I have a 2010 ZX 14 which has been and is still awesome. I may purchase a zx14r but would wait for the next version. Does anyone have any info on what to expect for 2018? I expect Suzuki to have a major revision for 2018. Thanks.

It's time they quit screwing the and put a supercharger on it. They'll wait for the next busa to come out and do something but I haven't heard a peep about what it might be. Whatever it is, it will need to be a breakthrough. I'm sure Suz is going to have something juicy.

I'm actually amazed Suzuki hasn't tried anything new yet, they sell a ton of those ugly bastards I don't see why they wouldn't turn a profit.

I have not heard anything either. A supercharger or turbo would be nice, but increasing the Beast's horsepower by 50+ ponies would probably add a few thousand to the sticker price. Schnitz Racing sells a turbo kit for 5 grand (I'm sure Mother Kawasaki could do it a little cheaper though). Another problem introduced by the horsepower increase is being able to put this power down to the ground. You can do this at the track, but on the street all of that power is going to go up in smoke or put the gas tank in your chest with an instant wheelie, but I bet it would be fun!

* Last updated by: skewedTotheLeft on 6/2/2017 @ 6:50 AM *

I think the supercharged motor would be a natural for the ZX14. They can use the 1400cc one they've had in their watercraft for the past 3 years if they want. With the weight of the 14 I don't think wheelies would be a big problem. Although rear tire wear could get worse, if that's even possible...

Mad

A supercharged 1400 would weight 50+ pounds more and push 650wet. That's just too much for a something that they'd want to handle really well.

I vote for another 100cc's, better cooling and less weight. Not gonna happen though.

Hey,ya never know.The H2 was the first platform for this deal.Kawi MAY have something up their sleeves.A supercharged 14?I could see it.Don't think it would be overweight either.They did well with the H2's.

I only hope they puts these pigs on a serious weight loss plan ... who wants a 600+ lb sport bike with or w/o super-duper charger?

The newer Ducacie Pani R has lower torque but 205 Hp and weight of 357 lbs ...

The newer Ducacie Pani R has lower torque but 205 Hp and weight of 357 lbs ...

That sounds like the only way any bike like that could be marketed to the public. 100 ft lb of torque and 205 hp in a 350 lb package would get a lot of people in trouble even if they were being reasonably careful.

When I purchased my 2016 ZX14R me and the salesman were talking about the busa vs the zx14 which he was actually a Busa fan, after working at a place that sold multiple bike brands. He told me that he was told the next ZX will have the ZX15 name

No way the thing is going on a serious diet stock. The size and weight are what make for a comfortable and competent bike to ride long distances. It's not a pure sportbike, never was and never will be. It's an incredibly capable sport tourrer, emphasis on the sport. You can't take a motor of this size and torque and shoehorn it into a sportbike frame; it'll torque that up like a pretzel and shoot it out as aluminum frag.

These "pigs" aren't as heavy as people think, with a little common work. Near empty on fuel and with 10 pounds of slip ons out back, my 2012 weighs 540 pounds, according to the dragstrip scale.

A revised bike is the only thing that would get me to trade; no other bike is appealing enough to exchange for my '12 model

A 15R.....????

That sounds great. But if that's the route they take, I doubt my Brocks CT duals fits it.

But if they do revise the bike- I'm all in!!!

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 6/3/2017 @ 1:55 PM *

It will be something like this.

Watch the last race.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/3/2017 @ 3:00 PM *

but I can't help loving these.

2:22

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/3/2017 @ 3:03 PM *

My opinion if your idea is a lard ass tourer, get a Concours. Not calling the Concours a lard ass, but just saying if you're like "they should add 100 lbs to the zx14 so I can take even longer touring trips with it" you have the wrong bike. If you've never topped your zx14 out, you have the wrong bike. If you have one of those ridiculous looking 8" touring screens on your zx14 you have the wrong bike.

If you want a sport tourer a Concours or N1000 is probably more your speed. Both are great bikes, with plenty of speed, power, and aftermarket support. With either you might even be comfortable topping them out with their ~150mph top speeds... or at least maybe utilize more of it.

Myself I'd like to see a zx14RR engine in a 550lb wet weight stock with dual mufflers. A good titanium exhaust would drop that 30 lbs off the bat.

Myself I'd like to see a zx14RR engine in a 550lb wet weight stock with dual mufflers. A good titanium exhaust would drop that 30 lbs off the bat.

