Suddenly it’s fall again, and time to start getting in as much riding as you can before the weather turns on us. It’s also time to see what the big OEMs have in store for the 2012 model year. Kawasaki gives us a surprise in these lean times with two new streetbikes as well as some significant upgrades to two other models.
Ninja ZX-14R
How do you make one of the most powerful production motorcycles on the market even crazier? Add an ‘R’ to its designation, of course. And that’s what Kawasaki has done to its Ninja ZX-14. But it’s more than just a letter—the new ZX-14R gets a host of motor, chassis and styling changes.
A GT bike like the big Ninja is all about motor, so to increase street cred, Kawasaki has pulled out the tried-and-true hot-rodder’s handbook. The cylinders are stroked 4mm for a new displacement of 1441cc, compression is bumped up, camshafts are made lumpier. The forged pistons get thinner crowns and oil jets for better cooling. There are other changes, including a better counterbalancer and revised fuel-injection, and the net result is more power everywhere, especially in the midrange. Kawasaki doesn’t really talk much about how much power, but I’d wager about a 10 percent gain over the 180-ish hp the ZX-14 reportedly makes at the rear wheel. A new slipper clutch helps us cope with that new-found extra power.
To further tame that brute force, the ZX-14R adds selectable FI mapping and Kawasaki’s KTRC traction-control system. Riders can toggle three modes—full power, medium power and a low-traction setting for wet or slippery conditions. There’s even an LCD readout on the reworked instrument panel that lets the rider see when the KTRC is working.
Big revisions were made to a big motor, bumping it to 1441cc and boosting power everywhere.
2012 Ninja ZX-14R: New instrumentation includes an "eco" mode. There's traction control, too.
The chassis looks the same, but Kawasaki claims it’s been as heavily reworked, too. More than half the monocoque frame’s castings and forgings have been revised to improve flexation and feedback characteristics. The swingarm is extended 10mm and gets more bracing, and the front and rear suspension get upgrades for more compliance and bottoming resistance. New machined 10-spoke wheels are lighter and look nicer, and there are revisions to the braking system. Better-handling and braking it may be, but claimed curb weight has climbed 17 pounds, to 584.3.
Styling and convenience are also enhanced for 2012. The bodywork is smoothed out and restyled, with a distinctive four-lamp nose and larger side ducting being the most distinctive features. Instruments are also improved, with a new handlebar- mounted toggle switch to let the rider scroll through readouts, including an “Eco” mode that lets us know when we’re riding our bike most efficiently (and you do want to ride your ZX-14R as efficiently as possible, right?). Sounds like Kawi has made the 14R even better—but the price is up a mere $100, to $13,699 ($13,899 for Limited Edition graphics).
Ninja 650
Not quite all the way on the other side of the performance spectrum from the 14 is the Ninja 650, a middleweight Twin known not just for being versatile, affordable and easy on new riders, but also fun for experienced riders to flog. The bike got a major revision in 2010, so the news of an all-new chassis and other big changes was a surprise. But there you have it—the 650 gets an all-new frame and swingarm and a host of other alterations.
The frame is the big news in 650 Ninja land. The old frame was a steel trellis design, and although we’ve never faulted the machine’s frame, it’s been replaced with a twin-pipe perimeter/backbone design that Kawasaki claims is more rigid, yet narrow-waisted enough to help shorter riders comfortably reach the ground. The bad news is weight—although the press release claims less weight from the new chassis, the overall claimed curb weight of the 650 has crept up 11 pounds, to a hefty 460.
Ninja 650: New instruments include an "Eco" mode.
But there’s still plenty here to promise an improved 650. Suspension settings are revised for more comfort, Dunlop’s excellent Roadsmart tires are standard fitment, the braking power is increased slightly, and there’s a new instrument panel with (mercifully) an analog tachometer as well as fuel consumption, range remaining and the “Eco” mode indicator that makes sense on a bike with the potential to return 50 mpg. The motor has also been revised to deliver more of that noob-friendly midrange power, and styling has been updated to help the bike fit better with Kawasaki’s other sportbikes, with more aggressive looks. A new three-position adjustable windscreen gives the second-smallest Ninja some sport-touring chops.
