Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 (2006-2011) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 also known as ZZR1400.
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 is a sport bike in the Ninja series introduced in 2005 and released for the 2006 model year as a replacement for the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 (2002-2005). It had a minor update in the year 2008. After 2011, the ZX-14 was replaced by the ZX-14R.
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Kawasaki ZX-14 Service Intervals
Overall, the Kawasaki ZX-14 has 7500 mile / 12000 km or annual service intervals between oil changes. At every service, there’s also a list of maintenance items to look over.
Kawasaki’s original maintenance schedule does have a shorter service interval, but they mostly just recommend you check the clutch and brakes between services. In order to keep the schedule clean, it’s easier to just generally recommend that — and that’s something most riders would do.
The spark plugs should be replaced every 7500 miles / 12000 km (just not necessarily annually), and the valve clearances should be checked every two spark plug changes, or 15000 miles / 24000 km.
Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14.
The original maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 is broken into three sections: Engine Related Items, Chassis Related Items, and Change/Replacement Items. We’ve re-combined and separated them into a schedule of major items plus a general “inspection checklist” to be done at every service.
Notes:
- For higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval below
- Follow the earlier of time-based or distance-based service intervals.
- Kawasaki recommends you service the brake and clutch system between services, looking it over for leaks and faults and making sure the levels are OK.
Service schedule
Below is the recurring service schedule of major items like engine oil, spark plugs, valve clearances and so on.
| mi x 1000 | 7.5 | 15 | 22.5 | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | Every | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 |
| Inspection checklist — Perform | year | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air cleaner element – replace | every 18000 km (11250 mile) | ||||
| Engine oil – change | year | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oil filter – replace | year | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spark plug – replace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Valve clearance – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Engine vacuum synchronization – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Idle speed – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Air suction system damage – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Drive chain wear – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Drive chain guide wear – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Wheels/tires damage – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Uni-trak rocker arm operation – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Uni-trak tie rods operation – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Tire tread wear, abnormal wear – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Front forks/rear shock absorber operation (damping and smooth stroke) – inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Steering stem bearings – lubricate | 2 years | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Fuel hoses – replace | 4 years | ✓ | |||
| Coolant – change | 3 years | ✓ | |||
| Radiator hoses and O-rings – replace | 3 years | ✓ | |||
| Brake hoses and pipe -replace | 4 years | ✓ | |||
| Brake fluid (front and rear) – change | 2 years | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Rubber parts of master cylinder and calipers – replace | 4 years | ✓ | |||
| Clutch hoses – replace | 4 years | ✓ | |||
| Clutch slave cylinder piston seal – replace | 4 years | ✓ | |||
| Clutch fluid – change | 2 years | ✓ | ✓ |
Inspection checklist
Below is the inspection checklist for everything to check on the ZX-14.
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Inspection Checklist |
|---|
| Throttle control system (play, smooth return, no drag) – inspect |
| Fuel leak (fuel hose and pipe) – inspect |
| Fuel hoses damage – inspect |
| Fuel hoses installation condition – inspect |
| Coolant level – inspect |
| Coolant leak – inspect |
| Radiator hose damage – inspect |
| Radiator hoses installation condition – inspect |
| Evaporative emission control system – function (California) |
| Clutch operation (play, engagement, disengagement) – inspect |
| Clutch fluid level – inspect Check monthly |
| Clutch fluid leak – inspect |
| Clutch hose damage – inspect |
| Clutch hose installation – inspect |
| Tire air pressure – inspect |
| Wheel bearings damage – inspect |
| Brake fluid leak – inspect |
| Brake hoses damage – inspect |
| Brake pad wear – inspect |
| Brake hose installation condition – inspect |
| Brake fluid level – inspect Check monthly |
| Brake operation (effectiveness, play, drag) – inspect |
| Brake light switch operation – inspect |
| Front forks/rear shock absorber oil leak – inspect |
| Steering play – inspect |
| Lights and switches operation – inspect |
| Headlight aiming – inspect |
| Side stand switch operation – inspect |
| Engine stop switch operation – inspect |
| Chassis parts – lubricate |
| Bolts and nuts tightness – inspect |
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard, and the following recommended tyre pressures:
| Tyre | Size | Brand(s) | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) | BRIDGESTONE “BT014F RADIAL SL” | 290 kPa / 42psi |
| Rear | 190/50 ZR17 M/C (73W) | BRIDGESTONE “BT014R RADIAL L” | 290 kPa / 42psi |
About the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
The Kawasaki ZX-14 is an evolution of both the ZZ-R1200 and the ZX-12R — it does double duty as a sports tourer and a fast sports bike.
Those two motorcycles always played to similar crowds, to the point where people who wanted one or the other on forums generally felt happy with whichever one they got — as long as it was in good condition — and wouldn’t really swap one for the other.
The result is the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14, which is both a comfortable long-hauler and a superbike that can do 0–60 mph (or 0-98 km/h) in 2.5 seconds, if you’re quick with the clutch.
The Ninja ZX-14 is powered by a 1,352cc transversely-mounted inline four-cylinder engine that’s water-cooled, fuel-injected, and has four valves per cylinder. It produces 140 kW (187 hp) at standstill, and 147 kW (197 hp) at speed with the help of ram air, which forces air into the induction, like a turbocharger or supercharger.
The top speed is … very high, though it’s electronically limited to 186 mph (299 km/h) as a result of an agreement between the major Japanese and European motorcycle manufacturers, ever since the first-generation Suzuki Hayabusa.
The Ninja ZX-14’s body was carefully built using wind tunnel testing. The monocoque frame is positioned just over the engine so the sleek fairing is uninterrupted by protruding frame spars, enhancing the bike’s long and low styling.
Speaking of styling, there’s a lot to like about the way the ZX-14 looks aesthetically, from the insect-like front end (that’s VERY effective at lighting up the road ahead) to the twin gauges and LCD.
The suspension on the ZX-14 is quite high-end, with a fully adjustable 43mm inverted cartridge fork up front, and a fully adjustable Uni-Track style suspension at the rear.
The front brakes are dual 310mm discs with radial-mounted calipers.
Manual for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 from various years, checking between the maintenance schedule for discrepancies. We modified the schedule to make it easier to digest, and cross-referenced with parts from other catalogues.
You can access the manual from Kawasaki’s website here.
