KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX (2020 - on) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £220 |
| Power: | 140 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (32.9 in / 835 mm) |
| Weight: | High (518 lbs / 235 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesBefore this version of the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX, the Z1000SX was a phenomenal success for the firm: their biggest-selling bike in the UK for the past decade, and Europe’s top-selling sports-tourer for at least the past three years.
Latest news: Kawasaki unveil Ninja 1100SX for 2025
The Ninja 1000SX carries over the Z’s magic mix of sporty style, plentiful power and undemanding versatility, then fixes a few of its shortcomings. The biggest single improvement is handling – the Z1000SX had horribly heavy steering at low speed and flopped reluctantly into turns, especially on its OE tyres.
But all that’s been fixed for the Ninja. From mini-roundabouts in town to tight mountain roads to wide open countryside sweepers, the new 1000SX steers as easily and accurately as anything.
Today we're riding the new Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX, an updated version of the Z1000SX. There’s sharper steering, more comfort, and new tech in the way of cruise control, a two-way quickshifter and a colour dash. For more, click here: https://t.co/bvszogtjzQ pic.twitter.com/zlF3B7QsGq
— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) February 3, 2020
The improvement comes down to either the new tyres (a model-specific ‘G’ version of Bridgestone’s S22) and/or some small tweaks to steering geometry (the Ninja has half a degree less rake and 4mm less trail than the Z).
On top of that, the Ninja adds a few new hi-tech features, including cruise control, a two-way quickshifter and a colour TFT dash – and all come fitted as standard, not accessories or options that cost extra.
Last but not least, the Ninja’s more comfortable too, thanks to a thicker and wider seat that not only feels a plusher place to sit, but also lifts the rider up, creating a fraction more legroom.
- Related: 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX colours
So that’s sharper steering, more modern sophistication and a touch more comfort, without compromising the fundamental sports-touring recipe that made the Z1000SX so popular. And all this costs just £700 more than last year’s Z, meaning the Ninja continues to undercut rivals.
Watch: Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX review
Additional reporting by Martin Fitz-Gibbons
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe Z1000SX could feel a little harsh over bumps, but the Ninja seems more supple. Technical differences are only very slight – there’s an extra slit in the damping pistons inside the forks, which allows more oil to flow and softens low-speed compression.
At the rear of the bike, Kawasaki say they’ve "fine-tuned" the shock, but the unit itself is the same as before. Perhaps they’ve just had a fiddle with the preload and/or rebound damping adjusters…
Whatever the truth, the end result feels pretty good – plenty of support from the front while stopping sharply, no ungainly pitching around when cornering or accelerating hard, and generally pleasant bump absorption.
Brakes are unchanged from the Z1000SX, with a pair of powerful four-piston Tokico one-piece calipers up front. There’s plenty of feel for the front tyre too, and if it all goes wrong the backup plan is Kawasaki’s clever cornering ABS system, which adjusts its behaviour when you’re leant over to help you keep on your intended line.
And don't forget to check out our guide to the best sports tourer tyres...
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityMany inline-fours have a revvy power delivery, needing to be worked hard to release their potential. Not so the Ninja 1000’s. It’s virtually identical to the long-stroke 1043cc motor from the Z1000SX (which itself dates back to the 2010 Z1000), with a fat, flat torque curve, loads of midrange, and close ratios giving any-gear, any-rev, any-speed flexibility.
On open roads you can sit in third, fourth, fifth or sixth gear and it all feels equally natural. In top, you can drop as low as 20mph and it still pulls cleanly. If you want to feel the Ninja’s sporty side, it’ll scream on to 11,000rpm and deliver a claimed 140bhp – which is more than plenty.
Technical changes are tiny. Camshaft profiles have been modified to reduce the engine’s mechanical noise, but don’t appear to affect performance. Intake funnels have been altered too, with shorter trumpets for the outer pair of cylinders – Kawasaki say this suits the new 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust and reduces emissions.
As before there are two power modes: Full, which does what it says; and Low, which has a milder response and limits output to 75% (105bhp). These are now paired to one of the traction control’s three settings and pre-packaged into four intuitive riding modes: Sport, Road, Rain and a customisable Rider setting.
Overall, the Ninja 1000SX’s motor won’t implode your brain and turn your eyeballs inside-out like a ZX-10R or H2 SX, but it remains an easier, more useful, more forgiving and more rewarding engine on the road.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThere’s no reason to imagine the fundamental build quality will be any different from the previous Z1000SX, which scores exclusively four and five-star reviews from MCN-reading owners.
Paint looks deep, the engine has proven itself reliable over the past decade, and the general sense of fit and finish is excellent. Like the Z1000SX before it, the Ninja will continue to be built at Kawasaki’s Akashi plant in Japan.
Our Kawasaki Ninja Z1000SX owners' reviews are mainly positive, although there are a few mentions of some reliability concerns on some bikes. It's worth having a good read through before going for a test ride.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentRunning costs should be a fraction lower than the Z1000SX, as service intervals have been extended. To be more specific, the Z’s (largely trivial) 3800-mile service has been dropped completely, leaving owners to deal with just an annual oil service, plus a mileage-based service every 7500 miles. Valve clearances are a generous 26,000 miles apart.
And as for the Ninja’s overall value? Given all the new gadgets (colour TFT dash, cruise control, two-way quickshifter) come included as standard, the £11,145 starting price looks pretty impressive.
That’s less than even the most bare-bones version of BMW’s R1250RS (£12,395) or Ducati’s Supersport (£12,141) and only £500 more than the revvier and less-complete Suzuki GSX-S1000F (£10,645). The only slightly cheeky catch is that the grey paintscheme in the pictures here is £200 more.
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX vs Yamaha MT-10 Tourer
Compare the Yamaha MT-10 Tourer Edition and new Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Tourer at spec sheet level, and they’re doing the multi-purpose sport-tourer thing in exactly the same way.
