.....in dropping $14,000 for a bike that has picked up 35 lbs over my '06 ZX-14, the numbers below speak for themselves. Kevin Duke is a well respected motojournalist and excellent (and very consistent) amateur drag racer, much better than any of us. Both best runs were timed at the same track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway ZX-14 introductions, the first at the 2006 ZX-14 release, the second last week at the 2012 ZX-14R release. The links to the articles are found below the quotes. I'll save my $14,000 and keep my paid for '06 thank you, I rest my case.

Kevin Duke quote 2006 ZX-14 Introduction in Las Vegas:

A rider can't see the timing lights at the far end of the strip, but I knew I had clicked off a good, clean run. As I neared the pits, I could see people waving and yelling, and soon I came to learn that I had clicked off a 9.78 at 147 mph. Remarkably, that's only a tenth of a second slower than the best time logged by Gadson or Schnitz on a stock ZX! The fact that I wasn't able to better that time on my next two runs did nothing to diminish my elation. When corrected for temperature and altitude (as do all magazines), my run computed to a 9.46 at 152.0 mph. Pretty damn impressive for a bone-stock motorcycle, and easily better than a stock Hayabusa.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/157/299/Motorcycle-Article/2006-Kawasaki-ZX-14---Dragstrip-Test.aspx

Kevin Duke quote 2012 ZX-14R Introduction in Las Vegas:

"When I got the balance between the clutch lever and throttle just right, I knocked out a best run of 9.77 seconds at 148.9 mph. This is an impressive stat for a bone-stock production bike, but it’s even more remarkable when the atmospheric conditions are factored in. The dry desert air combined with the track’s 1800-foot altitude equated to a 3000-foot elevation. Corrected to sea-level conditions, our times would drop by about 2.5 tenths of a second. Under ideal conditions, a 9.5-second ET is within the realm of possibility!"

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/2012-kawasaki-zx14r-review-video-91182.html

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/12/2011 @ 1:40 PM *

That's what I have been saying, how many guys are going to feel the difference performance wise!!!! I hate to admit it but I do like the new 14 design, yes the 06 got that classical beauty to it. The new 1 follows the new zx-10 in that japanese cartoon way but I think she looks ferocious. If I had the money I'd just drop the cash because of the design. The performance of that bike are outta my league. I know it's a shame I'd admit it. Fortunately I don't make enough money to drop pennies just on looks.

I don't remember the 06 weight but you are going to need lots of hp to overcome 35 lbs. I think I'm wrong but I think I read somewhere 1 hp per lbs once you are past a certain speed..? Is that correct. lool So it's funny what's the difference in hp between 06 and 12... 30 to 40 hp lool. Now I wanna see an 06 with a slipper clutch going against a 14R. I'm saying the 14R wins but how much? Now you add all the goodies that we have on our older bikes... Financially it's better to keep the old 1 and mod away. Excitement wise well it depends how easy 14k gets out of your wallet and how long you've had your old 14. In your case Kruz how many you have.

* Last updated by: dragking on 12/12/2011 @ 2:21 PM *

The performance of that bike is outta my league. I know it's a shame to admit it.

If Duke beat out a shit load of editors, what kind of writeup are we to expect? That's like putting dragking on the bike, give us a report? Well, call me a 'whatever' you called Brock for not cherry picking Kawi for a bike. I can't get Grn to wind up the clock on his; hand one over I got your report.

Dick my suck... Dis 'has-been' a message from, Dev Rensinep and I use most reports azzzzzz toilet paperecycled someone uncork one already!

I'm with Kruz. Time to Pay Up. If mother teepee has HP underoofucking let it out! This, we just eek'doubt the rr and here comes the 2012.5 from some other Brandoggie... Here doggie, get your bone! I got your 45 pounds hanging!

Give or take 10lbs.

will the 2012 fairings fit a 2008?

I'd love to take the whole machine but I'm not exactly next in line either.

very nice bike though. If I didn't already have a busa to try and use up as well as a 14, I'd be making my buyer's game plan.

Where the extra 35 lbs come from? My guess is a beefed up swing arm and frame. and I bet they did something more in that engine than just bore/stroke.

