What difference is there between the ZX14R listed in the service manual as ZX1400EC -vs- the ZX1400FC?

From what I have read, the EC is 6.7 pounds lighter than the FC. The EC came with Metzeler tires and the FC with Bridgestone tires. The EC came with the rear passenger seat cover and the FC came with the passenger handle.

Perhaps the EC/FC is a country distribution equipment thing, with EC being US and FC maybe being Europe.

I seriously doubt any difference is significant to me, but I am curious.

Background: I haven't seen the bike, but if it is what the seller says it is, I will be buying a 2012 14r this Saturday. Anticipating this purchase I downloaded the owners manual and the service manual. Reading through these I seen the EC/FC designation listed with no explanation between them, at least I cannot find any.

So, if anyone would like to enlighten me, I'm all ears!

* Last updated by: EagleSix on 12/13/2017 @ 10:15 AM *

I have an FC (FCF to be precise) and yes, it came with a pillion handle but no rear seat cover. Don't know where you read about the 6.7lb difference but the FCF came with ABS from the word go back in 2012 whereas the first US spec bikes did not so maybe there's the difference? The FCF also has less emissions crap compared to US spec bikes so, again, a difference there.Can't remember what tyres it came with. The Bridgestones may be heavier but not by much I wouldn't have thought.

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 12/13/2017 @ 3:52 PM *

Thank You pegscraper for the information.

I downloaded the service manual from brocksperformane.com posted on another site. In the section under 'General Specifications' in the header of the right column it's labeled "ZX1400EC, ZX1400FC". In the "Dimensions" section, in the left column is the only reference to distinguish between the EC or FC as per the screen shot below. The weight difference shows it in the rear curb mass.

In another document, either owners or service manual, is where I read the difference on the tires, but I didn't save that manual, nor can I find it now. In the owners manual I do have downloaded it list the two different branded tires but does not distinguish which tire is mounted to which model the EC or FC.

Like yourself, I would not think the branded tires would have over a 6 pound difference, and if there were a difference I would think some of that difference would be reflected in the service manual under front. There would be a difference in the passenger handle, but I don't think that would be 6.7 pounds, maybe so, but I doubt it.

Cali tank has 3 steel hoses out the back. 48 state has 2. Decals are different between the two models. Engine, frame use the same parts. So paint, decals, emissions, may be the difference, sans the euro equipped ABS, ECU, main wire harnesses. The subtle weight adds up.

The ABS pump is a fairly weighty item so will probably account for most of the 6lb difference. Not exactly sure where it sits on the bike though as far as the front/rear weight bias goes.

Thank You Hub and pegscrapper for the additional comments and information.

BTW, I did pickup the 2012 earlier today.

ABS sits to the left of the battery. Has its own ECU.

In the service manual I reference above, they have four B&W pictures of the ZX14R. Right and left hand side view of the EC model and right and left hand side views of the FC model. Both right side views you can clearly see the front wheel ABS collar. Than may imply that the manual specs refer to the ABS model. Of course we all know you can't trust a photo in any manual as they almost always somewhere note that what you see in the manual may not be exactly what you have on the bike! And of course we know there has to be a difference in weight between the non-ABS and ABS models.

However looking for a copyright date or reference of this manual and doing a word search for EC and FC, there is another reference between the two that I previously missed and did not post (probably the most important!). On the last page of the manual, very bottom, is printed "Printed in Japan" Part Number 99924-1450-01. No copyright date or even mention of a copyright, but more important on this same last page is this.......

The VIN for the bike I purchased has the 'NE' implying it is an EC model. I did a word search on model years, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and did not get a hit, only the above reference to 2012. That would imply to me that is is a 2012 Service Manual. Although this doesn't shed any light for me, perhaps it will help other members determine the difference between EC/FC.

From 2006 to 2011 the bike has a bore of 1352cc.
From 2012 to 2018 the bike has a bore of 1441cc.

Engine wise, the parts are not going to interchange at some point.
Generation wise, some models came out as SE (special editions). This is where you look at the frame letters to match the model in question on the parts lookup.