Both use a purposeful, potent four-cylinder engine of 1000cc, give or take, with identical claimed peak torque. Panniers, cruise control, ample screens and an array of electronics are standard on both.
They match physically too: seat height, bar width and screen height are all within an inch or two. Even their on-the-road prices are within a few hundred quid.
Yet the rigours of the UK's toughest test route, the MCN250, quickly remind us that there’s more to motorbikes than facts and figures.
There’s a sumptuousness to the updated SX, a hint of H2 SX luxury, from the supple ride quality and steadfast roadholding to the colour dash and multi-function switchgear.
With a classic slightly-propped riding position and bulging midrange drive, it pours through rolling, darting open countryside; the road is turned into one long flowing motion, passing smoothly yet briskly as long-legged thrust is delivered with subtle roll-on throttle. Whoosh.
What a contrast the Yamaha is. Despite all the spec similarities, the MT-10 Tourer has a vastly different personality to the SX. You’re sat more upright, closer to the bars and on a flatter seat, with fully adjustable suspension that’s stiffer and supplies a sportier but less settled ride.
The gargling crossplane-crank inline four has a more assertive character and snappier throttle, its weightier clutch giving a sense of managing great grunt and emphasising the unmistakable feel of the super-naked at the model’s core.
The Yam feels like it weighs less than the Ninja to wheel about, though at very low speed has heavier steering. Handling becomes wonderfully light once properly on the move, though, the 25kg-lighter MT darting to a shove of its bars before launching hard out of turns and playfully lifting its front wheel.
This is the livelier and more exciting bike. It handles too, though on hedge-lined Bs induces a more aggressive style than the Ninja; it punches across the landscape, rather than streaming.
Both bikes settle into an effortless cruise on the motorway: screens deflect the blast (pressing a tab lets the SX screen be angled upright; the MT’s position is fixed), reasonably spacious riding positions allow you to wriggle into a just-so stance, and the big inline-four engines are barely awake at 70mph.
Surprisingly, despite its gruff feel and babbling exhaust racket, the Yam is just as smooth at sustained speed as the conventional four in the Kwak. The SX’s ride comfort is better, though. So is its screen.
Thankfully both bikes also have cruise control for licence preservation on the camera-covered sections of M6 and M42. Whirring at a constant speed also means impressive multi-lane economy: the MT-10 gets up the 50s, while the 1000SX returns well over 60mpg.
A quiet straight gives the opportunity for a side-by-side comparison. Fourth gear, 40mph, nail the gas at exactly the same time… and they’re literally neck-and-neck.
The MT feels sharper, but the Ninja’s full-throttle performance is identical until the sort of speed where you worry about a court appearance. Only then does the Yamaha’s extra top-end fizz see it edge ahead.
And feel fizzy the MT does. The Kawasaki’s electronics cut in and keep things level, but over rollercoaster whoops in the later stages of the route the Yamaha readily points its nose at the heavens. It’s not about wheelies and being socially irresponsible; it’s about buying a 150-odd bhp bike that seems alive, exciting, powerful. And the MT-10 certainly does.
Unfortunately, it also feels like it’s trying to be something that it’s not. The rippled lanes in the final section are a reminder that despite its designation the MT is the less cosseting of the two. A super-naked with practical adornments. It’s a great bike… but after 250 miles, and as my kidneys are battered by another big bump, I’d rather be riding the Ninja 1000SX.
After comfort, usability and practicality, but don’t want to sacrifice excitement? Both these bikes deliver. They really are bikes that can thrill on a sunny evening blast, swallow a motorway slog and shrug off the trundle to work.
But if you want a pukka sports-tourer go for the Ninja 1000SX Tourer. Finest ride quality, smoothest power, adjustable screen, bigger tank and better economy, secure handling, proper pillion grab handles, heated grips, remote preload adjuster… The previous SX was the UK’s favourite sports-tourer and the new Ninja stays at the top of the game.
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX vs Suzuki GSX-S1000GT video:
Equipment
Standard spec is high. Even the base-model Ninja 1000SX comes with cruise control, two-way quickshifter and a colour TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity. And as it has since 2017, there’s also cornering ABS and traction control, as well as piercing white LED headlights.
If you want panniers (and the vast majority of Z1000SX customers did) then the Touring version of the Ninja 1000SX comes with them, plus a taller touring screen and heated grips, and costs £1000 more.
If you want a sportier look, the Ninja 1000SX Performance has a road-legal Akrapovic carbon silencer and a single seat cowl, for the same £12,145. And if you want both pose and practicality, the Performance Tourer version gets virtually the whole accessory catalogue (luggage, grips, exhaust, smoked touring screen, cowl and more) for £13,145.
Beware trying to compare ultimate gadget bragging rights with your BMW-owning neighbour, however. The Ninja 1000SX doesn’t yet offer electronic suspension adjustment, cornering lights, keyless ignition, hill-hold control or official plug-in microwave.
More seriously though, there are still two accessory oversights. The first is that there’s still no option to fit a centrestand – even though there is for the Versys 1000. And Kawasaki still don’t approve the use of three-piece hard luggage at once.
They’re happy for you to fit panniers OR a topbox, but not all together. For a sports-tourer, either of those could be seen as a fairly sizeable shortcoming.
Specs |
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| Engine size | 1043cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | liquid-cooled, 16v, inline four |
| Frame type | aluminium twin-spar |
| Fuel capacity | 19 litres |
| Seat height | 835mm |
| Bike weight | 235kg |
| Front suspension | 41mm forks adjustable for preload, rebound and compression |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock adjustable for preload and rebound |
| Front brake | 2 x 300mm discs with four-piston calipers |
| Rear brake | 250mm single disc with one-piston caliper |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear tyre size | 190/50 ZR17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 43 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £117 |
| Annual service cost | £220 |
| New price | £12,349 |
| Used price | £5,800 - £12,400 |
| Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 140 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 82 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 155 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 180 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
- 2011 Kawasaki Z1000SX – Fully faired sporty roadbike built around the frame and motor from the loopy Z1000 supernaked, but tamed and re-engineered to serve as a useable all-rounder.
