Dues:

1. The mode switch. There is always bone stock is the 4th selection. Zero electronics.
2. The direction the electronics are going on the bike. More jet cockpiTThe better.
3. The direction the grunt is going. Top end is mother teapot. Grunt rains supreme; shower the bike in torque.
4. The oil systems. Those direct hits seem like a hit!
5. The KTRC. This to me reads; Kawasaki Track Ready Cornering [SENSITIVE]. I load an IAP, that back wheel should squeak away, not leave a strip, not a frame wrinkle: Nada.

Dis-Likes:

1. The bike layouthe who/what were they thinking?
2. The sparkle boat black? Way too, find my fishing reel gear me up for next year's color scheme.
3. The wheel may be light, but the two-tone? Really? Not my kind of Kawi? What happened?
4. The ring around the collar. Too much accent. To me, it went all shewhackey.
5. The candy surf blue more calls the sale. The flames on the green teapot would have been plain clean me up; sold!
6. The only color I can live with for 2012 is the color of the FSM jack kit cover.

For me to go in the garage and look at that puppy... I'd smack myself on the back of the head, saying, why did you buy it with those 3 blind mice on the paint/decals/rim me dim rims. Dim the lights fandango I keep the lights off; close my eyes and feel for the bike so I when I mount on the seat and bars, I don't see that she it combo. I am off the bar of soap the box it came in.

Come that show is the showdown to see it. I may change my mind. If a picture says a 1000 words... Grn? I may run blue! Life is getting too short for... Is it feb you worried there yet, guy? No show but snow?

Dates in your areas:

November 18-20, 2011 - San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo, CA
December 2-4, 2011 - Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX
December 9-11, 2011 - Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA
December 16-18, 2011 - Washington State Convention, Center Seattle, WA
January 6-8, 2012 - Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, MI
January 13-15, 2012 - Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C.
January 20-22, 2012 - Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
January 27-29, 2012 - I-X Center, Cleveland, OH
February 3-5, 2012 - Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
February 10-12, 2012 - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago, IL
February 24-26, 2012 - Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC

Bee You Say's deadline is closing in on them.

Yup Hub,

I already have plans to make to the moto show in Dallas!!! I'll be home then from the A'stan and plan on making a day of it! 30 mins away from where I live...

And so far, the only thing that I don't like is the choice of colors for this year, but I am sure that there will be better ones coming soon... It would be nice if they had something similar to my 2010 SE color scheme! Will be interesting to see what comes next year...

Well sheesh Hub...that's why they call it...an SE.You won't see this style but only this first year.THAT makes it somewhat unique in itself.Those flames on the belly fairing...those will no doubt be able to be peeled off...if it looks 'just too much' or whatever.Surf Blue?Ya...sweet..but too much like my past baby.That's pretty much what swayed my choice..that and the large Black side grills.Had those been in Blue with the rest of it...who knows?.The Black....too aggressive for me.The Gold/Green was just enough nuance to encourage me to keep my head in the game and rail...safely.Plasma Blue had a similar effect on me.I'm pretty strange I know.I like the combo wheels...that chromish polish,and Black accent.Easier to keep clean...and I really wanted to add some Chrome rims to my last rocket.Now I'll have em.(I know...they're not chrome,but close enough for me).I think the paint color on this SE is gonna be pretty amazing in the different shades of light.One thing about this color...IF ya get nailed by a pebble or something like that...it won't stand out TOO badly.Same with that Blue.Nicks were pretty hard to actually see.Swirls will be visible at a minimum as well.As opposed to that Wicked Black.

This whole piping deal....I may not even change anything.Just have to really see how she does.I know she's way balanced performance wise from the factory.I sense that all this silence about diameters and all is really Kawasaki discouraging guys from revealing too much.I called the Kawasaki Main office in Irvine....that guy said..."I have one here,I'll measure it and get back to you"...he never called back as of yesterday.So I really think something IS going on with the Muffler stats somehow.California you know.....Emission City.Up here...that doesn't matter.