At $7499, the 650 is $300 more than the 2011. But it seems to offer even more of that all-around practicality and fun that makes us love sporty middleweight Twins. We’re looking forward to a test ride.
Ninja 1000 and Voyager
The revisions don’t end there. To make the Ninja 1000 even better (Dirck has really enjoyed his time on our long-term 2011 Ninja 1000 test bike), Kawasaki has added an ABS system to its big, fast sport-tourer. It’s a pretty compact, and affordable, addition. It adds just under seven pounds to the non-ABS model’s claimed 502.7 pound curb weight and is just $700 more than the standard model’s $11,199 MSRP (yes, $200 more than last year).
Finally, Kawasaki’s full-dress Voyager tourer gets a significant update for 2012. That big, retro-styled fairing recieves “Kawasaki Air Management System” (KAMS), which routes heat away from the radiator to the ground, making the big, comfy tourer better for low-speed (like parades) and hot-weather riding. MSRP is $17,899 or $18,999 with ABS. No word on any of these models has been released as of press time, but Dirck is at the Kawasaki dealer meeting in Florida and may have info on that soon.
Good job Kawasaiki! I guess I’m getting older since I could really care less about the ZX14 (though I would love to peg the trottle just once!) and the most exciting part of this article to me was the fact that ABS will be available on the Ninja 1000. Some more precise fuel management to net a better range from the bike would make it very tempting to me. The new 650R looks fantastic; seems Kawi should offer an ABS option on that as well especially since the bike attracts many inexperienced riders.
Unfortunately, the best looking bike in Kawi’s lineup IMHO, the ER-6N, has departed US shores. Too bad modern nakeds don’t connect well with US consumers. I’m glad Kawi had the guts to bring it here. I guess it’s departure is a signal that other euro-cool nakeds from Japan like the Z1000 and the CB1000R days are numbered.
You’re totally missing the point …
Try to put 2 people in the r1 and go travel and then compare with the BB …
Don’t compare bikes from different categories, or nobody will expect
your wisdom again 😉
I’m not missing the point, Kawasaki tacked the R on, not me. I know what you’re saying but I would never travel two-up on any sportbike. Not a ZX-14R, Blackbird, or R1. That’s just me, my sportbikes don’t even have rear pegs.
I really need to ride the Kawi as it’s on my list for future ownership depending on. If it’s anything like the Blackbird forget it. The Honda’s pegs were as high as some true sports bikes. That was a deal breaker as well as the uncommunicative handling.
Davis, I don’t know what you mean. How could the R1 help but be faster? It has more peak horsepower and it’s got to weigh at least 100lbs less. I’ve ridden both and it’s not really a contest, even in a straight line. Bottom line is it’s a wonderful looking bike that does very well performance wise when compared to the ZX-11 which it was designed to conquer.
WHo said the Blackbird was faster? I was responding to this:
“about the Blackbird, “Nice bike, too bad it’s so slow”.”
Gotcha.
I like the steady refinement they’ve put into the the 650 Ninja; it’s nice to think they pay as much attention to it as they do their bigger-ticket machines.
Not my cup of tea, but I saw one of the big Voyager baggers at the shop and was really impressed, the styling is really nice, and it really looked great in blue and silver.
The Mega ZX is truly for the ‘now that I’ve added a nitrous kit to my turbo’d Hayabusa, I’m bored’ crowd, but the styling of the nose (‘face’) once again reinforces my idea that somehow Japanese designers subconsciously channel the look of deep ocean dwelling fish faces . . . .
Okay, since I’m sure you have all been waiting, here are my comments. Remember, I’m not a Kawasaki guy. As a matter of fact it’s the only Japanese brand I don’t own currently.
