Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R (2012+) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, first launched in 2012 and still made until today. It’s also known as the Kawasaki ZZR1400 or ZZR1400 ABS.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R replaces the ZX-14, which was the previous flagship hyperbike that Kawasaki sells. The 2012 update brought with it a few important changes, including:

  • A displacement bump to 1,441 cc, bringing peak power to 147 kW (197 hp) — trumping the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa, and remaining Kawasaki’s most powerful non-supercharged engine
  • ABS (that you can’t switch off), optional at first and standard by 2015, three-way traction control, and two power modes (fast, and very fast)
  • An updated display and new ergonomics

From 2016, the Ninja ZX-14R Special or Performance Edition also had some important updates — Brembo brakes, stainless steel brake lines, and Öhlins suspension, along with updated livery. In some markets, only the Special Edition is available. It’s sometimes marketed as the “ZX-14R SE (Brembo Öhlins)”.

Aside from that, the Ninja ZX-14R is very much what its predecessors were — a very fast, big, comfortable touring bike. It can do over 300 km/h, but like the Hayabusa, its speed is limited to 299 km/h.

The ZX-14R hasn’t changed in any way that affects maintenance since its launch in 2012. This maintenance schedule covers those that say “ABS” in their name (in markets where it’s an option), as well as the beautiful looking 30th anniversary edition.

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What you need to service your Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

So you want to service your own superbike, do you? First, you have to be comfortable removing those beautiful fairings!

Once you’ve done that, equip yourself with some basic motorcycle maintenance tools.

Then you need the following consumable items.

PartKawasaki ZX-14R Spec
OilYou need SAE 10W-40 engine oil with API SH or SJ (or newer, e.g., SL or SM) with JASO MA rating, for example Kawasaki 10W-40 Engine Oil.

Some popular alternative oils according to the ZX forums (e.g. this thread) are
* Mobil 1 Synthetic 10W-40
* Motul 7100 10W-40
Oil filterUse a HifloFiltro filter for easy replacement, part HF204RC.
Final drive oilRemember to change this periodically. It’s not hard! Use Mobil 1 Gear Oil, a popular choice.
Brake padsMany riders upgrade to EBC HH brake pads. See below for a table of which ones to get (depending on whether you have the Performance edition or not).
Spark plugsNGK CR9EIA-9. Remember you need four spark plugs.
Air filterMost people replace the OEM air filter with a K&N aftermarket air filter (functionally identical). Use part number KA-1412.
Brake/Clutch fluidSpec is to use DOT 4 brake/clutch fluid, e.g. Castrol DOT 4.
CoolantUse, as ships with the Vulcan, 50/50 pre-mix of ethylene glycol-based coolant with anti-corrosion inhibitors, e.g. Valvoline Zerex G05
GreaseUse a lithium soap based grease for all the important greasing points.
Consumables for servicing the Kawasaki ZX-14R motorcycles

Brake pads for your ZX-14R

The brake pads you get depend on whether you get OEM or EBC HH brake pads, and whether you have the standard model or the Performance (Brembo/Öhlins) model.

WheelOEM (Standard)OEM (Brembo)EBC (Standard)EBC (Brembo)
Front43082-012243082-0162FA417/4HHFA447HH
Rear43082-005543082-0055FA254HHFA254HH
Brake pad choices for the ZX-14R

Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R (2012+)

Below is the maintenance schedule for the 2012+ Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R.

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 maintenance for the 2012+ Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is broken into three sections: Change/Replacement Item, Engine Related Items, and Chassis Related Items.

Notes:

  • For higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here.
  • Kawasaki recommends that items related to emissions (e.g. fuelling, valves) and safety (e.g. suspension, wheels) be done by a dealer.
  • #: Service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy,
    high speed, or frequent starting/stopping.

Items to change and replace — Kawasaki ZX-14R

mi x 10000.67.51522.530
km x 1000Every112243648
Air filter # – replace (KA-1412)18000 km (11250 mile)
Engine oil # – change (Mobil 1 Synthetic 10W-40)year
Oil filter – replace (HF204RC)year
Fuel hoses – replace5 years
Coolant – change (Zerex G05)3 years
Radiator hoses and O-rings – replace3 years
Brake hoses and pipe -replace4 years
Brake fluid (front and rear) – change (Castrol DOT 4)2 years
Rubber parts of master cylinder and caliper – replace4 years
Clutch hoses – replace4 years
Clutch slave cylinder piston seal – replace4 years
Clutch fluid – change (Castrol DOT 4)2 years
Spark plug – replace (CR9EIA-9)
Kawasaki ZX-14R — Change/replacement items

Engine-related items

The big engine maintenance interval for the Kawasaki ZX-14R is at 15000 miles / 24000 km, at which point you must inspect valve clearances.

Engine vacuum sync should be inspected and adjusted every 7500 mi / 12000 km, as must the idle speed for regulatory purposes.

