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2009 Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-14
Kawasaki’s Flagship Superbike Reigns Supreme
In the ever changing world of global superbike supremacy, the mantra “evolve or get left behind” still holds true. The 2009 Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-14 has not rested on its laurels. The winning traits – massive torque, effortless power, agile handling and comfortable ergonomics – of the 1352cc Ninja king have landed it a sizeable collection of open class sportbike victories. Despite ever-tightening noise and emissions regulations; the ZX-14 has continued to set the pace of sportbike excellence ever since its domineering debut in March of 2006.
No doubt about it, the ZX-14 is a testament to effective evolution. Its engine and exhaust system permit it to comply with strict Euro-III emissions and tightening noise regulations. However, the ZX-14’s low-end torque, mid-range surge and its 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.
The ZX-14 meets noise standards by producing a minimum of internal mechanical noise, in lieu of using a more-restrictive exhaust system. 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 that 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.
Pricing/Color Information
Features
All
1,352cc Four-Cylinder, DOHC Engine - Tuned to provide smooth power across a very wide rev range, while producing impressive horsepower numbers
1,352cc Four-Cylinder, DOHC Engine - 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
1,352cc Four-Cylinder, DOHC Engine - Carefully planned engine design is compact and narrow
1,352cc Four-Cylinder, DOHC Engine - 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
Exhaust - Internal silencer construction minimizes impact of emissions regulations while maintaining impressive top-end power
Exhaust - 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
Digital Fuel Injection - Intake porting optimizes flow characteristics
Digital Fuel Injection - Injectors deliver lateral spray at a 20 degree angle to disperse the finely-atomized fuel over a wider area
Digital Fuel Injection - Fine-atomizing injectors produce 75µ droplet size
Digital Fuel Injection - 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
Digital Ignition - Individual spark plug-mounted ignition coils fire each of the four sparkplugs independently to achieve the optimum timing for that cylinder at that instant
Digital Ignition - 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
Next-Generation Monocoque Aluminum Frame - Frame’s cast aluminum sections - steering head and swing arm pivot areas – are produced with a die casting process for further weight savings
Next-Generation Monocoque Aluminum Frame - Rigidly mounted engine is a stressed frame member, which increases the frame’s torsional rigidity and saves approximately four pounds
Next-Generation Monocoque Aluminum Frame - Engine positioned forward in the frame, with the wheelbase and front/rear weight balance carefully designed to achieve high-speed stability and responsive handling
Next-Generation Monocoque Aluminum Frame - Massive head pipe casting contributes to frame rigidity
Next-Generation Monocoque Aluminum Frame - Frame houses the air box and air filter in a space-saving design that simplifies air cleaner maintenance
Next-Generation Monocoque Aluminum Frame - 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
Suspension - Stepless damping adjustment improves suspension performance
Suspension - Excellent control and feedback from fully adjustable bottom-link Uni-Trak® rear suspension
Suspension - Linkage rates provide linear suspension action
Suspension - Bottom-link design concentrates helps create a lower center of gravity, which makes the motorcycle more nimble
Suspension - 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
Radial Mounted Petal Front Disc Brakes - 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 Mounted Petal Front Disc Brakes - Petal design brake discs provide better cooling and warp resistance
Radial Mounted Petal Front Disc Brakes - 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
Wind Tunnel-Designed Bodywork - Both the front and rear turn signals are integrated into the bodywork and have clear lenses to enhance the appearance
Wind Tunnel-Designed Bodywork - 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
Wind Tunnel-Designed Bodywork - Lightweight Denso radiator with high-density cores provides maximum cooling efficiency
Full Instrumentation - White faced dual analog speedometer and tachometer are easy to read
Full Instrumentation - Multi-function LCD digital display includes an odometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge, gear position indicator and a clock
Full Instrumentation - Programmable shift indicator lamp illuminates at pre-set rpm to signal rider upshift
Full Instrumentation - Programmable clutch engagement lamp illuminates at pre-set rpm to signal the rider to engage the clutch
Full Instrumentation - 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
2009 Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-14
Specifications
Engine
- Engine
- Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four
- Displacement
- 1352 cc
- Bore x Stroke
- 84.0 x 61.0 nn
- Maximum Torque
- 154 N/m {15.7 kgf/m} 113.5 lb-ft @ 7,500 rpm
- Compression Ratio
- 12.0:1
- Fuel Injection
- DFI with Mikuni 44mm Throttle Bodies (4)
- Fuel Capacity
- 5.8 gal.
Transmission
- Ignition
- TCBI with Digital Advance
- Transmission
- 6-Speed
- Final Drive
- X-Ring Chain
Chassis
- Tires Front
- 120/70 ZR17
- Tires Rear
- 190/50 ZR17
- Suspension Front
- 43mm inverted cartridge fork with adjustable preload, stepless rebound and compression damping adjustments
- Wheel Travel, Front
- 4.6 in.
- Suspension Rear
- Bottom-Link Uni-Trak® and gas-charged shock with adjustable preload, stepless rebound and compression damping adjustments, adjustable ride height
- Wheel Travel, Rear
- 4.8 in.
- Brake Front
- Dual semi-floating 310 mm petal discs with dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers
- Brake Rear
- Single 250mm petal disc with twin-piston caliper
Dimensions
- Wheelbase
- 57.5 in.
- Height
- 46.1 in
- Length
- 85.4 in.
- Width
- 29.9 in.
- Rake (Caster Angle)
- 23 degrees
- Trail
- 94 mm.
- Seat Height
- 31.5 in.
- Curb Weight
- 566.7 lbs.
General Information
- Warranty
- 12 months
Colors
- Colors
- Candy Lime Green / Flat Super Black; Special Edition Candy Burnt Orange / Metallic Diablo Black
