Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 / ZZ-R1100 Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 also known as ZZ-R1100 (or just ZZR1100).
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 is a sportbike in the Ninja series made from 1990 to 2001. It was marketed as the ZX-11 Ninja in North America and the ZZ-R1100 in the rest of the world.
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 was powered by a DOHC 1052 CC in-line 4-cylinder carburettor-fed engine that made 108 kW (145 hp) and 108 Nm of torque at peak. With a top speed of 272–283 km/h (169–176 mph), it was the fastest production motorcycle for a while — from its introduction until 1996, when the Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird stole its glory.
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Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11.
The following is the list of maintenance operations and to be done on this motorcycle with a time or distance interval — whichever comes earlier.
The original maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 was divided into “emission related” and “non emission-related”, but I’ve combined them as it’s more practical.
Notes:
- For higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here.
- K: Kawasaki says “Should be serviced by an authorized Kawasaki dealer” (but just do it yourself)
- †: Replace, adjust, or torque if necessary
- #: Service more frequently when operation in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping
Operation | Every | 800 km (500 mi) | 5000 km (3000 mi) | 10000 km (6000 mi) | 15000 km (9000 mi) | 20000 km (12000 mi) | 25000 km (15000 mi) | 30000 km (18000 mi) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carburetor synchronization — check † | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||
Idle speed — check † | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||
Throttle grip play — check † | • | • | • | • | |||||
Spark plug — clean, gap, replace if necessary (NGK CR9E) | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
Valve clearance — check † | • | • | • | • | |||||
Air suction valve — check | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
Air cleaner element and air vent filter — clean | • | • | • | • | |||||
Air cleaner element and air vent filter — replace (KA-1093) | 5 cleanings | • | |||||||
Fuel system — check | • | • | • | ||||||
Evaporative emission control system (CA only) — check † | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||
K | Brake light switch — check † | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
Brake pad wear– check † | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
Brake/clutch fluid level — check † | month | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
K | Brake/clutch fluid — change (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | • | ||||||
K | Steering — check † | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
Drive chain wear — check † # | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
Nuts, bolts, and fasteners tightness — check † | • | • | • | • | |||||
Tire wear–check † | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
Engine oil — change (Mobil 1 Synthetic, Shell Rotella T6, Motul 7100) | year | • | • | • | • | ||||
Oil filter — replace (Hiflofiltro HF401) | • | • | • | • | |||||
General Lubrication — perform (Lithium soap-based grease) | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
K | Front fork oil — change | • | |||||||
K | Swingarm pivot, uni-trak linkage — lubricate | • | • | • | |||||
K | Coolant — change (Zerex G05) | 2 years | • | ||||||
Radiator hoses, connections–check † | year | • | • | • | • | ||||
K | Steering stem bearing–lubricate | 2 years | • | ||||||
K | Fuel filter – replace | • | • | • | |||||
K | Brake/clutch master cylinder cup and dust seal — replace | 2 years | |||||||
K | Caliper piston seal and dust seal — replace | 2 years | |||||||
K | Clutch slave cylinder piston seal — replace | 3 years | |||||||
K | Brake hose/ clutch hose and pipe — replace | 4 years | |||||||
K | Fuel hos e— replace | 4 years | |||||||
Drive chain–lubricate # (Motul chain paste) | Every 600 km (400 mi) | ||||||||
Dive chain slack — check † # | Every 1000 km (600 mi) |
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 has the following tyre sizes, and the following recommended tyre pressures per the manual.
Wheel | Tyre size | Tyre pressure |
---|---|---|
Front | 120/70 ZR17 DUNLOP D204FU | 290 kPa/41 psi |
Rear | 180/55 ZR17 DUNLOP D204P | 290 kPa/41 psi |
It shipped with Bridgestone Battlax tires of a generation you can’t get today (BT-57), so use more modern ones.
General information about the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 is arguably the first super high-speed tourer to lead the craze that led to the Honda Blackbird, then the Suzuki Hayabusa, then back to Kawasaki with the ZX-12 (which replaced the ZX-11) and the ZX-14 range, and finally back to Kawasaki again with the high-speed supercharged H2 range.
The Ninja ZX-11 isn’t just a high-speed machine though. It can appeal to riders in various situations. It has suspension, tuning, and an ergonomic layout that give a smooth, comfortable, and extremely competent ride on the highway. It’s adept in other areas too — it handles well for a big machine, and the understressed engine doesn’t get too hot when commuting.
The aerodynamically slippery bodywork gives the Ninja ZX-11 a powerful but elegant presence that’s backed up by the power from the big engine. The 1052 cc four-cylinder DOHC liquid-cooled block is surprisingly compact, but still powerful enough to help the ZX-11 beat anything on the road in its time… and most things, these days.
The ZX-11 is an older design so it is carburettor fed. This means that if you do happen to get one, make sure you plan to do a carburettor clean and sync to get it breathing properly. It might also need re-jetting if there are aftermarket intake and exhaust components on it. The good news is that you don’t have to take it to a dyno place to get the EFI reprogrammed!
The ZX-11, like later Ninjas, uses ram air induction to pressurise the airbox. A gear-driven engine balancer smoothes engine vibration for increased rider comfort.
Manual for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2000-2001 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11, which is available here.