2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R review, test ride

We’ve just ridden Kawasaki’s flagship Ninja ZX-14R in India to learn what makes this sports-tourer the holy-grail for so many worldwide.

Published on Nov 19, 2013 08:55:00 PM

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2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R review, test ride

At the heart of the big Ninja sits its four-stroke, 1441cc, liquid-cooled, in-line, four-cylinder engine, which relies on Kawasaki’s ram-air system for added power at high speeds. The ZX-14R generates a massive dose of 210bhp at 10,000rpm, with equally fearsome peak torque output, 16.57kgm at 7500rpm, driving its beefy rear wheel. The ZX-14R runs like a sedate, very normal street going motorcycle if you ride it with a light, sensible hand on the throttle. It’s smooth and vibe free, and feels deceptively docile for a bike that packs acceleration credentials to literally blow away most rival superbikes. The rider has the option of selecting a pair of power modes, namely Full and Low, which restricts power by upto 25 percent high in the rev band.

Kawasaki have also given the option of a 3-level traction control system, 1 and 2 doing a good job when riding in the dry, with wheelie control, while level 3 is best left for wet riding conditions. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to check how well the system works on a wet road, we experienced the big Ninja’s electronics stepping in to cut power even under light throttle input when cornering at low speeds in the dry, under 60kph, with the traction control set to level 3. 1 and 2 offer a more involving ride, the rider having to put in a lot more concentration to keep the big Ninja from laying down large darkies, which are easily achieved in second and third, leave aside first gear.