Thoughts on 2014 Ninja 1000

[stoinkythepig]

For years I've been dreaming of a reasonably lightweight, liter class IL4, SPORT-tourer with ABS, traction control, integrated factory hard bags, adjustable windshield and decent range. Kawasaki appears to have been listening and now I can't stop thinking about it. Anyone else excited about this bike? The only downside of the design, IMO, is that the passenger seat is too small for more than short rides, 2-up. Oh, it's also kind of ugly (but the color rocks).

[Chippertheripper]

It LOOKS like it puts the sport in sport touring, if that counts for anything.

[stoinkythepig]

It's physically very similar to my ZX9R. Certainly not as small as a ZX10R, but small enough for me.

[loudbeard]

Think it'll do whoolies?

[nhbubba]

Anyone else excited about this bike?

No, not really. The love for "adventure" style bikes has bit me and bit hard. The styling of that Ninja 1000 screams "I'm speeding, pull me over". The ergonomics look harsh. And @ >500lbs wet, it is on-par with the liter sized ADV toys.

I'm far more interested in the more relaxed new DL1000 and the compliment of similar models out there. Better ergos. Better MPGs. (Read: range.) Better standard features. (Read: standard ABS.)

I'm sure the Ninja spanks all in the power department. But that's the one thing I don't need that much of in life.

From where I stand, it seems very, very similar to your ZX9.

[GearHd6]

Call me old (at 39) but that thing does not look fun to ride long distance to me. Like nhbubba said, I'm now used to the super comfy riding position of the adventure bikes. I can ride my Tiger on plenty spirited rides to suit me. I know there are guys out there that can ride full on sportbikes very long distance. Whether they're in misery and just too proud to show it I'll never know.

[Rosco61]

It's a nice ride. Massage her suspension a bit and add a passenger sergeant seat, and get rid of those pipes and your looking great. I had the Connie 14 which is similar and it was awesome except the weight. This looks like a great balance.

[golden chicken]

If the riding position is anything like the last gen Ninja 1000, it feels very much like my SV, which is sporty without being punishing. I'd rock it.

[dontpanic]

The riding position on my 2012 is much more relaxed than my SV1000S. I like it.

The power is inspiring, and the windshield provides a measure of protection but still allows a lot of wind blast at highway speeds, even in its most upright position.

Fuel mileage is mediocre at best, typically 38 to 42 mpg. The seat should be taken off and burned. Handling is light and solid, brakes are very good. Weight is not an issue for me.

Edit: Range is decent. I also don't have the hard bags, so can't comment.

[stoinkythepig]

They changed the ratio of 6th gear to drop the revs quite a bit when cruising on the 14 model. Should get substantially better mileage. I routinely get 48 MPG on my carbureted 9R, so I hope it's reasonably close to that.

I have no trouble riding my 9R 400+ miles a day, and the ergonomics are even more relaxed on the 1000. I think it would suit me well. The stock seat on the 1000 looks bad, but they supposedly improved it compared to the last generation...

[Stromper]

Isn't there a cool new naked 1000 from Kawi this year ??

[reks95]

According to cycle-ergo, the ergonomics are nearly identical to a street triple. You could put some heli bars on it if you wanted to be 100% straight up and down, but experienced sport touring guys suggest a little bit of forward lean to help with wind on long stretches of slab. About the only thing you're going to miss ergo-wise from an adv bike is the extra legroom.

There's something about kawi's that turn me off, but they do have the freshest lineup and they're pretty compelling. On paper, they're usually a step ahead of the other Japanese manufacturers and just a step behind the pricier euro stuff. This bike is a good example. Even though I'm not interested, I'm kinda excited that the bike is so good .

[nhbubba]

From where I stand, it seems very, very similar to your ZX9.

I just looked up cycle ergos. They have the 2014 Ninja 1000. It looks like this 1k is FAR less aggressive than your 9R. Also looks like the ergos are slightly relaxed vs the current model.

Still a pretty meaty 14-15 degree forward lean.

[mikeb]

Isn't there a cool new naked 1000 from Kawi this year ??

They gave the z1000 a make over.

If i was looking to buy new the ninja 1000 would be at the very top of my list.

