Ok, everyone who thinks KHI has enough money to put out a 2012 ZX14 follow-on that has to cost around 15-16,000 USD just to pay for development costs, please raise your hand.

Of those of you who raised your hand, who thinks KHI would have enough money left after the green ball of light is released, to continue to significantly improve, at the rate of 100s of millions of dollars a season, the ZX10R, and support ZX10R WSB racing, so they can get back on the podium consistantly, and near the top in WSB points, for the first time since the last ice age?

So you raised your hand on the first two, who of you who did, think KHI has enough money left to make the C14 competitive and keep it gaining market share in the true sport touring market. Raise your hand.

Anyone still raising your hand, do you think KHI going to do ALL of this? And you think KHI can afford to do all this?

Who thinks the fact 100% of the product news on the Kawasaki site is about the Ninja 1000 and Z1000 this doesn't mean that the money to be made in 2012 is predominantly in the Z1000, the C14, and the ZX10R? Raise your hand.

If you are still raising your hand, you must be working for Obama, because he seems to think money grows on trees too.

* Last updated by: privateer on 9/21/2011 @ 10:25 AM *

So you still dont' think a new 14 is coming, Priv?

Did you see this site:

http://ninja14r.kawasaki.com/witness/

Look at the bottom of the page... it is official.

The teaser vids are being put out by these guys, Fuse Interactive, the same guys that Kawi hired to put together Ninja Underground a few years ago.

Nothing new there, seen it already.

Nothing to support enough displacement to call it a 15, and since its still called a 14, you know that means less than 1450 cc right? If all they do is put bigger pistons in it, it will still add 1,000 USD to the base price.

Nothing to support a supercharger.

Nothing to support any of the wild rumors.

And I still continue to ask the questions of my post immediately above this one.

In order to get something earthshaking, it will cost KHI at least 100,000,000 USD in engineering, tooling, and marketing / dealer support to get it out. And even so, it would cost as much as a BMW to have all the wild rumors are predicting.

Might they change the upper fairing to make it look different? Sure, big whoop.

But I ask again, who thinks KHI will spent enough to kick the ZX14 to the next level?

If I'm wrong, its a win for everyone because it would mean KHI kicks out a real winner.

But I still wonder, why do it in the model line that is near the bottom of your profit sources?

* Last updated by: privateer on 9/21/2011 @ 12:08 PM *

Who said anything about it being a zx15?... 84x65 = 1440... if nothing new, you should already know that though.

Here's how I see it, Priv...
Lots of parts will still swap with 2006-2011 zx14's, if ya know what I mean. New motor will be in the Connie next year... The extra tq will be great for that platform no?... If we ever see the a factory SC, it will be in a couple years after Suzi swings back with a new Busa. Just throwing on a factory SC will save Kawi tons if they wanna keep the 14 on top of the Busa for outta the crate dyno #'s... which we all know is what sells hypersports.

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 9/21/2011 @ 2:30 PM *

But I still wonder, why do it in the model line that is near the bottom of your profit sources?

Because putting out the baddest mf'r on the street gets asses into showrooms.

But I still wonder, why do it in the model line that is near the bottom of your profit sources?

So that it continues to make sense that the bike is in the Kawi lineup in the first place. No reason to have a 14 that is slower than a 10.

Bore and stroke is what they are claiming and that is prolly about all you gonna get out this deal. That and a slightly different top fairing (which looks quite nice, IMHO----still like the old one though).

I don't think they are going to spend piles of R&D cash on this. We have been boring 14s ever since there have been 14s. No big deal for Kawi to do this as stock if it has been done to the good old 1352 by shops.

Give it several more years and they will make a whole new 14.

In the mean time, I think I will order those Carrozerias for my old 14.

What do you guys think about the new 10?Think it rocks,or what.Much better than it's previous 10's?

Hmmmm...okay,now imagine a 14 with the agility and power to weight ratio of the 10...only BIGGER.There ya go.That's what's comin out.A lighter,quicker,stronger 14.The previous models may not do incredibly well at the track(getting beat by lighter bikes anyway)....I think this new one is gonna change all that.I think there are gonna be some really sweet changes...and I doubt it's gonna be a 'facelift' like the Busa...IMO,they ruined that classic look.

Even if it's being upgraded to be majorly killer at the dragstrip,I still think it's gonna be far better overall.Gonna see some design changes I think with the bodywork fasteners,ease of access...stuff like that as well.Fitment issues.MAYBE...a stock Shorai in there!

I'd say the heavy wheels are out...new material and design.Same with the exhaust.WAY lighter.Maybe some Brembo brakes?IDK.OHLINS shocks?You know...all the good stuff guys spend thousands on....all in one base price of about 13,800....14,000.Reprogrammable fuel maps.Stuff like that.

1440....in a 100 lb(maybe more) lighter package....

I still say....money is no object for Kawasaki.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 9/21/2011 @ 4:01 PM *

As the weight goes up the power to weight ratio becomes less impressive. i.e. 500 hp cars are fast but 500 hp bikes are f***king insane.

