Kawasaki ZX14

There’s absolutely no doubt that Kawasaki has been getting ready to take on the Hayabusa for several years – the ZX12 was expected to be a Hayabusa-beater and despite its ram air induction system inflating real horsepower from 178 at low speed to 190 at high speed (the forced air induction acts has the same effect as a supercharger), its aerodynamics let it down. But the ZX14 has obviously spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel as Kawasaki prides itself on the performance factor and it wanted to be the fastest of the bunch again. And there is absolutely no doubt that despite the big K’s coyness, the new Ninja ZX-14will be the most powerful and the fastest ever and continue the tradition by delivering as-yet-unheard-of levels of performance and excitement. Its aerodynamics reminds users that Kawasaki is indeed an aircraft manufacturer.

Kawasaki engineers and designers have created a motorcycle that turns its Ram Air and fuel-injected engine into the core of a powerful, torque-producing, aerodynamic stunner that will draw attention from onlookers whether on the road, or parked on the roadside. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 is a 1352cc motorcycle, that is its most powerful ever, and succeeds in setting the performance standards for others to follow.

This all new in-line four has evolved from the Ninja ZX-12R and features a bore and stroke of 84 x 61mm packed into a purposefully designed compact outline that minimizes engine width, leaving it at virtually the same width as the 12R.

A twist of the throttle delivers a seamless spread of torque that is so linear, the "power band," per se, ceases to exist. Riders will pay particular attention to the impressive response that kicks in once the motor exceeds 6,000 rpm. Those that have ridden this newest Kawasaki flagship marvel at the torque response that makes pulling away from a total stop in almost any gear a possibility.

The engine uses a secondary balancer to tame unwanted vibrations, and a direct-actuation shift lever is lighter than conventional linkage-type set-ups, offering a more direct feel for the rider.

The ZX-14's chassis design is every bit the equal of its power plant. It is an advanced version of Kawasaki's unique aluminum monocoque frame, lightweight and very strong. This sophisticated approach gives the ZX-14 a responsive handling quality and incredible highway stability. By utilizing this frame technology, engineers were able to concentrate on delivering, as mentioned, a very slim, compact package. Inherently more rigid than twin-spar frames, and with the engine rigid-mounted, the monocoque's strength is greatly increased.

With the engine positioned forward in the frame, engineers were able to carefully select the wheelbase and front/rear wheel weight balance to achieve both high speed stability and responsive handling. The ZX-14 uses an inverted 43mm cartridge fork and new Uni-Trak linkage rear suspension to complement the highly rigid frame, thus offering both great controllability at high speeds and superb road holding when sport riding on twisting hill roads.

Does this ultimate combination of engine performance and chassis design make the Kawasaki ZX-14 rider-friendly?

The engineers and designers sought to combine the utmost elements of today's motorcycle technologies, yet still provide a package that is both approachable-and usable. The ZX-14 delivers seamless power, a smooth ride, and friendly ergonomics. Together, these characteristics are manifested in a ride that is surprisingly non-intimidating, yet still maintains the heart of the rebel so much a part of Kawasaki's brand heritage.

Offering a very relaxed sport riding position, it is compact without being cramped, and the bars are positioned so riders don't have to stretch to reach them. The narrow engine, monocoque frame, and fuel tank make it easy for the rider to keep his knees close together in any riding conditions. Footpegs are low-set to give ample legroom and the low seat height and narrow seat front make planting feet on the ground when stopped a cinch.

And when the rider is stopped, the motorcycle will be the center of attention. Because the monocoque frame goes over the engine and doesn't protrude through the fairing, the fairing design lines are uninterrupted, giving it a smooth, flowing appearance, from front to rear. Quadruple projector beam headlights adorn the ZX-14's front cowl, with the outer lights containing position lamps and high beams. Low beams are located in the two center lamps. The front and rear turn signals are integrated into the fairing and rear cowl, and the all new LED tail lamp features a unique "V" design.

Other key features of the Kawasaki ZX-14:- Instrument cluster with easy-to-read, white-faced dual analogue speedometer and tachometer. - Shift indicator light and clutch engagement light. - Multi-function LCD digital display includes fuel gauge, gear indicator, dual trip meters, odometer, and clock. - Large diameter petal brake discs, radial mount front calipers and a radial pump brake master cylinder for impressive braking performance and superb feel. - Hydraulically operated clutch features a radial mount clutch master cylinder for worry-free, silky smooth clutch operation. - Fuel tank features a flush-surface tank cap. - Idling speed control system contributes to easy starting capability. - Lightweight Denso radiator with high-density cores provides efficient cooling. - Massive head pipe casting contributes to frame rigidity. - Airbox located in the frame, contributing to a very compact layout. - Engine and chassis components designed to maximize mass centralization. - Newly designed wheels feature center ribs which are slightly offset so that tire balance weights can be located at the wheel centerline.



