Given that we had have had the exact same bike from 2012 to the present, how long do you contemplate it will take for Kawasaki to revise our bike?

Not just adding a feature or two or changing the color scheme, but I mean noticeable changes to the body style/look and maybe even tweak the performance somewhat

I have considered trading for other bikes but realized I would regret it after the new wore off ......I think a revised version of our bike is your thing that would coerced me to trade mine; it's such a good, all-around package; an apex predator..... I can't see trading it for anything other than an updated version of itself

Thoughts ?

In my humble opinion, unless any other brand comes up with a faster powerplant to dethrone the ZX14 from top of it's class, I don't see Kawasaki making any major changes any time soon.

The latest motorcycle magazine from Japan speculates Turbo Busa, ZX11R Turbo and Ninja R2. R2 is supposed to be a smaller brother of H2 and is based upon Ninja ZX6 engine with a super charger. ZX14R will get a revised but smaller displacement engine with Turbo rather than super charger. Looking forward to....

^^ if that turned out to be true and does come to fruition, that would be quite a "dynamic".... if Kawasaki had the only turbo -and- supercharged production bikes

Kofla, I'm not referring to "major" changes, I was referring to just an alteration to signify a next-generation in our bike. some revamps in the asthetics and tweak the performance "a bit".

I agree when you're still the top dog on the block, there's no need to do any major changes, but I think it's time and it is warranted to do at least some notable revisions to our bike

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 5/26/2016 @ 2:16 PM *

I thought I read Sykes and Reys said the stock 2016 10R was a handful and hard for them to use all power on the race track. But more is always better and I really want a 2016 10R to play with the electronics and racing shift setup - just need to win the super lottery this weekend

* Last updated by: cruderudy on 5/26/2016 @ 6:38 PM *

Is that a cover from Young Machine? They've been showing pics of the new supercharged ZX-14 for years now.

I'm not sure from a performance point of view that a new generation of turbo machines will be as exciting as we imagine. I think it is more about manufacturers struggling to meet ever stricter emissions requirements. I'm not sure it's a bright future.

Wow Rook, I am surprised to hear you know "Young Machine"! Yes, their articles have been bit dubious but certainly Kawasaki and Suzuki are planning on something. Busa is totally overdue for change and even ZX14R is now its 5th year.

Time sure flies. Oh well, I'm sticking with the old bikes and going with boost. If they blow up, I'll try the latest.

No changes until Suzuki revamps the Hayabusa, there's no point really, the 14R is still dominant after five years.

I wonder what the busa sales look like compared to the 14r. That will determine when the busa gets updated. LOL I bet they will just bore the engine and add electronics. That would be so easy and it would give them all they need to compete in the market. There's never been a real good reason to buy a new busa. The one from 1999 would be just as good as the current one with some engine and brake work.

I'd say 2008 and up Rook. There is a significant power difference between first and second gen busa. Head and cam package gets them up to where we are if not a tad more.

* Last updated by: maverick1441 on 5/28/2016 @ 9:58 PM *

Rook, sales will absolutely determine when the busa gets refreshed. BUT not how you think. Its more like unless they renew it, there will be NO sales after 2017.

http://www.bikepoint.com.au/editorial/news/2016/walking-dead-5-popular-bikes-that-won%E2%80%99t-pass-euro4-56539

Thanks rod. The endless game of one-upsmanship is always won by $$! If Suz can afford it, look out for 2017! If not, glad the aftermarket is so strong for that bike and glad I got one of the last.

* Last updated by: Rook on 5/29/2016 @ 8:26 AM *

They can get a 1yr exception, I believe... to sell models already built while the new euro 4 compliant bikes are being readied.

I mean, yeah... they could just refresh whats there and update the engine controls and cams and such for the new emissions; but what fun is that?

* Last updated by: rod442 on 5/29/2016 @ 9:13 AM *

I don't see Suzuki doing any real dramatic revamp when the customer base isn't there.

IDK what busa sales look like but if they're dwindling, that's the only reason to revamp. If they make a busa stronger than a 14r, people will buy it.

There's room to punch out that engine. They don't need to change much.

I think Suzuki would face the same problems as Kaw did with 14R. More output generating just that much more heat and not cooking the engine or the rider. I think that's where Suzukis at it would require significant re-engineering to deal with these issues. Kawasaki took the plunge and it was much more effort than adding a 2nd radiator fan and punching out the motor (in fact I believe Kaw increased stroke not bore). Have to get more air and fuel in and out too. Is it worth it to Suzuki to do the same? Could Suzuki only match 14R or could they surpass it? Frankly if they can only catch up not sure it's worth it.

IMO for your average buyer they should just go with whichever make they prefer as far as the big bore bikes (well, Busa/14). I mean yeah, chances are at the drag strip with basically stock bikes, given riders of equal skill and weight 14R is going to win most of the time with only rider error being the real factor. On the street it comes down to who's probably practiced or the most experienced, weight, and balls.

I do recall reading something a while ago about Suzuki's engine design being better for modifications. It was something to do with the cylinders and heads or maybe just the heads. So for serious racing, which granted is a very small market share, Busa may still hold some advantage.

The busa runs cooler than the Gen1 14 did. IDK how the Gen2 14's compare. The busa also has better gas mileage. All they had to do with the Gen2 busa was make it as good as the 14 and they did that with less displacement. From all of this, I would say the old design still holds a lot of promise.

I do recall reading something a while ago about Suzuki's engine design being better for modifications. It was something to do with the cylinders and heads or maybe just the heads. So for serious racing, which granted is a very small market share, Busa may still hold some advantage.

On a Hayabusa the cylinders can be separated from the engine without splitting the cases while the 14s cylinder/case is integrated.

Given the Gen1 went from 2006-2011 I say we have another year before they release a new ZX14R with something ridiculous like a supercharger on it. There is no real need as the only things faster than the ZX14R in a straight line are a Ducati 1299 and the H2, both those are faster on the track, which was never the 14s target, and in a straight line but less comfortable on long rides, which was.

* Last updated by: Fantastic on 6/17/2016 @ 9:27 PM *

On a Hayabusa the cylinders can be separated from the engine without splitting the cases while the 14s cylinder/case is integrated.

That's it... Thanks!

Given the Gen1 went from 2006-2011 I say we have another year before they release a new ZX14R with something ridiculous like a supercharger on it. There is no real need as the only things faster than the ZX14R in a straight line are a Ducati 1299 and the H2, both those are faster on the track, which was never the 14s target, and in a straight line but less comfortable on long rides, which was.

The defacto standard for acceleration is 1/4 mile, and I think 14R is still king of that hill, H2 and 1299 included. At least I haven't seen any numbers that show H2 or 1299 is quicker in the quarter.

There are other bikes which are quicker in other areas, for example 0-60 and roll ons. Not sure about high speed stuff exactly. I've watched a lot of youtube videos (the only real source) and top end results generally seem inconclusive that any one bike consistently beats some other bike. Mostly seems like it might be dependent on riders and maybe rider weight. There's videos showing H2s, 10Rs, S1000RRs, 14Rs, etc. all winning/losing against each other. I will say in general 14Rs seem to be at a disadvantage at top speed stuff although again it may be more about the typical rider compared to other bikes.

Hell what do I care... not into 1/4 mile stuff and can't even remember the last time I raced someone.

Was just speaking about a roll on as I have had those two bikes walk away from me after the final corner before a straight on the track. Granted it isn't a huge difference but they are pulling away slightly from me the whole time.