Lots of guys sure like to spout off about looks. Does anybody care what someone else thinks about looks? I would get some Akra’s immediately for the 14 and I’ve always wanted a Testarossa anyway. So there.
At my age I’m just not going to buy a bike that not only says NINJA on it but also has flames. Kawasaki just won’t give these devotions up.
Kawasaki you confuse me. You say this “new” ZX14 is now so sporty you’ve given it the vaunted R designation. Yet it gained weight. Huh?
Really guys, these bikes have become somewhat irrelevant in the last ten years. Case and point: I’m out with my buddies on a very spirited ride and two guys switch bikes. One with a fuel injected Super Blackbird the other with a 2004 R1. Afterwards, the R1 owners says about the Blackbird, “Nice bike, too bad it’s so slow”.
Musta been a really poor example of a Blackbird.
Yeah. I took my Blackbird out on a track day at Infineon Raceway near San Francisco. The track day instructors on R1’s made comments about how surprised they were that the Blackbird was so fast.
re: “As a matter of fact it’s the only Japanese brand I don’t own currently.”
slacker… 🙂
A lot of people are missing the point. The 14R is not the bike for everyone. If you like incredible power, agility, comfort, and eye-catching looks, you will love it. If you don’t like those qualities, you won’t. It will never get heated grips, higher bars, electronic suspension, etc. It’s not a sport tourer. The Connie is. The 14 is for that unique market that is performance driven. You never people complain about the Porsche 911 or the Corvette being too much car. They are admired by all.
As I said earlier, “Perfect for testosterone infused adolescents”.
You’re a funny guy MGNorge. Gotta love narrow-minded old farts who live in a bubble. Stay on your scooter and I’ll keep smiling on the 14.
have you tried it ? this bike is very enjoying, it’s much more comfortable than sportbikes because of the seat, the position a little bit better and the low-rpm torque. The stability is unmatched, and not only for straights, this bike leans a lot with the right tire. As for the engine, you can use it like a sportbike, giving gas and changing gears, or let the 6th and forget. I’m a big fan of big trails having tried the main bikes, but for good surface open roads this bike is one of the best.
For those who think the big 14 is only for straight lines – I say don’t let your lack of riding skills negatively illustrate how well the bike kills curves. I’ve put mine on the track and ride thousands of miles of twisty roads per year on it and handles the curves very well. The bike is simply amazing. Just ask the sport bike guys that I crush nearly every weekend.
I’ve ridden the bike extensively. Not many people I know have much bad to say about the bike after riding it. Mostly, how I/they could personalize the bike. To me, the bike represents the basis for a sport touring mount. I’m over 50 w/40 years riding.
I think that is the basis for most of the negative comments, not actually riding a bike before giving an opinion.
Now, if only they can get the 14 R out on the streets without a frame recall. That will be saying something!
LMAO, that was a LOW BLOW.
The looks of the 14R are kind of meh, but the thought of 200hp at the rear wheel for less than the cost of a new cruiser is pretty damn exciting.
That little 650 is a sexy looking machine though.
Auphliam says:
The looks of the 14R are kind of meh, but the thought of 200hp at the rear wheel for less than the cost of a new cruiser is pretty damn exciting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Indeed.
Flexation? Really?
*ahem*
Welcome to tech they’ve been employing on their mainline sportbikes for ages.
I can’t quite tell wich tires the killer whale is using…they look like Bridgestones but they are NOT BT-023, BT-016, that’s for sure. An all new model just for it ?
That’s quite common. The R1 has been on Yamaha specific Dunlop D218’s for quite a few years.
I’m surprised how heavy the 650 is. Drop 50 lbs. and that would be a great all around bike. I like the Ninja 1000, except for the name part, my normally incredibly reasonable insurance company tacks on 300 a year to the cost of insurance when the name ninja is involved. My Aprilia Tuono and Ducati ST4s both insure for around $60 a year for liability, the Ninja 1000 is around $350. Insurance companies really suck at rating bikes!