Otherwise, most of the below maintenance is to inspect hoses for leaks/damage.

mi x 10000.63.757.511.251518.7522.5
km x 1000Every161218243036
Valve clearance – inspect
Throttle control system (play, smooth return, no drag) – inspectyear
Engine vacuum synchronisation – inspect
Idle speed – inspect
Fuel leak (fuel hose and pipe) – inspectyear
Fuel hoses damage – inspectyear
Fuel hoses installation condition – inspectyear
Coolant level – inspect
Coolant leak – inspectyear
Radiator hose damage – inspectyear
Radiator hoses installation condition – inspectyear
Evaporative emission control system – function (if fitted)
Air suction system damage – inspect
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R — Engine maintenance

Chassis maintenance

mi x 10000.63.757.511.251518.7522.5
km x 1000Every161218243036
Clutch and drive train:
Clutch operation (play, engagement, disengagement) – inspect
Clutch fluid level – inspect6 months
Clutch fluid leak – inspectyear
Clutch hose damage – inspectyear
Clutch hose installation – inspectyear
Chain — inspect, lubricate # (Motul chain care kit)600 km (400 mile)
Drive chain slack – inspect #1000 km (600 mile)
Drive chain wear – inspect #
Drive chain guide wear – inspect
Wheels and tires:
Tire air pressure – inspectyear
Wheels/tires damage – inspect
Tire tread wear, abnormal wear – inspect
Wheel bearings damage – inspectyear
Brake system:
Brake fluid leak – inspectyear
Brake hoses damage – inspectyear
Brake pad wear – inspect #
Brake hose condition – inspectyear
Brake fluid level – inspect6 months
Brake operation (effectiveness, play, drag) – inspectyear
Brake light switch operation – inspect
Suspension:
Front forks/rear shock absorber operation (damping and smooth stroke) – inspect
Front forks/rear shock absorber oil leak – inspectyear
Rocker arm operation – inspect
Tie rods operation – inspect
Steering System:
Steering play – inspectyear
Steering stem bearings – lubricate2 years
Electrical System:
Lights and switches operation – inspectyear
Headlight aiming – inspectyear
Side stand switch operation – inspectyear
Engine stop switch – inspectyear
Chassis:
Chassis parts – lubricateyear
Bolts and nuts tightness – inspect
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R — Chassis maintenance

Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R has the following tyre sizes standard, as well as the following recommended tyre pressures.

TyreSizeTyre pressure
Front120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W)290 kPa / 2.9 bar / 42psi
Rear190/50 ZR17 M/C (73W)290 kPa / 2.9 bar / 42psi
Tyres and tyre pressures for Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

The ZX-14R typically ships with sport-touring or hypersport tyres, like Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport or Metzler TL Sportec Interact tyres.

Of course, since the ZX-14R was released, many more advanced sport and sport touring tyres have been released as well. These days, the Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 is a popular choice.

About the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

2022 Kawazaki ZX-14R ZX1400 RHS action

The Kawasaki ZX-14R is the latest in the line of big hypersport or sport touring motorcycles from Kawasaki.

When it was released in 2012/2013, it was a huge improvement on the old line. Suddenly the new model got optional (and later standard) ABS, traction control, a power bump, revised aesthetics… it was a formidable competitor to the ‘Busa, which didn’t get traction control until 2021 (the 3rd gen Hayabusa).

These days, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R co-exists with the supercharged H2 line, including the sport-touring H2 SX models, as well as the Ninja 1000 sport touring motorcycles. Basically, Kawasaki has a large range of high-speed, comfortable motorcycles to suit different people’s balance of priorities.

The ZX-14R has evolved slightly through the years, but it has always come with a 1441-cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, fuel-injected inline four-cylinder engine that puts out peak power of around 150 kW or 200 hp, putting it to the ground through a six-speed gearbox and a chain.

The Ninja ZX-14R’s engine is more than just powerful — it’s also quite refined and smooth. The engine’s dual gear-driven counter-balancer setup has been optimized to work with the heavy-duty crankshaft and long stroke dimensions. The end result is smooth power across the entire rev range.

High-lift camshafts are operated by a high-performance cam chain and tensioner system to help ensure high-rpm reliability. Lightweight forged pistons also help durability and are cooled by an oil-jet cooling system that pumps a continuous stream of lubricant at the underside of each piston.

The Kawasaki ZX-14R was also released in later years in a “Performance” edition which came standard with Brembo M50 brake calipers and Öhlins front and rear suspension, making it the clear spec leader when compared with the Gen 2 Hayabusa (ABS).

This is on top of the horsepower and technological advantage it already had. Even the Brembo calipers are higher spec than the Brembos on the Hayabusa. The only thing it lacked was the weight of the Hayabusa name.

Manual for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

Kawasaki ZX-14R Maintenance Schedule Screenshot

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2014-2015 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, which is available here.

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