Tuesday, May 15, 2012




2012 Japanese Superbike Shootout After all players riding on their respective introductions, we knew it was time once again to compete against each other for Japanese liter bike domination. Please read the respective histories for details on the upgrades, because we evaluate here, as they are to be compared. With improved chassis, the CBR, the GSX-R, the revised engine and upgraded brakes, and the addition of traction control on the YZF-R1, the ZX-10R some stiff competition this year.

2012 Japanese Superbike Shootout In the hype is all that is needed to win shootout would be comparisons, the new Ducati Pan gale 1199 to have it in your pocket. We have to prove the fact that this year's liter bike range would be closer than most think. Welcome to Motorcycle.com is 2012 liter bike shootout, Part One.

Instead of a mega-trial with each candidate, we decided to split the shootings, followed by the first four Japanese liter bikes, through a separate test with the Euro-brands. The winners will face off in a head-to-head race in part three.

All four bikes in this test are very comparable in price, and differs only slightly from the $ 13,799 GSX-R1000, $ 13,800 CBR1000RR $ 13,990 YZF-R1 ($ 14,490 for the world's 50th anniversary color scheme), the $ 13,999 ZX 10R. With almost identical price tags, each machine still has its own personality. Looking at the dyne charts,

 The Kawasaki has to beat the other in terms of peak power, but look closer and you'll notice that the Suzuki and Honda suffers compared to 10,000 revolutions per minute. This is also the Yamaha.

Based on this information provides the new Suzuki motor to the healthiest shown. Have been tested in comparison to the last Fixer Thou we, the 2012 version generous bump in power 5000-8500 revolutions per minute and results in impressive numbers to above (156.3 hp) has. Dyne jockeys could claim to have this test on the Kawasaki, with its 160.5 hp peak power on, but its mid-range performance is weaker than all but the Yamaha.
Meanwhile, Honda and Yamaha highlight of each plateau around the 10,000-minute mark, with 145 horsepower, more or less. But the way she is completely different there.

The R1 is the best-in-class performance at 4500 rpm, especially sagging during the CBR comes on strong and turns the tables - at 6000 rpm, the Honda coincides almost a 20-horse advantage over the Yamaha, and almost, as most Fixer thick robust in the medium speeds. Although Honda claims that any changes to the CBR engine showed our dyne test, a hole to be filled at 3500-4500 revolutions per minute and a slight decrease in performance over 10,000 revolutions per minute.

As usual, we took each equipped bike on the streets of Southern California, with the OE tires. We logged in highway miles, city miles and miles of canyon to get a feel for each machine. To really put it to the test, we are each equipped with Pirelli Russo Corse tires and they took to the streets of Willow Springs race track to see, add our friends from Moto yard, as they managed in an environment free of speed limits.

Once the riding was over, we counted our values ​​and came up with a winner. Read on to see how we feel about ourselves each wheel, both on the road and at the track.

Sunday, May 13, 2012



That 2012 Kawasaki Versys would eventually turn up a big sister to the Versys was still expected, but that this would be powered by an inline four-cylinder had to accept as rather unlikely. The performance of the unit with a displacement of 1043 cc is not yet known, but we hope 2012 Kawasaki Versys no restraint. With all the power of the engine shines with silky smooth throttle response, low vibration and rich torque at any speed. Since it still assumes that there are situations - or drivers - could be not tolerate the full power, you can choose from two drive modes. Either the full power, or the homo half power.

it would not be at the half, but an approximately 25 to 30% reduced capacity to act.
Liquid-cooled four-stroke inline four-cylinder engine 1043 cm3
The powerful and well-known from the 2012 Kawasaki Versys engine pushes the entire speed range (especially in the lower and middle range) strongly up to the maximum speed to be accompanied by a mangy intake noise.

Oval sub-throttles
The use of oval sub-throttles not only ensures a silky-smooth throttle response, but also increases the intake air and saves space.

Aluminum double-tube frame
The low weight and high strength of the frame contribute to the accurate, safe handling.

43-mm upside-down fork
The fork of the latest generation of KYB is lighter than conventional forks is designed for use on a variety of road conditions.

Exhaust muffler and short
The mounted below the engine exhaust muffler provides a smaller and thus contributes to mass centralization.
Horizontal Back-link rear suspension
The rear suspension has excellent power and favors the centralization of the masses. A device for adjusting the spring tension allows you to vote on trips with a passenger and / or luggage.
Sporty 17-inch wheels
Lightweight 17-inch wheels front and rear support an agile, sporty handling. The multi-purpose tires Pirelli Scorpion Trail of the type suitable for a wide range of applications.

Steel tube rear frame
The robust tubular frame is the crucial component for the high payload of the Versys 1000th

Petal disc brakes with high-design modern ABS
The triple-disc brakes petal design not only look good but provide high performance and a finely metered brake pressure point at the lever. ABS is standard.

Athletic, functional styling
The functional fairing makes the Versys 1000 not only an athletic appearance, but also protects the driver, especially the legs, very effective against the wind.
Distinctive headlamp design
The 650s of the Versys known, typical headlamp design makes the membership of the Versys family well.

Adjustable Windshield
The windshield is adjustable in a range of 30 mm without tools.
Wide handlebars
In conjunction with the compact, upright seating position makes the wide handlebars better controllability of the machine.