High-rise clip-ons give a comfortable riding position, grunty engine has masses of useful midrange, but it still looks (a bit) like a ZX-10R (if you squint). No electronics, though ABS is an option, while wide accessory panniers need to be clipped to an external tubular steel rail. 136bhp, 81ftlb, 228kg and 820mm seat height. Steers stubbornly at low speed on OE Bridgestone tyres.
- 2014 Kawasaki Z1000SX – Generation 2 model gets heaps of nips and tucks, including new Tokico brake calipers, stiffer suspension, two power modes, three-level traction control, slimmer flush-mounting panniers, tiny tweaks to the intake cam’s lift and duration, thicker seat padding, a remote rear preload adjuster and more.
Power up to 140bhp, kerb weight up to 230kg. Still steers stubbornly at low speed on new OE Bridgestone tyres.
- 2017 Kawasaki Z1000SX – Third time lucky. Gen 3 inherits the ZX-10R’s IMU, which feeds information to the new cornering ABS and traction control. More suspension changes too, including a new shock linkage that drops seat height to 815mm, as well as damping changes at both ends.
- New bodywork is an inch wider on each side and screen is 15mm taller for better weather protection. New LCD clocks finally get a gear position indicator. LED headlight is brighter and whiter than previous bulbs. Still steers stubbornly on OE Bridgestone tyres.
- 2020: Bike renamed Ninja 1000SX
- 2021: New colours revealed
- 2023: Price hike to £12,349
Owners' reviews for the KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX (2020 - on)
33 owners have reviewed their KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX (2020 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX (2020 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £220 |
Version: 40th Anniversary Performance Edition
Year: 2024
Annual servicing cost: £220
After getting tired of big twin Ducati, it's noise and cost of ownership I wanted a bike I could use for weekend blasts and start touring on. It needed to be fun and comfortable. This bike more than ticks both boxes. I ordered the bike and before it was delivered I had booked the ferry to Bilbao and I was committed! After running it in I headed to Spain for a 1,400 mile tour and it was excellent in every regard (even returning 49mpg for the whole trip). I love this bike! It looks great, goes great, is comfortable, a quick-shifter, cruise etc, I literally want for nothing else
Smooth and lazy when you want it to be and feisty and frivolous when the mood strikes, you go do a full 19 litre tank without needing a break.
When cruising around town or through villages it's subtle and doesn't draw disdainful looks from pedestrians or barks from dogs. The fuelling is excellent, no lunching or lurching, even in high gears at low speeds. Outside of town and at the higher rpms it's seriously fun to ride. Very linear power delivery, which goes on and on and on! Just right engine braking too, it's a joy to ride whatever mood you're in.
So far it's been excellent. I've added a tail-tidy and a radiator guard and in fitting this to the bike you see how well it's put together.
Insurance issue described by other reviewers is real, it costs more than my 1200S Ducati Monster and it costs more than my Z H2 to insure - it doesn't make sense! Is this the bike's fault or is it opportunistic / ignorant insurance companies? I'm not going to knock my rating for this, the bike to buy and operate is excellent value, (apart from the insurance!).
Everything you need on a bike and not too much to be distracted by. I haven't bothered with the Kawasaki app thing, I can't really see how this will help my ownership experience!
Buying experience: Great, purchased from Greenham Kawaski in Newbury, as always the team there looked after me
Version: Standard
Year: 2023
Would you know a perfect bike if you ever got on one? I can think of a few things I would change but if you add Skyhook suspension it’s not gonna be a $13K bike anymore and that’s one of the things I think really stands out the most, it’s price point. It’s just a super package even at a higher price point but Its value is what makes it such a satisfying bike to own. It has a wonderfully rigid frame. The rear shock is an obvious cost cutting affair. I would rather buy my own suspension anyways….. it’s gonna be a better match for me than anything factory. It’s hard to say if I’d recommend it to others. I certainly would if they were experienced riders that had the discipline to manage it so that kindly narrows it down to one friend for me. I’ve seen enough much lesser machines eat people’s lunch and the sack they carried it in. Sometimes if you ride long enough (about 60 yrs for me now) these things happen no matter what you’re riding. It’s fascinating to me that anyone can plop down the money and ride off on such a powerful machine. I can remember when American Turbo was buying KZ1000s in the 70s (about 100 hp if the wastegate was set as recommended) you had to sign off on a document that said you knew you were buying a machine that could kill you and neither Kawasaki or the dealer was responsible. In the 80s when the racing replica craze was coming on (mostly 600cc bikes) the average insurance claim for a totaled machine was 28 days. I was working at dealerships then, I’m not making this stuff up. I would opine that what’s different today is more powerful capable machines are the norm rather than the exception along with appropriate components and rider aids that greatly improve safe operation. More appropriate safety gear is also worn by experienced riders that know it’s just silly to ride in shorts and a t-shirt. You don’t have to crash at 70mph, those big bugs hurt not to mention a piece of gravel shot out from a dump truck tire.
Rear shock why it takes a ding here….. enough that I will be exploring options for improvement. Overall the machine is worth the expense of upgrading the suspension. Lots of folks will find the suspension adequate as is. I can work with the forks. I have concerns for the rear shock as it accumulates miles. It’s a shame no compression damping adjustment
Almost perfect although I was actually a little surprised it didn’t have more up top. Don’t really care….. midrange makes up for it and if I wanted a H2 I woulda bought one. Lazy mans go fast engine, just not the fastest. Clutch is awesome and mechanical noise is almost non existent. The FI is so well sorted it’s obvious extra time was spent on its execution. Combined with the cruise control for example, when you hit resume it’s so smooth sometimes I have to look at the speedometer to make sure it’s executing its function. This shouldn’t be taken for granted, it’s truly extraordinary.
