2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Review


While the 1000 Ninja is a new model this year, as a brother co-developed with the Z1000, it feels more than a little familiar.

According to the Kawasaki Ninja was conceived and born on the side of the revised Z, which was released last year.

The decision to change their model years was partly in response to a perceived demand for most of the supposedly "naked" Zed, particularly in Europe. Furthermore, because the kinds of details involved in bringing a new bike market is a shortage of resources, said the Kawasaki Ninja 2011've found.

Speaking of the Ninja 1000 as a variation on the same topic in bicycle almost be summarized in one sentence and say that if you are familiar with the Z1000, and we can imagine the extra protection against wind and a little more than plastic and practically know the Ninja.

But to be honest, this is not true at all. Ninja-triple-alloy handlebar mounts is different from the Z1000 tubular bars. There are about 45 mm taller, 10 mm narrower and the grip angle is a bit 'different. Runways, even put a little 'in a relaxed position, and the driver of the passenger seat components Ninja and take advantage of more than 10 mm urethane padding. Cush This facility should add to the long legs of the potential comfort that comes with its capacity of 1.1 liters of fuel greatest.

And then there's the aesthetic impression, including a slightly softer sound contribution due to deletion "in December-scream" inducing resonator comes Z1000 avenues of admission and functional full coverage fairing with a windshield adjustable in three ways. The combined effect gives the impression of his own bike, which is somewhat surprising in view of the document - we have recently documented - the bikes are so similar.

"Ninja ... 1000 is a reply to design a workout that you Runaway repli-racer ..."

Kawasaki Ninja says that the 1000 is Runaway planning exercise response that is replicable pilots - which, although popular, is still less than a decade of practice-oriented track machines.

The Ninja 1000 (and Z1000) is a deliberate departure to take things back to the street riding with a kind of liberal infusion trickle-down technology to keep the fun quotient is high if not high enough on the street .

What is a name?

Packing 1043cc, the new Ninja 1000 to use the coveted nickname was invented in 1986, could legitimately be called a "1050."

Kawasaki admits an internal debate took place on whether to call a 10-something-else (not necessarily a "1050"), but those who like neat and clean "1000" name has won this argument.


And to be sure, the 1000 Ninja Street Cred established brand, and perhaps this was a magnetic attraction of the inner compass at least some sensitivity "marketing people" Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and thus dictate terms.

Daily bestial Street Blaster

Kawasaki says the demographic of bikes for 503 pounds, probably includes you. Unlike the 421-pound ZX-6R, which sells the hottest of the 20-odd years that have zero to little experience, and 437 lb-ZX-10R more bought by a similar demographic trend also in the elderly; more experienced riders, Kawasaki is billing the 1000 as a sports bike Ninja, each person for each type of behavior.

It is also expected to attract potential buyers ZX-14 refers to 567 pounds the bike is too big or powerful, and even some mature drivers that could have decided on a cruise, they are no longer able to be comfortable in a corridor easy.

With a capacity of 5 gallons of fuel, optional hard saddlebags and top box, heated grips and (prices not yet set), the Ninja would be a Sport Tourer 1000 is also fine.

If desired, the bags hard to make a fair match-up to previously beaten Triumph Sprint GT - but with a little more powerful. Nu would be perfect for hiking sports on Sunday, and the rest of the week will be a grocery getter valid or transportation to school, work, or what you have - stuff ordinary street.

Speed ​​of the tool, the bike can be used to take days if you wanted. But six feet high, and with about a 34-inch inseam, I would have liked a little more for space in the cockpit Department rider like ZX-10R is to allow more people to move in aggressive cornering and braking. And if it was ours, we would replace the size of the rear wheel with a 190/55 as the stock ZX-10R comes with aggressive cornering, but otherwise no real complaints.

Care and Feeding for your internal Hooligan

Having spent hundreds of miles on Z1000, I was immediately comfortable with the Ninja 1000, and really think the bike is fun too. He seduced me take his desire to let off steam to a degree almost unhealthy and self-control is necessary to slow things in.

After a day of knocking around some of the most pristine areas of Northern California turns riding in the sea to the mountains and back, I interviewed a number of motojournalists experts and asked them if they thought this bike was a "hooligan", the appeal.

Maybe I'm tired, and perhaps there is still a better choice, because some people were saying maybe not so - but I step in there and make their voice heard and unequivocally say that operationally, this bike has all the charm of the pilot almost adventurous can ask.

44cc possession of more than the ZX-10R, and packing 65% more torque for a ZX-6R, which happens to hit at a reasonable price 7800 rpm, it pulls like a Lear Jet takeoff. This is a bike that does everything right on the rider replica on the street, but with a more sensible ergonomics.

With not too high as the preparation of the motorcycles come with ZX-oriented track and high center of gravity due to the driving position is also a wheeled machine in first, second and third almost.

That was all I could do to contain myself with this beast, and I was quickly test the gravity and luck in the gears of the first year, pull your knees, and generally try to break in a day.

I do not have to blow, but he did stretch the chain just use the revised mid-way, and for the whole trip was tickled by this bike is supposed to be a step toward health mental, in fact the opposite AIDS and Abet.

The rigid aluminum frame, wide tires and sticky, and the suspension sophisticated enough to encourage a rider who turns ever deeper. Relaxation and horizontal adjustable preload shock and link-41mm upside down fork - adjustable for compression, preload and rebound - are adequate. When the bicycle as Mad Max gets a little out of control on a rough road indeed, but it would have been composed later, and if not, let's say it works competently.

The rotors radially mounted 300mm Tokico front brake calipers tightened by 4-piston Nissin radial master cylinder actuated by the combined correspondence with single-piston caliper squeezing a rear 250mm rear rotor is more than enough.

In fact, the bike was supplied with brakes that half of the beds, but the abuse of some quickly took all the halfway house in the pipe and the brake will soon be strong enough to support the motorcycle on its nose and speed lock the rear wheel at will.


The instrument came from the Ninja ZX-6R, but with different sources and functionality. It provides the usual data required, including a clock and fuel gauge bar graph that does not fall too fast, even in sporty driving. The elbow of the position of the handlebars and footpegs Footpegs not-as-natural feel and leaves no desire to get up and stretch after traveling 150 miles drive.

The windshield three position is clear enough to see through without distortion, and a handful shall immediately adjusted without tools from almost vertical raceresque without tools. The bike seems a little awkward with the screen vertically, but the position gives the most wind protection, and it does not grow on you after a while.

Overall, we believe that the bike is decorated very aggressive and a delight to the eyes, but of course we'll leave you to decide what you think. Functional openings in the fairing is designed to increase air away from the rider, and to cool the engine and it is not just an exercise in style.

Conclusion


Ninja $ 10.999 1000 should be a little 'in December.

In short, the work of the bike. For many runners who are not interested in track days or racing, it makes more sense than a racer with lights.

As it is, in practice it is a racing game, though. It 'just a little' less concentrated than the ZX-10R 66 additional pounds of weight, but the improvement in bottom end power and friendly ergos.

Everything that we said that we are on the Z1000, this bike, and will be more protected from wind, fuel capacity and versatility of $ 400 more. This does not mean, how?