Kawasaki Ninja 1000 sports a slightly smaller airbox

Kawasaki Ninja 1000

The Ninja 1000 engine was first released last year in the 2010 model Z1000 naked bike. Kawasaki claimed it was an all new motor specifically designed for street and performance riding, as opposed to a detune and massage of an existing sports powerplant. While the Z1000 was in fact first to be released, both models were developed from the outset, with production scheduling dictating that the nakedbike be released first.

To allow for the appreciably larger 19 litre tank (four litres more than Z1000), the Ninja 1000 sports a slightly smaller airbox than its naked cousin. Kawasaki still claim an identical 101.5kW (133hp) @ 9600rpm for the Ninja with 110N-m @ 7800rpm.

A particularly spirited morning run returned a shocking nine litres per 100km economy. Clearly, the Ninja 1000 enjoys a drink when you’re up it but this came back to around 7 litres per 100km in more sedate riding. Whilst this is still not great, it is manageable enough thanks to the 19 litre tank. I am sure on a long haul, a range of 300km would be easily achieved.

The Ninja runs four less teeth on the rear sprocket than the Z1000, to help lower rpm on the highway and aid fuel economy in comparison to the naked bike. This translates to 110km/h highway cruising at just under 5000rpm - a particularly sweet spot in the motor that combines with a very smooth on-off throttle response to make highway work, or commuting, a much less frenetic affair than its sibling.

Likewise the three-position adjustable screen, higher and closer bars and rubber mounted pegs help make the Ninja 1000 a friendly long distance mount. Legroom is generous while the close, straight positioning of the grips takes a while to get comfortable with. The screen is good but not to ‘true’ touring bike standard. It is certainly better than nothing and can be adjusted without tools.

Kawasaki Ninja 1000

Kawasaki Ninja 1000