Japanese machines are my favorite….. in general they have very few quirks which at least in the past couldn’t be said for European machines. Not in my experience. Times have changed and I really can’t say these days for sure….. but out of so many Japanese machines I’ve owned over the years only 2 have had major failures. Both Suzuki so far the 1000SX mechanically seems near perfect to me. A machine this smooth has something almost magical going on….. even for a Japanese bike it appears to be more than the sum of its components. It’s one of those bikes you would regret selling and when you consider the bargain that it is, it makes it exceptionally compelling as a primary choice in the class regardless of other options. I think Kawasaki has created a machine with no peer except for the Suzuki GSX 1000. From a value perspective.
You really have to be judicial with throttle use and other than trail braking when required, engine braking provides a nice soft balance for the rear. I typically only use the front brake….. otherwise you will be buying a lot of rear tires. No fault of the Ninja…any liter bike will eat rear tires. This bike is the best bargain in Motorcycles currently offered. The price/quality balance is what makes it exceptional
At its price point it’s loaded with features…… my favorite is cruise control. Talking about tires is a bit like talking about engine oil. I’ll just say I kinda like Bridgestones…… been running Battalax for years. Decent service at a good price point…. My experience with them is you need to ride in a prudent manner with them because if they ever let go they can get you killed. I’ve had them snap me to the steering lock a few times when things went wrong (like a stupid beaver in the middle of a curve) but they’ve always been good enough for me to recover. You really need something in the back of your mind to check yourself when in a mood for spirited riding anyways.
Buying experience: Even if a dealer gets the deal he wants you can’t go wrong at full retail. I am strongly opposed to dealer up charges over MSRP although the norm nowadays seems to add freight charges at the very least. Why is it that nobody ever talks about dealer/Manufacturer holdback? That’s the rebate a dealer earns usually in the 5% range paid by the manufacturer usually as a bonus in addition to flooring benefits among other promotions…. Some transparent to the consumer and some not. Traded 2020 XSR900 w/10,000 mi Clean unit, never rode in the rain. Had to insist on KBB trade value $6475 Dealer priced the Ninja MSRP+$475 frt. since I worked at a dealership 3 yrs and raced 15 yrs and have bought and sold close to 200 motorcycles….(I’m 69 yrs old) this wasn’t my first rodeo. It’s a lot more difficult to buy a bike now than it was maybe 15 yrs ago and the fact I was After a 2023 model forced me to travel aways off and deal with folks I didn’t know and they didn’t know me. All the 2023 were gone around where I live. They don’t seem to sit around for a long time in most dealerships
Year: 2020
Ok but top heavy
No confidence in them
Good
Good guality
Bit thirsty
Quick shifter
Buying experience: Dealer
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £200
I would actually rate it 6 out of 5
Can ride for 3 hours or more no problem, brakes are brilliant along with a really easy to operate cruise control, abs corner braking and all the rider gizmo work excellently.
Delivers the power with ease, no snatching, and is far better than my previous GSXS1000F with plenty of power when you want it, it is the perfect sports tourer
Full service by kawasaki trained mechanic with his own business
I bought the performance tourer so included everything and although the Bridgestone tyres were good I have now got Michelin pilot 6s and wow what a fantastic difference it made feels like I have a steering damper fitted
Buying experience: Bought from a dealer
Version: Sports Tourer
Year: 2022
Annual servicing cost: £250
The bike is very well made, reliable, comfortable and deceptively quick. The OEM Bridgestone BT22's went off after 3000 miles and I'm glad they did. I've fitted Metzler Roadtech 01SE and the bike feels stable, planted and can now be ridden hard in the wet. The position of the bars is very comfortable for a 5'8'' rider and the panniers are useful and can take a full face lid but the odd shape means that a larger laptop won't fit. If you can only afford one bike to tour, commute and do banzai scratching when the mood stakes you this is it. Your mates won't get away from you and you'll feel fresh at the other end of the trip regardless of the distance.
Standard suspension is plush when it needs to be and sporty enough to hustle. Local roads are cratered with pot holes like a row of bombed houses. The bike copes admirably. Brakes are ample, progressive and inspire confidence.
The engine is a peach. However, it feels like it needs a seventh gear - or maybe I need to slow down. The quick shifter can be a bit agricultural if you don't have the revs high. That said, there is so much torque that you'll find yourself doing lazy short shifts and wafting along. The Akrapovic can sounds good when you come down through the box aggressively... I wouldn't put anything louder on.
Bullet proof, no problems. Chain suffered in winter commute but none of the fasteners did. Don't put it away over a weekend after riding in road salt though - like I did.
No issues, GT-Superbikes in Pontyclun seem like decent lads.
I've got all the bells and whistles. Got the USB's thrown in for free for my Quadlock Mount that does a good job of turning my phone into a SatNav. Quick shifter isn't necessary but it is fun. The adjustable screen is very good but only one setting works for me and doesn't create buffeting. The daft Kawasaki App is pointless as you can't throw your maps onto the dash. Heated grips are so good that I forgot I had them. To be honest, I've only marked it as a four because of the guilt... the bike is superb without the toys, should have saved some money instead.... hang on, I forgot about the best bit... the LED headlights... a revelation. I used to dread riding at night - not anymore, love 'em..... bumped up to 5/5.
Buying experience: GT-Superbikes Pontyclun are great, I'd use them again and travel for the servicing. I doubt I'll go for a PCP deal again with the interest rates being what they are.
