Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, a motorcycle that needs no introduction, is one of the most fascinating engineering marvels that the global motorcycle industry has ever seen. Whenever we talk about it, we think about sheer power, performance, quarter-mile times, and of course, the Suzuki Hayabusa. These two had some really interesting history. We will keep that aside for a different story. This article is about the 2020 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R High Grade being the final model of the series.
As per our colleagues at Young-Machine, this will be the final update and the final model of the bike that Kawasaki will release. This is perhaps because of the supercharged Ninja H2 which made its debut in 2015. Soon after, its sports-tourer version, Ninja H2 SX was launched as well. These supercharged machines have engines with less displacement (compared to the ZX-14R) and impressive power and have been received with open arms everywhere in the world.
It is being said that moving forward, Kawasaki would like to implement its supercharged technology in its future high-end motorcycles and thus, letting go of the massive 1,441cc naturally-aspirated ZX-14R. It has also been speculated that the stricter emission norms could also be a factor of this decision. However, the to-be-launched 2020 ZX-14R High Grade model fulfils Euro 5 emission norms and regulations.
Last year, we reported about Suzuki Hayabusa getting discontinued in several markets and Suzuki’s plan on a new model. So perhaps, just like the ‘Busa, the ZX-14R time is up too. And the 2020 High Grade variant would be the last iteration of this legendary motorcycle. It is indeed excruciating to digest and we’ll wait patiently for the successor of the ZX-14R to come to life and hopefully would mark another great revolution in the global motorcycle industry just as the original ZX-14R did back in the day.