Kawasaki put a LOT of R&D work into that new Muffler,headpipe thing.I imagine they're very proud of their EURO III emissions passing.I may just leave it alone and send my slip-ons back.No harm,no foul.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/12/2011 @ 2:22 PM *

All you want is the size of the O/D of the clamping ring at the meg and header exit hole. If they use the same ring part number, there she blows out the back with duals. R for remember, it will measure in a slight mm increment is that piping. Tiny 4mm kind of fill my chamber up some, but that that big of a jump on the gasket play. We have 3-BMice at play here. We have first gen 14 without cat. We gen the rest with cat. We cat down that hockey puck to more a pancake thick if not twice as thick? So, if it is smaller, the mid might be within range of a slip fit. See where that much mm is to yank the tabs out a mm or 2? Press the tabs in a mm or 2? I think you might meguyveer that clamp either way? I don't think you have to worry if we didn't bore out. In a way it is. In a way it isn't.

There is not one splatter of bladder you look back at the fleet of colors that [were] the 14. This is the top model going where? I don't need a napkin ring holder around the tach and speedo. I want stealth at that speed ~ No sun reflection off the panels I look down or it 45°'s me/YOU of all people is the clock'inn on the tires. Wear me down, WOTime is it, we could grams that off, ounce some more off, a pound happens fast when some rr comesneaking up, you anti up 7lbs = 1hp. How much do I sacrifice the electronics [~ abs box ~] slapping my rideerection.

Skiddy widdy, no doubt full ABS will show up = More weight. Sparkle is flake and now add up the grams I need flake? More clear coat so the paint won't chip is add those ounces of clear, not flake?!? See the get a lane bike? Flame my ounces again? Who is asking for this look? I'm looking at top model as the top model lighten me up.

And oh, IDK, guy didn't know what kind of bike I was on. His comment was; It looks mean. So with all the garbage of ounces of decals and switches I throw at it, she looks even meaner is what he meant. This is more looking like a gentleman's bike. Little tie here. Cut the lapel here. Shirt the shit in the pants and now I need to get my 100% cotton briefs more in the stain dept I release clutch. You don't have my bike yet, mothers of the teapot. Grn? That black better wet my pants I see it in person.

Grn! It's rubbing off! I have a tank and a front nose. "Watt, me worry!" No,

Flake will help hide scratches, I had a ZX11 then showed EVERY fucking scratch.... PAIN IN THE ASS keeping it nice. Not thrilled about any of the color schemes actually, wife likes the SE... But going for the black.
Going to the NY one on Jan 20 if anyone else local is planning on going lets meet up......

The decals...as always...will be coming off.I thought about the 'opening up' the midpipe connection as well.Not the same as having it slip on all the way.I mean,ya,push come to shove,I could cut a bit longer expansion cut in em.My pipe clamps do not have a 'tab' on them anyway...not these.And NO gasket either.These ones apparently fit so close,no gasket is required.But I will be using Ultra Copper for sealing that connection....assuming they do fit.

I don't think the pipe clamp is actually gonna be any different with this new bike.It IS adjustable either way.Why tool up another one when they don't need to?At this point...whether they fit or not doesn't matter anymore.I'll do what I have to...either they'll work,or be 'workable',or back they go.No biggie.Just mainly depends on the pipe diameter coming back to the muffler really.IF they've made that larger...then I most likely won't keep the pipes I bought anyway...even if they fit.Kawi knows what they're doing.I don't.

I'm assuming that the stock factory midpipe on the new bird will have a gasket in there.If so...then NOT having one will most likely make up for any connector diameter issues.They would naturally need to make a larger OD of the midpipe to accomodate the gasket.My pipes now are measuring the same as the Connie(late model)INSIDE DIAMETER of the gasket.Slightly larger.Which of course means..if they changed nothing...then my new pipes are gonna slide on there just right.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/13/2011 @ 2:46 AM *

I call the steel roller, say, I made an '06 engine, I need for argument sake, a 22.44mm roll of exhaust pipe diameter. Sendit!

I call again. Say, dial out the roller to 22.66mm. I made an R for ready to roll out another ball sacker. Are we seeing how much mod is happening? It's not some huge, hey roller, roll out 26.00mm exhaust pipes. How large-R is that mm roll?

I always assumed slips were a slip fit over the O/D of the OEM collector gasket? The reason any slip fits the 14. Same O/D on the outer ring, but the change was the I/D of the gasket. Cat called the fur ball in the collector to make the I/D bigger from '08 on. If the hosing of the diameters happen, might it be the I/D? They threw in, less of a kennel cough of a cat cluster in there, or is it kitty litter my exhaust flow?

Hey, fit all else fails, buy some exhaust wrap and make a gasket O/D. I may have to buy a small roll for the clamp mounting on the H-Dime and nickel'inn I'm doing, for this exhaust clamp did not come with any. I'll send you the rest if that gasket does not pan out.

