Just seen the new Black ZX14R ABS ($20k on the road) sure Looks Great next to the Black 2011 ZX14 next to it ! I now Know one thing differant from photo's i've seen it surely make the 2011 look older but then again im not a fan of Black lol ,when I arrived back home their was my Big Red ZEDX-14 Lookin ever so sweet ! IMO I said to the Dealler Shane @ SA bikes that I could see me buying one once I've put some serious amount of Saddle time on my 2010 ZX14 and it will be in about one years time for me,by then my ZX14 should be around 15-20,000km on her

* Last updated by: bean07 on 1/23/2012 @ 11:19 PM *

Lol Bean in a year I will probably have 50,000 miles on my 2008 I love motorcycles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bean, I went into Peter Stevens in Melbourne last week and they didn't have one and couldn't tell me a price either. My main riding buddy who has a ZX9R is going to buy one soon.

Did you see that Australian Motorcycle News had a road test?

I'm looking forward to actually seeing one!

Did you see that Australian Motorcycle News had a road test?
I'm looking forward to actually seeing one!

bean, you're not helping my 'self-control' buddy

bean, you're not helping my 'self-control' buddy

That ABS and NO LIMITER is a sweet deal Bean...

It's amazing that one market gets ABS and no limiter.... And the other gets fucked in the ass with a limiter and no ABS....

...okay...this is the rear wheel of the Aussie 14r.This bike has KTRC and ABS.To me...this deal here looks IDENTICAL to the US model(s) rear design.

What I'm getting at is...there is only ONE sensor connected to that caliper.Like ours.The speed ring is there also.Now....HOW could they get TWO different 'systems' operating by ONE CABLE and ONE sensor and ONE ring.(Not counting the front setup in this at all).

I say this because..all things being 'equal'....the ABS adds whatever is needed(or takes away)in the braking dept when it senses a wheel slip(on decel).Okay.....The KTRC is doing almost the opposite...that is...on acceleration,it's taking away a certain amount of 'edge'(power)when it senses a wheel slip.WHAT is DIFFERENT about this setup?Look at the wheel system design again on both bikes.ONE SPEED DISC,ONE SENSOR.(not counting the front again).HOW is the Aussie model able to pull off TWO SEPARATE functions with the same setup?

It appears that the setup if it is the same,would allow an ECU swap to the Euro model....with perhaps some sort of electrical bridge in it to activate an abs situation...without doing anything to the physical design.Anyone think this could be possible?It would be very very cool IF it only required an ECU change(although the instrumentation would be unable to display the abs "condition"....if it does that on the Euro model anyway?NOW...I wonder...IF the EURO ECU swap actually worked on the US bikes....wouldn't it be something IF the display actually had the 'hidden' capabilty to show an ABS equipped EURO 14R which would only display when the circuitry was 'live'(via the ECU).We here in the US wouldn't even SEE that display(if there is a display...IDK) if it wasn't being activated...so I wonder?I know it probably is completely not feasible...but what if it actually IS feasible.I wonder if anyone over here has actually tried to find out if it could work?That setup between the two bikes looks identical to me.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/26/2012 @ 7:03 AM *

Grn,
Abs reqires a device(electric motor and valving)to modulate braking pressure to the calipers when heavy braking. Usually controlled by a seperate ABS computer. All brake lines go into and out of this seperate device. The wheel speed sensors all feed mto the ABS controller and also to the traction control.Some cars traction control actually will appy some brakke to attain the desired result along with nodulating the power.
Usually more weight added to the bike because of the motor/valve assy and additional brale lines.

Nat

You don't suppose that Ktrc is kinda 'doubling' for an abs do ya?On the Aussie bike that is?I can't see any type of 'component' on that caliper that would suggest there's something else in there?Probably would be inside the caliper...somehow working the brake pads...but....IDK.Just how physically 'big' IS this Kawasaki abs system.It looks to me like it's the same on both bikes...the hardware that is.Do you think it's possible that the abs is 'the same' as the Ktrc,only some sort of reverse electrical programming?So no 'extra' parts would be needed to use it either way?The Aussie bike is definitely operating with TWO different 'systems' at any given time..depending on how the user sets the program.My understanding is....that KTRC will drop power through a couple of areas of the powerplant and allow the tire to hook back up...using both sensors to send the message.."activate...tire slip" It can activate with either sensor being fired.Or both.SAME AS THAT ABS.One deal is applying brake pressure(or removing it)...the other is removing power.If it's the same actual system components,then why wouldn't the US guys be able to swap a EURO ecu,and install the module or whatever for the abs function.I mean..they won't be operating both at the same time,right.The two scenaios are opposite each other and can't both happen(physcally) at the same time.Yes?If your approaching a skid/lock situation,you wouldn't be accelerating,and creating wheel spin,right?

You jamb the rear pedal...lock the front and hold.She won't skid(apparently) or lose traction from a locking wheel.Okay....and that amount of
non-locking engineering is continuously being monitored during a hard braking scenario.Adding pad pressure or removing it in microseconds.(through the CAN)

What I'm trying to see is...could it be possible the CAN unit is programmed for "no-lock' mode.And the Ktrc is operating off the same physical parts,but activating through a different "mode" programmed into the CAN?A program that allows BOTH modes to be monitored and activated according to the parameters of each particular mode(abs or Ktrc).

