Kawasaki isn't ready to stop production of the 14r yet, but they do want it to stop even better. To that effect, 2016 sees all new brakes, with Brembo supplying the master cylinder, callipers, and rotors, and big K even stepped up to factory SS lines. The new blacked-out paint option on the SE model will please some members as well.
Kawasaki says:
As the “King of Ninjas,” the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R ABS motorcycle was in danger of being overshadowed last year by the introduction of the supercharged Ninja H2™ and Ninja H2™R hyperbikes. So in an effort to redress the balance and restore the king to its throne, Kawasaki has taken a number of steps to increase the appeal and ability of the most super bike of them all: the Ninja ZX-14R ABS motorcycle.
For the 2016 model year, a Special Edition will be introduced that incorporates Brembo brakes and stainless steel brake lines into its already high specification. It will also get a special paint finish and a new instrument panel, with the latter shared across the 2016 Ninja ZX-14R ABS range.
The popularity of the Ninja ZX-14R ABS supersport bike has never waned since its introduction. Its big displacement and big horsepower has brought big accolades, thanks largely to the muscularity of its 1,441cc inline-four. The bike is happy meandering two-up on a country road, yet is equally at home screaming down the drag strip.
The secret to this Ninja motorcycle’s broad appeal comes from embracing technologies like ABS brakes and traction control that add more usability for a wide range of riders and riding styles. And that appeal will receive an extra shot in the arm with the 2016 Ninja ZX-14R ABS SE motorcycle.
2016 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-14R ABS HIGHLIGHTS:
• NEW Brembo brakes and stainless steel lines for Special Edition model
• NEW LCD instrument display for all models
• NEW Metallic Matte Carbon Gray paint and blacked-out emblems for SE model
• Powerful and flexible 1,441cc, inline-four cylinder engine
• Hugely competent touring motorcycle equally at home on the drag strip
• Standard ABS brakes plus KTRC traction-control system with three different modes
BRAKES
The 2016 Ninja ZX-14R ABS motorcycle features a powerful and responsive anti-lock brake system (ABS). It is standard equipment on all models and provides additional rider confidence when road conditions change.
A motorcycle of this capability requires serious hardware, so the front brakes on the standard model utilize 310mm triple-petal-type dual discs with dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers. On the rear, it is equipped with a single 250mm petal-type disc and a two-piston caliper.
The new 2016 Ninja ZX-14R ABS Special Edition motorcycle is equipped with the latest Brembo braking hardware, similar to the supercharged Ninja H2 and H2R as well as the new 2016 Ninja ZX-10R motorcycle.
On the front, the system utilizes opposed four-piston cast monobloc calipers with four opposed 30mm pistons. They act upon a pair of 310mm floating Brembo rotors that are cross-drilled. The rotors are 5.5mm thick, an increase of 0.5mm over the standard rotors, and include a circumferential groove to aid heat dissipation by effective increasing the surface area.
Brembo also provides the radial pump master cylinder and fluid reservoir, which on the SE model is finished in a smoked plastic, with a matching clutch fluid reservoir. Each master cylinder is carefully calibrated by Brembo to eliminate idle stroke so the rider will get immediate, progressive braking response as soon as the lever is pulled. This system provides excellent feel for the rider to modulate the very powerful brakes.
As a final measure, stainless steel brake lines and clutch were fitted to the Special Edition model. This further improves lever feel and adds to the very high quality appearance of the motorcycle.
INSTRUMENTS & CONTROLS
New for the 2016 model year is a new dashboard. It features a black dotted pattern on the speedometer and tachometer to give them a more stylish, high quality appearance.
The new LCD screen can be changed from a black to white. This allows the rider to select the view they prefer or one that might read better in the ambient conditions.
Using a multi-function switch on the left handlebar, the rider can toggle through the various system functions, easily scrolling through fuel consumption, remaining range, battery voltage, external temperature, traction control settings, power mode etc. Choosing and adjusting functions is just as easy, thanks to the ‘select’ button in the center of the toggle switch. There’s even an “ECO” indicator on the LCD screen that tells the rider when they are achieving maximum economy and fuel mileage.
MODELS
For the 2016 model year, Kawasaki will offer two version of the Ninja ZX-14R ABS motorcycle. The first is fitted with all the standard equipment we’ve described above, including the new dashboard layout. It will be available in Golden Blazed Green and Metallic Spark Black paint to help it to really stand out.
The second model is the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R ABS Special Edition. This comes with everything offered by the standard model, including the new dashboard, and with the addition of the new Brembo brakes and stainless steel brake lines. The Special Edition will be available in Metallic Matte Carbon Gray paint with blacked-out emblems for the ultimate stealth styling.