If a power to weight ratio is to be meaningful, the 14 will need to gain an awful lot of hp while still losing a great deal of weight. The old ZX-10 didn't need to gain much hp but the weight loss was huge.

I hope it works out as much as you, blue but it seems a long shot. It will be faster than the 10 off the line and top speed will be a little higher. That they can do. Accelleration over 100 mph is going to be a bit faster with the new 10. That is the way it has always been. If the pattern breaks, this will truly be amazing.

So I guess what everyone is thinking is that the new designed motor(yes,new design)is going to be 'barely' more peppy than the present one.That the new bike is gonna be heavier and MORE cumbersome.That years of listening to the buyers means nothing,and Kawasaki is expecting to sell a slightly 'more' version of the zx.And they're doing this because...they believe the market is ready for a fatted calf?Ummm..okay...s'all good.I still think the 14 is to the 12 what the new 14 is gonna be to the 'old'14.Naive as I am.This bike didn't just come out of nowhere.It's been in development ever since the first 14's rolled out.They already KNEW what they were gonna do...way back.They're not a bunch of dummies.With this bike,they will be opening a whole NEW industry for aftermarket guys.This is a big deal.Gonna be LOTS of people makin dough off this new bird.I'd say,this bike is the intermediate for the next bird...probably gonna either be turbo,or something very aggressive...engine wise.It would be hard to imagine a smoother running bike...but I think this new one is gonna surpass our now bikes....I really do.Big 1440 balanced...oh yeah,she's gonna run sweet!

You know...it's all wishful thinking on my end anyway...I've no idea what's on Kawasaki's mind or plans.Punched out motor...ya...probably.Nothing real special.Beefed up some,loss of weight here and there.IDK.I still can hardly wait though...just to check one out.It is gonna be very nice.Doesn't look like they changed the front much,so that's good IMO.I like my bike's styling.Everything else looks about the same also from what I saw.Ya....I'd be very happy to keep my bird...she's been and is a great bike overall.Been a real blast and good experience for me.I'm in no rush to change anything right now.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 9/21/2011 @ 5:32 PM *

but I think this new one is gonna surpass our now bikes....I really do.Big 1440 balanced...oh yeah,she's gonna run sweet!

Goes with out saying,,,, It's a Given.

..I'd be very happy to keep my bird...she's been

Blue, I can tell from your posts your getting a New one,,,lol. What color ? Black would be AWESOME ?

Blue, I can tell from your posts your getting a New one,,,lol. What color ? Black would be AWESOME ?

The handle black12 might get taken the wrong way.

Rook wrote:

Bore and stroke is what they are claiming and that is prolly about all you gonna get out this deal

Who is "they" ? Its not Kawasaki. Its not anyone who has a shred of fact to back it up.

You don't know what it will be. My dealer is pretty well wired, and they don't know for sure, but they say if you are expecting an actual green ball of light moving at 1,000 mph you will be greatly disappointed.

They won't stroke it because that adds a lot of cost to the engine. They might bore it for 1429 pistons, but that will make the cylinder walls paper thin. You see where this goes?

If the point is to keep the ZX14 relevant, adding 1,000 or 2,000 dollars to the base price would not be the way to do it. And performance costs money. No way around it.

Ask Carpenter to give you are 1429 (he could do it today, easy, its a kit) and you will have to pay him more than that. I'm giving KHI credit for economy of scale. And if you bore it out to 1429, you get even more heat problems.

So you are also hoping for a new crankcase and cylinder block to give consumer reliability for the increased bore and power? Everyone else has had to when they went to 1500 or 1600, it took new cases etc. Who is going to pay for that engineering and tooling? You will.

But I asked my dealer, how come you still have a 2011 ZX14 sitting on the showroom floor, and the answer is not an answer. It is "we can't get enough C14s, and we can't keep the ZX10R in stock, and the Z1000s fly out as fast as they come in." What they won't say is people quit buying ZX14s a couple years ago in any significant numbers.

So I asked them, wouldn't Kawasaki do something to the ZX14 in response to an upgrade to the Hyabusa. They sell Suzuki too. "We think the Hyabusa will be discontinued, in favor of a lighter, quicker new model".

So you can believe your rumors. Which is all they are. And hope the fairy bike-mother leaves a super-2012-ZX14 under your pillow, but I think you will be disappointed.

But won't we all be happy if KHI manages to release a ZX14R which pulls a magic hat trick of being very much quicker, very much lighter, and not costing more than $500 more than the 2011?

What would be the odds of that?

And I'd still keep mine 2008, because the new one still wouldn't ride 1,000 miles in a day without killing the rider.

You are missing Suzuki being silent about the Busa. That bike will keep Kawi's "Top model" not so top... Oh say a mph or so.

Rook wrote:

Bore and stroke is what they are claiming and that is prolly about all you gonna get out this deal

Who is "they" ? Its not Kawasaki. Its not anyone who has a shred of fact to back it up.

Kawasaki is obviuously behind the teasers. No facts, but they (Kawasaki)are certainly dropping a rather obvious hint that there will be a longer stroke and larger bore.