Yeah ditto on the Ninja 1000 name thing. I test rode it and it was nice. The seat was less comfy than the CB1000R due to its more forward slope into the tank. I sat flatter on the CB1000R which may help on longer rides. Bars are nice on the Ninja 1000. Felt a bit resistant to turn in like my 02 FZ1.
Neil, if you have an ’02 FZ1 that is resitant to turn, I’d be happy to share my suspension and chasis mods with you.
it’s the curb weight: it’s tank capacity is 4,1 g so fuel weight is 25 lbs +- giving around 435 lbs.
Yes, heavy for a medium and twin bike but droping 50 lbs would give 385 lbs which is not possible
for a faired twin bike with good chassis. This weight would be ok for a trail monocylinder 650.
The -14 appears to be all swollen up, like it was bit by a Makiki spider! The nice part is that you can get replacement flames for the front fairing from Pepboys for just a couple bucks! Yep, there’s some real class at Kawasaki these days.
Disappointed. Motorcyclist magazine published rumors of a supercharger for the big green machine. Instead, Kawasaki decided to increase the stroke by 6mm… Ballsy Kawasaki, really ballsy. (begin slow clapping) The fact that this is even moto-newsworthy indicates the slowness of development right now. BMW was the last OEM to make a big splash (with the S1000 and the big port touring thing); it is Japan’s turn now.
Still waiting… Seriously, do something Japan.
LMAO.
That thing goes way too gfast. You’re all going to kill yourselves.
Agreed–I’ve ridden over 100 mph–not interested in running close to 200. I hope Honda is going to surprise us with their 700cc mill soon–time to start slowing up a bit.
Remember that this is the American version of what is essentially a world bike. Over here in Europe we regularly ride between 100 mph and 200 mph on the German Autobahn. So sustained 100+ mph is common, sometimes for hours at a time. This bike is perfect for sport touring in Europe. Fast on the autobahn, sporty in the twisties although admittedly not sport bike capable, capable of hauling a lot of gear when equipped with saddlebags and a top box, and capable of hauling a passenger. The bike makes little sense in America unless one is out in the remote areas of the far west. If you put the bike in the proper context, it makes a lot of sense.
re: “The bike makes little sense in America unless one is out in the remote areas of the far west.”
or into the exterior decorating and drag racing scene. creating “bat-pods” are all the rage in certain parts of the country. they don’t have gadson handling endorsement duties for nothing. in my travels it’s become more clear to me that motorcycling is as regional as music being played on the radio. a better parallel might be how accents and dialects seemingly spring up out of the SAME language based on nothing more than geography…? and so go-ith the niche business of motorcyling.
It’s a purse. Nobody who buys one of these and rides on the street goes that fast. I hear it (and the Suzuki counterpart) makes a great sport tourer.
Shame the 650 is so heavy. They’re not going to win over the SV650’s with these.
I heard that. There’s too much of a weight difference between this and Kaw’s entry lvl 250 for a newbie to jump. I think. Even styling issues aside.
To me Kawasakis have tended to be the “Cylons” of the motorcycling world. Too much of the in your face type styling and too aggressive. Perfect for testosterone infused adolescents but off the scale for me. I like the more subtle approach to riding. I almost caught myself chuckling when I noticed that freeway speeds indicated on the speedo was no more than quarter scale on the ZX-14R.
Thought like you did.
Then I rode a ’14 and it all changed. It’s THAT good – and the power is not what entices you. That’s a given. The whole package is wonderful from the cockpit.
