Hmmm, that bike sure seems good. now you got me thinking bout one.

I still like the looks of the one you have best. It's the same motor, it will just be something a little different. If the electronics are getting you hooked, go for it. I'd stick with first year until they offer an upgraded motor. That could be a long time.

* Last updated by: Rook on 5/19/2020 @ 11:21 PM *

The review videos and one from Brock's sound excellent.They've got some nice accessories for it at Kawasaki.

Hey Rook.Yeah...I do really like my H2,but it is fairly limited on what I can do with it.I really want something now that has a more compliant suspension.Plus the ergos on this Z I think would better for me for long rides.5 gal tank as well.Wheely control.All the power of the 2015 H2,but apparently a lot more rider friendly.Put a nice exhaust on there,possibly flash it,PCv it...IDK.Depends on what Brock and guhl come up with in a bit.They already had one on the dyno...very nice and room to make even nicer power/torque wise.A sweet up/down quikshifter.We'll see what the dealer can come up with in trade.I don't need two bikes anymore.Already talked with him about it.He's gonna do a bit of research and then let me know what he can do.I really like this ZH2.

It's a great bike no matter which way you go. Interesting that Kaw has made the variants in this model. They never did that with the 14. They must have found a wider market for the H2 or something.

LOTS of people wanted an H2.They couldn't get one cause of price.Plus the H2 is kinda limited on what you can do with it.It's great for what it DOES do.But it can be a handful at slow speeds manuevering.And it's a bit top heavy.That doesn't help.This new z appeals to me because it's as strong and smooth as a 14,but quick and powerful like the H2.Which is really what it is,performance wise.So it's like the best of both worlds.That exhaust will be gone.At least for starters.From the vids I've seen,it probably doesn't even need a flash or PCV,which would be really nice.That's a 'wait for a while' deal for me.Hopefully the dealer can work with me.Either way...I'm getting one.Kawasaki green frame.I'm pretty stoked about it right now.Supposed to be much more nimble and manueverable than my H2.That'll be a welcome thing.I like the idea of the bar clamps and bars.Lots of options right there.Naturally it's built Kawasaki solid.That's what they say anyway...zero vibrations in any rpm.Excellent qs as well.

One thing very good about it is wheely control.You can loft it and ride it out without flipping the thing.BIG plus for a supercharged dragon.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/20/2020 @ 10:33 AM *

They did make a cool looking naked bike out of it. They're taking baby steps toward eliminating the 14.

No more 14's.That run is gone.2020 model is the last one.

In the Euro market. We will still have 14s in the US. You watch. That article you saw was for the Asian market and Europe. Other most current article says probably available in the US for the foreseeable future.

https://www.hayabusa.org/forum/threads/2020-final-production-of-zx-14r-fact-or-rumor.198988/#post-3338636

I'm Mythos there.

"They're taking baby steps toward eliminating the 14".

Not so baby steps.All these recent H2 variants are the new '14'.I think this Zh2 is an actual replacement for it.Everyone says it's surpassed the 14 in every category.I think so.Smaller more powerful motor.I think they're gonna be coming out with a possibly bigger motor up ahead...supercharged.But it won't be in a 14 chassis.I don't think so.The aim is 'lighter','more nimble','less weight'.'Better fuel burn'.They've got the money to keep upgrading these H2's.SE SX is the probable end to THAT bike's run as far as development goes.They're heading on a 'supercharge' trajectory now.The future looks good for Kawi and the design.Only one out there stepping it up.IMO.
I don't believe the 14 will continue past 2020.
They're reeling buyers in with great new performance in a 17K motorcycle(s).One reviewer said it outperforms the 14r in every category.Since he had one,he can probably be a good judge of that.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/20/2020 @ 10:23 PM *

It sure looks like they get the low end torque out of that 1000 cc engine with the drag launch videos I've seen and the peak hp/weight is better, stock v stock. As good as it is, I don't see it as being a preferred platform for drag racing or LSR. Not yet. It has too much power to launch or even hit second and third gear hard without wheelieing so put an extended swingarm on it maybe use a little TC, no problem. For LSR, it's a smaller and less aerodynamic bike. I know they use everything for drag racing and LSR including literbikes or smaller but the the weapon of choice is a long, heavy, aerodynamic bike with a lot of power. The H2 seems like it needs more adaptations to be a top competitor in the type of racing the 14 has been used in. It can't be boosted to the levels a turbo busa or 14 can. I've heard as much as 8-900 hp for a busa which is insane but if you ned that, it's doable.

I do agree that the 14 is going to have to go away at some point and probably the last iteration is what we have right now. I don't think the H2 is going to be embraced in drag racing and LSR as much as the busa and the 14. Serious competitors in those venues are still going to seek out 14s and busas if the only alternative is a literbike.

