2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

This type of bike, a sport bike with comfy ergonomics, is something that I wish were more prevalent in the market and under riders. Kawasaki really nailed the ergos on this bike. Rider’s sizes varied quite a bit and none of them looked uncomfortable. In fact, I could probably do with a slightly more aggressive stance to make the ride a bit more involving a trait that typically negatively impacts smaller riders, like me.

Low speed maneuverability is excellent. Bar input is light and there’s a lot of room to swing the bars between the fork stops. This easy low speed did not translate into high speed twitchiness. Smooth and stable were the major handling traits. The rear shock seems a little underdamped as the rear tended wallow over bumps while leaned over. Turn is was easy and holding a clean line was no problem as long as the aforementioned problem with bumps was avoided.

Power delivery from the engine was smooth and immediate but it did lack the low end punch that I was expecting based on reviews I had read. Not that there wasn’t power, it just didn’t smack you in the face.

It’s a shame that bikes like this are so often overlooked for more narrow use bikes. This big Ninja along with the Z1000 and the smaller Ninja 650R make great everyday bikes that can accommodate some sporting riding as well as a daily commute. They lack the sexiness and bragging rights of the super sports, sure but on the streets at any pace that might go unnoticed by the law, I would argue they are equally fun.