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2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R First Ride Photo Gallery

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R cuts a path and the U.S. press launch in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is bigger, badder and faster than ever before. Climb on with Motorcycle USA as we ride the ZX14 in this video from Las Vegas. Read our impressions in our 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R First Ride report.

On the street the ZX-14R is no longer a gentle giant. It retains the exact same riding position as the previous model but is more of a brute.

When the ZX-14 first arrived on scene in 2006 it was hailed as the Busa beater. It was supposed to be faster, better handling and lure consumers away from its legions of loyal followers and while it proved to be a formidable foe at the drag strip and held its own on the dyno it didn’t hold a clear advantage over the original…until now.

This year's model is the first ZX-14 engine that features a hand-ported head.

Notice there is an ‘R’ at the end of the designation now? That’s because the ZX-14R is even faster and better handling than the last generation: It is more-sporty than ever before.

The KTRC is the latest generation of Kawasaki’s TC that was released on the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

More power, refined styling. An already exhilarating package just got more invigorating. Watch out Suzuki!

Although Kawasaki refused to make an official statement to the horsepower of the big Ninja, we have been shown a dyno chart by a performance shop that has it turning nearly 200 hp from a customer bike.

It's not until the corners kink up tight that the ZX-14R feels its size, but in sweeping corners its smooth, steady... and fast!

Traction control is a relative term...

Burnout. Staging. Rev it to 4K. Feed the clutch... Pow!

Hot tip from Mr. Gadson: 'Go faster!'

Launching a 200-hp drag bike under the master's watchful eye. The elusive nine second quarter-mile still taunts us.

The ZX is equipped with a re-located launch light that is positioned at the top of the tach to make it more useful at the strip.

Once again our drag racing experience on the big ZX would take place at The Strip located within the confines of Las Vegas Motor Speedway

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

The signature look for the ZX-14 starts with the quartet of projector beam headlamps.

A tasty electronics package includes a three-mode selectable KTRC traction control system, adjustable via switch on the left handlebar.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

The ZX-14R engine is destined to take its place alongside other legendary mills from Kawasaki.

The 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R features a 31.5 inch seat height.

Rumor had it that the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R would be the fastest, most powerful production sportbike in the history of man. We arrived at The Strip in Las Vegas intending to find out for ourselves if Kawasaki’s new 14R could back up the smack talk.