Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

I am just interested as to what is the preferred bike amongst these two.
I think they are both mental bikes, although there has been some passionate discussion re these bikes and which one is better, etc, etc.

So lets see which one is the peoples choice.
So tell us which do you prefer?

The 14s better than the 12
its just so ugly
so I voted NEITHER

my advice - wait for the ZX14R

cmon Kwak, u know we want one....

The 14 is a bit too "Sports-tourery" looking for my liking...

The 12 is an extension of the ZX9R shape so that's why it's got my vote...

Having not ridden either my descision is purely on looks.

My poor attempt of what it could have been...
modded from the other thread

hmm... I voted 14, if I was looking for a sports tourer I'd take the 14 definately, however, if I was after a sports bike it'd be a zx6

Cheers
Matt

this question has been looked at in detail...in BIKE
will post it up tonite

and me???
the 12 of course

and imo....
the 14 is no real advance over the 12r or the ZZR1100/1200
'cept for its got a bigger engine
in fact it called a ZZR1400 in other markets around the world


cheers

I kept my 2000 zx12 and have a new zx14. The 14 is more of a Hayabusa type bike where as my 12 is more sporty, albeit to a lot of modifications. Better gear box in the 14. Less ground clearance but I am working on that.

Smitty wrote:this question has been looked at in detail...in BIKE
will post it up tonite

and me???
the 12 of course

and imo....
the 14 is no real advance over the 12r or the ZZR1100/1200
'cept for its got a bigger engine
in fact it called a ZZR1400 in other markets around the world


cheers

How can you say it's no real advance over the ZZR1100 ??? Or 1200??? thats ridiculous.

The technology that goes into the ZX14, is more along the lines of the new 10 and 6, which is more newage and advanced that your twelve, the 1100 or any other sports tourers the big K has produced before! thats just because your eyes are clouded over because you bought a 12 on the verge of a new bike being released that covers all the bases that the 12 did, apart from adjustable suspension (which is a easy fix anyways with $$, but hey, you're going to get a can for it anyways? might as well put something more worth while into it!!).

If it was no real advancement over it, they woulda stuck with the twelve!!

red_dave wrote:The 12 is an extension of the ZX9R shape so that's why it's got my vote...

Sorry it is the other way around mate (I think that’s right, but I am a picky bastard) , the 9 update model has its twin headlight/ram air scoop and looks from the 12 after they spent much time building and developing the 12 in 1998-2000 then subsequent updates since. If you read the silver book which was handed out with the 2000 model (first release) it shows all the new developments in body shape, engine, frame and drawings of what they were going to make it look like, remarkably simular to what the 14 looks like now, they must have thought it was too ugly then and decided on the current shape ,
They also spent many hours with the Kawasaki aircraft division engineers in their wind tunnel and many heated discussions with the designers on the final look of the bike, so I can not see any relationship or influence from the 9R except the proven bore stroke ratio

Anyway I cannot see any significant improvements on the 14 except brakes which the 12 has plenty of, smoother power delivery, a nice dash setup and maybe better fuel economy.
I do not think it is that ugly, however to beat the Hayabusa which is pig arsed ugly maybe ugly is what’s required to win the HP war and thats why they built it to cement the top spot of worlds most powerful production bike IMO

I have been hearing KHI have overrated the power figures if this is so i can not see any reason to get the 14 over a stable, fast and comfortable 12R whilst you can still get one
KHI have effectively replaced the 12R and the ZZR1200 with one bike, it will be interesting to see the updates on the 14 or if they Ninja it

What is option 3?

Duane wrote:
How can you say it's no real advance over the ZZR1100 ??? Or 1200??? thats ridiculous.

The technology that goes into the ZX14, is more along the lines of the new 10 and 6, which is more newage and advanced that your twelve, the 1100 or any other sports tourers the big K has produced before! thats just because your eyes are clouded over because you bought a 12 on the verge of a new bike being released that covers all the bases that the 12 did, apart from adjustable suspension (which is a easy fix anyways with $$, but hey, you're going to get a can for it anyways? might as well put something more worth while into it!!).

If it was no real advancement over it, they woulda stuck with the twelve!!

nup..don't agree Mr D
imo..Kawasaki took bits from the 12 and 1100/1200 series bikes and made the 14
...which is still a bloody good bike

the 14s frame is based on the 12s, the engine is not totally new
(unlike the 12s was, when it came out)
the 14 could be seen as a ZZR1200 with a bigger engine and other updated bits
. ..better suspension, better brakes, up to date styling
whY?
simply, the 14 looks like an upgraded ZZR1200

and I think that is what Kawasaki intended






might be wrong...but

cheers

Smitty wrote:

Duane wrote:
How can you say it's no real advance over the ZZR1100 ??? Or 1200??? thats ridiculous.

The technology that goes into the ZX14, is more along the lines of the new 10 and 6, which is more newage and advanced that your twelve, the 1100 or any other sports tourers the big K has produced before! thats just because your eyes are clouded over because you bought a 12 on the verge of a new bike being released that covers all the bases that the 12 did, apart from adjustable suspension (which is a easy fix anyways with $$, but hey, you're going to get a can for it anyways? might as well put something more worth while into it!!).

If it was no real advancement over it, they woulda stuck with the twelve!!

nup..don't agree Mr D
imo..Kawasaki took bits from the 12 and 1100/1200 series bikes and made the 14...which is still a good bike

the 14s frame is based on the 12s, the engine is not totally new
(unlike the 12s was, when it came out)
the 14 could be seen as a ZZR1200 with a bigger engine and other updated bits ..better suspension, better brakes, up to date styling
whY?
simply, the 14 looks like an upgraded ZZR1200

and I think that is what Kawasaki intended






might be wrong...but

cheers

Yes, they did knick parts from here and there, however, Why would they replace two bikes with one NEW bike, if it wasnt better than the two it was replacing??

Of course it's a better, newer, faster machine!! knowing that you're a 12 rider, maybe go down to BK and take one for a test ride. And then come back and see what you think? (remove the arguement of looks) and give it a bash!! hell, I would!!!

hehehe, I voted for the 14 after reading all the 12 owners defensive posts...you guys are so sensitive, it's like shooting fish in a barrel

Mick C wrote:hehehe, I voted for the 14 after reading all the 12 owners defensive posts...you guys are so sensitive, it's like shooting fish in a barrel

Hehe yer right,

But can we say anything and not be seen as defensive?

Jonno wrote:

Mick C wrote:hehehe, I voted for the 14 after reading all the 12 owners defensive posts...you guys are so sensitive, it's like shooting fish in a barrel

Hehe yer right,

But can we say anything and not be seen as defensive?

Yes, I believe it would be "Damn, Kawasaki have replaced my bike with a better one, however, I'm happy with mine, so I'm going to keep it because it's not worth as much now."