Ninja 1000 ... is it what VFR followers have asked for?

[Lon]

It's pretty obvious that the new VFR is much more Hayabusa or ZX14 or K1300S than "older VFR".

Is the Ninja 1000 the new ultimate all-rounder sportbike?

For years, the VFR followers asked for a VFR with more power and less weight (ideally, less money also) but it never happened.  The '08 VFR800 VTEC is 551# wet, put out ~90hp / 49lb-ft at the wheel (source).

Enter the new Ninja 1000.

- 123 hp @ wheel, 74lb-ft @ wheel (source)
- 503# wet
- 1043cc
- 5 gallon gas tank
- Fully adjustable inverted cartridge front forks, mostly adjustable rear suspension. (source: Kawasaki)

I think Kawasaki gave VFR owners mostly what they'd been asking for -- well, except for the engine being inline and not having gear-driven cams.

I've ridden the 2010 Z1000, and it handles better than any VFR I've ridden (1991 w/ upgraded suspension, 2000 with upgraded suspension, stock 2006).  Is this it?  Will the Honda followers jump ship?

If I was in the market for a new bike, this would jump right to the top of my short list.  The Z1000 was as much fun as a Super Duke for $4000 less ...

[chornbe]

Honda is all but dead to me.

The Ninja 1000 looks like a fantastic package.

[sammyseaman]

.

I've ridden the 2010 Z1000, and it handles better than any VFR I've ridden (1991 w/ upgraded suspension, 2000 with upgraded suspension, stock 2006).  Is this it?  Will the Honda followers jump ship?

If I was in the market for a new bike, this would jump right to the top of my short list.  The Z1000 was as much fun as a Super Duke for $4000 less ...

Nope, never. That's like asking Chevy guys to drive a Ford or Miller Lite guys to drink Amstel Light or Pepsi drinkers to drink Coke or..... you get the idea.

[Dave the slave]

 I

Nope, never. That's like asking Chevy guys to drive a Ford or Miller Lite guys to drink Amstel Light or Pepsi drinkers to drink Coke or..... you get the idea.

I disagree, as a former VFR owner I admit the VFR has just been out VFRed by the Ninja 1000.  The ninja is missing one KEY ingredient and one preferred ingredient: the V-4 and the single sided swingarm.  But everything else is what I wanted the new viffer to be.  Hell, for me they coulda used the same chassis and just put a 1000cc V4 in it with 125hp and 70l ft-lbs of torque and I'd have bought it.  Even if it was still 550lbs (50lbs heavier than the Ninja).  The compliment of ergos and smooth power and a realistic weight is what the VFR used to be about, its currently lost sight of all these criteria.... And the Ninja fits them all.

The Ninja has just slayed shamu.

[Lon]

Heh, Dave ... your wish list is pretty much the same as mine.  

I'm waiting to see the Tiger Cub in the flesh.

[sammyseaman]

 I

I disagree, as a former VFR owner I admit the VFR has just been out VFRed by the Ninja 1000.  The ninja is missing one KEY ingredient and one preferred ingredient: the V-4 and the single sided swingarm.  But everything else is what I wanted the new viffer to be.  Hell, for me they coulda used the same chassis and just put a 1000cc V4 in it with 125hp and 70l ft-lbs of torque and I'd have bought it.  Even if it was still 550lbs (50lbs heavier than the Ninja).  The compliment of ergos and smooth power and a realistic weight is what the VFR used to be about, its currently lost sight of all these criteria.... And the Ninja fits them all.

The Ninja has just slayed shamu.

I disagree with your disagree   The Honda Followers will always follow Honda. VFR riders on the other hand may go for the new Ninja. I really think Honda dropped the ball on the new VFR. They had an amazingly charismatic V4 motor and that awesome-o SSA and they gave us the VFR1200  

[Lon]

I disagree with your disagree   The Honda Followers will always follow Honda. VFR riders on the other hand may go for the new Ninja. I really think Honda dropped the ball on the new VFR. They had an amazingly charismatic V4 motor and that awesome-o SSA and they gave us the VFR1200  

To be fair, the new VFR1200's engine is not the problem.  It's lighter than the VFR800's engine.

[Dave the slave]

To be fair, the new VFR1200's engine is not the problem.  It's lighter than the VFR800's engine.

Is it really?  Wow. Really.  Well that really makes me say WTF.

Anyway, it's a moot point for me.  Im quite happy with my ZX14, in fact I've become a bona fide Kawasaki guy.  I've owned 4 since I sold my VFR and there are several Kawi models I would go out an buy right now if I had the cash.  The Ninja 1000 is just one.

[motormike]

I'm not really a Honda follower as I don't own any motorcycle but I'm looking (drooling) over the 2007-2008 VFR800.  There are plenty of new and slightly used bikes out there.  I haven't rode a VFR800 but they seem like they would be nice.

[McHack]

To be fair, the new VFR1200's engine is not the problem.  It's lighter than the VFR800's engine.