Year: 2023
I was planning to p/ex my Superduke GT for one of these. I got a good offer from the dealer but it is not worth proceeding due to the daft cost of insuring the Kawasaki. The bike has no more power than it had 10 years ago but adding Ninja to the name in 2020 has made it ridiculously expensive to insure. More than my 175bhp Superduke. More than the 150bhp GSX S1000GT. Someone at Kawasaki should get fired for this.
Not viable to buy because some genius at Kawasaki decided to add ninja to the name and let the greedy insurers double the premium
Version: Performance Tourer
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £230
Near perfect sports tourer. Only had it a few months but owned the previous version before which was a really good bike. This sorts out most of the issues I had with that machine. Like the quick shifter, cruise control, dash and even the handling. It even seems faster than the old model despite no more bhp. Awesome bike
Normally ride alone but have taken a pillion and it was ok 2up but fine alone. The seats are better padded than the old model so hopefully longer journeys without breaks will be possible.
The engine is spot on and all the power and performance anyone really needs. It's really smooth and fast and easy to get up to silly speeds
I'm the second owner but it's still pretty much like new despite being 3 years old and having covered over 6000miles. No complaints
Just had it serviced and MOT'd but it wasn't that expensive. £230 for both
The only thing this or the previous model doesn't have is a top box but it would spoil the looks anyway so not that bothered. Otherwise this bike is very well equipped indeed. The quick shifter works better up than down for some reason. I fitted a tail tidy as like most bikes these days it needed one and fitted a satnav too. Also the standard screen is far better that the larger touring one that's really noisy!
Buying experience: I bought a silver 2019sx new at a bargain £9000 just before the Ninja version came out and once I rode the Ninja I knew I wanted one as it was just a better bike. I managed to sell my SX for £8000 this year only losing £1000 in 3 years and bought a 2020 one owner green near mint Ninja to replace it from a trader for £10,000. So it only cost me 2 grand to get the newer model that I should have waited for in the first place. So I think I did pretty well overall.
Version: Performance Tourer
Year: 2022
Annual servicing cost: £100
Been riding 50 yrs and own a 05 R1. These ninja 1000sx are incredible machines best bike I've ever owned.
All day in the saddle is no problem
Choice of 3 modes Wet road and sport which it's always in.
Blaze Emerald green paint just comes alive and pops in the sun.
Always do my own servicing
Quickshifter Never had one before absolutely loving it. Recommend givi rack and top box
Buying experience: From dealer ..lucky got in before they went up.
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £485
you get a lot of features for your money,
great all rounder
peach of an engine, grunt at all revs
main dealer service cost high
quick shifter is great,
Buying experience: bought new
Year: 2021
Annual servicing cost: £75
Great overall bike. Love the turn in on corners - very firm, very confidence-inspiring.
I rode it 6 hours the day I bought it and only stopped for gas with no issues. I have to focus on bending my elbows and sort of "tucking in". I don't, however, generally lean over the tank. It's a fairly comfortable upright ride. Turn all the sissy controls off and hang on the best you can. I don't have issues with unintentional wheelies, but I'm 240lbs before i get dressed.
Strong and smooth. A little scary with all the rider controls off, but perfect in sport mode.
Solid build. Fairing feels a little cheesy near the road. Fairing plexiglass susceptible to bug guts - don't let it sit.
An oil change and a couple scrub-n-lube sessions on the chain with tightening. No worries.
I'm really impressed with the Battlax Tires. comfortable and sticky. Haven't ridden in the rain, though. Disappointed the panniers aren't standard (2021; US) and basically unavailable. I can blame availability on the Covid, but still, just put them on from the factory. A real touring bike would come with all three bags standard. A real touring bike would have a navigation option or Apple Car Play, too. I don't think this is a real touring bike, but I have one of those. Not why I bought the N1K.
Buying experience: I bought a 2021 in July 2021 over the internet for List Price plus some BS $400 dealer prep fee. Springfield, Ill. I don't remember the name of the dealer, but they were great. I live 300 miles away and my wife dropped me off, I signed a few papers, some guy showed me all the buttons, I did a few figure eights in the parking lot and drove it home. I rate that no less than AWESOME.
Year: 2022
Annual servicing cost: £150
I've owned a lot of bikes, had a Katana 1000 and wanted something comfy fast that I can tour on. The Ninja 1000 sx is like a new ZZR1100, comfy , grunty, fast and an absolute joy to own. It can also hustle its no supersport machine, but stable predictable old school sports tourer. Ive done more miles on this than any other bike I've had recently and can't get enough of it. Bit of a pain to get a paddock stand on it due to caliper in its way, and a centre stand would be nice but that's it thats my only complaint. I looked at the Suzuki GSXS100 GT and it isn't as well built, the Honda NT100 was ok, but looked, well, a bit ugly. The Kawasaki may have been out for a few tears but it's refined, improved and the best bike I've ever owned.
3 hrs and no aches or pains, I'm 5 11 and seat, bars, footrests are all perfect and on the open road put the cruise control on and sit back and enjoy the ride. Plush suspension, two up us great and easy access remote adjuster for the rear suspension is worth its weight in gold.
Super smooth, powerful, grunty piece of kit. Kawasaki make brilliant engines, this one has all the low down punch from 2000 rpm in top and just keeps pulling. The gearbox is the best I've ever used, light, slick shift that snicks into gear without giving any resistance. The clutch is light and smooth without any judder.
Thick paint, well built quality components and nothing gas failed or caused concern.
Well priced when new, great PCP deals and between 45 to 53 mpg, servicing is reasonable and well spaced intervals. Insurance is cheap..although I am almost 50....
