Introduction
Ultimate Performance from Kawasaki's
Flagship Superbike
The mission of Kawasaki's flagship Ninja® ZX™-14 is
not unlike that of an exotic supercar - to project the awesome
power and technology of its parent company in rapid fashion,
every time the throttle is twisted. It may not cost a million
dollars or have a V-12 engine, but the ZX-14's 1352cc fuel-injected
inline-four is the closest thing on two wheels. Its monocoque
chassis and wind-tunnel developed body represent the cutting
edge of sportbike design. The ZX-14's systems are designed to
allow riders to exploit the full potential of man and machine,
while effortlessly dispatching all challengers.
Despite ever-tightening noise and emissions regulations; the
ZX-14 has continued to set the pace of sportbike excellence ever
since its domineering debut. Intake and exhaust systems permit
it to comply with strict emissions and noise regulations, even
as its massive low-end torque, mid-range thrust and legendary
Ninja peak power place it at the top of the sportbike food chain.
Secondary air ports in the cylinder head and its cover flow clean
air into the exhaust system and boost the efficiency of the three
honeycomb catalyzers employed in the exhaust system. These devices,
combined with a wide dispersal of atomized fuel from the fine-atomizing
fuel injectors and optimized flow characteristics through the
intakes, allow the ZX-14's 1352cc engine to offer strong performance,
yet still meet the toughest motorcycle emissions regulations.
In lieu of a more-restrictive exhaust system, the ZX-14 meets
noise standards by producing minimal internal mechanical noise.
A special piston profile and a urethane insulation sheet on the
inside of the magnesium chain cover help quiet the engine and
permit a freer flowing exhaust for greater power.
The ZX-14's chassis design is every bit the equal of its power
plant. Using an advanced version of Kawasaki's unique aluminum
monocoque design, its frame is lightweight and very strong. Die
cast aluminum sections on the main frame make for lighter parts,
keeping the weight down even more on the slim and compact frame.
The narrow engine, monocoque frame, and fuel tank provide a slim
rider interface and a relaxed sport riding position. It is compact
without being cramped, with its easy-to-reach bar position, low-set
footpegs for ample legroom and a low seat height and narrow seat
front to easily plant both feet on the ground when stopped. Comfort
levels are high enough to cause riders to think they're on a
dedicated sport tourer - until the ZX-14's throttle is twisted.
When that happens, all confusion disappears, like so many competitors
in the rear view mirrors.
Uninterrupted fairing lines give the ZX-14 a smooth, flowing
appearance from front to rear, due in part to the monocoque frame,
which goes over the engine and doesn't protrude through the cowling.
Quadruple projector beam headlights adorn the ZX-14's front fairing,
immediately beneath its menacing ram air intake duct. The turn
signals are cleanly integrated into the fairing and rear cowl,
with a unique "V" design LED tail lamp capping off
a sleek, aerodynamic package that reinforces Kawasaki's aircraft
heritage.
The Ninja ZX-14's blend of power, handling and style perfectly
illustrates the potent technological know-how of Kawasaki's highly-trained
engineers.
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Features
1,352cc Four-Cylinder, DOHC Engine
- Tuned to provide smooth power across a very wide rev range,
while producing impressive horsepower numbers
- Chrome composite plated aluminum cylinder bores are lightweight,
durable, and quickly carry heat away from the combustion chamber
and piston for supreme durability at high power outputs
- Carefully planned engine design is compact and narrow
- Low mechanical noise via special piston profile and urethane
insulation sheet on the inside of the magnesium chain cover
Exhaust
- Airflow into the exhaust from the large secondary air ports
in the cylinder head and head cover, plus a third honeycomb catalyzer
in the collector help meet strict Euro III emissions standards
- Internal silencer construction minimizes impact of emissions
regulations while maintaining impressive top-end power
- Exhaust connecting tube entrances are designed to enhance low
rpm torque characteristics
Gear-Driven Dual Engine Balancers
- Already in perfect primary balance, dual secondary balancers
virtually eliminate unwanted vibrations for extremely smooth
engine operation and reduced rider fatigue
Ram Air Induction
- Central ram air duct draws the cooler, higher-pressure air
from the face of the fairing and efficiently guides it through
the air cleaner and into the engine for maximum power output
Digital Fuel Injection
- 44mm Mikuni throttle bodies are fitted with sub-throttle valves,
controlled by the ECU to provide precise response, make DFI®
performance smoother, and help meet Euro III emission requirements
- Intake porting optimizes flow characteristics
- Injectors deliver lateral spray at a 20 degree angle to disperse
the finely-atomized fuel over a wider area
- Fine-atomizing injectors produce 75?m droplet size