>>1. The bike layouthe who/what were they thinking?

I don't know what you are referring to. How is it different than the 2011 ZX-14?

>>2. The sparkle boat black? Way too, find my fishing reel gear me up for next year's color scheme.

I like it.

>>3. The wheel may be light, but the two-tone? Really? Not my kind of Kawi? What happened?

I am looking at these pictures and I do not see a 2-tone wheel.

http://www.autopartmodif.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2012-Kawasaki-ZX-14R-Black-Pictures-6.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll262/kawiski1962/Motorcycles/1400/2012QA005.jpg

>>4. The ring around the collar. Too much accent. To me, it went all shewhackey.

I don't know what you are referring to.

>>5. The candy surf blue more calls the sale. The flames on the green teapot would have been plain clean me up; sold! 6. The only color I can live with for 2012 is the color of the FSM jack kit cover.

I am not a fan of the Blue or the Green

<<1. Lighten up the front with the digital screen. Tack/speed is obsolete. You can send a big fat MPH/KPH on the screen. I can layout a display I would have eye contact with kind of tucked for info.

<<2. There is no black I can't live with. First year black is sparkle too if you look deep enough. If you are going to be that large, that bignoxious, I would have thrown in a color sparkle and finished off with the last color, meaning, blk/sprk color/?3rd color.

<<3. You have black body, flat black frame, it did not flow to the wheels all black. Looks unfinished to me. It was almosthere in the mean me up.

<<4. There is a beauty ring around the tach and speedo. Zit looks 1940's deco. Deck shit on the bike. I don't need a cock ring, beauty ring, or a napkin ringadingding look on a bike specific.

<<5. Black it is then. The less diddly.

It's the old saying, want something done, do it your shelf life. I could have cared less what the styling looked like when the 14 came out. I buy the brochure.. "We built the world's leave from a light and be safer riding it." They said in the '06 brochure and lucky me the bike was more fit-able than the Subu. Sold! Both bikes were so close who cared.

Skip down the yellow brick... X-Squeeze me... the green knee meany brick road, darn if I didn't read another brochure and do you think a spark of a sparkle will bother my modding I claw my fondling ways? Like BigW, I'm going to hang back and they can canadian downtown on those clowns, but they can sit is play that game suggested full list is keep paying that floor loan keeping those bikes on the floor. This is not the economy for it ya sapass IS! [that canadian dealer, meaning]

* Last updated by: Hub on 11/13/2011 @ 10:17 AM *

I'm not a fan of green or blue.

Dues:
1. The mode switch. There is always bone stock is the 4th selection. Zero electronics.

2. The direction the electronics are going on the bike. More jet cockpiTThe better.

3. The direction the grunt is going. Top end is mother teapot. Grunt rains supreme; shower the bike in torque.

4. The oil systems. Those direct hits seem like a hit!

5. The KTRC. This to me reads; Kawasaki Track Ready Cornering [SENSITIVE]. I load an IAP, that back wheel should squeak away, not leave a strip, not a frame wrinkle: Nada.

>>2. The sparkle boat black? Way too, find my fishing reel gear me up for next year's color scheme.

I like it.

<<1. Lighten up the front with the digital screen. Tack/speed is obsolete. You can send a big fat MPH/KPH on the screen.

The gauges are not much different than the 2011 gauges.

<<2. There is no black I can't live with. First year black is sparkle too if you look deep enough.

I like the Black Metallic. I also liked the 2008 Midnight Sapphire Blue ZX-14, which was also Metallic.

<<3. You have black body, flat black frame, it did not flow to the wheels all black. Looks unfinished to me.

You originally said "The wheel may be light, but the two-tone?". Now I am not sure what you don't like about the wheels. I think they match the rest of the bike.

<<4. There is a beauty ring around the tach and speedo. Zit looks 1940's deco.

It doesn't look that bad to me, but it sounds like you are happy with your current bike and the new one is not for you. Nothing wrong with that, personally I want a new one. :)

"I'll take better accelleration acroos the range if I can get it but that is asking too much".

I don't think it's asking too much.

Apparently Kawasaki didn't either.You saw the comments of Ricky talking about low end power and acceleration throughout the Range?Doesn't sound to me like this is the old bike engine at all.

