of the bike. Small detail? Yes but significant.
I appreciate it would cost slightly more but the bike would look considerably better with the panel presently having the strakes not only not having the strakes but being painted the same color as the fairing; and also for the lower cowl to be painted the same color as the upper cowl rather than the present flat tone. That cost might be made up on savings on headlights though.
The rearmost part of the fairing lower, back at the rear tire, really should go as well. It's kludgy and not integrated with the rest of the lower cowl or bike. Contrariwise, a hugger would improve the rear appearance, at least if done right.
There's time to fix this bike and fix its sales. It's a real shame for sound engineering to be let down by small but sales-killing problems like these.
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