+1
I love the in your face Kawasaki attitude. Of the Japanese bikes I love their attitude. It’s by design by the way. On HD-TV the Kawasaki design staff said they try to make their bikes stand out. The Japanese design chief says they want to be fun, exciting and “sexy”. Motorcycling should be fun. Long live Kawasaki
Kawasaki’s official web site in Denmark lists 200 HP / 210 HP with Ram Air at the crank.
http://www.kawasaki.dk/product.asp?Id=3409DE5D22D
Click on the tab labeled “Specifikationer”
Bottom of the page, right hand side, under “Ydelse” which is the Danish word for “performance.”
Maks. Power
147.2 kW (200 hk) / 10,000 rpm
Maks Power
162.5 Nm (16.6 kgf•m) / 7,500 rpm
Maks effekt med RAM Air
154.5 kW (210 hk) / 10,000 rpm
BTW, the 650R’s revision was for 2009, not 2010.
What the H, I’ll take the Ninja ZX-14R motor/tranny in the Voyager frame. Just because I’m crazy that way.
ugh. They made the testarossa side strikes MORE ugly on the 14. But you don’t have to look at it when blasting down the road…
Help this color challenged man here…seriously(im color blind)
http://www.motociclismo.it/gallery/moto-scooter/kawasaki-zzr1400-2012–197-2-cv-di-potenza-massima-per-la-sport-tourer-di-akashi/Kawasaki_ZZR1400_Ninja_2012_44?gpage=1&ipage=1
Is that the same shade of green the U.S is getting…just not having those cheesy-tacky flames on makes it looks good.
Hey Mike, color looks the same to me, I like the lime candy green
ditto, same color. U.S. gets the “bling”. seat cowl, painted louvers, black/silver contrast rims, silver calipers, flame job, etc.
How come nobody’s whining about the Spider looking set of lamps on the thing? Shelob sort of comes to mind…..David Robb should dig this!
Pat, I know Shelob, last child of Ungoliant, but who is David Robb? lol
SO…are we not getting the updated ER-6N like the Euros are getting or are the U.S Kawi website people on charge of updating it SLACKING ?
http://www.motociclismo.it/kawasaki-er-6n-2012-rivista-nello-stile-e-aggiornata-con-un-nuovo-telaio-moto-50341
They truly tried with the 650’s this time around. Heck…they are doing more than the rest of the OEMs so far…keep it up Kawi.
Time to wait and see if Suzuki will stay with it’s arms crossed and doing nada about it.
P.S: How come we don’t get full to be brim picture galleries like Europe websites seem to “mysteriously” get ?…just saying.
Does someone knows the secret as to why the U.S Model get the fancy TC and not ABS like Europe ? I mean, the sensors are already there…HOW HARD can it be to make ABS OPTIONAL ?
All these “SUPER FAST 2 Wheeled Cows” should get standard all the help they can get when it comes to slowing down SAFELY…JMHO.
We don’t get it because Americans are macho idiots when it comes to ABS. They think they can outbreak the ABS system, and they can by 2% on dry pavement, but lose heavily in the wet. European buyers know better.
EG, the ER-6s/6n have a popular ABS option in Europe, the ZX-14R is classed as a tourer in Europe with ABS, etc. Europeans want ABS, but many MANY american buyers will never buy a bike with ABS.
i get what he’s saying though… why not make it an option…? ya know… a check in a box. how hard could it be. if someone want’s it…? they can put down a deposit. you can have anything you want if you’re willing to pay for it.
gorgeous set of new bikes. I’ll buy one of each and pick the ride for the day based upon how late I am for work. In fact the wife just said the other day, “Go ahead, I don’t give a f*@k how many bikes you get!” Sounds like a green like to me…
She’s a keeper ! LMAO.
I blast around remote northern california highways on long weekend rides that cover a lot of miles on my Bandit1200S and think the ZX14 would be great. Sure there would be times on tighter roads that a smaller bike would be more fun, but I when the roads are long and sweeping and empty and perfect and you have 100s of miles to go at any speed what would do better? Folks will do with this model what a lot have done with all big Ninjas, enjoy the powerful engines and turn them into high speed sport tourers.