"84 x 65 mm"

If they don't deliver, they are throwing away ZX-14 money right now with all of this fancy advertising. Imagine what it has cost for an ad agency and film makers, actors (ok the actors are not exactly high profile but they must have cost at least one ZX-14), ayadadayada yada. This is a big time advertising campaign in economic times where advertising has dried up. We are a very limited target audience for such a costly production. I can't imagine Kaw going to these great lengths without being prepared to deliver something that can at the very least be made look impressive.

if you are expecting an actual green ball of light moving at 1,000 mph you will be greatly disappointed.

oh c'mon. Nobody expects a green streak of energy. This is advertising. The humor is rather sophisticated. The green light is a qoutation of earlier Kawi promotional material. This is a further hint that something big is on the way. All loyal Kawi fans know the green streak of light. I believe I saw that back in the 90s when they were advertising on TV. Remember the guys riding over the golden Gate bridge on the cables???

....but yes, if Kaew does not deliver or if they serve up something that does not meet the expectations created by all this hype, they don't deserve to sell another 14 because they tried to pull the wool over our eyes. I can't imagine they would risk that. They must know we are not idiots...

or maybe you are right, Priv. Might we find when October 10 rolls around that Kawi has gone out of its mind?

They won't stroke it because that adds a lot of cost to the engine. They might bore it for 1429 pistons, but that will make the cylinder walls paper thin. You see where this goes?

Suz was able to do that to there gen 2 busa and it didn't seem to add to the cost. In fact, they added a couple other nice updates and the busa was still going for a normal price. What's a longer stronger rod cost?? This is a production line. We are not dealing with aftermarket where only 1 in 500 owners will ever buy the product. It is stock and stock means mass produced. I would need some further informatiomn before I was persuaded that a simpole bore /stroke was cost prohibitive. Seems the cheapest way to add power to me. hellof a lot cheaper than putting in a factory supercharger.

And hope the fairy bike-mother leaves a super-2012-ZX14 under your pillow, but I think you will be disappointed.

I sure will be if this is less than what they are building it up to be. That would seem positively asinine on the part of Kawasaki.

You are missing Suzuki being silent about the Busa. That bike will keep Kawi's "Top model" not so top... Oh say a mph or so.

sneaky.........and another good reason to hold off on buying anything just yet. Hell, the best thing in the world would be if the other 2 BIG FOUR brought out a hyper bike. If it is going to finally come to obsolesce, I want there to be some variety in what takes the stage.

No facts? Um... this link proves it: http://ninja14r.kawasaki.com/witness/

Note the domain in that URL.. KAWASAKI.COM. Doesn't get more factual than that. So if it's not 84x65 1440cc then the lies are coming from KHI.

^^^^Thanks and I am going to post that over on busa.org because there is nothing at all being said over there.

Thanks and I am going to post that over on busa.org because there is nothing at all being said over there.

There isn't?

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 9/22/2011 @ 1:49 AM *

Page 1-12: "Engine"

84 x 61 First Year. [Fact]
84 x 65 Sixth Year [Alleged].

"Suzuki being silent about the Busa"...ya...ya think?The Busa's done.History baby.Their 'new Busa' didn't go over as they planned...yet the 14 sold like crazy.And is STILL sellin big time.Kawasaki's beginnin to turn the knife now.The 14's the better bike all around anyway.Ask any Busa guy about changin their oil .

they say if you are expecting an actual green ball of light moving at 1,000 mph you will be greatly disappointed.

^^^NSFW... cartoon boobs^^^

I don’t know what zx14 sales up there priv but down here it’s the bee’s knees there popping up everywhere It’s a midlife crises bike and there are tons of guys/girls that buy it down here just to say they have the fastest most bad ass bike + Florida is one big drag strip so………..

If I can play devils advocate #2, (privateer has #1 reserved already), at what point do you think these companies are just going to say enough is enough? The 14 and the busa are plenty big already as far as measurements go and reguardless of how important we think we are, big fast 'dangerous' bikes are not appreciated in society. I think any increase in performance as far as engine output would be merely fodder to shut people up and say they did something. I think if they got something people are buying up quickly their incentive to do anything majorly different is low considering they are still making money on it.

Like someone said before, these aren't the kind of economic times to be putting a ton of R&D into a new engine if you don't have to. There were a lot of ridiculous increases in engine size in the 90's ( the triumph rocket comes to mind) that I think were simply a product of the booming market of the time. Now not so much.

I think if KHI wanted to improve the bike they would start giving it the treatment the 1k's have been getting for the last ten to twelve years. Shave weight, improve geometry, and ergonomics and also practicality. Maybe duplicate parts to use on several model lines to cut costs including the 14. There's no reason the 14 needs big 1980s foot pegs. lol

* Last updated by: Edgecrusher on 9/22/2011 @ 5:34 AM *

oh c'mon. Nobody expects a green streak of energy. This is advertising. The humor is rather sophisticated.

Yup, and it works. Fish on. Told the wife bike has nice lines,,, she wanted to see it again, rofl. All in good fun.