Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Anyone ridden one yet? Reviews all seem pretty positive.

Matt

Nahhhh but would love o throw the leg over and give her sum stick

Dafuzz31 wrote:Nahhhh but would love o throw the leg over and give her sum stick

+1

Let us know if you buy one Matt .

While I have not ridden one, a friend who is a Kawasaki hating motorcycling journo, was very, very, very positive about it. His only criticism was high fuel consumption, however his test route was like 400klms of twisty mountain roads.

go matt!! you know you want to!!!

If I was financial right now, there would be one in the shed. I reckon it's a cracking looking bike and I am sure it can't handle worse than the rex does. If I have some cash in a couple of years I am going to pick one up 2nd hand. I reckon it would look bloody nice sitting next to my Rex in the shed. It would make it a difficult choice on which one to take though???? I mean, really, I sold my 9 when I bought the Rex as it was superflous to requirements as the Rex handled just as well

Hi,I bought mine late December,its only done about 3500Ks,health issues have stopped me doing more.I had a 2000 model nine for 6 years before,so that is the comparison. They have about the same power but, the 1000 is much smoother out of corners and pulls very well{big smiles} it really is a hoons bike in hiding.The fuel consumption is a little bit less than the 9 but,its still a tight motor and I have been heavy handed with the throttle {just love the torque out of corners! I think I will keep on saying that} The windscreen is better {less noise}in the low down position until it rains,then its great all the way up.It really is the easiest bike I have ever ridden,it flicks into and out of corners so well {I would imagine a Z1000 is the same} Complaints? vibration through the foot pegs and tank at certain revs but,you soon learn to accept them,and I am sure the handling will improve with better tyres and some tweeks,my main bitch is with Kawasaki`s crap about the panniers,they say the panniers are not available in any country but, they are being sold with the bike in England as a touring model.I really wanted to buy the bike with panniers and go touring {and playing} Kawasaki`s brochure says it is a touring/play bike but,NO PANNIERS!

Yup! Jonno say's ok and Poss reckons......neutral

It goes.. Jonno gave it stick on the way back.. Ive pretty much only ever had nakeds so was quite a bit different in feel. Very easy to ride and comfy.. I would have liked to try it just for feel with full paniers.. Certainly ticks all the boxes for me, i dont mind the look, not a fan of the front indicators or the pipes and for me the bars were a bit high ..

Speaking with a mate today, two guys in my riding club have bought them. One a guy I hav known for 20+ years, has over 16 bikes in his shed. He is well healed and has some nice stuff. GS Beemer, Ducks, RC45, RC30, and a whole stack of other modern stuff. He reckons it's the best bike he has owned. It's got bulk midrange power and loads of top end, goes, stops, turns like a sportsbike and is really comfortable. He is wrapped with it. I have no doubts he will let me ride it once I am well enough to go out on a ride with those guys again, as they do a few klms in aday and I am not yet up to full days in the saddle again. But, Once back, I am sure I will be able to post a personal perspective rather than one third hand from my mate. I do trust his opinion though as he can ride a bit good.

Possum wrote:It goes.. Jonno gave it stick on the way back.. Ive pretty much only ever had nakeds so was quite a bit different in feel. Very easy to ride and comfy.. I would have liked to try it just for feel with full paniers.. Certainly ticks all the boxes for me, i dont mind the look, not a fan of the front indicators or the pipes and for me the bars were a bit high ..

looking at those pics i was going to suggest the bars do look a tad high

I spoke to two guys I've been riding with for over 20 years today. Both can steer, both have brand new Ninja 1000's. Both are wrapped. Go, stop, steer, comfortable, good suspension, adjusters work as both guys are different weights...vastly. one us at least 120, the other 80. Both have offered me a ride next we are out together. Can't wait.

Strika wrote:I spoke to two guys I've been riding with for over 20 years today. Both can steer, both have brand new Ninja 1000's. Both are wrapped. Go, stop, steer, comfortable, good suspension, adjusters work as both guys are different weights...vastly. one us at least 120, the other 80. Both have offered me a ride next we are out together. Can't wait.

Look forward to your report

I was so close to grabbing one when i sold my 9, but the costs were just a little too high, i ended up grabbing an 07 Trumpy sprint 1050 for a third of the price, but it lacks majorly in power compared to the 9, similar seating position to the ninja thou though, and it handles well but its just not green enough......

Thanks for the feedback folks, appreciate the info gearbox and Marty, look forward to your review.

May have to take a test ride over easter, see how we go.

Matt