Yea, my only real complaints about the new VFR are:

Ridiculously high asking price.
Ridiculously small gas tank.
Ridiculously intrusive fuel mapping,  if your gonna give us this awesome engine... let us use it!

[gritsngravy]

Based on three Kawasaki ownership experiences I find it very difficult to pay real money for a fourth.  This Ninja is a cool concept but for me I'll stick with my VFR.  Frankly,  the power output for me is more than enough for street riding.   I do eventually want to get another big inline four again but I can't weather another Kwacker.   Been riding the street since 1981 and have owned bikes from each of the big four but I just can't go Kawi again!!

[Dave the slave]

Based on three Kawasaki ownership experiences I find it very difficult to pay real money for a fourth.  This Ninja is a cool concept but for me I'll stick with my VFR.  Frankly,  the power output for me is more than enough for street riding.   I do eventually want to get another big inline four again but I can't weather another Kwacker.   Been riding the street since 1981 and have owned bikes from each of the big four but I just can't go Kawi again!!

Bad experiences I take it....  That's too bad.  I've had 4 (ZX-11, ZZR1200, Z1000, ZX14) and have only had great machines.  No issues what so ever, I'm either lucky or you're unlucky!    

Needless to say, with only positive experience and the fact this bike checks all the right boxes, I'm going to put this on my short SHORT list.

[Rincewind]

The VFRs have lower sportbike ergos than this Ninja 1000.  The Ninja 1k is akin to the Bandit and FZ1 instead.

I wouldn't necessarily say it will be a better sport-tourer than the VFR1200 either.  I haven't ridden either of them, but the old VFR was quite good.

[gritsngravy]

I can understand problems with mechanical devices  but for me it was the poor customer service, scratch that, NO customer service at all levels with Kawasaki that caused me to say C-YA.   Among many things that went south with Kawi was the 'factory trained'  hack that stripped the spark plug threads on the motor of my NEW bike AND then lied about it was the last straw.  Shit happens all the time and I understand screw ups but to lie about it and to blow off a cash paying customers complaint is lame.   My complaints fell on many deaf ears so I eventually got rid of the citrus and moved on.  


Hell, I even worked in the parts dept of a Kawi shop for a short time in the early 80's and loved being around the then new and exciting  GpZ's and big liter kwaks so I do have some history with the brand.  

Never have experienced any of that type of incompetence  and BS with my Suzuki's, Honda's and the one Yamaha.    

[Lon]

Is it really?  Wow. Really.  Well that really makes me say WTF.

It's also physically smaller

Ridiculously high asking price.
Ridiculously small gas tank.
Ridiculously intrusive fuel mapping,  if your gonna give us this awesome engine... let us use it!

Sadly, I can't use the same complaints about the new VFR...

I ride a BMW with a 150 mile range (on a good day) that surges badly sometimes in lower RPM ranges...  

[st2sam]

Honda is all but dead to me.

The Ninja 1000 looks like a fantastic package.

My thoughts exactly. I'm not a brand loyalist, just so happens Kawasaki is making the bikes I want to ride at this time.
If I wasn't so happy with my C14 there would be a new Ninja in my garage this spring..
IMO if the C14 was about 50lb lighter it would be perfect, as is it does everything very very good! Oh, and the shaft drive, IMO the best one yet....Oh, and the power windscreen, ahh and the ABS, the 3yr unlimited milage warranty... Geeze, I'm spoiled.
I have one year left on my warranty and at the rate I'm going I should have about 50,000mi. when it's over, so who knows? The 1000 Ninja looks like the perfect SPORT-touring bike...
If it's one thing I learned, "never say never".    

[spd2918]

Nope, never. That's like asking Chevy guys to drive a Ford or Miller Lite guys to drink Amstel Light or Pepsi drinkers to drink Coke or..... you get the idea.

Brand loyalty is for simpletons.

[sammyseaman]

Brand loyalty is for narrow minded simpletons.

FTFY  

[chornbe]

My new-bike buying days are over for a while (kid in college, couple more right behind him), but I'd love to find a way to swing getting the Ninja 1000 if a test ride proves that I like it as much as I think I might.

(notice how I'm not saying "used in a few years" because Kawasaki freaking NEEDS to be rewarded with sales for putting this bike out)

Anyway, I don't really correlate the VFR to the Ninja 1000 in any way at all.

They're very different bikes in a lot of ways, mechanically (obviously), by intent and by philosophy.

Equating them at all is a little short sighted.

[Jetpilot5]

It wasn't a question of correlating the new VFR to the Ninja 1000.  It was a question of giving VFR riders the bike that they had hoped for from Honda and didn't get.  With the exception of the V4 engine I think it hits the mark.  Sporty looks, decent suspension, reasonable weight, good power, all day comfort and available hard bags, all at a price that doesn't melt your wallet.  A centerstand and optional ABS would be nice but then you start to lose the price and weight advantages.  Pick your poison.