Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14

Kawasaki Ninja ZZR1400
ManufacturerKawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company
Also calledKawasaki ZZR1400
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R (2012–present)
Parent companyKawasaki motorcycles
Production2006– present
PredecessorKawasaki ZZ-R1200
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
ClassSport bike
Engine(2006–2011) 1,352 cc (82.5 cu in)
(2012–2022) 1,441 cc (87.9 cu in)[1] four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 16-valve DOHC, inline-four
Bore / stroke84.0 mm × 61.0 mm (3.31 in × 2.40 in)
84.0 mm × 65.0 mm (3.31 in × 2.56 in)
Compression ratio12.0:1
Top speed186 mph (299 km/h)
Power(2006-2011)
140 kW (190 hp) (claimed)[2]
121.6–126.9 kW (163.1–170.2 hp) (rear wheel)[3][4]
(2012–2020)
155.0 kW (207.9 hp) (claimed)[5]
143.0 kW (191.7 hp) (rear wheel)[6]
Torque(2006–2011)
140.7 N⋅m (103.8 lb⋅ft) (rear wheel)[4]
(2012–2020)
153.5 N⋅m (113.2 lb⋅ft) (rear wheel)[6]
Transmission6-speed sequential manual, X-ring chain
Frame typeAluminium monocoque
SuspensionFront: 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
BrakesFront: 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
TyresFront: 120/70 ZR17
Rear:190/50 ZR17
Rake, trail23 degrees / 94 mm (3.7 in)
Wheelbase1,480 mm (58.3 in)
DimensionsL: 2,170 mm (85.4 in)
W: 760 mm (29.9 in)
H: 1,170 mm (46.1 in)
Seat height800 mm (31.5 in)
Weight269 kg (593 lb)[7] (wet)
Fuel capacity22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal)
RelatedKawasaki 1400GTR

The ZZR1400 or Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 and ZX-14R (2006–present), is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki that was their most powerful sport bike as of 2006.[8] It was introduced at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show[9] and released for the 2006 model year as a replacement for the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 (2002-2005). The ZZR1400 is capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds.[10] 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 (18 m): 1.713 seconds
  • 330 ft (101 m): 4.349 seconds
  • 1⁄8 mi (201 m): 6.447 seconds, achieving 117.39 mph (188.92 km/h)
  • 1⁄4 mi (402 m): 9.783 seconds, achieving 147.04 mph (236.64 km/h)

2008 saw a minor update. The launch of the 2012 ZX-14R saw a second-generation revision with the R designation.[11] This included a displacement increase to produce more horsepower along with two variable power modes, Kawasaki traction control, and an ignition-management system that was lifted from the ZX-10R. It received cosmetic updates, incremental chassis upgrades, suspension revised internals and a slipper clutch added for the first time. The new engine had cylinder heads with polished ports and cams with more lift and longer duration. Pistons were lighter with added compression, cooled by a new oil jet system. Connecting rods and crankshaft were strengthened, as were the tensioner and cam chain, while the transmission got heat-treated surface gears. In an effort to make the motorcycle run cooler and be more durable, they added a second radiator fan. Larger head pipes and larger, less restrictive mufflers improved response. Motorcyclist 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.[12] Cycle World recorded a quarter-mile time of a record 9.47-seconds (corrected) at 152.83 mph, and also hit 60 mph in just 2.6 sec.[13]

  1. ^ Miles, Mathew (October 10, 2011). "New for 2012: Kawasaki First Look". Cycle World. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Motorcycle USA
  3. ^ "Performance Index Winter '12/'13 Edition" (PDF), Motorcycle Consumer News, Bowtie Magazines, January 2013, archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-29
  4. ^ a b "Long-Term Wrap-Up: 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14". Cycle World. March 25, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  5. ^ "Top 10 most powerful bikes of 2015". Visordown. August 28, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Lenatsch, Nick (March 7, 2012). "Kawasaki ZX-14R – Road Test". Cycle World. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  7. ^ Cycle World AIMExpo 2015: 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Special Edition
  8. ^ 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Archived 2006-10-31 at the Wayback Machine official US page
  9. ^ (Japanese) Tokyo 2005 presentation Archived 2006-03-23 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Kawasaki ZZR1400, ZX14 Motorcycle preview Archived 2012-05-01 at the Wayback Machine at Seastar Superbikes UK
  11. ^ Frank, Aaron (October 7, 2011). "2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R - First Look". Motorcyclist. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  12. ^ "Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R". Motorcyclist. January 12, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  13. ^ Conner, Blake (December 29, 2011). "2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R – Feature". Cycle World. Retrieved February 12, 2016.