They listed '06 HP at 171 rear wheel and 2012 at 195 so 24 HP difference. 35 lbs is about 5 HP from what I've heard, 7lbs=1HP. So make it 19 HP advantage to the newer machine, hard to feel that in the butt but it showed up in a higher trap speed for the '12. Still a relatively small difference, at least in the quarter mile. Where it would show itself would be from 150 mph to terminal speed, new bike would walk the old. Looks are subjective, I like the old design so that's a non-factor for me. TC is a worth while addition as is ABS so the '12 gains there. Slipper clutch is also a plus but the 14 was always pretty steady banging downshifts. Stiffer suspension on the '12 is another plus as the older bikes tend to fold the front under hard braking. The new bike has gained about 35 lbs since '06 and gained about an inch of wheelbase, good for braking stability and when launching but usually makes for slightly slower handling. So add it all up and you have mixed bag with the new machine having more plusses than minuses. Now factor in cost and prior mods on your old bike. Mine was payed off almost five years ago and has less than 16,000 miles. Mine has been garaged since day one and still looks showroom. Dealer trade in, $4000 max, maybe another couple hundred for the Yoshi system and PCIII. Let's say $4200. New bike is going to be over $14000 driveout. Bottomline in my case.....faghetaboudit!

Rook, weight gains:

Stiffened frame and swingarm, stroker motor, traction control, slipper clutch and ABS hardware. I imagine they beefed up the bottom end, crankcase, rods, main bearings and crank. New plastics are a little heavier according to an article I read and exhaust is bulkier, it all adds up.

I'm with ya Kruz.

I'm looking to ride again this spring after my health returns......and an older 14 seems the best option for me.

I'll be looking for an 06 or 07 and then if I want a diff color....paint it.

I'd love traction control, but not THAT much. I don't care for the slipper so no matter there.

I figure I'll be ahead on $ for the bike and insurance.....cool.

* Last updated by: 06BlueZX14 on 12/12/2011 @ 7:21 PM *

DragKing, Some of these guys are already talking smack about putting the older 14s out to pasture. The performance difference as seen in the articles are small enough that mods and rider skill are going to be far and away the deciding factors in any showdown. This is why I don't trash talk earlier generation ZX10s, even though my Gen 4 is better on paper I could be embarrassed, races are won or lost on the road, not on paper.

Blue06, makes sense, lots of first and second gens on Craigslist with low miles for $6000 or less. You can do a ton of mods to the motor, brakes and suspension, custom paint and pocket the left over 3 to 4 grand. I'm not putting the new bike down, far from it. If I was in the market for a new hyperbike and had plenty of coin to spare then the '12 would be at the top of my short list. I just don't want to see this forum turned into a pissin match between the gens. Gen 1 and 2s never had any issues with each other, they're all great bikes.

I'd say, this is more plug and play parts. What is the difference between a few found pounds/hp? There is no comparison between a 12 and a 14 as there is a 14 to an R. Will a piped/pigged R beat a piped/pigged 14? Yes. Will a stock R and a well tuned/toothed 14 be on par with each other? Most likely not.

So, marketing wise, we have a bike that can take our old bike, but kit the bike first you want heads up with the R? How close can you get to the R with an old 14? Less than 14K to get there, that is for sure. Were are we now? Practically even, no? Like, we knew you were going to soup up our old top flight, so we upped the top model just a touch is beat you by one mile per hour.

We gave you a little... Here you go... Deal with it. No, you fucking deal with it. If you have top models, step it the fuck up then. Bring the next top model, not some long in the tooth, straighten outhis old dog, she had legs, shes going to get stomped all day, with a nick knack, give a Resistor a bone, Mikuni ain't got nothing like a Sig or a Martin/Marry or steal those EE's from those companies... They are kicking the yap pan kneezzzzzzzz to their collective knees.

One more reason they left motogp is the resistor wars and those 'italian tuneups' do not sit well with the Saki Folksuckers vs. the Vino vintage IS.

Just move along now folks, there's nothing to see here, that's the way I feel about the new bike, sorry if some don't agree. Look at the objective data I posted, same rider, same track, .01 second in the quarter mile. Should I rush to spend 14 K for an almost insignificant gain? If the Duke had passed gas on his R run, the results could have been swapped, almost too close to call. Is a new bike a better thing than an old bike? Usually. Is it 14K better? You have to ass yourself that question, I can't answer for you. How important is new? How important is ABS, slipper and TC? It's your call, not mine, I've cast my vote.

