It’s gotta be ugly competing against the ZX™-14 year after year. When it arrived on the big-bore sportbike stage in 2006, the big Ninja® blew everyone’s minds – owners, journalists and competitors – with its incredible thrust, sport-tourer comfort, agile handling and aerodynamic full-coverage bodywork. Continuous refinement has kept the 14 a step ahead of the competition, all while filling enthusiasts’ face shields with wild, ear-to-ear grins.
New for 2012
• Massively more powerful 1,441cc inline-four engine features a 4mm longer stroke, reworked cylinder head assembly, polished ports and lighter, stronger pistons for more power across the rev range
• KTRC traction-control system features three different modes for varying conditions and is controlled by a handy switch assembly on the left handlebar
• All-new slipper clutch assembly controls rear-wheel torque effects while braking and downshifting
• All-new exhaust system features tapered and reshaped head pipes and an all-new muffler assembly for low noise and emissions
• Redesigned aluminum monocoque frame is narrow, strong and rigid
• All-new swingarm assembly is longer and features strengthening gussets to cope with the engine’s newfound power
• Transmission gears are more durable thanks to new temperature and surface treatments
• All-new bodywork package builds upon the slick aesthetic image of the previous machine, includes a rear seat cowl and adds better air management to the mix for improved rider and passenger comfort
• All-new 10-spoke wheels are more than 3 pounds lighter in total than the previous machine’s units; this reduces unsprung weight, which aids handling and maneuverability
• New disc material and pads improve the 14R’s radial-mount braking system
• Revised suspension settings front and rear add wheel control and compliance to an already plush ride
• Higher overall finish quality than before, including hidden bodywork fasteners
New 1,441cc Four-Cylinder Liquid-Cooled DOHC Engine
• Longer-stroke design, revised (and ported) cylinder heads, lighter pistons, higher compression and more radical camshafts provide more torque and power throughout the rev range
• Piston jet system sprays a continuous stream of cooling lubrication to the underside of each piston for cooler running temperatures, more constant power production and better durability
• Stronger cam chain and tensioning system offers a higher degree of durability at stratospheric rpm levels
• Crankshaft main journals are 2mm thicker (now 40mm) for added durability
• More durable temperature and surface treatments allow the transmission gears to better harness the new engine’s prodigious power production
• 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
• Newly designed engine is compact and narrow, which allows the rest of the machine to be smaller, lighter and more nimble
• Low mechanical noise via special piston profile and urethane insulation sheet on the inside of the magnesium chain cover
Revised High-Flow Exhaust System
• All-new header assembly has tapered-diameter pipes for optimal power production and power delivery characteristics
• Newly designed mufflers offer lower noise emissions and, due to the dual catalyzers, are cleaner than before
• 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
Gear-Driven Dual Engine Balancers
• Revised balance weights keep the newly dimensioned engine (more stroke) in ideal balance, resulting in improved comfort for riders and passengers
• Already in perfect primary balance, the 14R’s engine design features dual secondary balancers that virtually eliminate unwanted vibrations for extremely smooth operation and reduced rider fatigue
Ram Air Induction
• Central ram air duct in the newly shaped fairing draws cooler, higher-pressure air from the face of the fairing and efficiently guides it through the larger and more efficient air cleaner and into the reworked engine for maximum power output
Digital Fuel Injection
• New throttle body assembly featuring 44mm throttle bodies is fitted with ISC valve and sub-throttle valves controlled by the ECU. They provide precise response, smooth DFI® performance, automatic idle speed adjustment, and help the bike meet Euro III emissions requirements now and into the future
• Revised intake tract porting optimizes flow characteristics
• Injectors deliver lateral spray at a 20-degree angle to disperse the finely atomized fuel over a wide area
• Fine-atomizing injectors produce a 75-micron droplet size
• 32-bit ECU works with dual throttle valve system to further enhance throttle response and control
2-Mode Digital Ignition
• Rider selectable High & Low maps offer a choice between full power and approximately 50 percent power output to help suit changing conditions
• Digital Timing Advance enhances low and mid-range power
• Individual spark plug-mounted ignition coils fire each of the four spark plugs independently to achieve the optimum timing for that cylinder
• ECU includes an idle speed control system for easier starting and warm-up
KTRC Traction Control
• KTRC traction-control system features three different modes for varying conditions
• Modes are controlled by a handy switch assembly on the left handlebar
• Modes are indicated on the LCD cockpit display
New Back-Torque Limiting "Slipper" Clutch
• All-new back-torque limiting “slipper” clutch assembly controls rear-wheel torque effects while downshifting or coasting to minimize wheel hop, chatter and reduce rider stress
• Radial-pump hydraulic clutch master cylinder offers smooth and precise engagement and optimal feel at the lever
New-Generation Monocoque Aluminum Frame
• Lightweight monocoque frame is a hollow aluminum box that arches over the engine from the steering head to the swingarm pivot. It is narrow, strong, rigid and very light
• Many of the frame’s new cast aluminum sections – steering head and swingarm pivot areas – are produced via a die-casting process for weight savings
• Rigidly mounted engine is a stressed frame member, which increases the frame’s torsional rigidity and saves weight vs. traditional designs
• Engine is positioned forward in the frame, with the slightly longer wheelbase and front/rear weight balance carefully designed to achieve high-speed stability and responsive handling
• Longer swingarm adds high-speed stability and is gusseted to better cope with the new engine’s power production
• 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 is easily accessible through an aluminum frame cover
Suspension
• Revised internal settings for the inverted and multi-adjustable 43mm cartridge-type fork allow more wheel control and improved ride compliance
• Stepless damping adjustment improves suspension performance
• Excellent control and feedback from the fully adjustable bottom-link Uni-Trak® rear suspension
• Linkage rates allow linear suspension action and greater wheel control
• Bottom-link design helps create a lower center of gravity, which makes the motorcycle more nimble
Reshaped Petal-Type Discs with Radial-Mount Calipers
• Reshaped petal-type design brake discs provide better cooling and enhanced warp resistance
• Radial mounted four-piston front brake calipers use improved brake pads and 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
• Radial-pump front brake master cylinder improves brake performance and lever feel
Aggressive New Bodywork
• Monocoque frame is positioned over the engine so the sleek new fairing is uninterrupted by protruding frame spars, adding to the extremely long and low styling
• New fairing venting offers improved engine-heat control for more comfort for rider and passenger
• Standard rear-seat cowl adds aesthetic appeal
• Both the front and rear turn signals are integrated into the bodywork and have clear lenses to enhance appearance
• Quadruple projector beam headlights in the new fairing give the ZX™-14 a distinctive new look. The outer lights contain position lamps and high beams, while the low beams are located in the center lamps
• Lightweight Denso radiator with dual fans and high-density cores provides maximum cooling efficiency
Full Instrumentation
• New black-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, clock, and many other variables, including traction-control information via a 7-segment LCD indicator
• 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