I liked the old dash and guages.I like the NEW dash and guages EVEN BETTER...plus the upgrades they did with the styling in the cockpit.VERY professional looking to me.Not gimmicky.Nice comparo pics there Rossb

Wouldn't THIS be trick....you turn the key on...get that display of the lamps there...and if one is out...it shows as a black area.Wonder IF they actually did that?Come in handy with HID's on there.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/13/2011 @ 12:54 PM *

Grn14,

Do I understand correctly that you have ordered new slip-ons for the new R when it comes in? But you are unsure if they will fit?

If so, why did you order what you did? Vance and Hines? CS1's? I'm asking cause I have KR Tuned slip ons on my 07 Blue ZX14 and I will miss them, I am sure. Great sound and performance and always fetch compliments. Since KR tuned is no longer in the business, I 'spect I will be needing some new pipes before the season is out for my new 14R (still blue cause as you used to proclaim, "the blue ones are faster".

What can you tell me about your prospective slip-ons?

Thanks,
PaulAB

I also liked the 2008 Midnight Sapphire Blue ZX-14, which was also Metallic.

Yeah, BABY!

"I'll take better accelleration acroos the range if I can get it but that is asking too much".

I don't think it's asking too much.
Apparently Kawasaki didn't either.You saw the comments of Ricky talking about low end power and acceleration throughout the Range?Doesn't sound to me like this is the old bike engine at all.

If the stock bike is making 190 whp as was indicated by a dyno read I saw on one of these threads, The piped PCed bike will make -maybe- 210 whp. That is not enough to outdo the 200 hp in a 150 lighter literbike. The 14 will still dominate in the quarter mile and probably top speed as it was designed to do. I will have to wait to see if it can jump out ahead from 70-140 mph. Having a hard time envisioning that. If it is the reality, cool. I'l still wait to get the next gen afterr 2012. That will be a lot more of an eye opener, I'm sure.

I like the NEW dash and guages EVEN BETTER...plus the upgrades they did with the styling in the cockpit.VERY professional looking to me.Not gimmicky.Nice comparo pics there Rossb

"If the stock bike is making 190 whp as was indicated by a dyno read I saw on one of these threads, The piped PCed bike will make -maybe- 210 whp. That is not enough to outdo the 200 hp in a 150 lighter literbike. The 14 will still dominate in the quarter mile and probably top speed as it was designed to do. I will have to wait to see if it can jump out ahead from 70-140 mph. Having a hard time envisioning that. If it is the reality, cool. I'l still wait to get the next gen afterr 2012. That will be a lot more of an eye opener, I'm sure."

In all honesty...I don't have any desire to see how fast she can accelerate from a rolling speed.You know,downshifting two gears and punching her.No way.I'm in it for the ride quality,fit and finish,and big nice smooth motor....bigger than any stock[sport] bike out there.Course,I say that now.I'm sure I'll be doing my experimenting after I break er in.But wheelies and such...nah...I'm just not really interested in doing that.Now...pushing the envelope with that Ktrac,ya....that'd be me for sure.Least wise....'trying' to push it.And this jabber coming from a guy who's never even scraped a knee or fairing(me).I just think the ownership of this bad girl is gonna be a really awesome experience for me.I don't need to do the quarter in 8 seconds.Or blast off a light at warp speed.Nah...just hit my curves and such and have fun 'pretending'.I truly think the 70 to 140 blast off is gonna be VERY EYE OPENING.This aint no toy.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/14/2011 @ 12:53 AM *

Hiya Paul.Yep...put the cart before the horse with this one alright.The guy from Vance and Hines said I should order 'now'(that was like two weeks ago)so I'd have them by the end of November(when my bike is supposed to arrive).His statement kinda led me to believe that he knows something a bit more than he's letting on.Possibly they're doing a 'first run' set(s)..IDK...I went with it.Got the pipes last week.Beautiful.Very nice.The reason I kinda think they just may be fine...I noticed that the 2011 frame attachment is visibly different than the set I got.Not the mounting braces on the footpeg area...but the bolt at the midpipe on the right side.Definitely designed different(the bolt hole).I know it doesn't sound like much...but if you look at the 2011 mount bolt tab....the bolt is fixed.There is no forward or backward adjustment for tightening.The ones I got...that attachment hole has been elongated by at least an inch and a half forward and backward.If you look on the NEW 14R exhaust pics...the right side attachment point is actually 'just about' where the 2011 engine class attachment bolt is...but it IS not at the same place.If you line up the bolts on the case there,and look at the attachment clamp on the midpipe,you can tell there has been a slight forward or backward modification to the length.I think the collector outlet is slightly more rearward with the new exhaust.That would to me anyway indicate that possibly they foresaw the length issue...and made it possible to slide that midpipe either way to get it fit right along the lower rear fairing area,or 'angle'the midpipe some way to accomodate the rear framework.That's what I'm thinkin.Could be full of it though...maybe just 'wishful thinking'?IDK.Really doesn't matter now...If they actually don't fit...I'll send em back.S'all good.Being out shipping won't break the bank.

