2011 Ninja 1000

Kawasaki’s new 2011 Ninja 1000 looks pretty appealing. I see this bike competing for the Yamaha FZ1 crowd. Although it’s more stylish than the older FZ1 (IMO), I noticed that the Ninja 1000 has 38mm throttle bodies compared to the FZ1 which has 45mm throttle bodies. That might contribute to a difference in performance between the two. Will SportRider be reviewing this bike for 2011? Maybe a comparison? Anyone know how it differs from last years Z1000?  

I'm sure we'll be testing the Ninja 1000 at some point. Smaller throttle bodies generally mean more power in the midrange and less up top. Ninja 1000 should be similar to Z1000.

FZ1/Z1000 dyno: http://www.sportrider.com/dyno/146_sportbike_dyno_charts/photo_234.html

That is for the old Z1000, but the Z1000 definitely has more midrange, while FZ1 has more top-end power.

New Z1000 dyno: http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2010/146_1003_2010_kawasaki_z1000_dyno/photo_01.html

AT


AT  

As an FZ1 owner, (first gen.), I can tell you that that many of us are interested in the new Ninja.

Personally, I'd like to see Yamaha put a crossplane motor in the next FZ1, though.  So, I'll be waiting until 2012 to see what they do.  It would have to be something really special for me to unload my '02... which is still running strong.  

He isn't kidding.  I have a FZ1 (2nd gen) and rode from NJ to Las Vegas last summer.
I am almost set to pull the trigger on the Ninja. I am planning on keeping the FZ since I know that I will immediately regret selling the bike that took care of me so well on that trip.

The Ninja is probably down a few ponies on the FZ but it's so so pretty (the ZX not so much though).

It also doesn't help that I used to own a 900 Ninja back when Reagan was president.