[Administrator]

Building on the success of its Z1000 semi-naked sportster, and series of mid-size street-going Ninjas, Kawasaki has announced a 2011 big-bore amalgamation called the Ninja 1000.

The fully-faired machine is essentially a Z1000 with Ninja bodywork. It will share the Z's counterbalanced engine, six-speed transmission, nearly identical chassis geometry, and upright riding position.

As the latest iteration of a bike first coined with this name in 1986, it will displace 45cc more than the fire-exhaling 998cc ZX-10R, albeit with 11.8:1 compression ratio, instead of 12.9:1. Its bore and stroke is 77.0mm X 56.0mm, compared to the supersport's 76.0mm X 55.0mm.

More: 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Preview on Motorcycle.com

 

[MeatRocket]

Only $500 more than the current Z1000?! That's awesome. The extra gallon of fuel will keep it inline with the range of my ZZR-600. This is shaping up to be a perfect replacement for my ZZR.

 

[So-Crates]

Call me crazy, but I dont like it. It looks like they took the Z100 and added fairings as an afterthought. I think it is ugly - and not the good ugly like the Triumph Speed Triple with the bug-eye headlights.

 

[notabiker]

if i wanted a full faired bike i would be interested. i like naked street fighters.

 

[Flyfisher]

I love the looks. This one may be it. For years I have wanted a comfortable sport bike....but not sport touring. One that is sporty, powerful, good in the twisties and yet one that I can ride for hours to get to the twisties. I thought the new Honda VFR might be it.....but that wasn't sport enough. I'm not really sure what it was, but it wasn't what I was looking for. I thought the Z1000 was it (and it still might be) but I like the idea of a good looking fairing blocking the wind on some of the longer rides.

I don't worry about which bike is 1/10 of a second faster on some track with an expert rider aboard. 99.9% of my riding will be on the streets so an 1198S (as attractive as that option might be) wouldn't be my first bike I'd choose as a daily ride.

This one may be it. Drool.

 

[jrick56]

watch wear you're droolin'.

 

[King_Sirloin]

I just hope it comes with a bigger fuel tank than the Z1000, so you don't have to meet the attendants at every service station along the way.

 

[jamboa]

I love the looks. This one may be it. For years I have wanted a comfortable sport bike....but not sport touring. One that is sporty, powerful, good in the twisties and yet one that I can ride for hours to get to the twisties. I thought the new Honda VFR might be it.....but that wasn't sport enough. I'm not really sure what it was, but it wasn't what I was looking for. I thought the Z1000 was it (and it still might be) but I like the idea of a good looking fairing blocking the wind on some of the longer rides.

I don't worry about which bike is 1/10 of a second faster on some track with an expert rider aboard. 99.9% of my riding will be on the streets so an 1198S (as attractive as that option might be) wouldn't be my first bike I'd choose as a daily ride.

This one may be it. Drool.

Damn! It is like I could have wrote this myself. I feel the same way. I wanted the Z1000 till they started showing the Ninja 1000.

 

[zephyrboy738]

I just hope it comes with a bigger fuel tank than the Z1000, so you don't have to meet the attendants at every service station along the way.

It has a one gallon bigger tank 5 gallons the z has 4 gallon

 

[jamboa]

It has a one gallon bigger tank 5 gallons the z has 4 gallon

That is it's biggest plus over the Z and more wind protection. Anybody have the +12" California Scientific Z1000 windscreen?
First two mods I will do to the Z1000 or Ninja 1000 will be genmar risers and taller windscreen.
This is my funky tall Givi screen on my KMW Versys.

 

[rkrayton2000]

That is it's biggest plus over the Z and more wind protection. Anybody have the +12" California Scientific Z1000 windscreen?
First two mods I will do to the Z1000 or Ninja 1000 will be genmar risers and taller windscreen.
This is my funky tall Givi screen on my KMW Versys.

I have the cali screen. looks? well.... functional yes but at higher speeds(80+) too much vibration for my taste it looks like a lot of stress at the screws Maybe screwed too tight? my Givi screen is better looking, more sturdy but does not offer the same level of wind protection

 

[Catchpen]

Hey admins since the Ninja 1000 is almost a z1000 any thoughts on making a forum just for the Ninja 1000?

 

[ridingswitch]

The ninja is just a dressed up z1000 with a bra and a pair of sun glasses on! LOL

 

[treestone27]

ninja 1000 purchased

Just bought the ninja 1000 for the same reasons - wanted a bike that was comfortable for getting to the mountains and possibly longer cruises, and wanted something fun in the mountains. I think this bike will be it. But, the 3 way adjustable windscreen has been a disappointment. The highest setting creates a lot of turbulent wind noise for a 5'9" rider. On the last bike (ninja 250), i tried a medium size double bubble but same issue - wind being thrown up under the skirt of the helmet. Cortech saddle bags and tail bag will work well on the ninja 1000, and i think they're coming out with hard bags soon.

 

[treestone27]

need help with 2011 ninja 1000 windscreen

what do you recommend to improve the 2011 ninja 1000 windscreen? i like the 3 settings but the 3rd setting makes the noise worse. middle setting seems ok, but still a decent amount of noise across the helmet (air coming up around the edges i think). Is there already a good after market screen?

 

[Catchpen]

what do you recommend to improve the 2011 ninja 1000 windscreen? i like the 3 settings but the 3rd setting makes the noise worse. middle setting seems ok, but still a decent amount of noise across the helmet (air coming up around the edges i think). Is there already a good after market screen?

I can't find anything aftermarket yet except a $1500 Akrapovic exhaust . But I'm sure we'll see more stuff coming out soon.

I'm 5' 7" and the wind hits center of helmet at the top setting (never had so many bugs hit me square in the visor lol).

Needless to say my inseam is just a little over 31". I put more preload on the back shock after reading sportriders new article on it and can barely touch the ground, had to back it down some. :lol:

 

[JSharp]

I have the same issue with the stock windshield as everyone else. It's a noise generator and your visor becomes a bug magnet. I got my Ninja 1000 two weeks ago and so far that's my only real complaint. Other than the lack of riding weather in Illinois so far this year...

 

[marklawrence]

Windshields available now:

Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Windshields

My Ninja 1000 review

 

[treestone27]

Anyone know how to attach gps to new ninja 1000?

got the 2011 ninja 1000 - i really like it so far; but, can't figure out good way to connect gps? my last bike was ninja 250 and i used ram balls in unused screw thread - any advice?

 

[treestone27]

zero gravity said it will have windscreens in 2 weeks

spoke to zero gravity and they said they have several windscreens coming out for ninja 1000. I need to figure out the windscreen and gps? Also, gotta find a 1-2 finger clutch lever? My current lever can't be adjusted until break-in of 600 miles is complete. The clutch engages so quickly that i can't operate it with 2 fingers as the other fingers prevent full disengagement of clutch - the lever has to be close to the bar to work - any luck?