LED lights, superb TFT dash that has so many features such as trip meters, mof, average mpg, lean angle and so on. Then there the brilliant adjustable screen,abs, traction control and the only complaint us the quick shifter can seem a bit slow compared to a KTM or Yamaha. As for the cruise control once you've written a bike with it you'll always want to use a bike with cruise control, it instantly seemed a gimmick but in this day and age of average speed cameras its a welcome addition.
Buying experience: Bought new from Orwell Motorcycles in Ipseich who are one of the best dealers around. Friendly, sorted the bike and finance out quickly and offer a top class service. I won't go anywhere else!!
Year: 2022
Annual servicing cost: £140
I was sceptical on how good this bike eould be, yet I have done more miles in the last few weeks than in the last year on a previous bike. It's fast, handles well, comfy and build quality is better than mist rivals. I was tempted with the GSXS 1000 GT, yet it has no adjustment to the screen and appears to be of inferior quality compared to the Kawasaki.
Plush seat and comfortable bars, I can easily ride for 3 hrs without a break. I'm 5 11 and find the leg and bar position perfect. Suspension doesn't crash over bumps and handles well.
Lovely smooth torque filled motor, will pull from 2000 rpm in sixth and has instant grunt. The gearbox is one of the best I've ever used, slick shifts and ligjt clutch.
Well put together, quality paint and plating, no signs of corrosion.
Between 45 and 50 mpg, long service intervals and reasonable service costs.
Cruise control is amazing, adjustable screen, TFT dash, LED lights, quich shifter, traction control, lean angle data, the bike has do many features and is easy to use. The only complaint us the annoyingly small indicator switch!!
Buying experience: Brilliant. Purchased from Orwell Motorcycles in Ipseich who must be o e of the best dealers ever. They sorted the bike out quickly and made the whole buying experience painless.
Version: Black
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £100
Make my arms hurt after 100 miles 2 up
Don't like quickshifter going down
First service ok £50 ,1st service done by me at a cost of£100 as apposed to dealer £450
Quickshifter ok going up but not down
Buying experience: Chris walkers 10 out of 10
Year: 2020
Broke down after 50 miles from new
bike was not on the road long enough to find out
bike was not on the road long enough to find out
Kawasaki unable to find the problem after 2 weeks, luckily a full refund was given
Don't know running costs as bike was not on the road long enough
bike was not on the road long enough to find out
Buying experience: Dealer was first class and very helpful. Kawasaki need to be more helpful and understanding to regular customers.
Version: tourer
Year: 2021
2 worst features, the terrible wind protection windscreen, and dismal fuel consumption, and that's two up not at 9/10ths, and my gf is only 40kgs.For a tourer I want decent mpg and good wind protection. Love the way it rides, slickest gearbox I have had in a long time. We will be doing Europe on an RT
Gearbox A+++changes. slick slick slick, surprised at criticisms I have readDrinks fuel like an alcoholic terrible.
fuel consumption so bad for a tourer, that it makes it not a tourer
factory luggage is nice but rear cutout V's waste space on panniers, no all 3 boxes at once if you obey the rules!!
Version: performance
Year: 2021
Now done 5K since getting her 1st march and no problems to report . Bike is a real all rounder and a joy to ride .
Brakes are good. The Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE's I had fitted in place of Bridgestones have plenty of tread left and have ensured a silky ride and excellent handling/grip. I recommend this tyre it suits the bike so well . Preload rear adjustment is handy also .
The way it puts its power down is very good . Grunt at all revs any gear . Prefer this to my ZX10r on the road . Addictive intake howl adds to the fun.
No problems to report .
Have performance pack plus TomTom rider, heated grips . as stated brought new with Metzelers as my tyre of choice and recommend .
Buying experience: excellent - greenham kawasaki
Version: performance
Year: 2020
so i have own this model just over six months after having the model before. had first service at 7500miles then at 1300 miles engine started to rattle. reported back to dealer who looked at it and found movement in the main bearing. After abit of too and throwing finding out my rights, i now have to have the engine rebuilt not replaced which is going to be the best part of three months. would i recommend a ninja 1000sx NO.
was a good all rounder
needed rebuild after 1300 miles
engine main bearing failure
if i was able to use it but won't see it for another 2 months as still in the shop getting rebuilt
chose bike for the level of accessories as i was going touring but will not be able to trust bikes reliaibilty now.
Buying experience: Dealer Alfs motorcycles bought new
Version: Black and green
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £50
Bit low bars for me
Ok
Wow pulls like a train
Only had first service
Cruise control not used yet quick shifter ok going up not used down yet
Buying experience: Chris walker kawasaki, £11.200 on the road
Version: Tourer
Year: 2020
Excellent bike, comfy, fast, stylish, and loads of extras.
Smooth ride and stops well.
Can’t find fault with it.
Only had it just under a year and everything seems good quality.
Economy seems good.
Like the Rideology app and experience.
Buying experience: Bought ex demo from Groombridge Motorcycles an excellent dealer who are super accommodating, friendly and helpful.
Version: Performance - 2021 model black/grey
Year: 2021
I have a ZX10R and had a Ninja 650 which I used for longer trips. It was good but needed more power so traded the 650 for the Ninja 1000SX. Had to wait as Brexit delayed the new model but it was worth it . Have already done 500 miles and very impressed , it is so smooth, comfortable and responsive . Compliments my ZX10R well
Nice ride and brakes are good for non brembos . The handling is now sorted and she glides around corners with ease. Once moving the weight disappears and she feels very flickable , certainly confident enough for a track day
Sooo smooth! The engine is the best thing about this bike. Pulls in any gear and is so smooth and refined . For the road I prefer it to my ZX10R lump . The smoothness of the engine also helps low speed stability . Torque aplenty , you really need to try this engine its that good
Well put together and considering the the value is exceptional . I have had many Kawasakis and never had any reliability issues
Servicing now 7500 so will be a lot cheaper as previous was every 3750 .
