2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

The Kwacker comes calling....... something the 'Busa fans wouldn't really enjoy finding out !!

When it arrived on the big-bore sportbike stage in 2006, after it's predecessor, the mighty ZX-12 failed to make the Suzuki Hayabusa bite the dust in the street-legal power game, the big ZX-14 (also known as the ZZR1400 in European, Australian & Japanese markets) blew everyone’s minds – owners, journalists and competitors – with its incredible thrust, sport-tourer comfort, agile handling and aerodynamic full-coverage bodywork.
Fortunately for Kawasaki fans (and unfortunately for the competition), there’s no let up for 2012. Not only is the newly R-designated Ninja ZX-14R Special Edition massively more powerful, it’s also almost entirely new, with more of the character, design excellence, and finesse.

To account the changes for 2012 begin in the new ZX-14R’s engine bay. First off, there’s more displacement via a 4mm stroke increase; to 65mm (up from 61mm), with displacement now registering 1441cc (up from 1352cc). Combustion chamber shapes are newly optimized for 2012, and they’re surface-milled now, not cast. Intake ports are reshaped and polished for maximum flow while working in concert with longer and more durable intake valves.
The camshafts working those valves are more radical, with increased lift and revised profiles, while a stronger cam chain and revised tensioning system maximize reliability at the stratospheric rpm levels this engine is capable of. Newly designed forged pistons with thinner crowns offer increased durability and less weight, and are cooled by a new oil-jet cooling system that pumps a continuous stream of lubricant at the underside of each piston. (Testing shows the engine runs considerably cooler with this system). Compression is up from last year; connecting rods have beefier small ends, and are made of a stronger material; crankshaft main journals are thicker, from 38 to 40mm; a new air-cleaner element is larger and thicker, with 10% more surface area and 40 percent more airflow capability; and transmission gears have been heat-and surface-treated to be even more durable and shift more smoothly.
The fuel injection system has been refined and now offers automatic idle adjustment and reduced emissions. Exhausts exit through a heavily revised exhaust system with reshaped, larger-diameter tapered header pipes and larger-volume, reshaped mufflers, each with an advanced catalyzer to minimize emissions.
The increase in power output are most profound in the mid-high rpm range, with notably stronger acceleration from 4,000 rpm onward. On the ZX-14R, total domination is just a twist of the throttle away.
That power is more manageable than ever, too, thanks to the addition of a back-torque limiting “slipper” clutch assembly and a KTRC traction control and ignition management system that features three different riding modes – full power, medium power and a third mode for low-traction (wet/slippery) conditions. The back-torque limiting clutch technology comes directly from the racetrack, and helps eliminate the wheel-hop and stability-eroding torque effects of energetic downshifting and braking while cornering, or during spirited – or emergency – stops. It also helps protect the bike’s drive train, for optimum durability.
Kawasaki engineers strove to retain the previous ZX-14’s light-handling and maneuverable demeanor, using the existing chassis design as a starting point for the new 14R and its increased power production. To maintain this sweet-handling character but also pump up the sportiness quotient, engineers modified more than half of the previous frame’s aluminum castings and forgings, all of which have different flex and rigidity characteristics than the parts they replace. So while the new alloy frame bears a distinct resemblance to the previous unit’s over-the-engine, monocoque design, it is vastly different: stiffer in some places and unchanged in others, the net result forming an ideal balance for the bike’s weight, power and cornering ability. In back, the swingarm is 10mm longer than before and features more gusseting to effectively match the new frame’s rigidity balance.
Front and rear suspension revisions help maintain this balancing act of wheel control, ride compliance and maneuverability. Both the 43mm fully adjustable inverted fork and multi-adjustable single shock have improved bottoming resistance and revised internal settings, while new lighter and beautifully machined 10-spoke wheels look great and reduce unsprung weight by a whopping 3.3 pounds, further aiding acceleration, handling and suspension action. The new ZX-14R’s triple disc brakes are updated, as well, with more rigid disc material and revised pads for powerful, fade-free stops and a progressive feel at the lever.
Talking about design, the nose is especially imposing, with a more aggressive nose fitted with a quad-headlight assembly and a large ram-air duct stuffing cool atmosphere into the intake system. The traditional 4-fin theme along the fairing’s sides has a more pronounced 3D design this year, while great effort was expended to hide hooks and fasteners as much as possible. The bike’s tail section is especially well-sculpted, with faired-in turn signals and a cool rear seat cowl.
The new ZX-14’s instruments and controls have been reworked as well, with a newly finished gauge cluster and a new multi-function switch on the left handlebar that handles all system functions; you can toggle the LCD screen using the upper/lower buttons, and easily scroll through fuel consumption, remaining range, battery voltage, external temperature, traction control, etc., choosing and adjusting functions using the ‘select’ button in the center of the toggle switch. There’s even an “eco” indicator on the LCD screen that lets riders know when they’re getting maximum economy and fuel mileage.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Specs.:
Engine Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four

Displacement 1,441 cc

Bore x Stroke 84.0 x 65.0 mm

Compression Ratio 12.3:1

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 Size 120/70 ZR17

Rear Tire Size 190/50 ZR17

Wheelbase 58.3 in.

Front Suspension / wheel travel 43mm inverted cartridge fork with adjustable preload, 18-way compression and 15-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 / 4.9 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 30.3 in.

Overall height 46.1 in.

Ground clearance 4.9 in.

Seat Height 31.5 in.

Curb Weight 584.3 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 5.8 gal

Color Golden Blazed Green with special graphics (SE)

Warranty 12 months