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

The Ninja ZX-14R is held together by an alloy, monocoque frame as is now a long standing tradition for this Kawasaki flagship bike. It uses upside-down telescopic forks and a linked monoshock with strengthened alloy swingarm for rear suspension. The big Kawasaki leans its rider into the handlebars, but not quite as aggressively as its track focussed sibling, the ZX-10R, which makes this an easier bike to live with on Indian roads. The 14R is actually quite a comfortable motorcycle to pilot over long distances. The ZX-14R’s front (120/70) and rear (190/50) tyres offered good traction, as they strained through our test ride to keep up with the immense power the bike lays down through its rear wheel. The long wheelbase provided ample stability, whether riding at high speeds or negotiating corners confidently on the big Kawasaki. Don’t however expect sharp point and shoot handling from the 14R, which feels more a heavy, stable but neutral steering bike when leaned through corners. The ZX-14R comes equipped with twin 310mm petal discs upfront and a single 250mm unit at the rear, with ABS offered as standard in India.

The Ninja ZX-14R comes into India via the CBU import route. Kawasaki has priced this flagship motorcycle at Rs 16.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune) here and currently only sells through a single dealership, in Pune. More detailed ride report coming soon.