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.