Key Features:
- Reduced emissions and mechanical noise with more peak power and low-end torque for 2008
- Well-balanced aluminum monocoque frame provides superb stability and reflexive handling
- Flagship ride quality with rider friendly ergonomics and that distinctive Ninja styling
- Excellent control and feedback from the 43mm inverted fork and fully adjustable Uni-Trak rear suspension

1,352cc Four-Cylinder, DOHC Engine
- Tuned to provide smooth power across a very wide rev range while raising Kawasaki’s legendary horsepower standards to a new level
- Revised cylinder head and head cover with 20% larger secondary air ports to flow more air into the exhaust
- Carefully planned engine design keeps it compact and narrow
- Chrome composite plated aluminum cylinder bores are lightweight, durable, and quickly carry heat away from the combustion chamber and piston for supreme durability at high power outputs

Reduced Mechanical Noise
- Revised piston profile produces less noise for 2008
- New urethane insulation sheet added to the inside of the magnesium chain cover to aid in reducing mechanical noise

Exhaust
- Third honeycomb catalyzer added to the collector help meet strict Euro III emissions standards
- Revised internal silencer construction minimized impact of emissions regulations, preserving top-end power
- Exhaust connecting tube entrances enlarged approximately 75% to compensate for new collector shape (revised for the third catalyzer) for enhanced low rpm torque characteristics

Gear-Driven Dual Engine Balancers
- Already in perfect primary balance, dual secondary balancers virtually eliminate unwanted vibrations for extremely smooth engine operation and reduced rider fatigue
 
Ram Air Induction
- Central Ram Air duct produces a straighter path to the airbox for maximum intake efficiency
- Takes cooler, high-pressure air from in front of the fairing and guides it through the air cleaner and into the engine for maximum power output
 
Digital Fuel Injection
- New intake porting optimizes flow characteristics
- New injectors feature an increased lateral spray angle from 15 to 20 degrees to disperse the finely-atomized fuel over a wider area
- Fine-atomizing injectors produce 75µ droplet size
- 44mm Mikuni throttle bodies are fitted with sub-throttle valves, controlled by the ECU to provide precise response, make DFI® performance smoother, and met Euro III emission requirements
- 32-bit ECU works with dual throttle valve system to further enhance throttle response and control
 
Digital Ignition
- Digital Timing Advance enhances low-and mid-range power
- Four individual spark plug-mounted ignition coils fire each spark plug independently to achieve the optimum timing for that cylinder at that instant  
- ECU includes an idle speed control system for easier starting and warm-up

Radial Pump Clutch Master Cylinder
- Hydraulic clutch features a radial-pump clutch master cylinder for smooth and precise clutch engagement
 
Next-Generation Monocoque Aluminum Frame
- Lightweight, monocoque frame is a hollow aluminum box that arches over the engine from the steering head to the swing arm pivot. It is narrow, strong, rigid and very light
- New for 2008, the frame’s cast aluminum sections - steering head and swing arm pivot areas –are now produced with a die casting process instead of gravity casting resulting in further weight savings
- Engine is rigidly mounted to the frame to increase its torsional rigidity. Using the engine as a stressed frame member also saves approximately four pounds
- Engine positioned forward in the frame, and the wheelbase and front/rear weight balance were carefully designed to achieve high-speed stability and responsive handling
- Massive head pipe casting contributes to frame rigidity 
- Houses the air box and air filter in a space-saving design that actually simplifies air cleaner maintenance. Two screws hold a plate on the left side of the frame that allows air cleaner access
- Battery is also housed within the frame and has simple access through the back side of the frame
 
Inverted 43mm Cartridge Type Front Fork
- Damping rates offer stiff initial action to resist front-end dive when braking
- Stepless damping adjustment improves suspension performance
 
Bottom-Link Uni-Trak® Rear Suspension
- Linkage rates provide linear suspension action
- Bottom-link design concentrates the weight lower in the chassis for a lower center of gravity, which makes the motorcycle more nimble
 