- 32-bit ECU works with dual throttle valve system to further
enhance throttle response and control
Digital Ignition
- Digital Timing Advance enhances low-and mid-range power
- Individual spark plug-mounted ignition coils fire each of the
four sparkplugs independently to achieve the optimum timing for
that cylinder at that instant
- ECU includes an idle speed control system for easier starting
and warm-up
Radial Pump Clutch Master Cylinder
- Hydraulic clutch features a radial-pump clutch master cylinder
for smooth and precise clutch engagement and feel
Next-Generation Monocoque Aluminum Frame
- Lightweight, monocoque frame is a hollow aluminum box that
arches over the engine from the steering head to the swing arm
pivot. It is narrow, strong, rigid and very light
- Frame's cast aluminum sections - steering head and swing arm
pivot areas - are produced with a die casting process for further
weight savings
- Rigidly mounted engine is a stressed frame member, which increases
the frame's torsional rigidity and saves approximately four pounds
- Engine positioned forward in the frame, with the wheelbase
and front/rear weight balance carefully designed to achieve high-speed
stability and responsive handling
- Massive head pipe casting contributes to frame rigidity
- Frame houses the air box and air filter in a space-saving design
that simplifies air cleaner maintenance
- Battery is also housed within the frame and has simple access
through the back side of the frame
Suspension
- Inverted 43mm cartridge type front fork utilizes damping rates
that offer stiff initial action to resist front-end dive when
braking
- Stepless damping adjustment improves suspension performance
- Excellent control and feedback from fully adjustable bottom-link
UNI-TRAK® rear suspension
- Linkage rates provide linear suspension action
- Bottom-link design helps create a lower center of gravity,
which makes the motorcycle more nimble
- Wheel rim center ribs are slightly offset so tire balance weights
can be located precisely along the wheel's centerline
Radial Mounted Petal Front Disc Brakes
- Radial mounted four-piston front brake calipers offer greater
rigidity than traditional caliper mounting, to improve brake
feel
- A separate brake pad is used for each piston. Individual pads
provide increased cooling efficiency and can absorb more heat
without deforming, so they maintain a consistent brake feel longer
- Petal design brake discs provide better cooling and warp resistance
- Radial-pump front brake master cylinder improves brake performance
and lever feel
Wind Tunnel-Designed Bodywork
- Monocoque frame goes over the engine so the sleek fairing is
uninterrupted by protruding frame spars, adding to the extremely
long and low styling
- Both the front and rear turn signals are integrated into the
bodywork and have clear lenses to enhance the appearance
- Quadruple projector beam headlights give the ZX-14 a distinctive
front fairing. The outer lights contain position lamps and the
high beams, while the low beams are in the center lamps
- Lightweight Denso radiator with high-density cores provides
maximum cooling efficiency
Full Instrumentation
- White faced dual analog speedometer and tachometer are easy
to read
- Multi-function LCD digital display includes an odometer, two
trip meters, fuel gauge, gear position indicator and a clock
- Programmable shift indicator lamp illuminates at pre-set rpm
to signal rider upshift
- Programmable clutch engagement lamp illuminates at pre-set
rpm to signal the rider to engage the clutch
- Controller Area Network (CAN) interface between the gauges
uses fewer wires yet allows a greater volume of information,
such as estimated fuel mileage, to be exchanged
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Technical Specifications
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled,
DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four
Displacement: 1,352cc
Bore x stroke: 84.0 x 61.0mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Fuel system: DFI® with four 44mm Mikuni throttle bodies
Ignition: TCBI with Digital Advance
Transmission: Six speed
Final drive: X-Ring chain
Rake / trail: 23 degrees / 3.7 in.
Front Tire: 120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire: 190/50 ZR17
Wheelbase: 57.5 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 43mm inverted cartridge fork
with adjustable preload, 13-way compression and 11-way rebound
damping adjustment / 4.6 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: Bottom-Link UNI-TRAK® and
gas-charged shock with adjustable preload, stepless rebound and
compression damping adjustments, adjustable ride height / 4.8
in.
Front Brakes: Dual semi-floating 310 mm petal discs with dual
radial-mounted four-piston calipers
Rear Brakes: Single 250mm petal disc with twin-piston caliper
Overall length: 85.4 in.
Overall width: 29.9 in.
Overall height: 46.1 in.
Ground clearance: 4.9 in.
Seat height: 31.5 in.
Curb weight: 566.7 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 5.8 gal.
Color: Candy Persimmon Red, Metallic Titanium/Metallic Spark
Black
MSRP: $13,399
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