Fluid Brute Force |
Kawasaki designed a completely new engine to power the 2006 ZX-14. At 1352cc, this is the largest-displacement sportbike engine that Kawasaki has ever produced and its 198 horsepower and 113 foot-pounds of torque measured at the rear wheel on Cycle World's dyno validates the big Ninja's claim as the most powerful machine in its class.
The new engine is a liquid-cooled, wet-sump inline-Four that takes cues from the ZX-10R, employing forward-slanted cylinders that are cast integral with the crankcases and use of a tri-axis shaft arrangement to keep the engine compact. And like the 10R, the ZX-14 runs forged camshafts, forged pistons and carburised connecting rods for high durability. Specially designed coolant passageways are said to more efficiently disperse heat from the big-bore engine while use of an oil-pressure cam chain tensioner maintains optimum tension at all times and reduces engine noise.
Designed for both sport riding and sport-touring, the ZX-14 maintains a greater degree of rider comfort than one would expect of a powerhouse machine. The ZX-14 mill features twin engine balancers that do an excellent job minimizing engine vibration. While the single-balancer-equipped ZX-12R required partial rubber mounting of the engine, the smooth-running ZX-14 employs rigid engine mounts that play a key role in chassis rigidity.
“Since the engine is all-new,” explained the bike's project leader, “we were able to design it to be not only very powerful, but also so smooth-running that it could contribute to chassis performance. The result is a very comfortable high-speed cruising performance.”
We have to agree, finding even the shortest ride aboard the ZX-14 has us longing to leave town and head out on an extended sport-tour adventure.
1 comment:
This bike is not so good!
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