Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX Tourer
Stu tries hard to find fault with the SX
Has Stu found a fault with the Kawasaki yet, or does the honeymoon just go on and on?
Have I finally found a flaw with the Ninja 1000SX? Well, not as far as I’m concerned, but I do see why it might appear to be a flaw to others. I had a letter from a reader saying the Ninja 1000SX is off his shopping list because it can’t be fitted with a top box and panniers. While Kawasaki are happy to fit either a top box or panniers, they won’t fit both to this bike. Whether that’s due to the strength of the subframe or because it would lead to adverse handling, I don’t know, but that’s the situation. As I say, it’s not a problem for me because I’m happy enough with the integrated panniers. If I need more luggage capacity I also have a tank bag and a rucksack so I don’t feel I’m missing out.
But I can see why that might be a deal-breaker for other potential owners.
I admit I was a bit peeved to discover that, while my bike came fitted with a bracket for a GPS system, there’s no 12v socket to plug it into – a bit like having a cigarette and no lighter. Of course, it’s available as an aftermarket accessory for around £90, but on a modern sports tourer I would expect a 12v socket to be standard. It would certainly be of more use to me than the cruise control function which does come as standard, but which I’ve never had cause to use.
COMFORT AND JOY
But I’m being hyper critical here – I sometimes feel like I’m intentionally trying to find problems with the SX just because it’s so good! I’ve been riding it at every opportunity since lockdown restrictions were eased and it’s been flawless in every sense. I’ve still not been able to do any big trips as there’s nowhere open to stay overnight, so I’ve just been riding round the country lanes in Northamptonshire for the sake of it and very nice it is too. One thing I do appreciate is the generous 19-litre fuel tank, especially after having owned a Suzuki Katana with a frustratingly mean 12-litre capacity. The Kawasaki is good for around 180 miles between fill-ups.
Longer journeys are also made easier, thanks to a much thicker and plusher seat than the previous model had. These are the little details that can make a big difference and the peeps at Kawasaki have really excelled themselves in ironing out all the small flaws of the older Z1000SX. Shorter riders should be aware that the extra padding has raised the seat height by 20mm, from 815mm to 835mm.
At higher revs the quickshifter is super-smooth, but there are still times when I like to smooth it out a little further with a little bit of clutch, especially with downshifts at lower revs around town. Get your timing spot on and it works great, but I still notice the odd jerky gear change now and again. The more I ride the bike, however, the more I get used to knowing when a little bit of clutch assistance will make things smoother. It’s a
‘feel’ thing and something that every owner will figure out for themselves.
But enough niggling. The Kawasaki is an absolute joy to own and to live with. Whether I’m in the mood for a spirited, sporty blast or I just want to potter around country lanes admiring the scenery at slow speed, the Ninja tends to my every need. It’s like owning a big, comfortable family saloon car that’s been fitted with a V8 racing engine and can leave most things on the road for dead. It really does combine the best of both worlds.