Comments on: 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000: MD First Ride (Bike Reports) (News)

By: CurtyD

CurtyD — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 23:04:37 +0000

OMG, the green w/saddlebags shown above is the ticket and I save 200lbs on the 2007 C-14 I’m riding now!!!!

By: Gritboy

Gritboy — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:25:22 +0000

A Ninja…no! A kick-ass Kawi…yes! I saw and sat on it this weekend at the International Motorcycle Show in San Mateo. Once I get to do a demo ride on one of these, I’m pretty sure my FZ1′s days are numbered.

I wish they’d call it something else just to avoid the Ninja confusion, but hey, aside from the Vulcan and Versys Kawi seems very afraid of names instead of alphanumerics — I even like the Z1000ST suggested, though I’d prefer a name over a number.

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By: RobG

RobG — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:04:01 +0000

I have a 2010 Z1000 and LOVE it. The Ninja 1000 will be a great bike. I still prefer the Z for its “naked” style though. I doubt the name choice is going to affect insurance. When I replaced my ER-6n with the Z1000 on my insurance policy, my rate DOUBLED. I knocked it down a little by switching insurers, but I doubt the Ninja 1000 will be much less. Besides, the Ninja 650R has about as much business being called a Ninja as the Ninja 1000. I see the Ninja 1000 as the big brother to the Ninja 650R. Both are upright sport-type bikes.

Ride quality of my Z1000 is excellent. It’s better than my ER-6n for sure, but is still firm compared to my DR650. Handling is outstanding. I highly recommend both the Z1000 and Ninja 1000… pick the one that fits your needs best and enjoy it!

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By: nile

nile — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:48:06 +0000

max this machine’s introduction corresponds with the 25th anniversary of the original NINJA 1000R way back in 1986, a bike which was VERY similar for its day.

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By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:51:04 +0000

I was thinking the same thing. Love that V4, just wish they’d build the right bike around it.

By: Max

Max — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:05:39 +0000

I agree, stupid as hell to call it a ninja. If I owned it I’d call it the Z1000 ST. Ninjas are for racers and under 30 riders. MOST of the buyers of this bike will be likely 35-50. We want this bike, but would not brag that it’s a NINJA.

Exhausts would be a piece of cake to replace, and add hp, tq, less weight, and moderate sound. Two Bros makes a very nice looking set of slip-ons for this bike. For me the stock pipes should be ditched for slip-ons before the bike leaves the dealership.

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By: kirk66

kirk66 — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:56:27 +0000

It’s a marketing disaster from a motorcycle insurance perspective. They should have used the z1000sx name like in Europe. Insurance companies will slot this bike into Superbike categories and leave bikes on the sales floor because of this. I should know. I make my living selling motorcycle insurance.

By: KOTH

KOTH — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:36:22 +0000

ABS is available in other countries where it is sold as the Z1000SX so it is not a matter of “tooling up” for it. But to your point they are trying to market it at a certain price in the US to jump start sales.

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By: sam

sam — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 12:17:47 +0000

They praise this bike without reserve, even comment twice on the lack of vibration, yet with that much attention put forth to isolate it in the pegs, it does beg the question why they did not specifically comment on bar vibes. Bar vibes are the hardest vibes to address if they are bad. And also the kind that parks your average ST wannabee.
Big displacement I4′s (especially Kawi’s, although excluding the ZX1400) are notoriously not smooth. Better than their big twins though I will admit. Versys feel and sound like swarm of bees are coming.

I agree the bike should be available with ABS, but I suspect they have built to a price point and hope to sell a few before tooling up for the ABS. If the bike is good, news will spread that it is worth the extra cash for ABS. But personally I think it was a mistake to not make the option avail from the start.

Sure not impressed with the ‘new’ exhaust can looks. Suzuki started it, so I blame them. And noise laws are starting to crimp our aural pleasures; combine that with probable mandatory emission levels testing, the OEM cans have that much more responsibility to not look ridiculous.

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By: Max

Max — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 03:19:09 +0000

I’ve been waiting for this bike. I have an FZ-1, and a CBR1000RR, and am seriously considering trading both for this one bike. The only things I would change are the pipes and the windscreen. Other that that, this bike is just about perfect for the 40+ year-old that wants speed, but comfort, too (that’s me). And I’d shut off the ABS anyway, so it doesn’t bother me that ABS is not offered, but not a bad idea to make it an option. It will likely show up on this bike soon, from the ZX-10R unit.

Great job Kawasaki!

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