That little 650 is a good lookin machine to me. But the Big 14 looks like …. uhhhh…. not so good. To each his own!! As fast as I’m sure it is, it cant outrun it’s reflection.
B*tch, moan and complain. Like a bunch of spoiled kids.
Would u like some more of that ? LMAO.
What a bummer, we are surrounded by the finest and most powerful bikes ever built–we should go back to steam power
Ninja 650R looks sweet but is pretty porky.
It’s a lot heavier than their 600 Ninja! The little thing on the left side that’s supposed to be a muffler would be the first component tossed into the trash. Other than that, it looks like a pretty cool machine.
the 14r looks boring but probably rides like a jet…the 650r sounds sweet. more of a versys-like motor is a good thing for the street
I like the new 650R, thank god for the return of proper analogue tacho! I can live with 3kg increase in weight but what I’m most interested in is whether they tamed the vibrations of that engine. I used to have the first generation naked model and I got rid of it mainly because it was too buzzy for my liking.
I also have probs with vibrations–I commute daily and the old throttle hand can’t take too much buzzing–gets agonizing on longer rides. the throttlemeister helps when I can use it. This is on my 500 Ninja btw, will probably be switching to 650 Ninja, Versys, or Eliminator if they will make me one : – ) wouldn’t mind a Scrambler either–Kawie are you going to let Triumph have the only Scrambler in existence?
+1 on the “Old School” Tach. I don’t think the weight is an issue if it’s well placed.
I rode a ’82 GS1100G 550+ lbs ’til not long ago and sometimes i miss how rock stable that thing was compared to my “Nervous” SV1000N.
REALLY like the 650r, ninja 1000 is a sweet bike, the other two I have no interest in…
Sorry – with Ram air, 210 HP
At the rear wheel? Please read my story carefully–I wrote 180 hp at the wheel, not at the crank. That is from Sport Rider magazine.
Please see my coment above in the comments. 200 / 210 Ram Air. As advertised by Kawasaki. Most likely at the crank, although not specifically stated. So tell me, Gabe, why are the horsepower figures not listed in American advertising?
I think it has a lot to do with BigBrother always watching, Lawyers, Sue Happy U.S.A and a bunch of B.S i don’t even imagine exist…but at any given moment ready to take w/e little pleasures and freedom we have left.
The ZX-14 is known as the ZZR1400 in Europe. 147.2 kW (200 hp) / 10,000 rpm
The Euro Version is said to be a bit neutered compared to the U.S Version…emissions related. It will be the other way around as to what happened to the latest ZX10R.
that 650R looks nice, with so much mass centralized in front of the footpegs, under the tank, it probably feels light and handles nimbly . . .
The new swingarm on the 650R is more exciting than the entirety of the ZX-14R, boring.
LOL. I wouldn’t go that far but i feel u. First time i saw it this morning i was totally underwhelmed…HONDA UNDERWHELMED…I mean it.
Just what the world needed: an open class sport bike with even more power and mass. Who are they marketing this thing to? Really, please help me understand this.
More like open class sport touring bike. These things (hayabusa included) are WAY too heavy and big to be considered a modern day sport bike. Good in a straight line, HORRIBLE in the twisties, as riding my buddies ‘busa can attest to.
Well. I think of the Concours 14 as their sport touring bike but I get your point. I certainly would not want to wrestle the ZX14r through anything resembling tight curves. Perhaps it’s meant as a sport bike NFL linemen, and I mean the one who spend most amount of time in the weightroom.
Hmmmm.. could that new Ninja 650 frame have been beefed up in preparation for service in a forthcoming more off-road worthy Versys? Versys XC perhaps?
For all we know…? Sure…why not ? U won’t hear me complaining.
wow, who knew the big zed needed MORE power…? stroked 4 mills, a bump in c/r, and cammed…? a 10% increase may be conservative. always preferred the kawi over the suzi. so much more refined and better screwed together in every way. makes rubbish of the busa imo. been a decade and i still have yet to figure what people are on about regarding the gsxr…? popular canvasses for “exterior decorating” for sure. honda’s missed the boat never having revived the blackbird.
