mono12r
Novice Class
Posts: 38
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posted December 08, 2011 05:12 AM
2012 ZX14R ride review from MD.com
Nice Dyno numbers, cant wait for the rest of the write up.
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/12/2012-kawasaki-ninja-zx-14r-md-ride-review-part-1-with-dyno-charts-and-video/
   
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davesxx01
Novice Class
Posts: 74
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posted December 08, 2011 10:11 AM
 Edited By: davesxx01 on 8 Dec 2011 18:12
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/12/2012-kawasaki-ninja-zx-14r-md-ride-review-part-1-with-dyno-charts-and-video/
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'01 CBR1100XX, '06 ZX-14, '08 ZX-14SE Brocks Street Smart, Rick Meyer seat, Risers, Throttlemeister, a few other goodies.
'09 MV Agusta Brutale 1078RR. Arrow full exhaust, Race ECU.
'12 ZX-14R Guhl flashed.
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gilberjj
Needs a job
Friend of Fast
Posts: 3196
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posted December 08, 2011 01:36 PM
Thanks for posting.
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zixxer14
Pro
Damn that was Quick
Posts: 1233
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posted December 08, 2011 01:46 PM
Every time I see those mufflers I want to throw up.
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted December 08, 2011 09:20 PM
Forgive the old school Fly back, (Keep in mind I was 7 when this all started)
Back in 1973 Kawasaki showed the world that it could be the horsepower king when it introduced the Z1-900cc powerhouse. It really was an incredible motorcycle for it's time, comfy and powerful.
By the Late 70's major horsepower became something you toured on, the KZ-1300 a liquid cooled in line 6 with something like 110-120 hp, and by the early 80's became Kawasaki's Touring machine. That was not the primary bike for those who needed speed, I can remember how the KZ650 was posting better numbers than many 750's of this era.
By 1983 the first ninja had arrived and this puppy was turbo-ed and what's that plastic stuff on around the engine. Strange when I look back now I thought ninja stood for liquid cooling, still here was a 750cc bike with more than 100hp.
In 1986 the Ninja 1000 was introduced and this was one puppy that just shocked the motorcycle world. I think I remember this puppy coming close to 125 hp and now the plastic covered the entire engine. My first impression was that is a race bike....drop that puppy and it's going to cost you some cash.
Then came 1990's ZX-11. For those who were of riding age will never forget the Cycle Worlds front page "Day 1 10.25 1/4 mile, Day 2 top speed of 176 mph, Day 3 145 HP" Forgive me if this is not 100% accurate but I think I'm close. The 11 held it's own for that entire decade, owning 2 it was dam smooth to boot....Just Hot in the summer.
Then in 1999 Suzuki introduced the Busa and Kawasaki answered with the ZX-12 in 2000. I understand the Europeans neutered it but it seemed that Kawasaki let the HP crown go to Suzuki.
In 2006 the ZX14 I always felt was a little bit KZ1300 and a little bit ZX-11. I loved my 14 (touring-boy here) but the Busa vs. ZX-14 one on one always seemed to be too close to call. Note riding a Busa vs Ninja 14 the Kaw is just a smooth bike, far smoother than any bike I've owned.
Now 2012 the New ZX-14 appears to have earned the HP crown and you know I suspect this could be along the lines of the 1990 ZX-11, Congrats Kawasaki, all things being true you have earned it.
Rob
09 VFR 23,875 miles
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gremlin
Novice Class
Posts: 87
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posted December 09, 2011 07:01 PM
Thanks Rob for the recap of Kawasaki's history of producing bikes that not only produce lots of horsepower, but also have an hard to describe "edge", a personality.
I remember the 1990 article you reference about the ZX11. My favorite line from that write-up is a Kawasaki USA spokesperson stating "We didn't ask for this bike". Meaning that the HP numbers for the 1988-89 ZX10 were already incredible at 137 HP at the crank, and the ZX11 provided 147 HP at the crank (132 rear wheel). It was a semi-apology for the performance being unleashed!
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted December 09, 2011 07:18 PM
Yea, now that you mention it I do remember that apology for performance.
Gremlin of all the bikes I've owned my 1991 black with that stripe running down the sides was my favorite. I think it was the only year the ZX-11 was not a solid color.
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gremlin
Novice Class
Posts: 87
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posted December 09, 2011 07:24 PM
I remember the 91 ZX11...black, with a red stripe. Sharp combination.
My original 93 ZX11 sits in the garage completely stock and spotless. This bike fits me like a glove, the most comfortable bike I've owned. My 08 ZX14 makes it feel slow, but that ZX11 has incredible personality...nice ram air growl, big mid-range hit at just 4K. It still gets lots of compliments to this day.
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fullzx12r
Zone Head
French Guy
Posts: 864
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posted December 14, 2011 02:50 AM
part 2 : http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/12/2012-kawasaki-ninja-zx-14r-md-ride-review-part-2-with-new-video/
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zx-12r 01'
zzr 1400 06'
hayabusa 08'
zzr 1400 12'
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Vmatti
Expert Class
Posts: 112
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posted December 14, 2011 04:50 AM
quote:
part 2 : http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/12/2012-kawasaki-ninja-zx-14r-md-ride-review-part-2-with-new-video/
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/12/2012-kawasaki-ninja-zx-14r-md-ride-review-part-2-with-new-video/
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ZZR1400 -12
Hayabusa K8 (gone)
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LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
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posted December 14, 2011 05:04 AM
Icing on the..cake...14R
Vmatti:
Thanks for the post of part 2 from MD. I know you are suffering in Finland waiting for better weather. The road test in sunny California, just confirmed what I believed to be true. The 14R is a significant step forward from the 14 (which I absolutely loved) in overall refinement. Racers can mod the bike for track use and the rest of us get a supremely capable bike with...stupid performance for the road. Now, like you, I have a few more months to wait before I get mine and can ride it.
Thanks,
Leo
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'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
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Vmatti
Expert Class
Posts: 112
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posted December 15, 2011 12:04 AM
quote:
Vmatti:
Thanks for the post of part 2 from MD. I know you are suffering in Finland waiting for better weather.
Thanks you for your sympathy, Leo
Maybe I just need to do the same what this guy has done with his busa 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S53R2H98U7k
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ZZR1400 -12
Hayabusa K8 (gone)
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LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
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posted December 15, 2011 03:42 AM
Vmatti:
Ok ....that was a wild ride. I'm thinking...no get out the snowmobile out and wait for spring with the 14R. Impressive courage (foolishness?) for all the onlookers when that rider is passing by maybe 15 ft away at 100+ mph and could easily skid, or..worse. Take that bike plus another 30 or so rwhp (stock 14R) and try that even with.....studded tires. Just wishing you the best while you are waiting out winter.
Leo
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'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
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