2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Video Review
Small updates make big changes
How much do we like the Kawasaki Ninja 1000? We like it enough to unveil it today as our Best Sport-Touring Motorcycle of 2017 Honorable Mention. In honor of that choice, we decided to take the wraps off the video review for the big Ninja so that people who don’t like to read as much as we do can still learn about all the cool ways that Kawasaki changed the bike. Although whole sections of the motorcycle remain mechanically the same, some electronic changes affect both power delivery and braking of the 2017 Ninja 1000.
Best Sport-Touring Motorcycle Of 2017
The engine, one of the things we’ve always loved about the 1000, remains mechanically the same, and the updated EFI settings still provide massive acceleration at all rpm. However, a Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) was inserted to work with both the Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) and the Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS). Using information gathered on five data points, the Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF) can intercede on the rider’s behalf when acceleration and braking requests exceed the limits of available traction. Unfortunately, the Ninja didn’t gain ride-by-wire which left cruise control out of the mix.
The 1000 received an updated fairing carries the Ninja family resemblance. Another small-but-noticeable tweak was the change in the rear suspension that makes the Ninja track more consistently through corners without needing the slight constant input of the previous generation.
The Ninja 1000’s $12,199 (without bags) makes the Ninja a great value choice for the Sport-Touring market. So, take a gander at the video to see why we love the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 so much.
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
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Are the upgrades enough to trade in a 2012? I love my 2012 but would love the electronic and suspension upgrades... Is the cost of the upgrade justified?
I don't understand why they make this when they have the Concours which is a Ninja with a different name.