Description
Additional photos of this Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Monster Energy are available here for your perusal.
First unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, the ZX-14R is a large sport tourer and Kawasaki’s modern-day answer to the Hayabusa. Successor to the earlier ZX-12R, the 14 became Kawasaki’s most powerful production sport bike model. The 2009 ZX-14R — the largest offering in the Ninja lineup — featured a liquid-cooled, four-cylinder, 1,352cc, DOHC, inline-four with chrome composite plated aluminum cylinder bores, gear-driven dual-engine balancers, ram air induction, digital Mikuni fuel injection, and digital ignition. The 1.35-liter four was good for more than 113 ft-lbs of torque and a claimed 190hp.
Surrounding the engine was a monocoque aluminum chassis with cast aluminum sections around the steering head and swing-arm pivot. In addition to using the motor as a stressed member of the frame, the structure also housed the ZX-14R’s battery, airbox, and air filter. With a curb weight of just under 570 lbs and a 57.5-inch wheelbase, the ZX-14R is not only crazy fast in a straight line, but is also incredibly stable, largely thanks to a well-designed chassis and wind-tunnel-developed bodywork.
The ZX-14 is capable of clocking a 2.5-second 0-60 mph time — the same as a late-model Porsche 911 Turbo S or a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport! Top speed was electronically limited to 186 mph (or 299km/h), as per an gentlemen’s agreement between Team Green and the rest of the major Japanese manufacturers. Despite being capable of breakneck speeds, the ZX-14 has a surprisingly comfortable yet still fairly aggressive riding position, falling somewhere between your average superbike and sport-tourer.
Running gear on the big ZX consisted of beefy 43mm inverted forks and a gas-charged mono-shock — both adjustable or preload, compression, and rebound damping — while braking duties went to dual semi-floating 310mm discs bit by radial-mount four-pot calipers in front and a single 250mm disc with a dual-piston caliper in back.
Toward the end of the aughts, Kawasaki teamed up with Monster Energy to create the Monster Energy Edition ZX-14R. While the special edition’s mechanics and componentry went unchanged, the bike did get a few unique cosmetic features. The bodywork was adorned in “Metallic Diablo Black” with Monster Energy graphics, and it also came with special blacked-out rims with green pinstripes and a matching blacked-out frame.
Manufactured in November of 2008, this example is VIN: JKBZXNC109A012604.
The previous owner acquired it in a crate in a Mecum auction, however he was sick of it seeing that way. He asked us to take it out of the crate and make it a runner, which our White Glove service gladly took care of. He then had us list it on Iconic Motorbike Auctions a year ago, and that’s how the current owner acquired it. The current owner has kept it on display and is now looking to mix up his collection. The odometer shows zero miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us install a new battery.
Modifications:
Battery tender lead.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Sportmax Q3+ tires with date codes of 2318 and 3719.
The sale includes two keys.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Kawasaki is offered on a clean Oregon title. Have any ZX-14 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