I also hate the flames. I love the blacky ZX-14
I am with the other posters….thought it would be a bit more….hmmm. New mufflers on the 14 look cheap , old ones were nice. They KEPT the 80’s louvers on the sides?! huh? Nice that everything is bumped up (except weight!) but how much does it make? Come on Kawi release power numbers, this is the ZX-14 THE most important thing is HOW MUCH POWER does it make.
650R always been a neat bike now a bit nicer. 1000 Ninja , great ride (I would also probably buy something like this) , and ABS that is so light and cheap is well worth having if it works right. Voyager , nice but ….yawn.
Man, all those “green flash” videos and its a heavier worse looking ZX-14 (mufflers) , that power better be way up over 180 rwhp the BMW S1000rr is dynoing these days.
motonline.com says:
147,2 kW (200 CV) at 10.000 rpm & 162,5 Nm (16,6 kgm) at 7500 rpm.
can you convert these to numbers to “old money”. 10k though is only 400 clicks (+/-) above the previous peak. and 7.5k is roughly 400 clicks earlier for torque.
sorry, i’m not american: CV=HP (same thing) 16,6 kgm = 120,06 lb-ft
i think the 2008 version is 15,5kgm (112,11 lb-ft) at 7500 & 198 HP at 9500.
but this doesn’t show evrything, you must see the full graphs and there’s the TC.
re: “that power better be way up over 180 rwhp the BMW S1000rr is dynoing these days.”
with pipes for sure, but prolly not stock i’m afraid. this thing will be even more reluctant to rev out which is the real trick behind how BMW achieves it’s number. but no worries, ZZR torque will exceed 100 ft/lbs and skyrocket into VMAX territory. that’s important should ever sod the 190 for a 300.
As far as I see it the Kawi takes over the rest. Not only they have greater scope of designs and innovation, they can also this way serve greater circle of customers. If I had one more bike in future it would be Kawasaki.
As per the 1400;
Love the green but hate the flames,
Mufflers look like something that fell off of the starship Enterprise,
It got the seat the Ninja 1000 should have had,
Creeping up on 600 pounds.
I probably would have more fun on the Ninja 1000, and save a wad of cash.
Ahh, so much HYPE for almost nothing, im gonna need sometime alone…(T_T )
Gotta learn to lower my xpectations every year more and more.
Where is the centerstand for the ninja 1000? A better designed windscreen and true dual headlights would be a big improvement. These are the issues that are stopping me from buying one as well as the increased insurance rates from being classed as a sports bike instead of a touring bike. Since Triumph will more than likely be dropping the Sprint ST (the GT was a really bad idea,60 lbs more weight and 4in longer). there is a void in the true touring sport bike nitch that the ninja is falling short of filling.
I love my Ninja 1000 except for the MPG. But there are a couple issues I wish they would address. The windscreen, no matter what position it is in, doesn’t do anything. Yes it does need a centerstand. Man, do I miss that. Lubing the chain without one sux. 502 lbs wet is great. I have the hard bags also and use them everyday to commute to work. Remove them and it can be tossed into the corners very well.
Aside from these niggles, the Ninja really is a better bike all around compared to the outgoing Sprint ST. The chassis rocks. Better suspension and brakes. But I will be putting an Ohlins on the rear anyway for my weight desire for ride height adjustment.
The bike seems to have enough low end power so maybe a little regearing will help with the mpg. Also there is a company that makes an adjustable rear link, I just can’t find the name right now. Being verticly challenged myself it was something that was also on my wish list.
I found it! The company with the adjustable rear link is roaring toyz. It has 3″ of adjustment
Was hoping for a 650 Eliminator, maybe next year. I need to see a side view of the 650 Ninja, off to google I go