Thick padded seat
The thickly padded, specially designed seat material provides more comfort on long journeys.

Kawasaki's most comfortable pillion seat
With plenty of room for the passenger, a thick padded seat, rubber foot rests and ergonomic mounting brackets waiting the 2012 Versys Kawasaki motorcycle at all with the most comfortable pillion seat.

Large tank
The capacity of 21.5 liters, allowing a wide range.

KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control)
The KTRC system covers three modes from a variety of driving conditions. Mode 1 and 2 are designed for sporty driving performance. Mode 3 is designed for improved safety on slippery roads.

Two driving modes
The driver can choose between full power (full power) and then throttled operation (low power).

Instruments
The large tachometer with analog display is a multifunction LCD to the side, which is easily operated via the handlebar switch.

Wide range of genuine accessories
Color-matched panniers, top box and 12-volt electrical outlet to make the bike for touring and still provide for comfort even on long journeys. Additional accessories are available including hand protection and motor protection.



the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 has earned a lasting reputation among riders While lacking and the media.  the tire-smoking antics of its bigger siblings, the Ninja 650 has elite category fallen into an  since its inception back in 2006. Whether commuting, hitting the twisters or logging miles on the highway proven itself repeatedly. the design has  In 2009 it saw its first eliminating overhaul  some of the nagging qualities which held it back.

Motors had a chance to sample the changes while conducting  which made us fond Kawasaki Ninja 650R Review of the mid-displacement Twin. In 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 however, the multi-talented Ninja 650 will see some of the biggest changes since its creation.

One of the most visible changes is the redesigned The Ninja 650’s stubby, low-slung exhaust has become a trademark with the design and for 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 system receives a new connector pipe as well as a higher.

on the 650. The fuel-injected 649cc liquid-cooled Parallel Twin
relatively unchanged for the new year, keeping its status as a terrific street bike power plant with torque pull and impressive top end.

Improvements continue with an all-new twin-pipe perimeter frame that’s been installed for more rigidity.

 more strength overall to the design, the trellis layout keeps its narrow-waited profile that helps keep its seat Even with the narrow frame sticklers will be quick to point out the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 is 0.6 inches taller than previous models. 41mm front fork and single shock rear out back include new settings along with increased wheel travel, with a new backbone-type subprime offering a 10% increase in maximum carrying capacity.

The clutch cable design is also reworked for easier pull and better control. The twin-pipe swing arm is another major stylistic change from the previous featured only edition, which a single tubular structure. Braking improved with new pads, and Road smart II tires are standard on the new edition.

The 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 includes a number of  Perhaps the most eye-catching is a new instrument panel featuring an analog tachometer above an LCD readout. has also been upgraded with more sharp angles that are on par with Kawasaki’s Super sport lineup. Improved aerodynamics are in the design as well position windscreen added for more comfort. Bodywork has also been adjusted to allow for better engine heat removal.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 One of the flaws with the past Ninja 650 was its seat. Often  uncomfortable, Kawasaki ited for being took note of this in their updates by changing to a two-piece seat assembly with wider and thicker foam padding. Handlebars have also been widened by 20mm, which Kiwi claims offers more control and overall comfort. To keep vibrations down the bars and seat are rubber-mounted as well as the foot pegs.



 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

Kawasaki has redesigned the ZX-14, adding an  to its name due to improved performance.
Kawasaki achieved this displacement increase by lengthening the ZX-14R's stroke from 61mm to 65mm. The 2012 ZX-14R's engine also has redesigned forged pistons that feature oil-jet cooling, a system that pumps a continuous stream of lubricant at the underside of each piston. Feeding the ZX-14R is a revised fuel which features automatic idle adjustment. Placing all this power to the ground is easily achieved due to the addition of a slipper clutch and KTRC traction control, which features three riding modes - full power, medium power and a third for low-traction conditions .

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Specs:

- Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four
- Compression ratio: 12.3:1
- Fuel system: DFI with four 44mm Mikuni throttle bodies
- Front tire: 120/70 ZR17.

- Front suspension / wheel travel: 43mm inverted cartridge fork with adjustable preload, 18-way - - -   compression and 15-way rebound damping adjustment / 4.6 in.
- Rear suspension / wheel travel: Bottom-link and gas-charged shock with adjustable preload, steeples rebound and compression damping adjustments, adjustable ride height / 4.9 in.

Front brakes:

Dual semi-floating 310 mm petal discs with dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers
Kawasaki says testing shows the engine runs considerably cooler with this piston cooling system.
The last time Motorcycle.com dyne tested the 14, the big ZX produced 159.5 hp at 9550 rpm and 99 ft-lbs at 7800 rpm.

Leading off engine updates is a 4.0mm increase while the 85mm bore remains unchanged. Kawasaki says the myriad changes and updates to its biggest sport bike engine have led to more power at nearly every point in the rev range, claiming stronger acceleration from 4000 rpm onward.
For the ZX-14’s U.S. launch in 2006, and its mid-cycle model .

 Kawasaki purposely selected drag strip testing as part of the program for the motto media to experience the big Ninja’s power. During each of those events 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R editors came away impressed with the strength and durability of the ZX’s clutch, as it endured hard launch after hard launch down the quarter-mile. Additionally, to cope with the engine’s newfound power, transmission gears have been heat- and -treated for improved durability and smoother shifting action.