2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

The ‘R’ Designation Equals More Race Winning Power and More Refinement for the Ultimate Open-Class SportbikeFortunately 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 massively more powerful, it’s also almost entirely new, with more of the character, design excellence, and finesse you’ve come to expect from Team Green™ – the company that’s been building legendary open-class motorcycles for more than 40 years.Big power delivered smoothly has always been a big Ninja hallmark, so 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. Yep, the new Ninja ZX-14R really does come “ported” right from the factory.The benefits of all this hot-rodding are substantial, as there’s more power virtually everywhere across the rev range. The increases are most profound in the mid-high rpm range, with notably stronger acceleration from 4,000 rpm onward. This translates into the sort of thrust riders can appreciate in a wide variety of situations, whether it’s powering up a freeway on-ramp to merge with fast-moving traffic or cruising along a deserted backroad on a sunny, Sunday-morning ride. On the ZX-14R, total domination is just a twist of the throttle away.But the ZX-14R’s new engine is more than supremely powerful; there’s plenty of polish and panache to go along with it. The engine’s dual gear-driven counterbalancer setup, for instance, has been optimized to work with the new mill’s longer-stroke dimensions and crankshaft changes. The result is smoother power across the rev range. 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 - USA Specifications/Technical Details US MSRP Price: $14,699.00 USD 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 Metallic Spark Black, Candy Surf Blue, Golden Blazed Green with special graphics (SE) Warranty 12 months