Ninja 1000/Z1000SX Owners' Thread (or wanna be's)

[TylerSC]

Picked up the 2011 Ninja 1000 today- got a pretty good year-end discount on it.

The ergonomics are pretty good, I think the pegs are just right for me (30" inseam), I would like to get some 1-back risers eventually for perfect comfort.

Fueling is excellent, cable-actuated clutch is relatively light and has excellent feel. There is a lot of engine braking so it'll be few miles before my shifting gets really smooth.

The power is excellent. This is my first I4 and it has way more torque down low than my old V4 VFR.

[RaY YreKa]

Si Hargreaves in UK mag BIKE makes about £3000 of mods to his long-termer in this month's issue, to make the ZX 'his'.

Great article, even if 99% of owners would just buy another bike

[Gas Hog]

Originally Posted by GB

Can the speedo be switched from mph to km/h by the owner?

(on a previous Kawi I could push a button on the LCD display and switch on the fly once I crossed the southern border).

Same here just a push of the button ..but officer I was reading the wrong display..
Check this bad boy out. The exhaust isn't near as bad looking in person..ok maybe it is, but I love the sound! Deep and throaty
Gary

[Blakebird]

I've been window shopping a bit recently... I stopped to look at the latest ZX-14R, my first gen ZX-14 was an incredible bike. Damn shame all the performance hoopla is the focus, I put almost 30,000 miles on mine in 18 months and it was an awesome sport touring rig.
But $14,700 is getting close to K1300S territory, so it didn't stay on my radar screen long.

I walked over and sat on the Ninja 1000. Nice....liked it a lot.
I was pre-ordained to like it from all the excellent articles and reviews I've read. Compared the some other bikes (like the 14R) it looked like it was built to a price point in some areas. Lack of a juice clutch...

But, it has a lot going for it. It was comfortable, by all accounts handles very well, has monster midrange, and is lighter than a lot of sport touring rigs. Good range...

It's on the list now I've done a lot of solo touring on sport bikes, and the Ninja 1000 adds some comfort without sacrificing much sport.

[Mikelly]

Well hell...

In 2002-2005 I owned a 98ZX9R that was the funnest sport bike I ever owned and wish I'd never sold it... Move ahead to Jan. 2007 and I bought a 99ZRX1100. Sold it in Summer 2010 for an FJR1300. I thought I wanted a "Sport Touring" bike. What I found is that I don't like the longer wheelbase, the added weight (which is still a fair amount lighter than a Concours) and the handling characteristics.

My FJR is on the board here forsale, but today I made the mistake of stopping by my local Kawi shop and taking a look at their 2011 black Ninja 1000. It fits me VERY well. I'm 5'9" and the leg/peg height is good, and the reach to bars as well as the bar angle/width is very good... This bike just fits better and reminds me of the ZX9R I got rid of so long ago...

I'm planning to take my FJR in on Thursday and will likely work a trade with them based on the NADA/KBB numbers we discussed. They're asking $9200 for the Ninja and They tentatively offered up to $7500 trade for my 08FJR. So we'll see what happens Thursday.

If I buy it, I'll have to get the hardbags and some heated grips... Those are two "must have" items, along with a power outlet somewhere...

Mike

[RideDualSport.com]

Today............... we kicked a** and took names...

[Blakebird]

Originally Posted by Mikelly

If I buy it, I'll have to get the hardbags and some heated grips... Those are two "must have" items, along with a power outlet somewhere...

I was looking for pictures of the hard bags from Kawasaki, found them - and the price isn't bad compared to what oem luggage CAN cost (VFR1200 comes to mind).

Take a look at the SW Motech 'Blaze Sport' soft luggage and it's clever mounting system.
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/6812/

I travel light, can live out of my tankbag usually - and the ST is for two-up traveling, so the N1k can be 'lightly luggaged' for me. The Blaze Sport looks perfect for my use.

[Krang]

Originally Posted by Mikelly

If I buy it, I'll have to get the hardbags and some heated grips... Those are two "must have" items, along with a power outlet somewhere...

Unless you like wasting money, avoid the OEM heated grips.

Hard bags and a powered tank bag are on my todo list for winter.

[Mikelly]

Oh no no no... I'll be installing the same setup we put on Barry's Concours... ST1100 OEM honda heated grips/controller.... For about $140.

And I'd forgotten about the SWMotec stuff... Had one of their racks on my ZXR1100... nice stuff. I'll absolutely forego the OEM bags for the aftermarket stuff...

Mike

[Mikelly]

I did it.. traded the FJR in on this:






Already working on those new tires...


This bike is really a comfortable bike to ride because of the location of the footpegs and the higher bar location. They make hard bags for it that I'll get over the next 45 days.

So far, I'm liking it a lot!

Mike

[Blakebird]

I just traded the Guzzi in and rode this home about 45 minutes ago.

That motor is perfect. I'd say the bike feels tiny, light, and flickable - but I rode in on a Guzzi so that won't mean much to anyone

[Gas Hog]

Nicely done sir
Did they use NADA for the trade in value..or by the pound..
Gary

[Mikelly]

I went ahead and ordered the SW Motec bags today, and I will probably order some frame sliders, spools, and heated grips within two weeks. After that, we will see. Also gonna need a power Ac connecter.

[GB]

Very nice!! Must resist the urge ..... Please tell me it goes like stink...

[RideDualSport.com]

Originally Posted by Blakebird

I just traded the Guzzi in and rode this home about 45 minutes ago.
That motor is perfect. I'd say the bike feels tiny, light, and flickable - but I rode in on a Guzzi so that won't mean much to anyone

It looks very good in Green! I used to ride a Guzzi - back in the 1980's and still get nostalgic for them.
I almost ended up with a 1989 LeMans - but then I got the Ninja 1000 - its a different world from the Guzzi!