2006 Kawasaki ZX-14 Photo Gallery

2006 Kawasaki ZX-14 - Wallpaper

It's not just the red color that makes it look fast, the ZX-14 hauls no matter what color paint adorns it.

2006 Kawasaki ZX-14

The 1352cc ZX-14 motor fits neatly within the outline of the ZX-12R motor, a testament to the effort by Kawasaki to keep the bike compact and thin.

This is the heart of the most powerful motor Kawasaki has ever built. The red components are the dual balancers that help keep engine vibrations to a minimum.

The aluminum monocoque frame is an integral piece of the ZX-14. More rigid than a traditional twin-spar frame this one uses the engine as a stressed member.

You can almost smell the... What is that smell - fear, anticipation, or just DNA-encrusted leathers.

Kawasaki had the full might of their factory support staff on hand during the introduction of the ZX-14. There's Rob Muzzy hanging out at the front of the trailer, supervising as the technicians scramble to do our bidding.

Duke is our resident drag strip specialist here at MotorcycleUSA. If there were a motojournalist Olympics, Duke would own the Dragracing event like a Russian in figure skating.

I go on green right?

With a beast like the ZX-14 roaring off the line, keeping the front wheel down is a top priority.

Keep you head down.

Ricky Gadsen imparts wisdom. Kenny prays.

Resplendent in red, the 2006 ZX-14 is one hot little number. If you like hauling ass and you enjoy being stared at when you ride down the road then the biggest Ninja ever made may just be the bike for you.

2006 Kawasaki ZX-14

2006 Kawasaki ZX-14

2006 Kawasaki ZX-14

On the street the ZX-14 is roomy and comfortable for little guys and big guys too.

2006 Kawasaki ZX-14

2006 Kawasaki ZX-14

One hundred and eighty six miles per hour sounded like fun to me. Before I got to the speedway I thought it would be mindlessly easy to experience the ZX-14, pegged. Not quite.

2006 Kawasaki ZX-14

Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Home to NASCAR and now home to a small quantity of Kenny's bodily fluids as well.

Nothing makes me happier than risking life and limb to get 'the shot' only to find out the equipment failed. Here's the video camera bag popping open at a hundred and some odd miles per hour. Aerodynamically efficient? I don't think so.

All I ever felt was a little wobble going across the finish line stripe but the words of the riders who did hold it pinned across echoed in my mind: The front end slid like five feet. uh, no thanks.

180, 181, 182...Hold it open just a little longer, a little longer..yee-haw. Is that Roscoe P. Coltrain in the mirrors? Where's cousin Duke?

Sin City was the setting for the big bad ZX-14 press intro.

The 2006 ZX-14 will be available in the colors: Passion Red, Ebony or Candy Thunder Blue.

2006 Kawasaki ZX-14

The ZX-14 features petal-design disc brakes, radial-mount front calipers and a radial-mount front brake master cylinder that as a unit offer up great braking performance for such a big machine.

A stainless steel 4-into-1-into-2 exhaust system helps contribute to the ZX-14's mighty low end and mid range power delivery. Plus, it is very eco-friendly since it meets all the new strict emission standards.

The instruments include a fuel gauge, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, settings for both current and average fuel consumption, battery voltage and range of your remain fuel. Oh, plus it has a white faced tach and speedo along with the usual assortment of idiot lights - and a shift light too.

A standard equipment seat cowl covers up the passenger seat and really completes the slick aerodynamic appearance. Optional passenger grab rails are available as well.

Mass centralization is key to the success of the ZX-14 design, helping to hide the hefty weight of the big Ninja and make it feel lighter than it actually is.

Four projector-beam headlamps give the ZX-14 a distinct appearance. Plus, they cut a swath through the darkness, providing an huge field of vision during night riding.