Got performance pack (akrapovic, seat cowl, tinted windscreen, sliders, tank protector) also had GPS fitted and heated grips . Overall price was excellent value . Only change I made was swapping the S22's for Roadtec 01SE as personally I prefer Metzeler tyres
Buying experience: Excellent . Greenham Kawasaki always a pleasure to do business with. Super helpful and look after their customers . 3rd Bike Ive brought from them and it wont be the last
Version: PERFORMANCE Tourer
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £275
Bought an 18 plate SX 8 months before,after 15years spent on an 96 VFR,and found it vibey,and very uncomfortable,so changed the seat,softened the rear shock,but hated the gearbox,as found it rough and vague! Compared to the old Honda's,so part exed for brandnew NINJA 1000SX,and did 8500 miles in first 7months,and totally love the bike,had it fully R@G'd,radiator guard,exhaust guard,bungs,and Pyramid hugger extender,plus luxury gel seat.Now have the perfect bike,and very capable of being a touring missile!
You can ride a tankfull at a time,without a break! Around 180-200 miles at a time!
Love the ample torque! @ the induction sound when she comes on song!?,"like a Vulcan bomber on full thrust!!!
No problems so far!
Full kwacka service less than 300 sheets,bargain!
TFT dash,and quick shifter!
Buying experience: Bought from Pete Extance@Bournemouth KAWASAKI,great shop and experience,would highly recomend.Deal was a no brainer,cos of generous px offer on my 6k 18 plate sx.!
Version: Gray and black
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £50
Nice looking comfy bike
Maybe me but no confident in front brakes
Wow just wind it back and hang on
Lovely finish
Only done first service yearly not to june
Quick shifter up is magic but maybe me don't like going down dont seems to work for me
Buying experience: Dealer chris walker kawasaki price £11.200 all in with 12 months road tax and I got £3000 for my 2008 zzr1400
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £150
I would highly recommend this bike, easily the best bike I have owned.
I will say that this ride is such a difference from any of my previous bikes. The roads on the east coast of Canada can be rough in sections but this bike glides over them with such ease. Gone are the days of sore kidneys and lower back pain. I can drain a tank of gas and get right back on this bike and drain another. The new seat makes such a difference as I have been on a previous model. This bike is the best of both worlds, cruising on the hwy or in the tight curves of a back road.
I owned a Kawasaki ninja 650 before trading it in on the 1000sx. I had been in the market for something a bit larger but did not want to spend money on the BMW as I find they are to overpriced. Then Kawasaki gives us the new 2020 1000sx. My dealer delivered it to my door and I have not been able to stay home since. Never an issue with the Kawasaki, so reliable, such a beauty. Everything on this bike is made so well and in the right spot.
Cost of oil change and had the 12 v auxiliary power port installed.
No problem with power delivery. The new fly by wire throttle delivers power without hesitation. Put this in the full power mode with no electronic restraints to check out it capabilities, so much fun. The tires are great in good weather and bad. Worked very well in the downpour I drove into.
Buying experience: Bought this at a dealer in NovaScotia as they have great service and very reliable staff. The sales staff took the time to contact as many dealers they could to get me this bike. It is so popular that no one would give up the bike so they went directly to Kawasaki Canada. Two weeks later it was delivered directly to my front door. Signed a few documents and gave them my old bike as a trade in plus $3000 cash. Cost $14899 plus tax. After tax 17133.85 I paid 10000.00 Canadian.
Year: 2020
Plus: equipment, value for money, performance, looks, brakes, engine, LED headlamps Minus: if I'm really picky, the exhaust muffler styling is not to my taste.
The ride is fine, it's very chuckable, and leans into bends beautifully, and is very stable. The brakes are extremely powerful, and very reassuring. The riding position is good for me, and the saddle seems comfortable.
The fueling is perfect, and given it has a 10,500 rpm red line, the way it pulls from 2,500 rpm is nothing short of remarkable.
Not a speck of corrosion anywhere that I could find. Reliability: early to say, but it's Japanese, so it'll probably be bulletproof.
Difficult to tell, but the 600m first service was under £150, which is perfectly acceptable.
Very well equipped at any price, let alone for the money. The up and down quickshifter is great (as long as you have more than 3,000 revs on the clock), the full colour TFT screen is very clear and has all the info you want, although I would actually prefer an analogue rev counter. I recommend the 'Touring' version, which includes panniers, satnav mount, slightly bigger screen, and sliders. I've added the accessory socket, which is good to have, although expensive. An aftermarket one from Amazon would be just as good.
Buying experience: Bought from a dealer. Very good experience, and I got optional colour and 4-yr warranty thrown in.
Version: Performance Tourer
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £143
This is my second bike since passing my test in May 2019 and although it's a step up in power, comfort and weight, I'm really enjoying it. Best features: IMO it looks great in metallic green with akrapovic end can and no panniers; powerful, flexible engine; comfortable; handles well; strong brakes; powerful headlights; quickshift - good going up the gears; mirrors. Worst features; heavy to manhandle; low speed manoeuvrability; quick shift- not so good going down the gears; engine noise is a bit sewing machiney; heated grips are only ok.
