2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Review, Specs and Pictures

Tom 7:41 PM

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Review, Specs and Pictures - 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Review

The designation 'R' Equals More Race Winning Power and More Refinement for Open-Class Sportbike Ultimate

This must be the ugly compete ZX ™ -14 year after year. When arriving at the big-bore sportbike stage in 2006, the big Ninja ® blew everyone's minds - owners, journalists and competitors - with its incredible, comfort thrust sport-tourer, agile handling and aerodynamic full-coverage bodywork. Continuous improvement has made 14 steps ahead of the competition, all while filling enthusiasts face shield 'with wild, ear-to-ear grin.

Fortunately for Kawasaki fans (and unfortunately for the competition), there was 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 has built a legendary open-class motorcycles for over 40 years.

Big power delivered smoothly has always been a big Ninja hallmark, so the changes for 2012 begin at bay ZX-14R new engine. First, there is more movement through increased 4mm stroke, up to 65mm (up from 61mm), with displacement now registering 1441cc (up from 1352cc). The new combustion chamber shape is optimized for 2012, and their surface-milled now, not cast. Intake ports are reshaped and polished for maximum flow while working in concert with the intake valves longer and more durable. Yep, the Ninja ZX-14R new really come "ported" right from the factory.

The camshafts working those valves are more radical, with increased lift and revised profiles, while 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 durability and less weight increased, and cooled by oil jet cooling system that pumps a continuous flow of new oil under the piston, respectively. (Tests show engine runs much cooler with this system.) There's more: Compression is up from last year, connecting rods have beefier small ends, and are made of stronger material, crankshaft main journals are thicker, from 38 to 40mm, an air new-cleaner element is larger and thicker, with 10% more surface area and the ability of 40 percent more airflow and transmission gear was hot and the surface-treated to be more durable and shift more smoothly.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Specs

Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four
Displacement: 1,441cc
Bore x stroke: 84.0 x 65.0mm
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: 120/70 ZR17
Rear tire: 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)
MSRP standard / special edition: $14.699
Warranty: 12 Months