I brought this up during another discussion and got no response. It was kind of going off topic.

Would you rather wait and hope kawi makes a turbo ZX-14 or would you rather keep the old 14 and install your own turbo?

Seems to me you could have the craziest after market turbo known to man for the cost of a whole new bike. Factory turbo would probably only provide a modest boost.

A factory turbo would be a better starting point though. Would take a lot less $$$ and work to put down some serious power.
I used to have a 3000gt vr4. A BOV, intake, boost controller, and downpipe made that car nearly untouchable on the street.

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 7/1/2009 @ 10:20 PM *

Yep a factory turbo has all the hard work already done....its set-up and reliable, and ready to rock. I would love a factory turbo 14 to start with..........but I wouldn't hold my breath. I would be pretty suprised to see a boosted 14. I'd invest the 5 grand into a turbo kit for your current ride. Once you do, you'll have the kinda bike most riders dream of Nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to the rush that a turbo bike gives Its truly the ride of a lifetime

As the original owner of a 1984 ZX750E, also known as 750 Turbo, I'd jump on a Factory Turbo 14 so fast it would probably scare the salesman, LOL!! My old turbo is so over engineered for strength and reliability it's not even funny. If Kawasaki built a 14 Turbo like they built my old 750 Turbo, you would be able to reach wicked levels without a second thought.

Who needs a turbo?

I don't NEED one, but I would sure love to have one.

I think I would do it some day if i have the $$$. I might be satisfied with natural aspiration and mods. I'd have to look into how much compression and upper revs I'd need to give up to go with a turbo. I'm actually thinking of increasing the compression on the 14 at the moment.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/22/2009 @ 6:13 PM *

Once you've ridden a turbo bike you're hooked for life.....a turbo takes that rush us bike riders love, and magnifies it a 1000 times. It really is as addictive as crack in its own way I'll never again be without one

* Last updated by: BadinBlack on 10/22/2009 @ 6:59 PM *

Okay-I know NOTHING about Turbos.WHAT kind of engine life will you have with a decent one?Probably eats up sprockets and chains quite rapidly?And how in the heck would you control a bike like ours on the street using a turbo?

I imagine engine life is extended if you run it a little lower in the rpm and compression depts. You do need to beef up the rods and crank shaft and probably some other parts for the higher powered turbos. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Sprockets, chains, tires.....................that's all a part of the game. We're already in on that scene with the stock bike. You don't have to run on boost all the time.

And how in the heck would you control a bike like ours on the street using a turbo?

Yeah, I've not done much research because that is a ways down the road for me, if ever, but some of those systems are making 800 hp. I don't know what you would do with that. I don't know how you would dyno it even. Saw a vid of a turbo busa jumping off the roller before reaching peak hp. They had it strapped down because nobody dared sit on it to do the run, i guess. The straps slipped at least twice and the back hopped up off the dyno. I imagine a more modest turbo would be usable on full boost in 5th/6th gears at least -- if you ever have the opportunity to go that fast. I sorta like the idea of a bike that i can never quite max out but it seems there is a point where it becomes pure bragging rights.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/22/2009 @ 9:58 PM *

rook then this is the bike for you...lmao

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcGjYog3YGo

I'd take one if i had Jay Leno's garage and his money.

yea rook i hear ya. i like the part where hes at the light and the car gets close to se what it is and melts his front end lol

Turbo bike would be just as controllable as a normally aspirated one. with the right hand.

For a normal streetbike, i'd say it would be imperative to get a 3-4" extended swingarm (at the minimum) and run stock gearing OR even an 18t front sprocket.

Once you've ridden a turbo bike you're hooked for life.....a turbo takes that rush us bike riders love, and magnifies it a 1000 times. It really is as addictive as crack in its own way I'll never again be without one

Bad, I felt that one...You sure have a way with words.

