Blame the accountability lawyers, but “massively added powerful” is as anecdotic as Kawasaki is accommodating to get apropos the achievement of its new-for-2012 ZX-14R. No aiguille application or torque numbers accept been released. Claimed top speed? Forget about it.
Considering its blueprint sheet, this new apparatus should be alike added of a barbarian than its predecessor, acknowledgment in ample allotment to a top-to-bottom rework of the antecedent powerplant. Internal agent updates accommodate a 4mm-longer achievement that boosts displacement from 1352cc to 1441, camshafts with added continuance and lift, able cylinder-head ports, lighter artificial pistons cooled by base oil jets, a beefed-up crankshaft and revised fuel-injection settings. An all-new, catalyzer-equipped bankrupt arrangement actualization shaped and cone-shaped attack pipes. The aftermost ZX-14 that Cycle Apple activated produced 163.7 hp and 103.7 foot-pounds of torque (“Turn & Burn,” July, 2008; bottomward from 170.2 hp and 103.8 ft.-lb. of the aboriginal ’06 model).
About the motorcycle’s absolute performance, here’s what we do know: This accomplished September, nine-time apple drag-racing best Rickey Gadson activated a pilot-production ZX-14R at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. That NHRA-certified quarter-mile band is amid 3700 anxiety aloft sea level, and ambient temperature on that accurate day was 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Gadson’s best canyon was an uncorrected 9.71 abnormal at 147.90 mph, which is both quicker and faster than he claims to accept anytime gone at that clue on any stock, previous-generation ZX-14.
Furthermore, at an eighth-mile clue in Barona, California, additionally added than 3000 anxiety aloft sea level, Gadson acquaint a 6.34-second, 118.87-mph run, additionally uncorrected for altitude. “Almost 119 mph,” he exclaimed. “That’s unbelievable!”
At both venues, Gadson was able to agreement with the ZX-10R-derived, three-mode KTRC traction/wheelie ascendancy and new slipper-type clutch. KTRC is controlled by a handlebar-mounted toggle/push switch, and the system’s furnishings can be apparent on a seven-segment bar blueprint on the cockpit’s liquid-crystal display. There are additionally two ability modes: Abounding and Low.
Just like on the ZX-10R, Abounding ability and KTRC Setting 1 bear the atomic arrest and, thus, ultimate performance. “If you bash accessible the throttle, the bike will angle appropriate up,” said Gadson. “You accept to attune the clamp and throttle.” If, however, you cycle on the burke smoothly, wheelie ascendancy accomplish in.
Setting 2 increases wheelie ascendancy and added reduces rear-wheel slip. “It slowed me bottomward by two-tenths of a second–9.7 to 9.9–and the bike didn’t wheelie,” said Gadson. “You can feel the difference; it’s a slower motorcycle.” Setting 3 turns the beastly 14R into a middleweight, acceptance the addition to accommodate alike clay anchorage after concern. Low ability approach provides abounding achievement up to 60 percent burke opening. Beyond that, aloof 70 percent of best agent achievement is available. Perfect for those times back you get bent in a abrupt downpour.
While the ZX-14R abundantly resembles the antecedent model, allegedly alone the taillight is interchangeable. A new quad-headlight accumulation and added advancing adenoids alternate by a large, axial ram-air aqueduct advance the way, while the four-fin affair forth the fairing’s abandon has a added arresting three-dimensional appearance. Revised discharge helps to abstract calefaction from the agent bay and abroad from the addition and passenger. The bench was adapted for greater support. Absolute bench acme is the same: 31.5 inches.
According to Kawasaki, added than bisected of the antecedent monocoque frame’s aluminum castings and forgings accept been modified, the ambition actuality altered angle and acerbity characteristics. The swingarm is added heavily gusseted, too, and 10mm longer. Wheelbase is 58.3 inches, an access of .8 inch. Angle and shock valving are revised for added bottoming attrition and added antic performance. All-new 10-spoke auto are added than 3 pounds lighter a brace than the antecedent hoops, abbreviation unsprung weight. Claimed barrier weight is 584 pounds, a 17-pound bump. MSRP is $14,699, an $1100 upcharge.
The ZX-14R isn’t the alone adapted archetypal in Kawasaki’s 2012 streetbike line. The Ninja 650R, Vulcan 1700 Voyager and Ninja 1000 accept accustomed improvements, as well, with best of those changes, including a new perimeter-style anatomy and a added adamant swingarm, activity to the middleweight parallel-Twin.
More midrange balance is claimed, consistent from changes to the bankrupt system, and clamp cull is lighter. Ergonomically, the handlebar is .8-inch wider, and the two-piece saddle is thicker and wider. Both are rubber-mounted. Ditto the footpegs. Dunlop Roadsmart II tires are standard. Kawasaki claims a 10 percent access in best accustomed accommodation from a new backbone-type subframe to go with added ride abundance from the 41mm angle and preload-adjustable shock.
Moving along, the $17,899 Vulcan 1700 Voyager is able with the Kawasaki Air Management Arrangement (KAMS), which routes calefaction from the radiator and rear cylinder/exhaust aqueduct to the ground. Kawasaki says this arrangement is decidedly able in balmy acclimate while chock-full in traffic. Finally, the $11,199 Ninja 1000 is now accessible with anti-lock brakes for a $700 premium.
