2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000: MD Long-Term Test, Part 1

 

After attending the press intro for Kawasaki’s new Ninja 1000, we immediately asked Kawasaki for a test unit.  We will have the bike for a long-term evaluation, and will test it both in its stock form and with assorted modifications.

If you read our First Ride, you will see that we were very impressed by the Ninja 1000.  Its performance is very close to a full-blown superbike, in terms of its engine, chassis and brakes.  Combined with ergonomics that are more comfortable than some sport tourers, very low vibration and a trick, three-position adjustable windscreen that requires no tools (change it at the next stop light, if you desire), we couldn’t wait to see what it would be like to live with the new Ninja for several thousand miles.

The bike has been every bit as impressive as it was at the press intro, and we are preparing a full report on our experiences with the stock model for publication next week.  This is a preview, of sorts, of our long-term test and an opportunity for our readers to suggest modifications to try on our test unit.

 

We have already taken delivery of a Shorai battery that we will use to replace the stock unit.  Our Shorai (still in its box, pictured) is the LFX18A1-BS12 model, which is the “duration” recommendation for our bike.  We will be talking more about Shorai in our next article, but our unit is a Lithium-Iron battery that is dramatically lighter than the stock unit.  Shorai is an impressive company with its own ISO certified factory, and it claims certain advantages/differentiations over its competitors.  We will tell you how much weight we saved over the stock unit, give you our initial impressions, and discuss Shorai in greater detail in a future article.

We are also expecting an exhaust system from LeoVince.  LeoVince has developed a new “Factory R” exhaust for the Ninja 1000, which is pictured on a green European model below.  Our goal is reduced weight and increased performance without obnoxious sound.  Our understanding is that the Factory R exhaust we will be testing features a removable insert that reduces the standard decibel level.

We also have plans to try out some luggage on the Ninja 1000 because the bike is fully capable of touring.
Stay tuned for our first performance evaluation of the 2011 Ninja 1000, and feel free to offer suggestions.

 

The manufacturer provided Motorcycle Daily with this motorcycle for purposes of evaluation.

Source : http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/02/2011-kawasaki-ninja-1000-md-long-term-test-part-1/

كتب في: Moto Tech