[SITW]

The 14 motor is an all new motor. It defiantly is not a bored out 12 motor.

Quote from Kawasaki's web site:
"This all new in-line four has evolved from the ZX-12R and features a bore and stroke of 84mm x 61mm packed into a purposefully designed compact package that minimizes engine width, leaving it at virtually the same width as the 12R.

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."

Although I like my Kawasaki's and will be taking a ZX14 from the shop, honestly, the ZX14 engine is not all new. It is a bored and stroked ZX12 engine with a lot of other changes.

Before everyone jumps on me an calls B.S., I was at the dealer show and spoke to the Kawasaki tech, saw the bike and the engine cut away. It is a modified 12R engine. That's not a bad thing. Think about it, the factory did the stroker for you. Less money and headache than trying it yourself.

 

[SITW]

All of you guys out there that don't think the 14 is a good replacement for the 12 just need to give it a chance. I was told by a friend who was at the dealer show that it loods a lot better in person. Plus you have to admit that the front end looks baaad asss. He told me that kaw said it would have no problem with the "bird of prey" . Rumors of it having 200 hp sounded very realistic with a lot of potential. He also told me that on top of the gear indicator and shift light he thought he heard something about a launch rpm light. The only real downfall for you sport tourers is that I'm told it is longer and lower. But my 12 is lowered and i don't have any real problems to speak of.

I was at the dealer show. Putting the styling aside, that is subjective so no use arguing it, we need to give it a chance, at least in the handeling and performance perspective. It is not a ZZR with a bigger engine. It has an all new frame/chassis and the engine is derived from the 12R. It may still out handle the Busa as well, we don't know.

200hp at the crank is not a rumor, it is what they are shooting for. they have spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel as well. It is longer and lower. Getting the picture? More power, less drag, and maybe it just might handle. It has a CAN commuincation bus and a trip computer. If you find it ugly, you find it ugly. It is a bit better in person. And personally, I think that if all you did was smooth out the "grill work" on the side, it would actually be pretty sharp. Is anyone good at photochop?