2011 Ninja 1000

Just picked up a new 2011 Ninja 1000 with 0 miles on the clock. Do to weather and work only drove it a few minutes before tucking it in. I am coming off a TL 1000R with Power commander, Yosh and a bunch of other upgrades.

First Impressions.
My 13 year old TL has major personality and hauls. It’s loud, brutally unsophisticated and incredibly entertaining, a WW 11 fighter plane.

The N1 is a modern jet, the slickest gear box I’ve shifted. I’ll miss the TL’s personality but looking forward to a ridding position which should open up days in the saddle as opposed to the TL full on racer crouch.

I had read up on the N1 for several weeks before making the commitment to own one as my sport bike for the 30,000 miles or so. At first was I looking at the new Bandit 1250 but side by side in the show room the Bandit is way over priced in comparison and the N1 has the torque rich motor I wanted which led me away from the FZ1.It also his quite a bit lighter than the bandit, which really is not a sport bike in comparison, I suppose for the true Sport Bike Rider neither is the N1 but at my age it will have to do.

I’ll keep putting up post as I put miles on

Urbandrifter  

Nice choice, great bike! Stick a bigger windscreen on it (we tested a Puig windscreen here) and it's even better. Different tires would also be a great investment once you wear out the stockers (which should be none too long, as their mileage wasn't the greatest).  

I had a '00 TLR and even though I'm not a fan of big jug 2 cylinders, it was a lot of fun. I am a big fan of
the 1000 Kawasaki however--awesome appearance in my opinion--really nice bike. Roaring Toyz has tricked
out a couple of them. Check their gallery.  

I'm jealous.  Congratulations.  Good choice.  

Any tires suggestions for the Ninja 1000, I sport tour so need something that will last bit more then a pure sport.

I am also thinking of some type of rack, I’ll commute on it also.  

We would suggest either the Michelin Pilot Road 3, the Conti RoadAttack 2, or the Dunlop Sportmax RoadSmart II. All are tires that offer excellent grip and handling (much better than the stock tires, in fact), but last much longer than a regular sport tire.  

Just a update on my Ninja 1000. Almost 1000 miles on it and have been feeling the the upper RPM range, really a smooth and tractable power delivery.

Biggest gripe is I feel the rear shock needs more dampening, have it almost fully dampened and the rear still kicks up, it could be the bumps on the coast hwy. would over power any suspension put I feel the stock shock needs more adjustment.

Yes the bike needs to be held down in turns but I rather put in a bit of work on the bars and shift weight than be correcting for it dropping in too fast especially in some of the tight bumpy stuff I ride. It hangs quite well with full on liter sport bikes where they can't open up to use their extra HP, which also is where the local law  uses radar.

First expense will be a after market seat to raise up maybe 1/2" and ease the knee angle and also the sliding forward issue.

No bike is perfect but I have no buyers remorse with the Ninja.

Fred  

Are you still on the stock tires? That steering anomaly ("...the bike needs to be held down in turns...") is what happens when the stock tires get worn on the sides. That will change once you upgrade to some aftermarket rubber, steering habits will be much more neutral.  

Thank you for the tire info.

At 2,000 miles the front tire was toast and the as you mentioned increasingly hard to hold down in turns and had a sudden drop as it leaned over. I replaced the front tire to match the rear as according to my shop I have 500 -1,000 miles left on it.  When the rear goes I am thinking I’ll go with the Michelin Pilot Road 3, I had them on an SV 1000 and was duly impressed.

I did an oil change at 2,000 miles and wanted to switch to full synthetic but my shop advised me to go a couple more thousand miles to ensure full break in, any comments on that?

With 2,000 miles on the bike the MPG has come up a bit but driven in sport mode it turns in around 35-38 MPG. Haven’t spent any time droning on the freeway so don’t know what the MPG would be if driven with a steady right hand moving with the flow of traffic.

When The front end it comes up lands without any head shake drama, the rear when pushed gently slides enough to let you know you ‘re running out of grip.  Other than the rear shock which at some point I’ll replace I am thoroughly satisfied with the bike.  Unless you’re running bike impound / go to jail speeds the Ninja 1000 has more than enough power, brakeing , handling for aggressive street riding and is also forgiving and stable.

Thanks again for the info, truly enjoy your site.

Fred  

At 2000 miles, any parts that are going to be broken in will be at that point. You should be safe to switch to a full synthetic motor oil.  

superb choice great bike i must say. it was one of my dream bike. hope you enjoy your ride and share your experience with us.