zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted May 31, 2006 04:24 AM
Poll Question:
New & Improved ZX-14?
Ok guys, let's be realistic here. How many of you out there think that Kawasaki will release a "new & improved" version of the ZX-14 in a year or two? Do you really think that one or two years after releasing the 14, which was released 6 years after the ZX-12R and 16 years after the ZX-11 (the true combination of Kawi bikes that the '14 truly replaces), that they will turn around and make a newer, more powerful bike in just two years like some of the discussions suggest in this forum?
If you answer "soon", please justify your answer. Please tell us how Kawasaki can sink that amount of money into a very expensive development platform that will NEVER sell as many units as something like the 10R or 6R, which have *only recently* seen major improvements in as soon as 2 years.
So, how long until Kawasaki releases something better? By better, I mean significant design changes, mechanical changes, 5% or more increase in HP, etc....
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
Poll Results:
 1 votes (3%)
1 year
14 votes (36%)
2 years
4 votes (10%)
3 years
12 votes (31%)
4 years
5 votes (13%)
6 years (how long it took the 14 to replace the 12R)
3 votes (8%)
8 years
  
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted May 31, 2006 05:26 AM
If they replace it that soon the aftermarket will struggle, you won't get the aftermarket parts like the busa has to offer.
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted May 31, 2006 05:29 AM
Good point! I hadn't thought of that angle...
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
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Reaper
Expert Class
Posts: 112
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posted May 31, 2006 05:47 AM
I don't think it wil be replaced ever. Guys I think we may be seeing the end of an era for powerful motorcycles. After the politions and do-gooders are finished with us they will not be made anymore. Instead I believe manufatures will focus on handling, efficiency and more safety. Buy now before they take our toys away.
Reaper
Black 2006 ZX-14
Black 2000 ZZR 1100
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Katie: 2006 ZX-14.. 186.69HP 110.68ftlb,
Ti-Force Twin High mount Slip-ons, Hyperpro Steering Damper, Sato rearsets, Carbon Fibre Lowers, lower rear wing, Tank Pad, Hugger, Ohlins Road and Track Rear Shock, HID low beam, Sato Rearsets, ASV Levers, Goodridge Carbo-Line Braided front and rear Brake lines, Galfer Braided Clutch line, ZX-10 Front Fender, EK ZZZ Drive chain, Driven rear sprocket, Pipercross Race filter, Powercommander, Secondary Butterflys removed
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted May 31, 2006 05:52 AM
The 14 is what the 12 should have been years ago!!!
When the 12 was released in April-May of 2000, there was alot of talk, rumor as to when and why the 12 was held up...So, we all bought one and we were riding and sharing stories here on Bikeland.org!!!...Who is doing what Mod, who went how fast, what problems were happening with the 12s...Then Kawasaki made a couple changes to the 2001 because of the problems with the 2000...In 2001 we heard a rumor of the 2002 being changed drastically...Well I bought a 2002 and the changed Kawasaki made were awesome!!!...The ' 02 had around 120 upgrades and was much smoother motor...Then in 2004-5 Kawasaki took it a step further with a new ecu and fuel injection making the 12 even better...
So, now we have the 14...Which is everything the 12 should have been!!!...The reality is when people buy the 14s we will see what the quirks are and Kawasaki will correct them...One thing for sure is there are very little quirks on the 14, Kawasaki did it right this time  If I had the $$$ I would have bought my 14 already...Since I have the 12 already I will wait for the upgraded 14...
Upgraded meaning Kawasaki correcting the quirks...As for Kawasaki making significant changes to the 14, I doubt it...I say in 2008 the 14 will be a perfect machine with all the quirks corrected!!!..Then I will buy the 14!!!
For now all of us 12 owners/members are sitting back reading what you 14 ownwer/members are posting about the 14!!!...I have to say it's not as exciting as when the 12s were new, but thats because the 14 is a much better machine in everyway!!!  Also comparing it to the 12, well the 14 kicks it's ass in everyway!!!...So how many great things can you say about the 14 that really is a great machine!!!..The best part about reading what you guys say about the 14 is the lack of problems with the 14 as of now!!!
I cant wait to get my 14 but it will be in 2008...Sorry Kawasaki I dont have the $$$ to get it now!!!
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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Zammy
Expert Class
Posts: 411
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posted May 31, 2006 05:53 AM
There's plenty of room for a bore and stroke job,plus body work is very simple to change . Such changes would look "big" without much extra engineering.
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zx12adam
Member
Posts: 878
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posted May 31, 2006 12:02 PM
I see minor updates done to the current ZX14 in 2008 and maybe again in 2010, keeping with the current 2 year update rotation, maybe an all new ZX15 or ZX16 to counter an eventually updated Busa, but not until at least 2012.
Up the displacement to compensate for the more strict emissions std's sure to come if governments don't step in an apply displacement limits for "sport oriented motorcycles" or some shit. Without government intervention I can see displacement(and HP/TQ) continue to go up but only to a point, then electronics are going to have to get involved to help Joe Average control it(or governments will), such as trac-control, anti-wheelie, ABS, active suspension etc...
But the gizmos are still down the road before it's R&D'ed for mass production as well as benificial.