Ride is comfortable with good damping front and rear. I ridden 3 hours at a go without feeling I need to stop and stretch. Much better on a long journey or poorly surface B roads than my previous Triumph Street Triple R because it is less physically demanding to ride. The suspension is well up to hustling the bike on A and B roads; at street legal speeds, of course
Lots of Power available from low down and smooth delivery through the power range Gearing is a bit short in first 4 gears. Flexible around town High frequency vibration felt through the seat at 4500 to 5000rpm which is around 70-80mph in 6th. Engine and exhaust note is a bit bland
Robust and well made; green metallic paint is bright and well finished. Some welding on the frame looks a bit agricultural Good quality plastics to the fairing and belly pan
Free oil filter on 600 mile service if you answer the Kawasaki owners club survey. Around 50mpg average in a mix of motorway, A and B road riding. But more like 40 mpg if you make the most of 3rd and 4th gear. With one year NCB, I paid £420 for fully comprehensive insurance
Lots of equipment on this model but, bizarrely, a USB point is not standard. Absolutely no storage space anywhere on the bike- you need the panniers on to carry a spare pair of gloves Standard 'Tool kit' is a misnomer. Bridgestone s22's great in dry I think the £200 for the black and green optional colour scheme would be money wasted as the standard green metallic paint is standout.
Buying experience: I bought from Via Moto Clay Cross on a 4 year lease just as lockdown ended in July. Very limited ability to haggle as they only had the 1 bike left. I took a test ride on a demonstrator with about 200 miles on it and I was immediately hooked. They gave me a good deal on my trade in 2015 Street Triple. Overall the experience was friendly and painless, although some parts in the Touring and Performance packs were not available due to stock shortages until September. Just had the 600 mile service carried out Clay Cross Kawasaki (change of dealer ownership) at 1400 miles: no issues.
Version: Sports,tourer,plus
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £385
Replaced my old VFR,with this quality ride. Done over 8,000 miles since march 1st! And no issues,great allround bike with plenty of go,and extras!
Easily do a tank of fuel between rest stops.
Love the technology,ride modes,settings,gives you lots of confidence in wet weather!
Well made and engineered
Just had 7500mile full service,@Bournemouth Kawasaki,nothing to report.
Cruise control,rider modes.
Buying experience: From Bournemouth Kawasaki,only popped into see when demo would be coming,and had a coffee,and a chat with Pete who made me an incredible offer for my briefly owned z1000sx18 plate with 6000miles on it. It was a no brainer 3days later i put order in cash plus part ex.
Version: Tourer
Year: 2020
Looks good but vague turn in to bends gives no confidence,going to change to pilot road 5 if that don’t work I’ll be going back to honda
To much intake noise,makes you think you need to be in a higher gear
Got the tourer but power socket doesn’t come as part of the tourer pack
Version: Touring
Year: 2020
Superb bike, easily the best I've ever owned. It is both fast, and very comfortable, with a much better riding position than previous bikes. Although heavier than my previous VFR800, as soon as you move the weight goes, and it's easy to flick around.
Ride is very good, have had pillion on back and bike was comfy for the whole journey. Handling is really good, and stable ( lean angle gauge is fun). At very low speeds I personally find it heavy to manoeuvre, probably because the seat height is more than my old VFR.
Pulls like a horse when you want it to, and can easily be ridden sensibly when needed. Quick-shifter is excellent, and makes hard acceleration a whole new experience (to me anyway - my first Q/shifter experience), absolutely love it. Still does feel a bit low geared, which i see other people say too, but then the cruise control takes care of that if you are on a long run, which is another excellent feature on this bike.
Only done 1,500 miles so no comment here, but with history of high sales for years, that says something. Excellent finish on the paintwork especially on the (very) metallic Green.
Only had its first service recently £165 at J.W. Groombridge in East Sussex, who did the service. (Although I felt the cost of the first service was on the steep side, at £160). Cant say much about running costs, as haven't done enough miles.
Panniers on this model are really good - from the small amount I've used them. New TFT dash is really clear - cannot fault it and with the addition of the Kawasaki "Rideology" app that adds something interesting.
Buying experience: Bought from J.W.Groombridge in E.Sussex, and really cannot praise them highly enough, the service was excellent. Very impressed.
Year: 2020
Nice overall package in a not so crowded sport touring classic market.
Steering is improved compared to '17. S22 are much better than the pathetic S10 of the '17 model. It is strange that now that the new model is out, only now MCN says that '17 had an "horrible steering"....
140hp are sufficient for the road...
Version: Gray and black
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £500
Very easy to ride ,pulls in every gear ,i love the quick shifter,very comfortable on long distances
Very good brakes
Pulls very good loads of bottom end grunt
The 600 mile service is 150 a bit expensive for an oil and filter change
Tft clocks ,quick shifter,cruise control 4 power modes
Buying experience: I got mine from Chris walkers kawasaki, I dealt with Kim there i went in beginning Dec's for the deposit, and payed the rest end Dec they delivered it end Feb, I would recommend them to anyone there that good ,very nice experience
Year: 2020
Very good bike only thing is the insurance companies in the OK changing so much more because of the word ninja in it.
It the insurance that get it marked down as I was quoted £400 less for a z1000sx on a 20 plate then the ninja 1000sx just because its called a ninja.
Version: Standard
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £500
Cannot fault it lovely ride very comfortable
Love the look and quality of finish
Version: Standard
Year: 2020
Cracking bike, perfect for roads here on the West Coast of Canada (Vancouver, BC). Limited time on the saddle so far, but very enjoyable. Not as heavy as it looks, even with the panniers; easy to move around. Love the new clocks, the quickshifter (still getting used to that...) and the cruise control! Seriously, for the money, Kawasaki Canada should install the LED turned signals...
Brakes are powerful, especially coming from a 2015 Tracer 900. Suspension is good, not too soft.
That's a lot of fun, but nothing really compares to a Yamaha CP3 ;-) Getting used to the lack of low RPM torque.
Absolutely perfect finish. Very visible clocks. Feels solid...
No service yet, but a tad expensive to insure. Goes with the 1043cc territory, I guess.
Panniers are pricey, but reasonable quality. Didn't add anything else so far. Could REALLY use a better windscreen.
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX front
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX turning left
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX turning right
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX side view
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX TFT dash
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX exhaust
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX seat
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX right side
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX static
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX front right quarter
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX rear right quarter
