I noticed this up on MCN...

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2011/March/mar1111-kawasaki-launch-ultra-sophisticated-zzr1400/

I read the article and they're a long way from getting me to trade in my '06. I'm going to guess the increased low end power would put it about on par with what I've already got with flies out. No talk of increased topend to contest the Hayabusa. The TC and ABS sounds nice but we buy these bikes for their raw power and now the literbikes are where the big performance seems to be. KMC should punch this thing out to a 1500 and cut some of the weight. Then I'd buy one. Just my humble opinion.

I agree!

Assist...

Kawasaki to launch ultra-sophisticated ZZR1400

Wonder if the stateside version will come with ABS standard?... Dragracers aren't going to like that. They'd rather save the weight.

Doh...thanks DogoZX. I forgot to format the link ;)

Nothing, hmmm. Today is the 16th ?

Meh.

Here's the link to the issue overview.

Anyone subscribe to MCN? Please scan the article!

So far not a fan! Need to hear and see more...

Even if Kawk puts TC and ABS on the US ZX14, its nothing new. Obvously ABS is already on European version, and TC is easy to implement using what is already in the ZX10R ECU.

Add ABS, add weight. But add safety too.

Remember the transistion from the 07 to the 08? The tweaks to the ECU and injectors made taking the flies out on a 2008 or later ZX14 more labor than you got back in performance from doing it.

A few more tweaks of the ECU to more fully open the secondaries at low rpm would generate more low end torque and horsepower.

Nothing Kawks does to the 2012 ZX14 is going to cost engineering dollars, so the most you will see is the US version being more like the European version, with some minor ECU tweaks.

And different paint.

* Last updated by: privateer on 3/17/2011 @ 4:24 AM *

Found this on MCN's (Motorcycle News) website today. Seems like a new, possibly supercharged ZX14 is on the way? The article says that pics/details will be released later on this month! WOW! Can't wait to see if any major changes will be made - other than the supercharger - if that survives to a production version...

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2011/August/aug1011-kawasakis-supercharged-zzr1400-plans/

from what i read in japanese just a little while ago on bikeland .. the zx14 motor got bored out from 1352 to 1463 and has a 2x2 motor now..

http://bbb96.exblog.jp/15614753/

i just don't think kruz's flys out 06 motor is gonna keep up unless he calls jeffo

* Last updated by: Badzx14r on 8/11/2011 @ 11:21 AM *

what's a 2x2, 1bad?? That like a V4??

I don't know what to think. I want to see a bigger badder ZX-14 but then again--not really. I'm not about to sell and upgrade.

Too many rumors. I say everything will remain the same for another year or two.

* Last updated by: Rook on 8/11/2011 @ 11:31 AM *

i just don't think kruz's flys out 06 motor is gonna keep up unless he calls jeffo

No comment!

what's a 2x2, 1bad??

2mm bore from an 84 mm piston to a 86mm piston x stroke from a 61mm stroke to a 63mm stroke =2x2

IF that's a pic of the 'new' 14 in that Japanese mag there...I want to see one up close...yes.Bored out bigger...yes.Traction control...yes.Low and midrange power increase....yes.I have to say RIGHT NOW.....the frontend cowling is a 'copy' of the 10,kinda.And I'm not crazy about that part...but....I'd have to see it in person.I truly think I would trade up...yes...I think so.1463...yes....that would be very cool indeed."improvements"?...probably run like silk.Trans...probably shift like 'snick snick'.I could live with standard abs.Now I'm chomping at the bit.You guys should have never posted this .
I'm not too sure the faithful will accept the style of the front cowl like that.My 14 is....gloriously ugly.I like that.(J/K on the ugly part).It is WAY unique though...I wouldn't want the looks to change at all if possible.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/11/2011 @ 8:55 PM *

yellow & black with flames??

You can bet the Kawasaki Design team are all ears with THIS new stuff getting out there on the web.

yellow and black -- I'll ride it any day..

but I would be happy to bore and stoke mine. Hell, if they go 2mm, I'll go 3. Or just put a turbo in And put Bazzaz TC on it.

lol... already moding a bike that's not out yet!!! I'll include myself and say: WE ARE CRAZY!

The point is that we might just do pretty well to build up what we already own. This is the Hayabusa story all over again. All they did in 08 was increase the displacement by boring a little bigger and making the stroke longer. Same engine same frame, maybe a couple extra tweaks. If I owned a Gen 1 busa, I'm not so sure I would have felt compelled to buy a Gen 2 If I already had invested in some major mods. Its the same bike with a weirder tail.

...but i did get a busa after I bought a 14, I know. You were thinking that, I know you were.

* Last updated by: Rook on 8/11/2011 @ 11:06 PM *

want

You know Rook...I don't know why you don't get your Busa to the track.See how that bird would do?Supposed to be 'more nimble' than the boat...er...I mean,the bad 14.I surely wouldn't keep two superbikes.No way.One would have to go.MAYBE...trade that Bus in for the new....14?....hhmmmmmm?

Yes...and if I might ask...why DID you get a Busa?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/12/2011 @ 12:27 AM *

I like it, but I'm with Blue, would want to see it in person first. But the front end takes away from the "appeal" of the 14, I fell in love with it BECAUSE of the 4 headlights, now they are doin' away with one of the trademarks of the bike. Taking away from it's personality! But I love the bigger engine bit, even if it doesn't have a supercharger as rumored.... But I could do without the yellow/black color scheme though... Hope they have better colors in store for U.S.

but i did get a busa after I bought a 14, I know. You were thinking that, I know you were.

They're going to have to do way better to get me to buy that 1.

I fell in love with it BECAUSE of the 4 headlights, now they are doin' away with one of the trademarks of the bike.