2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Unveiled

The biggest Ninja brother in the series has broken cover recently, with the Japanese manufacturer revealing details of the new Kawasaki ZX-14. Priced at $15,399, the new hyperbike comes to appeal those who thought the recently unveiled 2011 Ninja ZX-10R is not fast enough.

The 2011 Ninja ZX-14, which comes to challenge Suzuki’s coveted Hayabusa, is powered by a 1,352cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four engine. The power is channeled through a hydraulic clutch and six speed transmission, down to the 190/50 ZR17 rear tire.

The exact horsepower and torque figures of the Ninja ZX-14 are irrelevant, but a track day will tell you anything there is to know. As for the brakes, what we do know is that each piston in the calipers has its own brake pad, which increases cooling efficiency and decreases the chance deforming due to heat.

Kawasaki calls its all-new anti-lock system KIBS – or Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System. It’s a multi-sensing system, one that collects and monitors a wide range of information taken from wheel sensors (the same ones collecting data on the standard ZX-10R for its S-KTRC traction control system) and the bike’s ECU, including wheel speed, caliper pressure, engine rpm, throttle position, clutch actuation and gear position.

The wind-tunnel designed bodywork integrates both the front and rear turn signals. The quadruple projector beam headlights give the ZX-14 a distinctive front fairing. The outer lights contain position lamps and high beams, while the low beams are located in the center lamps.

The hyperbike’s instrumentation includes a multi-function LCD digital display that has an odometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge, gear position indicator and clock, as well as white faced dual analog speedometer and tachometer.