Kawasaki Ninja 1000

Kawasaki Ninja 1000

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Also called	Z1000SX
Parent company	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production	2011–
Class	Sport touring motorcycle
Engine	1,043 cc (63.6 cu in), 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve per cylinder[1]
Bore / stroke	77.0 mm × 56.0 mm (3.03 in × 2.20 in)[1]
Power	138 bhp (103 kW) @ 9600 rpm (claimed)[2] 125.1 hp (93.3 kW) @ 9000 rpm[3]
Torque	74.4 lb·ft (100.9 N·m) @ 8800 rpm.[3]
Transmission	6-speed, return shift. Wet multi-disc clutch. Chain drive.[1]
Suspension	Front: 41 mm inverted fork Rear: Horizontal back-link, gas-charged[1]
Brakes	Front: dual disc Rear: single disc[1]
Tires	tubeless 120/70/17 (front) 190/50/17 (rear)[1]
Rake, trail	24.5 deg 4 in (100 mm)[1]
Wheelbase	1,455 mm (57.3 in)[1]
Dimensions	L: 2,110 mm (83 in)[1] W: 750 mm (30 in)[1] H: 31.1 in (790 mm)[1]
Seat height	32.3 in (820 mm)[1]
Weight	502.7 lb (228.0 kg)[1] (wet)
Fuel capacity	5.0 US gal (19 L)[1]
Related	Z1000

The Kawasaki Ninja 1000 (in some markets the Z1000SX) is a sport touring motorcycle introduced in 2011. Other than its name, it is unrelated to the Ninja 1000R produced from 1986–89, or to other Ninja motorcycles.

It is generally characterized as a fully faired sibling of the Z1000 streetfighter, sharing the same 1,043cc liquid-cooled, electronic fuel-injected, 16-valve four-stroke inline-four engine and aluminum twin-tube backbone frame,^[4] but with ergonomics, storage, and other design elements more oriented to the sport touring market. The Ninja 1000 is also fitted with an electronic speed limiter, as its fairing gives it improved aerodynamics over the Z1000.^[5]

Kawasaki has positioned the bike as a "sport bike for the real world."^[6] As the model will not be homologated for racing purposes, the designers were free to make compromises for street performance.^[3] The Ninja 1000 thus has an upright seating position, large fuel tank, and adjustable windscreen among its features, as well a transmission geared for street-riding as opposed to racing.^[2] Nevertheless, it retains the large engine and aggressive styling of a sport bike, and its performance characteristics remain on the sport end of the spectrum, placing it more in competition with bikes like the Honda VFR1200F or Triumph Sprint GT as opposed to the Kawasaki Concours or Yamaha FJR1300.^[3]

References

1. "Ninja 1000 Sport", Kawasaki USA, retrieved 2011-02-08
2. Carrithers, Tim (October 29, 2010), "2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 - First Ride", Motorcyclist, retrieved 2011-02-08
3. Drevenstedt, Greg (February 2011), "2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000: Fast and Friendly", Rider, retrieved 2011-02-08
4. "Ninja 1000 ABS", Kawasaki Motors Australia, retrieved 2011-02-08
5. Madson, Bart (December 8, 2010), "2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 First Ride", Motorcycling.SpeedTV.com, retrieved 2010-02-08
6. Bayly, Neale (January 12, 2011), "2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000", NASCAR.SpeedTV.com, retrieved 2011-02-08