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2010 Kawasaki ZX-14 Ninja
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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.

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 75μm 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

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

Source: Kawasaki USA

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dwc032

Totally fugly!

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goslow

^

Agreed...........

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AcXr50

Haters

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Lone Rider

Jeez they brought the Red back.
And no mention of improvements.
And its still comes with the battleax 14s....sigh
At least I see absolutely no need to buy another one.
23,000 miles and still no problems.

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gilberjj

edit:
I love this new red....... It might be my new fav color..... naw, black is the best imo. Things I like about my zx14

Awesome engine (besides the secondary throttle plates, but those are easily removed). Great low end grunt. Legendary top end power. Easy to use, and smooth as glass!
Comfortable
The clutch is bulletproof (200+ 1/4 passes, and it's only $160 for a new one)
The transmission has excellent engagement, and I've never heard of someone ruining one (it's bulletproof as well)
Great reliability (the only ones I've ever heard of blowing up do so within the first 100 miles) There are several people with over 50k miles, and their valves still havn't needed adjusted
It will keep up with just about any sportbike on the street. Everytime I ride the twisties with guys, they tell me how surprised they are at the zx14s capabilities in the twisties

However..... If I was a Kawasaki engineer, this would be my to-do list

Bigger engine (or at least up the compression to 13:1 with FORGED pistons, not cast, that alone should be worth 5-10 hp)
6 spring clutch instead of 5
Stiffer suspension
Dunlop Roadsmarts (the stock bt014s have terrible grip, and they don't last)
Less weight (the stock wheels belong on a locomotive, and the kickstand is uber heavy)
Rear mounted oil drain plug
Fix the cam chain tensioner (it rattles on start-up. Nothing really wrong with it, but it sounds nasty)
Lose the secondary throttle plates
Get rid of the banana seat (IT'S A SPORT BIKE!!!!)
At least give us SOME storage under the seat
Maybe try to make it a touch skinnier (I've touched the fairings down in the corners)

BOTTOM LINE: More power, less weight. Engineers always want to add fluff. However, fluff adds weight. I don't need or want traction control, abs, shaft drive, tire pressure sensors, etc....

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Buz

I like the color changes way better than the last two years.
Change the exhaust and drop 20 lbs,power commander, dyno tuned and install a windshield that allows you to go faster than 175 mph.

I'd love to ride one again, i miss my 06.

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donthekawguy

Thank god they did away with the flames.

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LateZ

sexy

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h_travis

I like it; the design is aging very well and still looks way better than any 'busa IMO

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varment

and it looks better than the rest of the Ninja lineup IMHO..

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h_travis

yup, agreed

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Lone Rider

Yea Gilberjj. I had the same wish list.
And KHI fixed (or tried) the heat issues on the New Connie!! Why not the 14 too??!! At least dual fans!!
Cant really make it skinnier though. Not much at the crank ends to lessen width!
The Busa and BMW got new suspension, whats up KHI?

My answer was to go see Barry.
His revalve fixes the front end dive. (Heavier, better springs too.)
The Penske has a ride height adjustment.
I cranked it up 1.5" over stock and "lowered" the fork tubes to raise the front end about a 1/4".
Havent came close since. And its actually easier to turn in and will trail brake without trying to stand back up.
Richs custom seat is the best mod I've done yet.
Brocks clutch springs
APE tensioner never really needs adjustment once set.

You still sleepin with your 14????
You still got it???

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usmcgunnerm4

Holy crap. New black and silver paint scheme is awesome. The 14 is just sexy.

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Monroe FJR

Well....

2008-2010's - Leave the flies in.

OEM tires - BT014's works great. Good grip. Mileage depends on driving style.

Suspensions works just fine if you're within the design specs. Just follow the easy instructions in the manual. Note: Fat butts might have a problem.

No heat problem here in the Pac NW! But dual fans would be nice... or a Muzzy fan... for those dreaded 80+ degree days.

Seat is just fine. It's not a sportbike. It's a hyper-bike! I think that's part sportbike and part super-tourer.

And as EVERYONE knows, silver is the fastest colour.

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midvalleysuperbiker

I have been thinkin' about adding an Asian rocket to my humble little collection.

My old ZX11 has been gone for 1 1/2 years and I still miss it!

This could be it!

Or maybe a low miles used one.

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Lone Rider

Well your bike IS pretty.

But sorry, those of us who actually abuse the 14 have some problems with stuff.
I'm a whopping 175 lb. And the stock suspension is weak once you push it.
I sacked my stuff in 1 track day and 5K miles.
Even the Busa is reported to out handle it stock
B14s sigh..., hard to find a worst tire for our bikes.
Give us the BT16s anyway!!! Thems good! BT14s especially OEM, not so much.

What the heck is your concept of design specs? Riding with Harleys?
I'm thinkin ridin with Burt Munro, dragracer1951, ya know, REALLY fast.
Around corners and shit. Not cuttin the gut in some urban area at 50.
It really sucks bad at 170 to have a spring rate for a 150 lb rider!!

The seat is fine for short hops (200 miles or less) and for the first 5 K or so miles.
Fabulous brakes, mind numbing speed, Bullet proof, Dynamite at the strip, so stable it doesnt need a steering dampener,
but lotta heat on the rider in slow stuff and no dampening or enough spring rate when smokin the mountains when I tour Or chase Old Guys on tards.
Dont like arguing with fellow 14 owners but get real, it aint perfect.

I'd rather have a 14 with a few mods than a fugly Busa with crap brakes.
Stock, it scares mortals, racers think its ok but fat.

But it aint all that. Close but not all that.
KHI could have it dominating with just a few things.......,sigh

Mine is for Me with several piles of benjamins into performance.
Yours is for you with several more piles in Bling.
maybe thats what you mean...,

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krautBurner

I love the new red,
can't wait to see it in person.


other than the colors,
are there any updates this year?

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Lone Rider

None that I found.

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gilberjj

Well, I've since moved, so my bike sits in the garage, and I now have my own ACTUAL bedroom.
My bike is moving to full drag duty, so I'll be making some significant changes to it. You should come out to pacific on the 18th and take your bike down the ol' 1320! I recently got a sidewinder, zx10 front fender, catalyst drag seat, and a couple other goodies. It should rip now!

Suspension and tires work for those who don't actually use them..... From the looks of your bike, you don't need good suspension or tires.... Hit the twisties hard and you'll know EXACTLY what we are talking about. bt014s belong in a garbage heap.

NONE........ which may be a good thing actually. This way the aftermarket can continue to refine the motorcycle. Although the thought of a zx15 makes me happy in my pants.

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