HillbillyTom,

We could all stand to lose some lbs but every time I've been to the track I have not seen many people my size on the track that's all I'm saying. I've been on the track a few times 10 at best it was fun but to much down time for me maybe one day.

Rook,

When your right your right but I would like to see some more love to the zx14 class then we have been getting.

Hoopie,

That's not a 14 you speak of that is a 1000 with 1400cc power. Maybe a sport an a touring model is what we need and of course the Connie.

I couldn't care less what or when they do anything to a newer 14......cause I'll still be riding MINE!

(I still can't get my knee down!!! )I think what I need is a pic of my riding position at full lean...just to see how far I gotta tweak my body.It certainly FEELS like I'm at the right lean angle.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 1/18/2011 @ 4:21 PM *

Rook, and whats wrong with that! :) 1000cc bikes are way to track focused for a daily rider for more than 1 hour at a time. I want a SPORT bike that you can tour on. The zx14 is close but if they improved the comfort, dropped the weight for better handling and added traction control with adjustable suspension like Multistrada it would be perfect. you could leave off the bags, strap the front end down and run 9.5 quarters with a 180 plus hp/ 100lb torque at under 500lbs wet. Then put your bags back on and ride comfortable all the way home or to the race track! Maybe im asking for to much but I dont think so. The concourse is nice but to much focused on touring side for me. I do like the idea of a base model 14 and then a sport touring model with all the goodies from the factory. Ohlins, TC, heated grips, raised bars, touring bags, abs, for about 3k more. then add full exhaust and pc tune and be done!

I want royalties Kawasaki for the idea too! or at least a free bike...

The zx14 is close but if they improved the comfort, dropped the weight for better handling and added traction control with adjustable suspension like Multistrada it would be perfect.

Those would be nice improvements. I don't know that I'd be ready to buy a Gen 3 just for that though. If you want to put a few thousand bucks into the bike you have, you can the weight way down. Light weight wheels & rotors, full system, lightweight battery, all kinds of unnecessary stuff can be taken off. Electric adjustment for suspension would be nice but it would be easy enough to change that the old fashioned way once you know where you want to set it. That is assuming the suspension could be made stiff enough for track riding which currently, many feel it cannot. Traction control-----really cool stuff. Can't say I wouldn't love to have it but I don't see it being of much use in the street unless you can go balls out. I don't feel I have the skill push that hard yet. Then again, I suppose traction control might be of most value at that fateful time when you 'thought you could make that corner.'

Hoopie wrote:

1000cc bikes are way to track focused for a daily rider for more than 1 hour at a time

Hoopie, just don't say that to Sjaak! LOL...

oh yeh coooool Sjaak on him yeh

That guy is officially nuts! and my hero...

I'm with the folks thinking 2012 will not show any improvements in the ZX14.

Why?

1) Federal and State laws do not look kindly on increasing horsepower, not to mention Import / Trade law increases the tariff in relation to displacement and horsepower.

2) The sales of the big Ninja are falling off, so economically it doesn't make sense to do anything which costs engineering dollars.

3) The engineering costs for the ZX10R will continue into 2012 and probably 2013. When you intend to race a homologated bike in World Superbike, you don't just spend to engineer it the first time and then forget about it.

4) The ZX14 is almost 6 years on the market, probably 10 years since they began the engineering on it. It is end-of-life.

If Kawk does anything (ignoring the huge costs of fielding World Superbike ZX10R machines) it will be in the very lucrative ZG14 market (Concours 14 outsell ZX14 easily 10 to 1), and perhaps a regression back into the 1100 cc range by increasing the displacement of the ZX10 engine.

If I had to place bets, it would be 1) ZG15 or ZG16 and 2) Son-of-ZX11