Do not get the wrong impression here, no one here is trying to rain on Grn14s parade, far from it. In fact I am tickled to death he got a new bike, howz this.... you go green! OK, now all better?

I hope that bike far exceeds all of his expecations. OK, that said, no one tell me to trade in Big Red. We've got history together and she's staying put. Enough said? OK, pardon me while I go chill.

Hello All

I just got my 2011 ZX14 yesterday but unfortunately it rained and I had to go to work. I looking into frame sliders for bike and was wondering what brand would be the best choice.

Walter

Congrats on your new ride and welcome to the forum, I don't do sliders so I'll let some of the other guys answer that for ya.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/13/2011 @ 8:40 AM *

hey, Walt.

Look for something called Race Rails. They are like two sliders/side connected by a metal rail in between. Check around with members for info on fitment problems with race rales. I know Privateer knows about these so maybe PM him. The rails are nice because they attach to 2 points on the frame and that seems a lot less likely to cause frame cracking which can happen on a big bike like the 14 in a tip over. Seems a bit heavy but safer than some of the simple post like sliders. Might be better to let the fairings take the beating then end up with a cracked frame.

There are also the traditional post sliders that stick out of the triangle side vent hole. If you get those, there is one brand that has a beveled head that apparently pivots to reduce leverage on the frame. Also there are sliders with bolts that are designed to bend some if the bike drags across the ground so that not all of the force is transferred to the frame.

No specific name brands but hope that gives you some ideas.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/13/2011 @ 11:40 AM *

oh,

I don't care for the slipper so no matter there.
I figure I'll be ahead on $ for the bike and insurance.....cool.

I have only had the rear slip on me once or twice on the street downshifting. When I was at the track and I had nothing to lose (except the bike and a few days of walking without pain), I DID have the tail up and wagging back and forth going into the hardest corner and it was pretty damned scary. My busa has a slipper clutch and I can't tell it's there unless it is one of the higher rpm down shifts. IMO, the slipper only makes the busa less fun. Maybe the extra inch wheelbase and extra weight are enough to keep the tail down----but now the 14 has that too.

As far as ins goes, I wonder what they are asking to cover a 14r compared to a 14? Ins cost could weigh into the picture.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/13/2011 @ 11:39 AM *

I wonder what they are asking to cover a 14r compared to a 14? Ins cost could weigh into the picture.

and that seems a lot less likely to cause frame cracking which can happen on a big bike like the 14 in a tip over

....that's why I don't do sliders.

+1 To right Kruz Logic sez when all that weight lands in one small area it can't be a good result most times when shit happens

People get 10-15 peak HP gains with a pipe and tune and they claim big gains. You don't think 30 more RWHP and more "area under the curve" is going to make a big difference? Check out the bikeland 2011 vs 2012 dyno thread for a chart and a video.

The 2012 is only about 17 lbs heavier than the 2011 bike. Put a stock 14 and a stock 14R on the same track, same day, same rider and I'm guessing that there will be a big difference. The bigger 2012 motor also leaves more potential on the table for mods.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 2006-2011 ZX14, but this thread sounds like sour grapes.

Just move along now folks, there's nothing to see here...

I have to agree. As fast as bean is healing, another year is going to swing bye fast. They can run more updates and a peck of more hp, but if they have no problem with giving out power output, then put some in the next top model. If guys are pulling out fly on some of the R's already... WATT does that tell you?

It says, mother fucup can market research all day long, this bike needs some more get the fuck cup and saucer kind of how those ufo's take off from a dead spot. I am joe average you ain't there yet wishing you were sucking on my grapes. RG should have cold rolled 202.999 kind of hp out of the crate.
Anyone throws a bike on the dyno, 2 plus is the word out of the crate... I think that is grape sour white is a certain purple color. I've got color you give me a spray booth.

ZX-2+2RR + ZeeXtra 200+HP Really Revised!

Not only that, I'd like to thank dunlop for the tire save. Not only that, I like to thank the frame. And last but not least, I'd like to thank the powerplant engineers... I wish my camera was rolling. That corvette driver still must seeing that vision I don't wanna talk about... Damn, I love this bike!

* Last updated by: Hub on 12/13/2011 @ 9:25 PM *