Radial Mounted Petal Front Disc Brakes
- Radial mounted four-piston front brake calipers utilize integrated mounting points at both the top and bottom of the caliper, with the mounting bolts inserted through the rear of the caliper instead of the side/front. This makes the caliper more rigid, which improves brake feel over a wider range of operation
- A separate brake pad is used for each piston. Individual pads provide increased cooling efficiency and can absorb more heat without deforming so they maintain consistent brake feel stop after stop
- Petal design brake discs provide better cooling and warp resistance
- Radial-pump front brake master cylinder improves brake performance and lever feel
- Wheel rims feature center ribs which are slightly offset so tire balance weights can be located precisely along the wheel’s centerline. 
 
 Wind Tunnel-Designed Bodywork
- Monocoque frame goes over the engine the fairing is uninterrupted by protruding frame spars, adding to the extremely long and low styling.
- Both the front and rear turn signals are integrated into the bodywork and have clear lenses to enhance the appearance
- Quadruple projector beam headlights give the ZX-14 a distinctive upper fairing. The outer lights contain position lamps and the high beams, while the low beams are in the center lamps
- Lightweight Denso radiator with high-density cores provides maximum cooling efficiency

Full Instrumentation
- Dual analog speedometer and tachometer with white faces are easy to read
- Multi-function LCD digital display includes an odometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge, gear position indicator and a clock
- Programmable shift indicator lamp illuminates at pre-set rpm to signal rider upshift
- Programmable clutch engagement lamp illuminates at pre-set rpm to signal the rider to engage the clutch
- CAN (Controller Area Network) interface between the gauges uses fewer wires while allowing a greater volume of information, such as estimated fuel mileage, to be exchanged

Four-Cylinder, DOHC Engine - One-piece upper crankcase and cylinder casting saves more than two pounds and offers increased rigidity - Channels in the case route oil to various parts of the engine, eliminating oil lines and saving weight - Stacked triangular layout of crank axis, input shaft and output shaft reduces engine length and lowers the center of gravity - About two pounds cut from the engine with a lighter crankshaft that maintains the same inertial moment - Oil pump reduction ratio refined for lower friction - Water pump uses the same type impeller as the ZX-14 with pump rpm optimized for less friction - Lightweight Denso radiator with tightly packed cores - Specially designed internal fins on the liquid-cooled, aluminum oil cooler for high-efficiency heat dissipation

Cylinder head - Reshaped intake ports, exhaust ports and combustion chambers improve flow efficiency and top-end power - Exhaust ports are narrower at the midpoint and larger at the opening - Exhaust valves reduced in diameter from 25.5 to 24.5mm - Cam profiles feature higher lift to deliver more power at high rpm and make it easier to tune the engine for racing

Fuel Injection - New secondary fuel injectors improve top-end power output and power characteristics - Oval cross-sectioned throttle bodies replace the earlier round units, improve throttle response and allow more precise throttle control - Compact flat-type fuel pump from the ’07 ZX-6R takes up less fuel tank space and permits the same tank volume despite the additional space required for the secondary injectors

Air intake - Ram air intake duct was reshaped to reduce intake noise and further improve intake efficiency - New larger airbox with improved accessibility and ease of maintenance - The new oval shaped velocity stacks deliver improved flow efficiency

Ignition - New Kawasaki Ignition Management System (KIMS) helps curtail sudden spikes in engine speed, enhancing the rider’s control of power delivery - Monitors engine speed, throttle position, vehicle speed, gear position, intake air temperature, intake air pressure, engine temperature and O2 sensors, along with the rate of RPM change and adjusts ignition timing to help regulate power delivery - Designed not to interfere with the rider’s intentions, the complex ECU program of the KIMS only acts if the change in engine speed exceeds the predicted response for the given parameters

Exhaust system - New exhaust system features a pre-chamber under the engine to reduce exhaust noise, and minimize silencer volume - Palladium catalyzer ensures the ZX-10R meets Euro-III exhaust emissions standards - Single orthogonal, titanium silencer, along with the pre-chamber, lowers the bike’s center of gravity and improves exhaust efficiency

