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

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

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

 

There was a time when Kawasaki made some of the most practical road going sportsbikes with exciting engines and good road-tuned suspension, combined with friendly ergonomics. The 1998 through to 2003 ZX-9R Ninja machines and the last carburetted 636cc version of the ZX-6R in 2002 in particular, are awesome road bikes. Then Kawasaki followed the trend set by other manufacturers in producing a more hard edged focus in suspension and ergonomics, influenced by production category racing.

Manufacturers are gradually starting to realise that consumer demand has changed again, with punters wanting big sportsbike power combined with comfortable ergonomics and suspension that is well damped enough to iron out rough roads, yet perfectly competent when the pace hots up. Kawasaki’s latest effort at cracking this market is the new Ninja 1000.

Pressing the starter button for the first time as I geared up for a ride, Kawasaki’s new Ninja 1000 emitted a fairly pugnacious snarl as it sucked its first breaths through the airbox and fed the fuel-oxygen through to a quartet of hungry oval shaped 38mm Keihin throttle bodies.

You instantly feel that this is no lightweight in the engine department as more than a litre of four-cylinder goodness rasps its intent and eagerly awaits your command.

 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

 

There was a time when Kawasaki made some of the most practical road going sportsbikes with exciting engines and good road-tuned suspension, combined with friendly ergonomics. The 1998 through to 2003 ZX-9R Ninja machines and the last carburetted 636cc version of the ZX-6R in 2002 in particular, are awesome road bikes. Then Kawasaki followed the trend set by other manufacturers in producing a more hard edged focus in suspension and ergonomics, influenced by production category racing.

Manufacturers are gradually starting to realise that consumer demand has changed again, with punters wanting big sportsbike power combined with comfortable ergonomics and suspension that is well damped enough to iron out rough roads, yet perfectly competent when the pace hots up. Kawasaki’s latest effort at cracking this market is the new Ninja 1000.

Pressing the starter button for the first time as I geared up for a ride, Kawasaki’s new Ninja 1000 emitted a fairly pugnacious snarl as it sucked its first breaths through the airbox and fed the fuel-oxygen through to a quartet of hungry oval shaped 38mm Keihin throttle bodies.

You instantly feel that this is no lightweight in the engine department as more than a litre of four-cylinder goodness rasps its intent and eagerly awaits your command.

 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

Perfomance The Ninja 1000

Model Overview:2011 The Kawasaki Ninja 1000

Bodystyle Sport
Warranty 12 months
Manufacturer Country Japan
Introduction Year 2011
Displacement (cc) 1043
Engine Type Horizontal In-line
Price $10,999.00