Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2 (2014-2016) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2, made between 2014-2016. Maintenance is the same for ABS versions.

The Kawasaki Ninja 1000 is a mid-range sport-touring motorcycle (only mid-range because these days, sport touring motorcycles come with much higher capacities). Kawasaki released the Ninja 1000 originally in model year 2011 (for the first generation), and while it has evolved over the years, the engine has mostly stayed the same (other than conforming to ever-changing emissions standards).

The Ninja 1000 family is unrelated to other motorcycles in the Ninja range, which range from the comparatively sedate Ninja 400 up to the fire-breathing Ninja ZX-10R.

The engine for the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2 is shared with the 2014 Kawasaki Z1000, which has greater bore and stroke than Kawasaki’s sport bike engines, and more of a mid-range-heavy tune.

The Ninja 1000 was developed for the street rather than the track, so it’s tuned for strong mid-range power. Nonetheless, the Kawasaki is a fast bike, making 100+ kW (140 hp) from its 1,043cc engine.

Major generations of the Ninja 1000 were:

  • Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 1 (2011-2013): The base model, the 1,043cc sport touring bike we all love.
  • Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2 (2014-2016): Enhanced Tokico brakes. Traction control, power modes, and optional ABS (standard in some parts of the world). Revised suspension, bodywork, and induction.
  • Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 3 (2017-2019): A 6-axis IMU giving it lean angle-aware ABS and traction control. Standard ABS, and new styling.
  • Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 4 (2020+): Ride by wire, cruise control, more ride modes, shortened trail, electronic suspension, revised tuning and camshaft profiles, an up/down quick shifter, a sweet colour TFT dashboard, and more changes.

Internally, the Ninja 1000 didn’t change dramatically, and it has always produced a similar amount of power from an engine with the same dimensions.

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Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Service Intervals

Overall, the Gen 2 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 has 7600 miles / 12000 km or annual service intervals between oil changes. At every oil change, also change the filter.

Kawasaki recommends changing the spark plugs every 7500 miles / 12000 km (though not with a time component, like oil), and to check the valve clearances every 15000 miles / 24000 km.

Make sure you also regularly change the coolant and the brake fluid.

What you need to service the 2014-2016 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2

To maintain the Ninja 1000, you need the following basic consumables, in addition to basic motorcycle maintenance tools.

PartKawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2 Spec
OilYou need 4.0L (4.2 US qt) of SAE 10W-40 engine oil “with API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2 rating”, preferably Kawasaki 10W-40 Engine Oil.

Don’t over-torque the drain bolt (spec is 29 Nm/21 lb-ft per the manual) — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough.
Oil filterOil filter is part 16097-0008, or you can use Hiflofiltro HF303RC. Torque for oil filter is 17 Nm (13 ft-lb) (use a torque wrench, and it’s easier on the Hiflofiltro one)
Front brake padsGenuine part number for front brake pads is 43082-0144 for the Ninja 1000. Get double-sintered EBC brake pads for better bite and wear — code FA379HH.
Rear brake padsGenuine part number for rear brake pads is 43082-0119. Get double-sintered EBC brake pads for better bite and wear — code FA192HH.
Spark plugsNGK CR9EIA-9, with a spark plug gap of 0.8-0.9mm (use a spark plug gapping tool), torqued to 13 Nm or 9 ft-lb (use a torque wrench)
Air filterGenuine part number is 11013-0738. You can also use the HifloFiltro part HFA2920.
Cable lubricantRemember to lubricate your clutch cable (and brake cables if you have them) with a cable lubricant. Protect All Cable Life is a good general-purpose lubricant.
Chain lubricantThe chain needs to be lubricated every 600 km/400 miles (or more, if it gets wet/dirty). Motul chain paste is cheap and well-loved.
Brake fluidSpec is to use DOT-4 brake fluid, like Castrol DOT 4
CoolantUse 2.9L (about 3.1 US qt) of “soft water and ethylene glycol plus corrosion and rust inhibitor chemicals for aluminum engines and radiators”, e.g. Valvoline Zerex G05
GreaseUse a lithium soap-based grease for all the important greasing points.
Consumables for servicing the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2 motorcycle

Maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2 (2014-2016)

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Ninja 1000 Gen 2 (2014-2016). It bears a lot in common with other years, but some line items are separated, and some parts are different.

Things to note

  • At the end of the maintenance schedule, continue in the pattern indicated (ever 6K km)
  • Some intervals are time OR distance based — observe the shorter interval.
km x 10006121824
mi x 10003.87.611.415.2Every
Air cleaner element (*C)R
Idle speedII
Throttle control system (play, smooth return, no drag)III,1
Engine vacuum synchronizationII
Fuel systemIII,1
Fuel hosesR,5
Evaporative emission conrol system (*D)IIII
Coolant levelII
Cooling systemIII,1
Coolant, water hoses, and O-ringsR,3, or every 36K km (22.5K mi)
Valve clearanceI
Air suction systemII
Clutch operation (play, engagement, disengagement)II
Engine oil(*C) and oil filterRRR,1
Tire air pressureIII,1
Wheels and tiresIII,1
Wheel bearing damageIII,1
Drive chain wear (*C)II
Drive chain guide wearII
Brake systemIIIII,1
Brake operation (effectiveness, play, no drag)IIIII,1
Brake fluid levelIIIII,0.5
Brake fluid (front and rear)RR,2
Brake hoseR, 4
Rubber parts of brake master cylinder and caliperR,4, or every 48K km (30K mi)
Brake pad wear (*C)IIII
Brake light switch operationIIII
Suspension systemIII,1
Steering playIII,1
Steering stem bearingsLL,2
Electrical systemIII,1
Spark plugRR
Chassis partsLLL,1
Condition of bolts, nuts, and fastenersII
Gen 2 2014-2016 Ninja 1000 Maintenance Schedule

Maintaining Your Chain on the Kawasaki Ninja 1000

It’s important to maintain your chain on the Ninja 1000, as on any chain-driven motorcycle, but particularly one that sees use in all kinds of conditions.

Kawasaki recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule:

Chain maintenance itemEvery
Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary (Motul chain paste)400 mi / 600 km
Check drive chain slack, adjusting if necessary
Target chain slack: 20-30mm (0.8-1.2 in) at the loosest part of the chain
600 mi / 1000 km
Chain maintenance — Kawasaki Ninja 1000

Notes:

  • Do these items (checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication) more often if you ride your Ninja 1000 in dusty or rainy conditions.
  • Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle.

If the chain is too tight or too loose, adjust the chain slack by loosening the clamp bolts, turning the chain adjuster with an Allen wrench, and tightening the clamp bolts again to 47 lb-ft / 64 Nm. This is one of the easier motorcycles on which to adjust the slack, as you don’t even have to loosen the rear axle.

Tyre sizes and specs for the 2014-2016 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2

The manual for the Gen 2 Ninja 1000 specifies the following tyre sizes and pressures.

WheelSizeTyre pressure (cold)
Front120/70ZR17 M/C 58W250 kPa/36 psi
Rear190/50ZR17 M/C (73W)290 kPa/42 psi
Tyre sizes/pressures for Ninja 1000 Gen 2

Stock, the Ninja 1000 shipped with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S20 tyres, but more modern ones are out these days.

Manual for the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2

The above maintenance schedule was obtained from the manual for the 2014-2016 Kawasaki Ninja 1000. They’re identical between model years.

You can view this manual online at Kawasaki’s website here.

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