Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14

Manufacturer	Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company
Also called	Kawasaki ZZR1400 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R (since 2012)
Parent company	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production	2006-present
Predecessor	Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R Kawasaki ZZ-R1200
Class	Sport bike
Engine	(2006-2011) 1,352 cc (82.5 cu in) (2012-present) 1,441 cc (87.9 cu in)[1] four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four
Bore / stroke	84.0 mm × 65.0 mm (3.31 in × 2.56 in)
Top speed	186 mph (299 km/h)
Power	(2006-2011) 190 hp (140 kW) (claimed)[2] 170.2 hp (126.9 kW) (rear wheel)[3] (2012-present) 207.9 hp (155.0 kW) (claimed)[4] 191.7 hp (143.0 kW) (rear wheel)[5]
Torque	(2006-2011) 103.8 lb·ft (140.7 N·m) (rear wheel)[3] (2012-present) 113.2 lb·ft (153.5 N·m) (rear wheel)[5]
Transmission	6-speed, X-ring chain
Frame type	Aluminium monocoque
Suspension	Front: 43 mm inverted cartridge fork with adjustable preload, stepless rebound and compression damping adjustments / 4.6 in travel Rear: Uni-Trak with adjustable preload, stepless rebound and compression damping adjustments, adjustable ride height / 4.9 in travel
Brakes	Front: Dual semi-floating 310 mm (12 in) petal discs with dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers Rear: Single 250 mm (9.8 in) petal disc with twin-piston caliper
Tyres	Front: 120/70 ZR17 Rear:190/50 ZR17
Rake, trail	23 degrees / 94 mm (3.7 in)
Wheelbase	1,480 mm (58.3 in)
Dimensions	L: 2,170 mm (85.4 in) W: 760 mm (29.9 in) H: 1,170 mm (46.1 in)
Seat height	800 mm (31.5 in)
Weight	269 kg (593 lb) [6] (wet)
Fuel capacity	22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal)
Related	Kawasaki 1400GTR

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 (ZZR1400 in some markets, ZX-14R since 2012), is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki that was their most powerful sport bike as of 2007.^[7] It was introduced at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show^[8] and released for the 2006 model year as a replacement for the ZX-12R. The ZZR1400 is capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds.^[9] The top speed is electronically limited to 186 mph (299 km/h) as a result of an agreement between the major Japanese and European motorcycle manufacturers.

The motorcycle was in season 10 of Fifth Gear on October 30, 2006.

Motorcycle USA road tested the bike in its October 10, 2006, issue and posted the following stock results:^[2]

• 60 ft.: 1.713 seconds
• 330 ft.: 4.349 seconds
• 1/8 mile: 6.447 seconds, achieving 117.39 mph
• 1/4 mile: 9.783 seconds, achieving 147.04 mph

2008 saw a minor update. The launch of the 2012 ZX-14R saw a second-generation revision along with getting the R designation.^[10] A displacement increase which produced more horsepower, along with three variable power modes and KTRC. Kawasaki traction control and ignition-management system that was lifted from the ZX-10R. Also with cosmetic updates and incremental chassis upgrades and suspension revised internals. There was also a slipper clutch added for the first time. The motor gets cylinder heads with polished ports and cams with more lift and longer duration. Piston are lighter with added compression that get cooled by a new oil jet system. Stronger connecting rods and crankshaft as well as a stronger tensioner and cam chain. while the transmission gets heat treated surface gears. Also in an effort to make the motorcycle run cooler, and therefore be more durable, they added a second radiator fan. Larger head pipes and larger mufflers with a less restrictive air filter all improve response. Motor cyclist recorded Rickey Gadson’s quarter-mile time of 9.64 seconds at 149.83 mph from a bone-stock bike, on a 50-degree morning, at an altitude of 2100 feet.^[11] Cycle world recorded a quarter-mile time that produced a record 9.47-second (corrected) at 152.83 mph, and also hit 60 mph in just 2.6 sec.^[12]

2006 ZZR1400 showing its aluminium monocoque frame and engine

Ninja ZX-14R at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

See also

• List of fastest production motorcycles by acceleration
• Kawasaki Ninja

References

1. Miles, Mathew (October 10, 2011). "New for 2012: Kawasaki First Look". Cycle World. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
2. Motorcycle USA
3. "Long-Term Wrap-Up: 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14". Cycle World. March 25, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
4. "Top 10 most powerful bikes of 2015". Visordown. August 28, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
5. Lenatsch, Nick (March 7, 2012). "Kawasaki ZX-14R – Road Test". Cycle World. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
6. Cycle World AIMExpo 2015: 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Special Edition
7. 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 official US page
8. (Japanese) Tokyo 2005 presentation
9. Kawasaki ZZR1400, ZX14 Motorcycle preview at Seastar Superbikes UK
10. Frank, Aaron (October 7, 2011). "2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R - First Look". Motorcyclist. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
11. "Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R". Motorcyclist. January 12, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
12. Conner, Blake (December 29, 2011). "2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R – Feature". Cycle World. Retrieved February 12, 2016.

External links

• Official website (United States)