2011 Ninja 1000 (Seat)

[Stuntflyer]

The stock seat, for some riders, won't be good enough for long days of sport touring. I sent pictures to Sargent and called them to see if they had any interest in developing a better seat for the bike. They expressed great interest in doing so and mentioned that they had already received some calls inquiring about a new seat. They need more calls however, before they will get involved in making an off the shelf seat. They asked me to get the word out. If any of you are interested then please call them at 1-800-749-7328 and let them know.

[marc11]

Is the bike even out yet to know that the stock seat is so bad people who don't own the bike should start calling about making a seat for a bike no one owns yet?  I am guessing prototyping could be problematic at this stage no?  

[DogBoy]

Looks to be identical to the Z1000 seat.

[chornbe]

Looks to be identical to the Z1000 seat.

... what with it being largely the same bike and all.

[Stuntflyer]

I visited my local Kawasaki dealership last week. The owner had just come back from the Kawasaki dealer meeting. He rode both the Ninja 1000 and Z1000 for 2011. He said that both bikes had the same seat. I sat on the 2010 Z1000 and had the immediate impression that the seat was hard and sloped forward. Two things that are not great to have IMO on long rides. Sargent would level it, dish it a little, widen it toward the rear, insert their super cell atomic foam among other things to make the seat better over long distance.

[DogBoy]

... what with it being largely the same bike and all.

I was trying to be nice.

[chornbe]

I was trying to be nice.

Don't be. Some times you just gotta calls it likes ya sees it.  

On another note, I have fallen completely out of love with my Breva's seat and am considering options. So maybe I'll just buy a Ninja 1000.  

[gritsngravy]

A potential issue with the new Ninja 1000 is Kawasaki's own C-14, specifically left over '09's & '10 models.   I've seen them sell for less than the listed msrp of the Ninja and then there is the whole ready to tour out the box thing that every concours has.    Adding bags to the Ninja will only bring it's price closer in line with the c-14 and those warts hanging off the side certainly won't improve handling.   If the c-14's additional weight, power, shaft drive , and comfort are tolerable I'm sure more than one Ninja will be passed over for the purpose built c-14.  

[KodiakRS]

A potential issue with the new Ninja 1000 is Kawasaki's own C-14, specifically left over '09's & '10 models.   I've seen them sell for less than the listed msrp of the Ninja and then there is the whole ready to tour out the box thing that every concours has.    Adding bags to the Ninja will only bring it's price closer in line with the c-14 and those warts hanging off the side certainly won't improve handling.   If the c-14's additional weight, power, shaft drive , and comfort are tolerable I'm sure more than one Ninja will be passed over for the purpose built c-14.  

I don't see this happening, the ninja 1k and the c-14 are drastically different motorcycles.  I highly doubt that someone looking at the ninja has any interested in the c-14 or vice-versa.  

As far as the seat is concerned, does anyone have any experience auctually riding the z1000 that would be willing to comment?  

[DogBoy]

The C-14 is a great and very capable bike but I would still pick the Ninja 1000 if both were the same price.

[Shimmer]

The price difference between a C14 and Ninja 1000 is about 6K plus tax up here in Canada. That is a pretty big chunk of change. I think the purpose built C14 may be the one getting passed over. There dont seem to be too many leftover C14's in these parts.

[Indy Raven YZF]

I'd like to try out a new Ninja 1000.  I have an FZ-1, so it'd be like that with more of a fairing (which is nice in the rain).  I can't even consider a C-14 as I sat on one and the tank is so wide that it is not confortable to me (which is too bad as I do like those bikes), so that may deter others also.

[gritsngravy]

The price difference between a C14 and Ninja 1000 is about 6K plus tax up here in Canada. That is a pretty big chunk of change. I think the purpose built C14 may be the one getting passed over. There dont seem to be too many leftover C14's in these parts.

That's a shame.   Plenty of leftover '09 C-14's available out here in California that are selling right now for less than the MSRP of the yet to be released ninja.    Slightly used prices are really off the hook.    If I were looking to do some serious mileage over multiple days the cramped z1000 based ninja wouldn't work for me so I'd look toward the big boy.   I'd have to first get over my allergy to Kawasaki's though.  

[chornbe]

That's a shame.   Plenty of leftover '09 C-14's available out here in California that are selling right now for less than the MSRP of the yet to be released ninja.    Slightly used prices are really off the hook.    If I were looking to do some serious mileage over multiple days the cramped z1000 based ninja wouldn't work for me so I'd look toward the big boy.   I'd have to first get over my allergy to Kawasaki's though.  

Having spent a little more time getting to know the C14, on road and in the garage... from a rider's experience, it continues to be every bit as awesome as people say.

From a wrencher's perspective... jeezuz h. frakkin' chirstmas, if I never have to tear one of these down this far again, it'll be too soon.  

[David Morrow]

I don't see this happening, the ninja 1k and the c-14 are drastically different motorcycles.  I highly doubt that someone looking at the ninja has any interested in the c-14 or vice-versa.  

That would describe me. I'm currently on an FJR but am always looking for something new. The new Connie is of no interest to me ( I did put 100,000 miles on my 2000 Connie though.) I'd really like to try a newer technology, lighter, 1000cc ST bike. This new Ninja looks like it might fit the bill.

[Bizzzzzzz]

I now have my new Kawasaki Ninja 1000  red 2011...

And after 1400 km I can say that I'm not confortable for a long ride . It can be my pans, I means, it's cold here rigth now and I have multiple layers. Those multi layer finish to be in one pack where you can imagine.

If someone develop a new seat I will look at it for sure!

For the rest, I love that bike!!

Thanks
Eric

[scottzilla]

I was trying to be nice.

the two bikes do have different seats.  The Ninja 1000 has more padding per the various reviews i've read.

I held that in for a long time.

[DogBoy]

I hope you feel better now. In the interim, I've read the Ninja 1K has a 10mm taller seat than the Z1K .

[scottzilla]

I hope you feel better now. In the interim, I've read the Ninja 1K has a 10mm taller seat than the Z1K .

Well, you should have come back to this thread and posted your new learned information.

[DogBoy]

Truth. I have failed ST.N by not reporting this information in a timely manner.



I'll have to come up with a troll thread for General Discussion to make up for my transgression.