Six-Speed Transmission - Lower 1st, 4th and 5th gear ratios to suit the new power characteristics, giving improved power feel in the low and high-rpm ranges - Harder acceleration with a one tooth larger rear sprocket - final reduction ratio of 17/41

Chassis - Optimized stiffness balance of the unique twin-spar frame achieved by reshaping the frame’s pressed parts, replacing concave pieces with convex pieces to alleviate stress concentrations - Wall thickness around the swingarm pivot was changed to increase rigidity - Ribbing added on the interior of the pivot plate where it joins the frame’s upper cross member to slightly slow down the frame feedback for a more accurate feel - Steering tube moved 10mm forward and length changed - Relocated swingarm pivot for a slight front-rear weight balance change

Sub-frame - Two-piece, aluminum die-casting with lightweight construction - New narrow sub-frame layout contributes to the compact and slim rear of the bike - Mounted to the frame’s upper cross member, so rear suspension feedback is transmitted more directly to the rider

Swingarm - Pressed beam swingarm delivers a level of feel and feedback unobtainable with a cast swingarm - New swingarm features a top-mounted stabilizer that contributes to the superb high-speed stability of the new chassis

Suspension - DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) fork tube coating on the fully adjustable 43mm inverted fork improves fork action with less friction, smoother action and better road holding - Bottom mounted springs completely submerged in oil, offer reduced frothing and improving damping performance, fork action and road-following ability - New mounting location for the Uni-Trak® rear suspension linkage - Fully adjustable shock now features dual (low- and high-speed) compression damping, providing the fine-tuning needed for racing

Brakes - New Tokico radial mount brake calipers fitted with dual pads for superb initial bite, increased control and a progressive feel - New 310mm petal discs with a 5.5mm disc thickness provide better heat dispersion so the brake feel remains constant and responsive during extended periods of heavy use - 220mm rear petal disc is gripped by a single-piston caliper

Ergonomics - Redesigned rear frame, tank and seat offer increased contact with the bike and provide the rider very accurate feedback regarding chassis performance and road surface - More flared around its top, the new tank makes it easier for the rider to rest the inside of their arm on the tank when leaning into a turn - New seat is narrower in the front and shorter, front to back, for a slimmer riding position, a shorter reach to the pavement and excellent feedback from the chassis - Special rib on the end of new throttle under the grip rubber improves grip and feel

Aerodynamic Bodywork - Top of the front cowl is shorter but has a slight step at the front to reduce wind blast on the rider’s shoulders and generates a laminar flow around the rider’s helmet for less turbulence at higher speeds - New front fender increases cooling efficiency by directing air toward the radiator - Recess added to the top of the fuel tank to accommodate the helmet’s chin so it’s easier to tuck in behind the new, flatter windscreen - Smaller fairing sides reduce the influence of side winds on the bike - Redesigned mirrors with integrated turn signals and Talbot-type reflecting surfaces are easily removable, for easy track riding prep - High mounting position of mirrors provides excellent rearward visibility and helps to minimize damage if the bike falls over - Flush-surface of the tail’s underside reduces turbulence at the rear of the bike and ensures laminar airflow around the seat - Larger rear inner fender keeps the bike cleaner and allows the mud flap to be smaller and less obtrusive, further improving aerodynamic qualities around the rear of the machine - The license plate holder and rear turn signals are also quickly detachable for racing - New LED tail light makes the bike more visible to drivers and provides the final styling flourish to the evocative Ninja design

Race-quality steering damper - Adjustable Öhlins steering damper with relief valve and twin-tube design, developed specifically for the Ninja ZX-10R is fitted as standard equipment to ensure stable damping performance even under racing conditions

High-Revving 599cc Four-Cylinder, DOHC Engine
- Compact, narrow and lightweight design
- Tri-axis crankshaft and transmission shaft layout optimizes the engine’s center of gravity, reduces pitch changes during heavy braking and gives the rider more-accurate feedback from the chassis
- Light and strong forged pistons
- Narrow engine design gives excellent ground clearance
 