All told, Kawasaki has once again brought its engineering and design expertise to the forefront of motorcycle creation. The Ninja ZX-14 lives up to its predecessors, and far surpasses them, as the meaning of the word "ultimate" has found a new definition, at least as far as roadgoing motorcycles go.

2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R

The original Ninja warriors were experts in waging covert war... and Kawasaki's new ZX-14R deserves the moniker: it really is an iron fist in a velvet glove. It's not that it doesn't look powerful because it does of course possess a strong road presence, but riding the machine it is a surprisingly smooth, refined experience that's as deceptively docile as you need it to be. But when the time comes to uncork the bad boy inside, you'd sure as heck better be hanging on.

The all new 1441cc four-cylinder motor is brutally, awesomely, powerful. My description is a cliché, but the result is like nothing I've felt before. Kawasaki clearly wants to rule the mega-bike category, but it hasn't merely moved the needle a bit--it has shifted the whole paradigm. Unusually for a new bike launch, the staffers on hand couldn't be drawn on claims to either horsepower or torque output, even when pressed by the assembled journalists. Merely smiling knowingly they just let us loose at the Las Vegas drag strip to actually see what the bike could do for ourselves.

The answer for me was an astonishing 10.18 standing quarter mile time, and a jaw-dropping 9.6 seconds in the expert hands of Rickey Gadson. That's moving for any machine, let alone a stock one straight out of the showroom. For an encore Rickey had the assembled technicians add a Brock's Performance lowering kit and a rear sprocket with two LESS teeth on it to help hold the front wheel down in first and second gear--yes the ZX-14R produces so much torque it could pull the taller gearing without problem. But that was it; no other mods at all: pump gas, stock pipe, stock fueling. The result was an eye-watering 9.31 seconds standing quarter at 149.86 mph, and I believe had the ambient conditions been a little better this machine could be knocking on the door of an 8 second time. That's a pretty sobering thought for a street-legal machine that's such a sophisticated, comfortable ride on the road.

Contrast that mind-warping thrust with how impeccably behaved the big Ninja is at low speed--it was quite happy to putter around the Fire Canyon national park at 35 mph (yes, the speed limit is very, very strictly enforced)--and I found the ZX-14R to be as easy to handle as a gorilla on Prozac. The fueling is exceptional, and the buttery-smooth motor is happy to just trundle along without snatching or sputtering, yet it's ready to spool up in an instant should you ask it to.

Kawasaki has sensibly added their S-KTRC traction control system from the ZX-10R superbike; it doesn't neuter the power in any way, but it does modulate the propensity to wheelie when the grip is good. Mode 2 was especially useful when launching at the strip, as I could get into the power early without worrying about flipping over the back--a sort of electronic wheelie bars if you like.

Kawasaki has also added a third setting based on the KTRC from their Concours model, and this will be especially useful in the rain. Although he doesn't use the KTRC for the really quick times, Rickey ran a couple of demo runs down the strip in setting 1 and I could clearly hear the traction control cutting in at each upshift. How many bikes do you know that can spin up the rear tire changing into fourth gear at a buck-fifty?

The suspension has been firmed up a little, but the ZX-14R is still luxurious to ride. This is a sporting (now with a slipper clutch), comfortable machine to cruise on. An on-board computer with a very handy left handlebar switch makes it easy to select the power and traction control modes as well as cycle through the fuel consumption and range-to-go numbers as well.

Not that the previous iteration was carelessly put together, but the new model with the ‘R' designation has a fit and finish that is a big improvement; detail changes add up to a precision built, top-quality machine. The most obvious changes are the carefully fitted bodywork with hidden fasteners, and a liquid-deep luminous green-metallic-with-flames paint job on the Limited Edition, which is only a $200 extra.

Kawasaki's new ZX-14R is a generational shift in the mega-motorcycle category. It's brutally fast, but it's also kindly natured and beautifully refined as well. It produced a grin on my face that still hasn't quit a day later. As soon as Kawasaki let us get our sticky fingers on a ZX-14R of our own, we'll report back with a full ride review and some real engine output numbers per Danny DiNardo's dyno at his shop, Peak Performance Motorcycle in Simi Valley.

I'd also like to shout out a heartfelt ‘thank you' to Rickey Gadson for his help in getting my quarter mile times down to a very respectable 10.18 seconds run. He is a natural and very entertaining teacher; give his school a try. The only downside is you'll get hooked...

www.rickeygadsondragracingschool.com

www.peakperformancemotorcycle.com

Reference: http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com