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CBR1000RR
Best Literbike: Performance Bikes, Superbike, BIKE, MCN, Road Racing World, and Motorcycle USA
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Kanati
Novice Class
Posts: 47
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posted May 31, 2006 09:01 PM
They don't have to do much to improve it... bore it one millimeter... Get rid of those ridiculously small headers... some better cams... and replace those (also) ridiculously small throttle bodies. Bam. Instant improvement without a new power plant. The aftermarket doesn't suffer, and they have an answer for a new busa...
 
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Outsiderzx12r
Zone Head
Street Racer
Posts: 841
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posted May 31, 2006 09:06 PM
I think it will depend on the next Bugly.
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OutsiderZX12R
2000 ZX12R-A1
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ZREXER
Expert Class
Posts: 492
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posted May 31, 2006 11:48 PM
 Edited By: ZREXER on 1 Jun 2006 01:12
quote:
I don't think it wil be replaced ever. Guys I think we may be seeing the end of an era for powerful motorcycles. After the politions and do-gooders are finished with us they will not be made anymore. Instead I believe manufatures will focus on handling, efficiency and more safety. Buy now before they take our toys away.
Reaper
Black 2006 ZX-14
Black 2000 ZZR 1100
I really hate to agree...........................but I think the hammer will come down at some point on 'hyper bikes'. It happened in France.......100 horsepower maximum? Either insurance will go so high, few will be able to justify the cost or a bunch of bleeding heart dogooder politicians will enact legislation to protect us all from those 'evil' fast bikes that the asian manufacturers are trying to kill all of us with.
I get really depressed when I think about all this. Have fun guys while it lasts! I truly hope I am wrong, but my gut tells me our days of enjoying truly fast bikes may be limited.
But then again, many of us 'the sky is falling' types thought this might happen in '79 when the Honda CBX came out........103 crank horsepower!!..................buy them now while you are able!!
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Pilgrim
Novice Class
Posts: 83
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posted June 01, 2006 05:31 AM
quote:
quote:
I don't think it wil be replaced ever. Guys I think we may be seeing the end of an era for powerful motorcycles. After the politions and do-gooders are finished with us they will not be made anymore. Instead I believe manufatures will focus on handling, efficiency and more safety. Buy now before they take our toys away.
Reaper
Black 2006 ZX-14
Black 2000 ZZR 1100
I really hate to agree...........................but I think the hammer will come down at some point on 'hyper bikes'. It happened in France.......100 horsepower maximum? Either insurance will go so high, few will be able to justify the cost or a bunch of bleeding heart dogooder politicians will enact legislation to protect us all from those 'evil' fast bikes that the asian manufacturers are trying to kill all of us with.
I get really depressed when I think about all this. Have fun guys while it lasts! I truly hope I am wrong, but my gut tells me our days of enjoying truly fast bikes may be limited.
But then again, many of us 'the sky is falling' types thought this might happen in '79 when the Honda CBX came out........103 crank horsepower!!..................buy them now while you are able!!
Yeah, I bought a CBX in 79 and put a turbo on it. I don't remember who started that rumor or whatever happened to make us think that nothing over 100 hp would be built. Seems like the 80 models had differant cam timing or something and they had 98 hp. Your right, we were wrong. I know one thing, that bike was dangerous, it would go straight until about 120 mph and then would start flexing or something because you couldn't hold it in a straight line after that.
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted June 01, 2006 06:10 AM
quote:
quote:
quote:
I don't think it wil be replaced ever. Guys I think we may be seeing the end of an era for powerful motorcycles. After the politions and do-gooders are finished with us they will not be made anymore. Instead I believe manufatures will focus on handling, efficiency and more safety. Buy now before they take our toys away.
Reaper
Black 2006 ZX-14
Black 2000 ZZR 1100
I really hate to agree...........................but I think the hammer will come down at some point on 'hyper bikes'. It happened in France.......100 horsepower maximum? Either insurance will go so high, few will be able to justify the cost or a bunch of bleeding heart dogooder politicians will enact legislation to protect us all from those 'evil' fast bikes that the asian manufacturers are trying to kill all of us with.
I get really depressed when I think about all this. Have fun guys while it lasts! I truly hope I am wrong, but my gut tells me our days of enjoying truly fast bikes may be limited.
But then again, many of us 'the sky is falling' types thought this might happen in '79 when the Honda CBX came out........103 crank horsepower!!..................buy them now while you are able!!
Yeah, I bought a CBX in 79 and put a turbo on it. I don't remember who started that rumor or whatever happened to make us think that nothing over 100 hp would be built. Seems like the 80 models had differant cam timing or something and they had 98 hp. Your right, we were wrong. I know one thing, that bike was dangerous, it would go straight until about 120 mph and then would start flexing or something because you couldn't hold it in a straight line after that.
Ihad a new cbx in 79 also... Great bike for it's day ... I had 5 1979 cbxs total and two of them i installed turbos.... One was a big bore with cams, GS1100 swing arm ... it ran 10.20s back in the day .....
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Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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ZREXER
Expert Class
Posts: 492
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posted June 01, 2006 09:11 AM
Still see a few CBX's on the road. A local rider has a very mint '79.....stock except for an after market 6 into 6 exhaust. I guess stock exhaust sytems are non existant now.
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