Four-Valve Cylinder Head
- Low cylinder head height with compact valve train
- Intake ports and coolant passages developed using flow analysis for efficient cylinder filling, more power, and maximum cooling efficiency
- Forged sintered aluminum spring retainers are half the weight of steel retainers and allow higher rpm
 
Ram Air Induction
- Central ram air duct offers a straighter path to the airbox for maximum intake efficiency and provides the mounting surface for the instrument panel, eliminating brackets and weight
- Flow analysis used to design efficient ducts to the airbox that also prevent water from reaching the air filter
- Compact airbox and air cleaner are highly efficient and contribute to the minimal riding position
 
Digital Fuel Injection
- 38mm throttle bore helps produce more torque in the mid-range, while short throttle body length delivers good over-rev characteristics
- Ultra-fine atomizing injectors aid combustion efficiency, for better power output and lower fuel consumption

TCBI Ignition with Digital Advance
- High-speed 32-bit ECU processor provides precise engine management
- Spark plug-mounted ignition coils are compact and help reduce weight
 
Pre-chamber Equipped Under-seat Muffler
- Exhaust header design contributes to improved exhaust efficiency
- Exhaust pre-chamber located below the engine contributes to better mass centralization
- Under-seat silencer is small and light to help mass centralization and allow for a more aerodynamic tailsection

Six-Speed Transmission
- Cassette-type transmission with a racing-style gear stack allows easier trackside ratio changes
- Close ratio transmission increases circuit performance

Racing-Style Slipper Clutch
- Racing-type slipper clutch reduces chassis disturbance when making rapid downshifts
- Optional springs, spring retainers and shims are available to fine-tune the clutch for specific track conditions
 
Gear Position Sensor
- Gear position sensor gives instant information to the rider, this is especially useful for improving consistency when testing settings on the racetrack
- System is compatible with the semi-automatic shifters (legal in AMA Supersport racing), which temporarily cut ignition to facilitate clutchless shifts at full-throttle

Lightweight Twin-Spar Aluminum Perimeter Frame
- Twin-spar perimeter-type frame is a mix of pressed and cast aluminum components welded together. This combination minimizes frame weight while still providing high strength and stability for responsive handling
- Chassis’s optimum center of gravity makes for easy roll response - particularly important negotiating a series of s-turns or returning to vertical after exiting a corner
 
Uni-Trak® Rear Suspension
- Uni-Trak® rear suspension system features pillow ball upper mount for a more direct feel and improved feedback
- Compact frame and engine allow a longer swingarm, which makes it easier to control rear wheel powerslides
- Rear shock is fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. Ride height can be adjusted by adding/removing optional 1mm shims at the upper shock mount
- Equipped with a top-out spring which improves the rear wheel’s ability to follow the road surface when the rear end is light under hard braking
- Small piggyback shock reservoir is designed to save weight
 
41mm Inverted Cartridge Front Fork
- Fully-adjustable 41mm inverted cartridge fork provides exceptional rigidity
- Equipped with top-out springs so the front wheel better follows the road surface when the front end is light during hard acceleration
- Bottom mounted main fork spring completely submerged in oil, minimizing cavitation and delivering stable suspension performance even under demanding racetrack conditions
- Stiff settings are suitable for track use

Radial Mounted Front Disc Brakes
- Radial mounted four-piston, four-pad front brake calipers improve brake feel over a wider range of operation
- A separate brake pad is used for each piston. Individual pads provide increased cooling efficiency and can absorb more heat without deforming or losing brake feel at the lever than a large single pad, so they maintain consistent brake feel lap after lap
- Petal design brake discs offer excellent cooling and warp resistance
 
Aerodynamic Bodywork
- Design is the most aerodynamically efficient of any Ninja sportbike available
- Three-piece front fender with light and compact projector beam headlights and integrated front and rear turn signals add up to high aero efficiency
- Small but highly efficient ram air duct
- Exhaust system’s under-engine resonator allows the use of a smaller under-seat muffler, which allows a cleaner tail section further minimizing drag
- Different color panels create a sporty, aggressive image