Kawasaki Ninja 1000

[carlson_mn]

Just wondering if any FJR riders have been on the new Ninja yet and can compare it, what they liked and didn't. Looks like a nice bike, but not sure if I could ever go back to a chain driven bike.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Here is a link to an FZ1 comparo:

https://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2090164#post2090164

 

[airboss]

No ride, sat on one at the local dealer. Can't say why but seemed to fit better than the FZ.

Glad they sold the Red/Black one, that is a Good looking motorcycle.

I'd have to ride one, but I don't think it's enough to get me away from my 04 VFR.

 

[Aasland]

I've sat on one and will ride one soon as my buddy breaks it in.

Ergomonically just as good or better than the FJR except the seat has some shark edges. I really like how light it feels, and I'm sure the short wheelbase will contribute to quick turning. Approx 10 less RWHP than the FJR, but I'm sure being ~200 lbs lighter and shorter gearing will make it significantly faster.

If you ask me, this bike will steal sales directly from the much more expensive Multistrada and VFR1200, and even eat into Sprint GT, FJR and C14 sales.

I don't see chain as being an issue. It is nice not to have to deal with one on the FJR, but it takes a couple minutes to spray a chain at the end of every long day. Big whoop dee doo.

It's on my list.

 

[carlson_mn]

Yeah I agree nothing hard or problematic about a chain, I just wore a lot of them out on my Bandit 1200, and it was yet another expense every other year or so.

 

[oldryder]

Sounds a lot like my ZRX except the ZRX has more torque by virtue of it's 1200cc motor.

ZRX makes a very nice tourer except for inferior weather protection vs. the typical sport tourer.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Sounds a lot like my ZRX except the ZRX has more torque by virtue of it's 1200cc motor.

Not as much as one might think...

Figures I found:

ZRX1200 - 82.5 lb/ft @ 7K : '11 Ninja 1000 - 81 lb/ft @ 7800

Of course, the 800 RPM higher torque peak is represented in the horsepower numbers:

ZRX1200 - 122 HP : '11 Ninja 1000 - 136 HP

 

[Beamer Reamer]

I picked up one a week ago and of course...I like it a lot. It is a much lighter bike per the specs, but even more so in practice. It is very nimble and very responsive. Almost flick-able. Chain seems like a non-issue. Lots of power everywhere and a very nice seating position. Seat gets hard at about the 80 mile mark and uncomfortable at the 150 mile mark if you don't take breaks. That is really the only thing I can find to gritch about.

One big difference over the FJR is the cruising at high speed. In 6th gear the bike turns a little over 5K RPM doing 75. FJR cruises pretty nicely at a lower RPM and it feels like the FJR is doing a whole lot less work. There is a lot more wind on you with the Ninja

Ninja 1000 can go from 75 to 100 right now. I mean RIGHT now. In any of the top gears.

I was planning on an FZ1, but no comparison with this bike. Everything is new on the Kawasaki, a ground up redesign.

Oh - the insurance on the Kawi is a nightmare - they don't know how to classify it and so it ends up the super-sport category. I am still fighting that issue. The FZ1 would cost me 600 for full coverage, the Kawi is 1350. Ouch. Liability only for the moment.

 

[carlson_mn]

Dang, that'd be a deal breaker for me as far as insurance goes. Just moved from liability to full coverage with $175 collision deductible. I had always had just liability because last time I checked comprehensive rates I was young and dumb and they were expensive. Total = $150/yr. I'll take that.

 

[Aasland]

My buddy bought a Ninja 1000, after I suggested he consider it as a sport-touring mount. He has offered me many rides, claiming I'll want to ditch the FJR in a hurry once I ride it (little does he know I hate debt more than I will ever like his Ninja!)

But he hasn't broken it in yet .. after a month! .. so I've declined the rides until he does that.

As for the ZRX .. I've ridden some, and they are HEAVY compared to the Ninja. It even feels heavy compared to the FJR.

 

[carlson_mn]

My buddy bought a Ninja 1000, after I suggested he consider it as a sport-touring mount. He has offered me many rides, claiming I'll want to ditch the FJR in a hurry once I ride it (little does he know I hate debt more than I will ever like his Ninja!)

But he hasn't broken it in yet .. after a month! .. so I've declined the rides until he does that.

As for the ZRX .. I've ridden some, and they are HEAVY compared to the Ninja. It even feels heavy compared to the FJR.

That explains some things right there! I'm sure it's a nice bike though. It's gotta rip with it's p/w ratio, but still looking for some real 1/4 mile times/trap speed.

 

[squeezer]

There's a great review/ride report at the calsci site:

https://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Ninja1000.html

 

[ehc0720]

I test rode one, fast, comfortable and the wind didn't bother me, got up to 90mph. Sits like a sports tour handles like a sport bike. If it was out, with the bags, when I was looking and ended up with my '09 FJR it would have been a tough decision.