I was caught out thinking the 2016/2017 front/rear discs were changed to a new design. It turns out that the updated disc is used on the SE model only. So again, you'll have to match frame to parts page letter configuration when ordering SE or non-SE model parts.

Shop manual wise, there are the ABS chapters and thief device chapters that only come with some euro models.
CA means a California tank is where the gas tank runs in a closed loop and the vapor is sent out to a single cylinder for exit, and the other cylinder is used to pump the canister to move the vapor thru the hoses.

Paint configuration wise, the western models use a different color/pattern on the fairing parts. So when ordering, the frame letters come into play to match that western paint color as opposed to the euro paint scheme.

So the guess is one is a cali/paint/SE style and the other letters designate the plain jane model.
The shop manual is not going to change until a new gen comes out. But if you look [inside] at the rear winker assy, there is a production run showing the model stops at 2019. I expect the ZX is going to fade out and a new model run is about to come out in the next few years.

Something like a new engine family (1352/1441/????cc) will incorporate an intake cam configuration that has a VVT (variable valve timing) type design like the new 1000cc suz. Say the busa comes out with the VVT engine and will leave the ZX in the dust.

Let the power wars begin!

And the saga continues! I spoke with Paul at Kawasaki Customer Care today. He was not aware of what the difference is in the EC -vs- FC either. At first he thought maybe the weight difference was ABS brakes, but that's not the case because my 2012 is an EC according to the frame number series listed in the service manual. He had no notes or information pertaining to the reference in the service manual, although did confirm it is in his copy as well. We then discussed the possibility that EC referred to North America distribution and FC to other countries such as Europe, but he had no information in his system on the EU models for us to compare.

Before speaking about the EC/FC thing, I stated to Paul that from everything I read they did not have an ABS brake option for the 2012 ZX14R in the US, rather they introduced the ABS option in 2013. However he did confirm my VIN does reflect ABS brakes and that was new to him!

I can't be the only owner of a 2012 ZX14R with ABS in the states, any other members here have one? Or is it more common than what I have read. Perhaps Kawasaki didn't wait until the 2013 models and started selling them with the ABS option later in 2012.

He was not aware of what the difference is in the EC -vs- FC either.

Now look up both E and F models to see who has ABS and who does not. Your vin letter should pop up with ABS, the other designation shows no ABS. So your bike would seem to be the phasing in of a 2013 year release built in 2012. I could be wrong.

If I remember correctly in 2013 ABS was optional that year in the US. It was not standard yet.

Hub: He's not a parts guy per say. I'm going to take a guess... go look at the right side of the neck area and read the build date. My thinking is the phasing in of the next model mid-year>>> making ABS turn standard issue. So yours should have a very late quarter month for 1012.

This is my thoughts as well Hub. I remember taking a glancing look at that placard and remember seeing "12/11" in large letters, I think.....but will have to confirm the next time I'm in town.

Hub: Now look up both E and F models to see who has ABS and who does not. Your vin letter should pop up with ABS, the other designation shows no ABS

Look up where Hub?

jdw8xb: If I remember correctly in 2013 ABS was optional that year in the US. It was not standard yet.

I believe you are correct.

https://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oemparts/c/kawasaki_motorcycle_2013/parts
Where? When you look up parts, you'll see the ABS model and non-ABS letter designations.
2012 = NA.
2013 = Optional.
2014 = Optional.
2015 = Phased in as standard equipment.

jd is correct. I traded in my 2008 for a 2013. The salesman didn't know nor I, but the giveaway is either looking at the 2 steel hoses snaking out of the upper beauty cover near the upper neck area, or read the front fender. I had to return a pearl white for an ABS red bodied 14.

ABS has saved my ass more than once. So when I saw it was available I traded up.

Hi Hub (or any other member),

The salesman didn't know nor I, but the giveaway is either looking at the 2 steel hoses snaking out of the upper beauty cover near the upper neck area, or read the front fender.