We'll see though. Who knows where the H2 will lead? They might make an H2 600, 1000 and 1200 tailoring them for specific race applications and making them conducive to sky's the limit modification.

The easiest thing in the world would be for Kawasaki to just put a SC 1500cc motor in the next ZX.
They already have the base engine in a watercraft that puts out 300 hp.
Wouldn't have to be a big seller, sort of like the NR750 or the original D16RR that Ducati put out. More like a
"See what we can do" kind of thing. A corporate trophy so to speak.

Mad

It would make sense to drop weight off the H2 and make it more of a pure road racing machine. Other literbikes are what I see as being the real competition for the H2 right now so I'd like to see Kaw develop it in that direction. I don't care if it would not be allowed to compete in pro racing because of the supercharger. If it got as light and as maneuverable with all the electronics, what amateur road racer/track day enthusiast wouldn't want that bike? Maybe Kaw is lulling the market into a false sense of security. When they're ready they'll sring that 1500 cc SC bike on us and I'll bet you it will be called the ZX-15. Now that makes sense, up the game on every size of bike. Even 600s although I hear those are not selling much anymore because youngsters can't afford a bike like youngsters could 30 years ago.

Everything has a life span.
Even Hub!

But I just can't see the end of the ZX-14 story.
I know I am 100% bias but along with the Busa, it's just such a key and individual part of the market.
The Busa and 14 are completely iconic and individual bikes.

I have always said Suzuki should go all out on the Busa and just like the Gen2 ZX-14R, go hard to get to the top of the heap again.
As the original hyper sports bike I reckon they deserve it.

But no more ZX-14R's?
I don't know.
Whats the alternative?
None that I can see.
Sorry Green, but I have never seen the H2 as a better bike than the 14R when you sum up all aspects including cost and value.
And sales figures confirm this.

If anything, a ZX-15R seems like such a logical position but I guess thats just my opinion.
As long as it was a full house bike like the Gen2 14, there would be several 14 owners that would change up.
That includes me.

Anyway time will tell but long live the 14!!!

* Last updated by: yannih on 5/21/2020 @ 8:57 PM *

I too hope that we aren't seeing the end of the ZX 14.

It is my understanding that they are shit canning the ZX 14 , Hayabusa, etc...to be Euro emission compliant.

However, I've not seen any talk of BMW dropping the K 1600 or Honda dropping the Gold Wing and those have larger displacement engines than than either the 14 of Hayabusa???

Then again, maybe since they are 6 cylinder engines they could possibly be easier to make Euro compliant??

Which makes me wonder if it is easier to get Euro compliance out of a 1000 cc engine with a supercharger??

Thoughts???

* Last updated by: BIGO70 on 5/21/2020 @ 11:38 PM *

Sorry for the thread jack Grn.

Congrats on your hopeful new baby!

I've always loved the Kawi green trellis frame on the H2 variants.

Post up some pics when you get it.

* Last updated by: BIGO70 on 5/21/2020 @ 11:38 PM *

I'd be surprised if the Big ZX was axed. Sure hope not. But if they do, yeah a ZX15 SC would be a replacement I would most likely buy assuming not north of about $18K. As I've posted before, I've been looking for something new to replace my now 7 year old Big ZX with. And also as I've posted before, there's still nothing I want more than my now 7 year old bike. Come on, Kawi!?!?

7 years old isn't too bad/old, but what if I was somebody who wanted to UPgrade bikes every 3 years, or even just every 5? There's nothing to UPgrade to!

7 years old isn't too bad/old, but what if I was somebody who wanted to UPgrade bikes every 3 years, or even just every 5? There's nothing to UPgrade to!

I'd buy a ZX-15 and I probably would even pay 18k for it. Good thing there's no reason for Kaw to make that bike. It's saving me money and keeping me happy with my 12 year old bike. The slow evolution was something I liked about the 14 when I first bought it but honestly, I never thought it would last 12 years. Anytime Kaw wants to produce a 15 and absolutely blow everything else out of the water, I'm there waiting.

Yes, I know I'm missing out on 8 years of evolution at this point but I don't feel I'm sacrificing too much yet.

Nah, you're not. Let's hold out for that ZX15-SC!

Another year for the ZX-14

https://www.kawasaki.com/experience/newfeaturedvehicles?cm_re=HOMEPAGE-_-FEATUREDVEHICLES-_-NFV#2021-Ninja-ZX-14R-ABS

* Last updated by: Rook on 9/29/2020 @ 4:50 PM *

Yay! .. except I can't even say BNG, cuz those are not Bold New Graphics. Oh well, better than nuthin.

Actually, it does look pretty damn sharp in those gray and black tones with splash of green

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 9/29/2020 @ 10:04 PM *

Another year for the ZX-14

And there you go...