IMO they should leave the ergonomics alone. It currently sits perfectly between a full tourer (1400GTR or Concours as you call it) and a full on sports bike like the ZX10. More power/torque would be fun and certainly useable by any rider if tamed by electronics, rider selectable of course.
Wether they go for more CC's with NA or smaller with a SC is anyones guess but I think a S Charged 1441 motor presents size/weight and cooling problems and is unlikely.

" I really think motorcycle manufacturers deliberately don't design exhausts for performance so that aftermarket exhaust companies don't go out of business. I'm sure it would be very possible to design an easily derestrictable OEM exhaust that looks good, makes THE BEST POSSIBLE performance and is the lightest possible weight for less money than you would have to pay for a titanium/aftermarket exhaust."

Manufacturers design exhausts to give the best all round performance from their engines within the current noise and emission regs and with an eye on cost obviously. More power means increased gas flow and to get that with a civilised exhaust note means big cans. OEM full titanium exhaust systems would no doubt loose weight but add £££ to the price and don't forget that many riders couldn't give a sh**e what the exhaust looks like.

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 6/4/2017 @ 9:59 AM *

In the US Concours is a sport tourer and zx-14 is a supsersport. It makes sense because in terms of logistics, how we typically look at things as a "long drive" is vastly different from what someone thinks of in the UK or Europe. I've known several people now that have driven over 100 miles each way every day just to go to work.

I'm fine with the 14's erogs, I think they are a good compromize between sport and comfort. THe pegs I still do think are too far forward being more like 100% standard than say 50% supersport. The reach to the bars is literaly 90% of what a zx-10r is.

People that want less supersport should go with a Ninja 1000. It's got factory raisted bars. Adjustable screen angles. Essentially it's a standard with sport bike looks and a tilt towards sport bike performance. Surprise it even has factory hard bag options (not sure on '17s which is a complete redesign). Plenty of power, 10.5 seconds int he quarter.

A similar parallel is vehicle mileage. Here a car with 100k miles is frequent. In the UK, a car with 100k miles is worn out.

* Last updated by: VicThing on 6/4/2017 @ 5:29 PM *

I have often thought that the bike bike companies are intentionally creating a lot of market demand for the aftermarket exhaust manufactures
Has to be some sort of underlying benefit ( that we are not aware of ) for Kawasaki to creat something as big, heavy, and hideous as the bikes exhaust is

Here is a secret spy shot of the 2018 ZX14R during testing at the track.

.

"People that want less supersport should go with a Ninja 1000. It's got factory raisted bars. Adjustable screen angles. Essentially it's a standard with sport bike looks and a tilt towards sport bike performance. Surprise it even has factory hard bag options (not sure on '17s which is a complete redesign). Plenty of power, 10.5 seconds int he quarter."

VicThing, you are absolutely right... i just happen to own and ride both bikes.
Recently completed a six weeks road trip in Indonesia, covering parts of Sumatra and Java with my ZX14.
Got back to Europe to ride the Ninja 1000, touring Spain... it felt riding a bicycle, took time to adjust.

I think the UK/European idea of tourer vs sport tourer vs supersport is more to do with the type of roads and riding the bikes are aimed at rather than just the distance of an average ride. The fast twisty B roads where a true supersport bike would excel will leave a 14R floundering or in the hedge. I've done small tours on a Fireblade in the past but certainly wouldn't attempt the 7/800 mile days I've done on the 14. No doubt a full dress tourer like a GTR/Concours would make such a ride even easier but they're just too much of a compromise for me when some 'spirited' riding on challenging roads beckons which is why I personally think the 14R is an ideal compromise and why I like it so much. JMO

In the mountain roads here in the Philippines, my 14R keeps up with the 600s and 1000s just fine.

https://vimeo.com/134611570

If they come up with a "new" 14R I want it to be supercharged! 300HP for a 14R and 400HP for a 14RR. Same weight as now (~550 pounds with an aftermarket full exhaust). I'd be willing to upgrade to that.

I called a nearby Kawasaki dealership and ask if they had any idea what the new 14 would be like coming out in the fall

This salesman said he saw where there were going to be some changes including the fairings aesthetics changed, some alteration with handlebars, and something else ( I don't recall what he said on that one). He said he "thought" the engine is going to stay the same but who knows.. I hope it does so my exhaust fits. Lol

He also said I could get a good idea of the trade-in value of my bike ( 2012 with 10,000 miles in mint condition ) from the in NADA guide in "rough condition", regardless of its actual condition

That's probably as much as I could get out of it selling it to and individual, though but I may be wrong as I've not looked into what the 2012 era bikes are going for to individuals

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 6/26/2017 @ 6:26 PM *