2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Lands in America

[UFO]

They’ve been a staple of the sporting motorcycle world for decades: sportbikes that blend top-shelf engine and handling performance with a high degree of comfort, practicality and devastating good looks. Kawasaki has built plenty over the years, from the original Ninja® 900R of the 1980s, to the ZX™-11 of the ’90s, and the ZZR®1200 of the ‘00s – standout performers that are also easy to live with, day in and day out.



• MSRP $10,999
• 1,043cc inline-four with DFI® offers serious torque
• Lightweight aluminum frame is narrow and tuned to transmit optimal feedback to the rider
• Fully adjustable inverted front fork has settings designed for sporty performance and ride quality
• Placement of horizontal back-link rear suspension contributes to mass centralization
• Radial-mounted front brake calipers combine with the radial-pump front brake master cylinder to offer superb control and feel
• Sleek, supersport styling gives the Ninja® 1000 a distinctive look
• Relaxed, upright riding position contributes to all-day comfort
• Larger fuel capacity offers substantial range
• Windscreen is adjustable to three positions, allowing for optimum wind and weather protection

Engine   Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four
Displacement   1,043cc
Bore x Stroke   77.0 x 56.0 mm
Compression Ratio   11.8:1
Fuel System   DFI® with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies, oval sub-throttles
Ignition   TCBI with digital advance
Transmission   Six-speed
Final Drive   X-ring Chain
Rake/Trail   24.5deg / 4.0 in.
Front Tire Size   120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire Size   190/55 ZR17
Wheelbase   56.9 in.
Front Suspension / wheel travel   41 mm inverted cartridge fork with stepless compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload / 4.7 in.
Rear Suspension / wheel travel   Horizontal monoshock with stepless rebound damping, adjustable spring preload / 5.4 in.
Front Brakes   Dual 300mm petal-type rotors with radial-mount four-piston calipers
Rear Brakes   Single 250mm petal-type rotor with single-piston caliper
Fuel Capacity   5.0 gal.
Seat Height   32.3 in.
Curb Weight   502.7 lbs.
Overall length   82.9 in.
Overall width   31.1 in.
Overall height   48.4 in.
Color Choices   Ebony, Candy Fire Red / Ebony
Warranty   12 Months
Good Times™ Protection Plan   12, 24, 36, 48 months

See the entire spec sheet here:  http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/DetailPrintVersion.aspx?id=499

[1KPerDay]

Interesting... I thought they were calling this the Z1000S or something.

I assume there will be a full-on "race" ninja 1K... I've seen piccies...

[motormike]

The Z1000 and Ninja® 1000 are two different models.

[MadMax96]

Looks, comfort and a reasonable price tag?  Bravo Kawasaki!  

I always liked the Z1000 - but it was never practical enough for me to ever consider.  This looks like the answer!

[UFO]

Interesting... I thought they were calling this the Z1000S or something.

I assume there will be a full-on "race" ninja 1K... I've seen piccies...

Z1000 - naked, upright ergos
Ninja 1000 - faired, upright ergos  (pic above, been called Z1000SX or something around the web)
ZX-10 - faired torture rack

[Mac]

Wow. I wonder if the 5 gal tank gives it a 200 mile range?

[KodiakRS]

Accessories are rumored to include factory hardbags and heated grips.

Link stolen from dogboy in the other thread.  

[kevin_stevens]

Z1000 - naked, upright ergos
Ninja 1000 - faired, upright ergos  (pic above, been called Z1000SX or something around the web)
ZX-10 - faired torture rack

Confusing lineup.  I like the bike, though.

KeS

[aks801]

Looks like a winner!

[Dan K]

I like it.  Definitely interested.  Haven't had a Kawasaki since 1994.

- Dan

[Lawn Dart]

I truly think Kwak is onto something here.  If it's around 500# dry, that thing's gonna kick some serious VFR ass.  

In a lot of ways, it's a Bandit 1200...only more modern.  

[Leanintree]

Totally interested. This is the bike we've been asking for... price, ergos, simplicity without too many bells and whistles to get in the way of using the damn thing. I don't expect I can afford to buy a new one anytime soon, but they made exactly what we've been asking for. THIS is the true spiritual successor to the to Connie. Only thing left to see is if it's brick reliable.

LT

[twotrackhero]

Looks pretty good, maybe this bike will be the one for me    it seems that Kawasaki may have found the area between sport and touring again  

[swimmer]

Wow. I wonder if the 5 gal tank gives it a 200 mile range?

If you can't get 40mpg out of a 1000cc motorcycle you've got issues.

Well done Kawasaki.  While many here can probably see the attractiveness of this machine it's still won't be big volume since it does not have the marketing allure of a pure sport bike.  I am sure Kawi know this so bravo to them for catering to a different crowd.  No question in my mind Kawi has the best line up in the industry (although triumph aint looking to bad).

[dorklord]

Oh man. If this thing delivers on the promises it has made (be not a tease, oh maiden fair!)...

I swear, Kawasaki read the complaints that people made about the new VFR, and they listened. ("All I want is a more comfortable 1000cc-ish sportbike, with good suspension, and maybe hard bags").

I emailed a picture of it to my wife. Her response:

Oh, it will be mine.  It will be mine. :

Crap, how am I going to afford 2 of these?

Anyone want a relatively low mile FJR? An extremely low mile F4i? A slightly used kidney?

[Rabidsnipe]

If you can't get 40mpg out of a 1000cc motorcycle you've got issues.

Or a heavy throttle hand...

But seriously, based on the spec sheet, this bike should fly off the STN shelves.

[Rincewind]

If you can't get 40mpg out of a 1000cc motorcycle you've got issues.

You should have a little talk with the motorcycle reviewers and Z1000 owners then.  I've read about 34mpg average, and your Fuelly link shows an average owner report of 35.6 mpg.

5.0 gallons @ 34mp, let's say a 1-gallon reserve, means 136 miles till the light, and 170 miles till you are empty.

[Spectreman]

links

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/630/8112/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Kawasaki-Ninja-1000-First-Look.aspx

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/four-new-kawasakis-for-2011/

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/2011-kawasaki-ninja-1000-preview-90011.html

[dorklord]

You should have a little talk with the motorcycle reviewers and Z1000 owners then.  I've read about 34mpg average, and your Fuelly link shows an average owner report of 35.6 mpg.

5.0 gallons @ 34mp, let's say a 1-gallon reserve, means 136 miles till the light, and 170 miles till you are empty.

Unfaired (hooligan?) bike will be lower...

But even then, 34? Holy crap, I feel like I've been having too much fun if I get 41 on my FJR!

[Rincewind]

Unfaired (hooligan?) bike will be lower...

But even then, 34? Holy crap, I feel like I've been having too much fun if I get 41 on my FJR!

That's true that the fairing will add mpg's...  But in order to get a reliable 200 miles per tank, before the fuel light, it would need to get 50mpg (if the reserve is 1-gallon).  To get 200 miles to a tank including reserve, of course it would only need 40mpg.  That may just be possible under ideal circumstances, we shall see what the reviews say.

I am reminded of the C14, which also gets lower MPG rates that quickly eat away at it's otherwise large 5.8 gallon tank.