2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R
The marque's sports touring supremo has been extensively reworked, starting with a larger capacity engine, and it's also earnt itself an R designation, tooKawasaki has pulled the covers off three bikes in its 2012 road bike range, which includes a major overhaul for the five-year-old ZX-14R, some revisions to the Ninja 650R, and more touring-focussed mods for the Vulcan 1700 Voyager.
The mighty ZX-14R -- formerly just the humble ZX-14 without the ‘R’ moniker -- now has a 4mm longer stroke which has boosted capacity from 1352cc to 1441cc. There’s also a revised cylinder head assembly, stronger pistons, and the ports have been tweaked.
The previous green missile had about 190hp and 154Nm and that those figures have been well and truly banished into history. Peak power for the new 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R is 200hp (147kW) at 10,000rpm and 162Nm at 7500rpm.
However it should be noted that Kawasaki claims peak power rises to 210hp (154kW) at 10,000rpm when the ram-air system is operating at full tilt.
Kawasaki is claiming more torque across the board, with acceleration from 4000rpm notably stronger. At 2000rpm there is already 93Nm of torque available.
With all this frenetic activity, Kawasaki reckons the new model still has eight per cent better fuel economy than its predecessor.
To cope with the increased power, Kawasaki has redesigned the aluminium monocoque chassis, made the swingarm longer and stronger and added an all-new slipper clutch.
As expected, technological enhancements include KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control) across three modes (it can also be disengaged), a two-stage power mode selection, and there’s ABS.
There are also lighter wheels, sleeker bodywork, sportier suspension settings, new instrumentation, a slimmer seat, and new brake discs and pads. In all, it's a thorough mid-life update.
The new model will be available in Australia from January onwards in Golden Blazed Green or Spark Metallic Black. The blue colour shown is an overseas market only. Price is yet to be announced.
2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650R
Meanwhile, the hard-working Kawasaki Ninja 650R now has a more rigid frame and swingarm in 2012 guise, as well as a different exhaust, revised suspension settings, a lighter clutch pull, 20mm wider handlebars, a thicker and wider seat, and a slight increase in fuel capacity.
2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager
And finally, the 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager gets the all-new Kawasaki Air Management System (KAMS), which claims to draw heat away from the rear cylinder and exhaust pipe and directs it to the ground on the left side of the machine. If it works, it will be great for warm weather in Australia.
Contact you local Kawasaki dealer for more information on the 2012 Kawasaki road bikes.
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