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 is 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.

The Kawasaki ZX-11 was replaced by two motorcycles, the Kawasaki ZX-12R and the ZZ-R1200.

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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 below.
  • Kawasaki recommends safety and emissions items “should be serviced by an authorized Kawasaki dealer”
  • For items marked “Check”: Replace, adjust, or torque if necessary
  • Service air filter, chain, and engine oil/filter more frequently when operation in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping
mi x 1000369121518
km x 1000Every51015202530
Spark plug — clean, gap, replace if necessary (NGK CR9E)
Engine oil — change (Mobil 1 Synthetic)year
Oil filter — replace (Hiflofiltro HF401)
Carburettor synchronization — check
Valve clearances — check
Idle speed — check
Throttle grip play — check
Air cleaner element and air vent filter — clean
Air cleaner element and air vent filter — replace (KA-1093)5 cleanings
Air suction valve — check
Fuel system — check
Evaporative emission control system (CA only) — check
Brake light switch — check
Brake pad wear — check
Brake/clutch fluid level — checkmonth
Brake/clutch fluid — change (Castrol DOT 4)2 years
Steering — check
Drive chain wear — check
Nuts, bolts, and fasteners tightness — check
Tire wear — check
General Lubrication — perform (Lithium soap-based grease)
Front fork oil — change
Swingarm pivot, uni-trak linkage — lubricate
Coolant — change (Zerex G05)2 years
Radiator hoses, connections — checkyear
Steering stem bearing — lubricate2 years
Fuel filter — replace
Brake/clutch master cylinder cup and dust seal — replace2 years
Caliper piston seal and dust seal — replace2 years
Clutch slave cylinder piston seal — replace3 years
Brake hose/ clutch hose and pipe — replace4 years
Fuel hose — replace4 years
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 maintenance schedule

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 — Chain Maintenance

It’s important to maintain your chain on the ZX-11, as a high-speed tourer / everyday commuter’s chain is likely to get a lot of abuse.

Kawasaki recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule:

Chain maintenance itemEvery
Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary (Motul chain paste is a simple and cheap recommendation)400 mi / 600 km
Check drive chain slack, adjusting if necessary600 mi / 1000 km
Chain maintenance — Kawasaki ZX-11 / ZZ-R1100

Notes:

  • Do these items (checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication) more often if you ride your Ninja ZX-11 in dusty or rainy conditions.
  • Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle.

Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 / ZZ-R1100

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 has the following tyre sizes, and the following recommended tyre pressures per the manual.

WheelTyre sizeTyre pressure
Front120/70 ZR17 DUNLOP D204FU290 kPa/41 psi
Rear180/55 ZR17 DUNLOP D204P290 kPa/41 psi
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 ZZR1100 tyre sizes and pressures

It shipped with Bridgestone Battlax tires of a generation you can’t get today (BT-57), so use more modern ones.

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 under-stressed 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 smooths engine vibration for increased rider comfort.

Servicing the ZX-11 is like servicing many other liquid-cooled sportbikes, especially those from Kawasaki. The service intervals on the ZX-11 / ZZ-R1100 are every 3000 miles / 35000 km, though the main requirement at that point is a spark plug check and carburetor sync, plus looking over safety and emissions-related parts.

You change the oil every 6000 miles / 10000 km or annually. At that distance interval (6000 mile / 10000 km), you also have to check the valve clearances, which can be quite a job as you have to take off the fairings!

Aside from that, remember to keep the coolant and brake fluid fresh, and maintain the chain with a quality cleaner and lubricant.

Manual for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11

2000-2001 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 Maintenance Schedule Screenshot From Manual

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2000-2001 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11, which is available here.

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