Does the piping run under the tank back towards the ABS pump under the tank? I didn't see any piping today, but I may not be looking in the right place! What should I look for on the front fender? There is of course the "KTRC", but is there something else somewhere that would imply "ABS"?

Is there anything else that would be rather easy to help identify if my bike has ABS? The LED 'ABS' panel light does not come on when turning the ignition switch to 'ON', and I am unable to see if there is an 'ABS' emblem on the led area, like I can the turn signal arrow and 'N' neutral indicator when the ignition is 'OFF'.

I purchased this bike assuming it did not have ABS, but the seller stated it did, and two Kawasaki reps stated it did from the equipment list they have on file for my VIN. Either I don't have 'ABS' which is fine with me, or there is a fault with the 'ABS' LED panel indicator. Perhaps I'm making this more complex than it really is, but seems to me there should be an easy way to identify without needing to perform a hard braking test.

Page 205 on my service manual shows a "ABS Self-Diagnosis System Connector" that appears to be just under the tool kit box or very close to the rear of the tool kit box. Perhaps this would be an easy place to look tomorrow when I visit the bike.

George, quickest way to tell the ABS fitted bikes is by the sensor/tone rings fitted to front and rear wheels on the RHS.

Then, the two metal pipes bolted to the RHS of the headstock that will run under the fuel tank to the ABS pump.

The ABS wires are normally tuckd down between the rear subframe and edge of the toolbox holder on the RHS.
Sometimes they are located in a little foam block with recesses for the plugs.

* Last updated by: Enzo200500 on 12/23/2017 @ 2:41 AM *

There is of course the "KTRC", but is there something else somewhere that would imply "ABS"?

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/wazfst1tyme/abskskid_zps21d4cd36.jpg

The tone wheels are used for both the skid control and ABS. So if there is nothing to the left of the battery (sitting on the bike and looking down as if having x-ray eyes), then there is no ABS unit on the bike.

Although I still do not have the definitive difference between the EC/FC (and it's not really that important), I am sure about the ABS. Thanks to pegscraper, Hub, jdw8xb, and Enzo, showing me the way, I have determined my 2012 does NOT have ABS brakes. Having several bikes (not Kawasaki) with ABS brakes, I never really paid attention to how the parts were on the bike or actually how they mechanically operated. After studying the parts and service manual and advice from members here, it became clear and easy to determine the difference on the ZX14R. No finder emblem, no piping, no system connector.

Now, the only thing left (for me) is contacting Kawasaki this coming week to advise them, despite what their original equipment list itemizes, this bike does not have ABS. This sheds a degree of lack of confidence in Kawasaki's ability to record what is on their bikes when manufactured! Again, not that it is that important, but interesting to me how they may have gotten this wrong.

It's been a while since I spoke the last time to Kawasaki Customer Support, and neglected to post an update here.

Kawasaki Customer Support supervisor 'Nathan' and I spoke. He confirmed by their records on several calls I made to them, that they did inform me that my new to me 2012 ZX14R does have ABS brakes! But then advised me that it did not! When I asked for a reasonable explanation as to how they provided me with erroneous information, he could not provide any concrete explanation other than they get their information from several different database sources and that he is sorry they made that mistake.

He seemed lost as to why, me knowing how it happened, made any difference. I pointed out that I had lost faith in his customer support department because of them providing incorrect equipment information that could come with a liability on their end if I had crashed and then sued because the ABS brakes failed, which of course they will because there are no ABS! He certainly agreed with that as being possible. All in all it was a lengthy conversation and Nathan, being polite, continually hedged his interest in doing even the slightest courtesy in an attempt to restore my faith. I ended the conversation leaving any compensation from Kawasaki up to him. That's been about a month ago, so I think it is safe to assume Nathan, on behalf of Kawasaki are happy with me being an unhappy customer.

I'm goin with ABS equipped and non-abs.That unit plus wiring and such makes sense of a few more lbs.Sensors...all that.The ABS unit I know has some weight to it.Sounds about right.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/4/2018 @ 4:35 PM *