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) — eclipsing that of 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 — upgraded 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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Kawasaki ZX-14R Service Intervals
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.
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.
| Part | Kawasaki ZX-14R Spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | You 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 filter | Use a HifloFiltro filter for easy replacement, part HF204RC. |
| Final drive oil | Remember to change this periodically. It’s not hard! Use Mobil 1 Gear Oil, a popular choice. |
| Brake pads | Many 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 plugs | NGK CR9EIA-9. Remember you need four spark plugs. |
| Air filter | Most people replace the OEM air filter with a K&N aftermarket air filter (functionally identical). Use part number KA-1412. |
| Brake/Clutch fluid | Spec is to use DOT 4 brake/clutch fluid, e.g. Castrol DOT 4. |
| Coolant | Use, as ships with the Vulcan, 50/50 pre-mix of ethylene glycol-based coolant with anti-corrosion inhibitors, e.g. Valvoline Zerex G05 |
| Grease | Use a lithium soap based grease for all the important greasing points. |
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.
| Wheel | OEM (Standard) | OEM (Brembo) | EBC (Standard) | EBC (Brembo) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 43082-0122 | 43082-0162 | FA417/4HH | FA447HH |
| Rear | 43082-0055 | 43082-0055 | FA254HH | FA254HH |
Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R (2012+)
Below is the maintenance schedule for the 2012+ Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R.
The original maintenance schedule broke the schedule into three parts, for change/replacement items, engine items, and chassis items.
But it makes more sense to split it into three parts:
- Regular inspection items,
- A service schedule, and
- An inspection checklist to do at every service.
Regular inspections
Kawasaki recommends you regularly inspect (between services — every 3750 miles / 6000 km or 6 months)
- Chain and sprocket condition: Cleanliness and lubrication condition of chain, plus chain slack and wear of chain and sprockets
- Brake system: pad wear, fluid level, hose condition / leaks, and correct free-play
- Clutch system: fluid level, hose condition / leaks, and correct free-play
- Oil level (ensure it’s between the markings)
Major service schedule
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 often (especially oil, filter, air filter, and external moving parts) when operating your ZX-14R in harsh conditions: When it’s dusty, wet, muddy, at high speed, or frequent starting/stopping.
| mi x 1000 | 0.6 | 7.5 | 15 | 22.5 | 30 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | Every | 1 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | Every |
| Service checklist (see below) — Perform all items | • | • | • | • | • | Year (Where relevant | |
| Engine oil – change (Mobil 1 Synthetic 10W-40) | • | • | • | • | • | Year | |
| Oil filter – replace (HF204RC) | • | • | • | • | • | Year | |
| Spark plugs – replace (CR9EIA-9) | • | • | • | • | |||
| Valve clearances – Inspect / Adjust | • | • | |||||
| Air filter – replace (KA-1412) | 18000 km (11250 mile) | ||||||
| Air suction system – inspect | • | • | • | • | |||
| Engine vacuum synchronisation – inspect | • | • | • | • | |||
| Fuel hoses – replace | 5 years | ||||||
| Coolant – change (Zerex G05) | 3 years | • | |||||
| Radiator hoses and O-rings – replace | 3 years | • | |||||
| Brake hoses and pipe -replace | 4 years | • | |||||
| Brake fluid (front and rear) – change (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | • | • | ||||
| Rubber parts of master cylinder and caliper – replace | 4 years | • | |||||
| Clutch hoses – replace | 4 years | • | |||||
| Clutch slave cylinder piston seal – replace | 4 years | • | |||||
| Clutch fluid – change (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | • | • | ||||
| Steering stem bearings – lubricate | • | • | 2 years |
Service checklist for the Kawasaki ZX-14R
Most of the below maintenance is to inspect hoses for leaks/damage.
If the items are marked “Y” in the right column for annual service, then you need to do them irrespective of distance travelled.
| Service checklist | Annual |
|---|---|
| Throttle control system (play, smooth return, no drag) – inspect | Y |
| Idle speed – inspect | |
| Fuel leak (fuel hose and pipe) – inspect | Y |
| Fuel hoses damage – inspect | Y |
| Fuel hoses installation condition – inspect | Y |
| Coolant level – inspect | |
| Coolant leak – inspect | Y |
| Radiator hose damage – inspect | Y |
| Radiator hoses installation condition – inspect | Y |
| Evaporative emission control system – function (if fitted) | |
| Clutch operation (play, engagement, disengagement) – inspect | |
| Clutch fluid level – inspect | Y |
| Clutch fluid leak – inspect | Y |
| Clutch hose damage – inspect | Y |
| Clutch hose installation – inspect | Y |
| Drive chain wear – inspect | |
| Drive chain guide wear – inspect | |
| Tire air pressure – inspect | Y |
| Wheels/tires damage – inspect | |
| Tire tread wear, abnormal wear – inspect | |
| Wheel bearings damage – inspect | Y |
| Brake fluid level – inspect | Y |
| Brake fluid leak – inspect | Y |
| Brake hoses damage – inspect | Y |
| Brake pad wear – inspect | |
| Brake hose condition – inspect | Y |
| Brake operation (effectiveness, play, drag) – inspect | Y |
| Brake light switch operation – inspect | |
| Front forks/rear shock absorber operation (damping and smooth stroke) – inspect | |
| Front forks/rear shock absorber oil leak – inspect | Y |
| Rocker arm operation – inspect | |
| Tie rods operation – inspect | |
| Steering play – inspect | Y |
| Lights and switches operation – inspect | Y |
| Headlight aiming – inspect | Y |
| Side stand switch operation – inspect | Y |
| Engine stop switch – inspect | Y |
| Chassis parts – lubricate | Y |
| Bolts and nuts tightness – inspect |
Maintaining Your Chain on the Kawasaki ZX-14R
It’s important to maintain your chain on the ZX-14R, as on any chain-driven motorcycle. Use a good-quality chain lubricant like Motul chain paste, or a Motul chain care kit which comes with a couple of handy tools to maintain the chain.
Kawasaki recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule:
| Chain maintenance item | Every |
|---|---|
| Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary (Motul chain paste) | 400 mi / 600 km |
| Check drive chain slack, adjusting if necessary Drive chain slack on the ZX-14R is total deflection of the chain. Target slack: 25-30 mm (1-1.2 in) | 600 mi / 1000 km |
Notes:
- Check chain slack when your bike is on a level surface, on its kickstand, with no luggage.
- Do these items (checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication) more often if you ride your ZX-14R in dusty or rainy conditions.
- Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle.
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.
| Tyre | Size | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) | 290 kPa / 2.9 bar / 42psi |
| Rear | 190/50 ZR17 M/C (73W) | 290 kPa / 2.9 bar / 42psi |
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
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 has ever lacked has been the weight of the Hayabusa name.
Manual for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, which is available here. We checked between various years of the schedule and found no changes.