Well said!But I think Terry Kizer said it better than anyone "No matter how fast or quick a bike is,,,it is broke till you add a Turbo!"
I have ridden big hp all motor car tire bikes, wet nos car tire bikes, neither compare to this bike with a Turbo. The turbo prejudice that tends to appear in different parts of racing are only from those who have never tried it. Over all it is the cheapest most dependable awesome hp money can buy on two wheels. Of course I have been converted and have seen the light!

* Last updated by: TG1820 on 10/30/2009 @ 8:28 PM *

I suppose i just haven't been converted yet.

Who wants to let me ride their turbo bike?

Someone say turbo?

* Last updated by: TurboHawk on 10/31/2009 @ 2:20 AM *

5 to 7 pounds of boost is more than enough for the traction available. Which is a stage I about 250 to 300 hp depending on who's dyno! The stock motor will work fine at this level and last very well. Then there are those of us that just have the sickness.
My bike that is good to 18 to 20 pounds of boost, it currently is a stage I with the stage II/III engine upgrades! About 400hp. I am upgrading the turbo adding secondary injectors and a multi satge boost controller over the winter basicly a stage III capable of 35 pounds of boost. Turbo's are truly addicting for the truly sick amoung us? But if you are just riding on the street a stage I cost about 4500 and is not hard to install. It would make more horsepower than anyone who is not trully sick will ever want!

My bike.

Here is a stage III insane 600hp,

And a little more sick

a lot more sick 259 at the Texas Mile

Oh my!

,,,,,,,,,,,
OK I am better,,, just had to stop and compose myself, my wife just had to bring me back down to earth!

But seriously it is really the most outrageous, whether it is 5 pounds of boost, 22 pounds(which I have experienced) or 35 which I am working on. Nothing I have experienced compares to any amount of boost on to wheels.

Probably a good thing I did not know about boost sooner!

* Last updated by: bgordon on 10/31/2009 @ 3:20 PM *

Haha, good post sir.

As a young gun, i've yet to experience any of that. I'm just now playing with nitrous (which is addicting in its own right).

The build for next year, is hopefully going to put me somewhere around 350hp.. Not as much as you, but still plenty enough to handle.

Keep us updated on your progress.. That is a LOT of horsepower for a 64" bike!

Nos is neat for sure, I just could not afford it. It is not forgiving at all if you mess up.
I really don't plan to use more than I already have,, but if I get a little to greedy like I did at the Texas Mile it will be ready! The above post is about the only way I can express how impressed I am with the Turbo. For many, many years I always thought, was told, turbo's were to expensive and are for those who did not know how to make horsepower. Well it has been quit eye opening for me, a stage I $4500 makes more hp than you will get for twice that many. A stage II makes nearly 3 times more hp even with the cost of the minor engine upgrades needed in comparision to nos and/or all motor making that much power. Stage III well you are talking nitro or supercharged to compare. All of the alternatives tend to be unforgiving. Yes you can hurt a well prepped turbo, but it is more often greed of boost that causes the damage. I realize how much work, forget the money it takes to get to what a turbo can do with a twist of a screw, out of nos or all motor? It is rewarding to once you get there knowing the time and effort it took, I guess I am just getting cheap and impatient. I worked for several years to get to 209 hp all motor, then 245 all motor then 300 with a little nos. All with starter carts can't ride it anywhere big tire bikes only to find out I could have saved a ton of money and time,,, out run them all push button start and ride it to the store to get milk after doing it! Now my time is focused on setting the chassis up. Oh ya forgot no more wheelie bars!

Actaully bought a brand new set of bars from pingel never been on a bike if you know anyone who would like to buy a new set cheap? Not sure I would want to try and ride this one with a slick and bars. Plus how would I get milk then?

* Last updated by: TG1820 on 10/31/2009 @ 10:49 AM *

Why do I read these things

^^You should just buy a turbo. It will save you from buying a new bike when they make a better one stock.

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/2/2009 @ 9:28 PM *

Rook I like the way you think

^^Saw an offer for a stage 2 turbo with 2000 miles on it for a 14. $2600 last time I looked. I think some other guy is going to grab it. That's okay, I'm not ready yet. But I might have been if i hadn't just bought this Cannon.