2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
2014 KAWASAKI NINJA 1000
LONG-TERM
WRAP-UP
SPORTY SPORT-TOURER
Don Canet
The Kawasaki Concours 14 is a world-class sport-tourer, while the track-focused ZX-10R wears the world superbike crown. Filling a middle ground between these mission-specific models, the Ninja 1000 offers real-world sporting prowess and excellent light sport-touring capability. After 10 months piling miles on our green machine, we have a saddle-savvy appreciation for its superb reliability and versatility.
We determined early on
that the fuel-injected inlinefour possesses superb fueling and robust torque, so we focused on other areas to make improvements. First, we fitted Kawasaki Genuine Accessory Color-matched Quick-Release 28-liter Saddlebags ($1,269.75) and a gel seat/passenger pillion ($324.95). The helmet/ jacket/backpack-s wallowing convenience of these ignitionkey-matched lockable hard bags proved invaluable for
daily commuting and weekend adventures.
No surprises were encountered during the scheduled 3,800-mile maintenance intervals, though a solitary repair during the Ninja’s tenure involved the replacement of an AWOL hinge pin for one of its bag lids. Considering the pin is not an available Kawasaki part number, we found that a i6d eight-gage nail worked just fine. Cost? Two cents.
Looking to enhance the
Ninja’s touring utility, we fitted a California Scientific clear Touring Windshield ($125; calsci.com). This simple-to-install 23.5-inch laser-cut acrylic screen provides excellent protection without any head buffeting. The screen, along with a set of Murph’s Handlebar Risers ($154; murphskits. com) that offer a 1.5-inch rise and 0.5inch pullback, makes the Ninja an even better travel companion.
The bar riser installation was easy and allowed use of the stock cables and brake line. However, interference between the clutch perch/brake master cylinder and the risers restricts the ability to position the levers below horizontal. One fix is to remove the locator pin and rotate the riser forward. Another remedy I used involved shimming the bar outward about 3/16 inch via a pair of stacked washers between the inner bar tips and mating
2014 KAWASAKI NINJA 1000
$912.74
surfaces inside the riser.
“The higher bars mean zero weight on my wrists, which gave me that extra edge of comfort I’d want on a long journey,” said Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer in the logbook. “The rest of the rider triangle was pretty comfortable too. The pegs are tucked up, but even as a 6-foot-2 human, I didn’t feel cramped.”
A pair of Spider Peak Grips ($17.95; spidergrips.com) was a nice aesthetic
REPORT CARD
Kawasaki Ninja 1000 feedback from Cycle World readers.
“My brother and I both bought 2014 Ninja 1000s. This is a thin category for guys who are a bit mature for supersports but still are not ready for a Cold Wing.
You can have a blast in the twisties all day, no roadside yoga required. Kawasaki did make one mistake though. The gears are too close-ratio, and final drive is too short. So this makes for some busy shifting! But the value and function of this bike are hard to argue with.”
Cary Kelly cycleworld.com
“I purchased mine as a replacement for a Honda CBF1000.
I rode it from Victoria, British Columbia, to Minneapolis. I’m most impressed with the engine. Traction control has only intruded a couple of times on paint lines in
the rain. Fit and finish are great. Three-position windscreen is fabulous. On the downside, the front end seems a little heavy steering at low speeds. The Kawasaki gel seat was not good for repeated 400-mile days. I needed an inflatable Air Hawk seat pad to solve that problem. I see more of me than traffic behind in the mirrors. At the end of a 400-mile day, there are no regrets (after stretching out my knees).”
John Snider Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
“Bought my blue 2014 Ninja 1K in April and put 8,000 miles on it this year. Love this bike: power, handling...and power. It has the looks and also the options, though it could use a gear indicator.
Can’t wait for next year’s riding season.”
Richard Pittman cycleworld.com
upgrade, while its acoustical rebound core design and grippy rubber compound allowed a lighter yet more secure hold on the bars for some welcome but minor relief from the effects of vibration.
The original Bridgestone tires were replaced with plenty of tread left at 3,000 miles by Michelin Pilot Road 4 sporttouring radiais ($547.90). Handling, grip, and longevity have been excellent, and the tires have managed to go 7,000 miles. Only recently have we begun to notice a wear-induced increase in steering effort and diminished neutrality.
The Ninja 1000 has been exciting to ride and trouble-free for 10,000 miles. It has proven to be a great all-day sportbike that also serves well in the daily commute. Its combination of power, reasonably light weight, and excellent performance make it feel like it’s in a class of one. ETU
FROM THE LOG BOOK
DONCANET
-> The Ninja and I have shared many good times riding solo and two-up. The remote shock preload adjuster and suspension damping clickers have been dialed from one extreme to the otherto suit a gamut of rides ranging from commuting to a pillion-filled trackday at Chuckwalla.
RYAN DUDEK
-> Long-distance luxury isn’t on this bike’s menu. It’s missing some of the finer things found on sporttouring bikes like cruise control, heated grips, power outlets, and an outside airtemperature gauge. That said, I logged more than 700 miles in one day and neverfelt cramped. Not bad for a bike that is lacking of some luxuries.
MARK HOYER
-> The Ninja 1000 delivers classic Japanese four-cylinder power: linear with an ever-building surge that results in, no surprise, more serious speed the longer you hold it on. Engine vibration was pretty noticeable at higher revs, mostly through the accessory gel seat.