[dankatz]

I am excited about it - reminds me of the VFR/ST1050/ST3S SPORT-touring bikes. Kawasaki listens to its owners when they revamp models and they addressed most of the complaints of the previous Ninja 1000 bikes. On paper, looks terrific. I rode the last generation Ninja 1000 at Americade after riding my 2006 VFR to Lake George. While the power is stronger, I felt the overall package was less than the sum of the parts at the time. I liked the front end feel and the engine character of my weaker VTec bike. Also, I felt my Honda was better constructed overall. Still, I think Kawasaki improved the engine, transmission, suspension and overall package for '14. Plus, not too many competitors out there in this class. I am old school in the sense that I prefer a ZX9 to a ZX10 for 99% of my riding.

As for the adventure touring, the example I give is of SUV's. To me a Ninja 1000 is like an Audi A4 Avant vs a DL1000 which would be an Audi Q5. Both are sporty and the Q5 has a higher utility ratio. I personally am a bigger fan of the wagons than the SUV's, but most Americans are not. Same for the "Adventure" bikes. You can ride/drive both fast.

My 2 cents...

[nhbubba]

That's funny. I have a German wagon... parked inches from my adventure turd.

[dankatz]

I know...you got a TDI, but we are a minority which is why these wagons are a dying breed in the US

[nhbubba]

I don't have a TDI.

[dankatz]

TSI? 2.0T?

[Danz19899]

I'm torn over which direction I want to go with my next bike. I'm a mechanic and my back has definitely had enough of my Zx-6r do I'll be selling it this spring.

I'm pretty much trying to decide if I want to go with one of these. I love the ergo's have sat on them at the dealer and it seems really comfy. Like the hard bags just not sure if im going to like the weight. Its over 100lbs heavier then my 600.

Or there is a new naked bike that has been catching my eye is the new Yamaha FZ-09
new 900 triple, Bike is Gorgeous, under 400 lbs, 65ft lbs of torque. decent ergos. Crappy things are it only has a 3.9 gallon tank and no wind protection. also starting price of $8000 is a plus

[nhbubba]

Both.

But the moral here is that both German wagons (even the Mexican made ones) and 'adventure' styled motorcycles are guuuureat!

[GearHd6]

Both.

But the moral here is that both German wagons (even the Mexican made ones) and 'adventure' styled motorcycles are guuuureat!

I agree! 3 Germans in my driveway, one a wagon and another a TDI! And yes, adventure motorbikes are great!

[Sheppo]

I'm torn over which direction I want to go with my next bike. I'm a mechanic and my back has definitely had enough of my Zx-6r do I'll be selling it this spring.
I'm pretty much trying to decide if I want to go with one of these. I love the ergo's have sat on them at the dealer and it seems really comfy. Like the hard bags just not sure if im going to like the weight. Its over 100lbs heavier then my 600.
Or there is a new naked bike that has been catching my eye is the new Yamaha FZ-09
new 900 triple, Bike is Gorgeous, under 400 lbs, 65ft lbs of torque. decent ergos. Crappy things are it only has a 3.9 gallon tank and no wind protection. also starting price of $8000 is a plus

I think the added weight wont even be noticeable at anything over 10mph. My guess is the hardbags are removable like on my BMW and that brings the weight down some. It's not a super sport bike but it's not a cruiser either.

As far as the FZ9 ... I've read also the suspension is really lacking. VERY SOFT. Not sure if it was the laters Cycle World or Motorcyclist that had a good article on it.

I like the Kawi a lot.

[GearHd6]

There was a good review from a13x in the FZ-09 thread on this site. It talked about the lacking suspension issues.

[jhawley]

I'm probably the only asshole whom brought the new gen Honda VFR1200.

On paper I really want to like the ninja1K but for some reason I have a hatred for Inline 4 bikes.
The V12 i have a a BIG bike, about .2 inches and 5 lbs from being a 'busa. but its extremly on the sport end of sport touring. it rides like a big sport bike, but im loving the idea of having factory hards locking luggage. I know i could have put a top case on my old sv1000 but i cant deal with the looks. my ego is too big. so since i was going to get luggage i went all out with the vfr.

The vfr is an amazing bike, but to get one with luggage new your looking at $15,999 for the bike plus another $1,400 for the bags. 17 and half grand is a lot of coin to spend on a bike.

but because the vfr was unloved there are new 2010s still out there. i paid 9 grand for a 2010 vfr with side cases, center stand and a winsh screen extesnion installed. it had 184 miles on it. it was the WIN of the year.
The vfr has a 170 hp, shaft drive, radial six piston linked brakes with abs. its an beautiful expensive beast. Kawi is going to kill the honda based on the price point alone.

I wish suzuki would get in on this and build something like this with with a big bore twin and hard luggage.