I tried to find a parts fiche for the Euro bikes...I could not find any Kawasaki website(overseas)that had the 'parts diagrams' option in there.I thought that was a bit odd.They DO have to buy parts afterall.So how are they getting them?

I don't know WHY I didn't think of this first off...the C14 has the same abs as the Euro 14R...gonna go check it out right now!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/26/2012 @ 6:51 PM *

It doesn't have anything on the rear other than an encoder wheel for the inductive sensor, ABS uses a electrically driven Hydraulic pump to reduce pressure to the wheel with the slip, it can weigh up to 3 kilos or more and is norm to be under the seat

You could fit ABS to your bike Grn but the cost would be huge.

Easier I buy you a ABS model when there cheaper and send it to you.

....WHEEEEE!How bout a trade?

Well,I DID check out the Concours abs system in the parts fiche.Hold on here...brb...Concours Rear wheelZX14R rear wheel...Concours brake piping...(not found on the 14R)

The 'pump assembly' is right there on the Concours diagram.The physical 'brake unit' is identical on both bikes.The difference is a harness...some 'extra' brake hose piping(which doesn't look TOO complicated)and a small deal on the Concours brake diagram that is called a "?"...and the pic shows "refer to Master Cylinder"...but it's right there about midpicture on that one diagram...kind of a small longish little deal..maybe it goes to the pedal lift unit?(master)

The Concours plug-in is 21178.On the Ninja..it's a rectangular plug..21176.So the electrical connections are different...One's a US non abs..that other...the Connie abs plug going to......??????

I would be almost willing to bet...that all the attachment points for that pump assembly are already on that zx14R frame somewhere in there(looks like it in the pic of the frame there)......ZX14R frame pic...

The pump unit really doesn't look very bulky.Probably a spot under that seat or somewhere to install that unit like the factory Concours.If you COULD get that installed,along with the Concours Piping deal....MAYB...you COULD swap ECU's with a Euro...and Voila!ABS....AND....NO LIMITER! Whataya think?The brake hardware is identical...nothing different between the two Calipers.(that I could see anyway).

It looks to me like the sensor plug and part are actually the same...just the connie's is screwing into that same brace that the 14 has,though the 'brace' is shaped slightly different for that tetra lever deal.Otherwise..it looks the same to me?

The thing I'm wondering about...that sensor deal.The Connie has no Ktrc...so that cable and all is working FINE for the ABS sensing.The Ninja has the same line....and NO abs signal going out(or in).You think it maybe COULD be a cable switch or something?but then,how would the CAN operate both signals simultaneously?(on the Ninja)I'd like to see the wiring in that cable for both bikes.See if indeed it's already designed to carry TWO separate information signals for the two(abs AND ktrc)systems.It looks to me like Kawasaki set it up to 'offer' an ABS function perhaps with the NEXT 14R.If they did..them getting an ABS setup for the first run machines could maybe be possible...at a cost of course...but still?Those calipers are the same.As are the sensor rings.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/26/2012 @ 7:42 PM *

thoes litle bits will send you broke, and fitting them will drive you nuts,

think the aussie GTR has KTC, will check the mates 2011 on the week end

IDK Ethin...to me..it looks fairly straightforward.Those are just diagrams...not the actual length of cables and such.The two frames are identical looking at the mount point for the pump assy bracket.Seems you could route the hoses just like on the GTR?Or very close to it to be safe.I may just look into this deal here.Other than the new 14R frame composition,it could very well be a virtual 'match' in regards to placement of fittings and such.The design changes they did to the new14R are very close to the earlier models chassis wise..but they are different.

KTRC and ABS r two different systems. Ive tested front and rear ABS on mine and works great. Ive also tested the three modes of traction control and each have thier place on the bike. Ive done 2200km on my ZX14R and absolutly love it. Its even better with full exhaust. Just gotta wait for power commander.

Did you see that Australian Motorcycle News had a road test?

I read that Motorcyclist mag review...the reason(apparently from Kawasaki themselves)that the US market doesn't have ABS...."no consumer demand"...that's it.

THAT could very well change as time goes on.Everything is there on the 14R except the pump assembly and the lines.The circuitry may very well already be in the 14R ecu...IDK.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/30/2012 @ 1:38 PM *

Traction control systems sense when the wheel begins to turn faster than the machine is moving forward and cuts ignition and fuel, (and thus power) to mitigate spin to whatever degree the system is set for. ABS senses when a wheel nears zero speed of rotation while the machine is still moving and cuts braking power to keep THAT from happening, so while both systems take their cues from wheel speed, one works on the engine and the other on brakes, so I doubt if they are connected. ABS has been around for years, while traction control has only been around for a couple of years, at least as they relate to motorcycle use.

Enjoy :)
ZX14R at Sydney drag strip (AMCN)

Thanks for that, excellent video!

Neil

For the Australian folk. I've just picked up a new 14r and had a Ventura rack fitted by the dealer. The rack is for the 2011 zx14 however it will fit it, just takes a certain amount of effort.

Also had a Radguard fitted that again, I'm happy to say, did fit.

Just waiting for a few of the exhaust manufacturers to catch up and put out some systems for the 2012.

* Last updated by: OllieJ on 2/21/2012 @ 4:19 AM *

OllieJ You lucky bugger lol hey I know the R has lots of great changes compared to my 2010ZX1400 but lets just say im really still rapt with mine so great choice mate ! youve just started yer new Romance lol Ps. He He