Kinda unanswered your question there...sorry.I went with the Vance and Hines mainly because IMO,the lines of the new 14 are a great match for the V&H muffler style.The pointed angular shape.And not REAL huge...but fitting overall for the visual ques of the entire bike design.Angular...yes.Simple looking.But very oriental styled I think.Kinda like a big,badazz sword.Kinda.Gotta really stretch that one in there...but to me they just match really well.Actually,those stock pipes don't really look bad on there.I do like those as well.But I'm pretty sure there's gonna be a substantial weight difference.

The Vance and Hines instructions also do not mention anything about using the stock gasket,or any other.(all the others that I know of mention using the stock gasket for pipe installs on the 2011's and down).Now maybe they forgot to put that in there(I doubt),but if I was going by that,and the measurements I made...the V&H is gonna slip right over that collector outlet pipe and fit very nicely without a gasket(assuming Kawasaki did not change the outlet pipe diameter).(V&H's instructions call the midpipe an "easyfit' design)Not sure what that means...but sounds like they've changed somehow the way this particular midpipe connection is for the new bike?IDK.The clamps have no tabs on them,or any slots on the pipe end like the Stock pipes have.So...IDK.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/14/2011 @ 1:30 AM *

I really hope there will be a dramatic improvement with 14R; talking street here. Yes, at the strip it should dominate, however I am more concerned about street performance to insure the new price tag is worth it...I mean how much smoother can they make the 14R over the Gen I & II 14's. It better have the substantial hp to deal with the lighter 1000's that are already lighter and making power to compete........

Yeah, I'm hating on those lucky enough to be getting the 14R, but damn everytime I get off my 09 I'm saying what could Kawi do to improve this bike?????? the electronics, nice but Kawi needed to bring ABS stateside......

* Last updated by: Shogun1 on 11/14/2011 @ 9:24 AM *

AND... I start up the aprilia to chase parts little nagging parts for this choppiss. It was on a 3,200rpm morning choke. Took over my throttle cables. Took me half a mile of warmup to turn around and know I was in trouble with; no idle cable on that fuel injected bike.

That is what you are in for we mess withe tune.

"Yeah, I'm hating on those lucky enough to be getting the 14R, but damn everytime I get off my 09 I'm saying what could Kawi do to improve this bike?????? the electronics, nice but Kawi needed to bring ABS stateside....."

No abs for me.But...I've wondered the same thing Shogun...WHAT could they do to create a 'better' riding bike.I'm sure they have though.This is gonna be good!

Grn 14,

Thanks for the info and analysis of the fit for the pipes you have ordered. Could you tell me exactly which ones they are? Sorry, I prolly over look'n it in the posts.

BTW, I'm with you on the performance expectations of the new R. I expect to be able to open it up without risking cataclysmic rear wheel step out and/or immediate nose-up wheelie mode when accelerating out of a tight turn, etc.
All the corrections that force me to back off as I correct for them, cause I am far from a pro level rider, should be more quickly and better handled by those electronics stepping in to compensate for my lack of fine tuning on the controls so essential to 9/10th's riding. Those guys and gals on the pro circuit who are able to do that are gifted, young and dedicated trainers; I am none of the above.

I hope to ride a bit closer to the performance of a Ben Spies for instance without losing the road, the bike and my left
__ ___! Also get a better start off full stop when "leaving the light" without squirming all over the asphalt!

In short: It should make me look like I know what I'm doing, heh,heh when give my imitation of RG!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee..........indeed!

PB

My sentiments exactly!!!!No pro here either.Just a old guy wanting to 'pretend'.Well,not actually...'pretend'...I mean...doing 150 through the sweepers is not exactly "pretending" I think the Ktrc and all is gonna just be really cool.Hittin tar snakes and slippin out MAY be a thing of the past!!!!Snake away road crews!I won't be testing the Ktrc on the double yellows in corners though .

The pipes(slip-ons) are the Vance and Hines CS ONES Black Ceramic.Non tapered.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/14/2011 @ 3:48 PM *