Kawasaki Ninja 1000 comparison

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by Wabbit1961, Mar 24, 2012.

  1. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    I've owned the 2011 Ninja 1000. since August 2011. My previous mount was a 2006 Honda Interceptor. Some of you know I was parted from it by a cager texting on her phone.

    Comparison - The Ninja is buzzier, with an annoying harsh buzz through even my Sargent seat at 5000-7000rpm acceleration. VERY OBTRUSIVE. The Ninja, despite the 'larger' fuel tank, has less range than the Interceptor. The Kawasaki feels more upright, thinner than the Honda, but at 6'2" I prefer the more bulbous shape of the Honda Interceptor over the Ninja 1000. I feel I am 'in' the Honda and 'on' the Kawasaki. The reach to the bars for either bike is natural. Wind protection is wider on the Honda, especially better with the Givi touring screen I had on mine. It is kinda nice to be able to adjust screen angle on the fly with the Ninja, but the screen is narrow. The tranny of the Kawasaki is harsher and there are plenty of times I miss second gear when upshifting and hit neutral instead. The Ninja is more flickable, yet the Interceptor feels more planted. Rear brake on the Ninja ia useless except in parking lots. The Honda's linked brakes offer more comfidence and flexibilty, as does the Interceptor in general. I've outfitted my Ninja with a Puig windscreen, Pazzo levers, Yoshi 77 series slip-ons, Givi bags, heated grips, and the afore-mentioned Sargent seat.

    Legroom - really just a tad more from the Ninja, almost negligible, especially if you plan to spend more time with balls to tank. Also not worth mentioning the slight difference if you go with an aftermarket saddle. I would say that you can sit back in the saddle more with the Ninja; stock seat or not.

    Tranny - Yes, it pulls hard from 2krpm with no spit and sputter, yet there is only 500rpm difference when upshifting to the next gear, whichever gear, doesn't matter. the revs are slightly higher at speeds. 60mph is 4krpm on the Honda, and about 4400rpm on the Ninja. 80mph on the Ninja is around 7500rpm. The Honda simply lopes along more relaxed. Maybe that's why it suits me so well, cause that's me; relaxed.

    One comment that keeps coming out of my mouth when asked about the two motorcycles is this:

    The Ninja IS everything we as Interceptor owners wanted Honda to do to the Interceptor - 1000cc, more upright (makes it feel lighter even though it's not), less reach to the bars (debatable per rider's height and reach really). However, the Ninja has no SOUL, no character, no great V-4 sound telling you to twist that damn throttle and see what it can do. The Ninja simply does, like it could care less if you were part of it or not. It just drones on in a typically high-strung in-line four drone. It's buzzier in the hands, feet, and definitely the arse, despite Kawasaki's claim to have isolated it with rubber mounts here and there.

    I miss my 2006 VFR Interceptor. I even miss the sound of the stock exhaust. I miss the predictable engagement of the VTECH for that extra rush and really nice sound. After 5,000 miles on the Ninja, I'm still writing about my old departed VFR. Comparing the two, I don't think 1000cc is better than 800cc. I think Honda had it right and they knew it.

    The Ninja did have a few trick ideas to it, like not having to take off any of the fairing to change oil AND filter, neat... but you have to buy a rear stand for it as Kawasaki didn't engineer the Ninja for a center stand.

    Last year for the VFR800 was 2009. Black, like my 2006. I think I'll go hunting soon.

    Btw, one Kawasaki Ninja 1000... for sale, by owner. Givi bags, heated grips, Pazzo levers, Sargent seat, Puig windscreen, Yoshi series 77 slip-ons, RK gold chain and steel sprocket set. Personally, I won't have a memory of this Ninja, other than to say I must have had more of a bump on my head than I thought from my acident to ever buy it over another Interceptor. That's ok, that Ninja won't have a thought about me either.

    AND NO, I STILL THINK THE VFR1200 is an OVERPRICED POS that should come with bags, heated grips as stock for that base price. As I predicted, I see them wasting away on sales floors at numerous dealerships in my area. I'll never buy one. I tested one in daytona twice so far for the past twop years to see if my opinion has changed, and my opinion of that bike is still the same. They had to get complicated and make an entirely different bike. K.I.S.S.
     
  2. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Can we have a pic of the Cowpie please. I am really fond of one of the paint schemes.
     
  3. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    How much and pictures please
     
  4. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    TOE CUTTER - it's the red/black scheme.

    Scubalong - no recent pics of the bike as yet. I actually just bought the new chain/sprocket set and slip-ons today and I'll have them installed in two weeks. The rest is already on the bike. I still have the stock parts. The bags and heated grips are factory options that I got when I bought the bike. You're all the way across the country. It'd be cheaper for you to just buy one over near you and outfit it. I purchased mine new on sale for $8,299.00 and when the cost of bags and grips were added and tax and such I still got the bike OTD at $10,240.00, which is less than the MSRP alone. I plan on selling mine locally for about $9,000.00. My brother has a 1999 Ducati ST4 that he wants to finally sell. Only has 8,900 miles on it. I am considering it. I am also considering a Ducati Monster 796, or even a BMW R1200R. One thing those three don't lack is character.

    Here's a link to what the bike looks like with the Yoshi's -

    http://www.surfsidemoto.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SSM&Product_Code=YSHR77K6&Category_Code=

    I bought the stainless with the carbon tips.
     
  5. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Can never go wrong with the Duc......Got several of them. Each of them have their own Beauty :)
     
  6. Porkchop

    Porkchop New Member

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    Awesome review. I've always considered the Ninja 1000 to be a bike I would consider owning. After hearing multiple reviews recently, I'm not sure I would ever want one over a VFR...

    Wabbit... just wait 4 more years for the 1200 like I am. You should be able to find a dealer that wants to give one away just to move it!!! lol
     
  7. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    Scubalong - I had a 2007 Ducati ST3. It was a POS in one respect - city riding. Typical snatchy throttle at low rev. You'd go into second to take a typical turn onto a street and the throttle either choked out or gave too much gas. Either way it was dangerous. I traded it in on my 2006 Interceptor and there was no comparison. I never regretted it one bit. Comfort-wise I'd give the nod to the ST3 and hiway, yes... but as a city commuter it sucked ass. My brother's 1999 Ducatui ST4 was the reason I bought my ST3. But theye are two TOTALLY different animals. My brother said even befiore he chipped it and put on the D&D exhaust (Ternigniones were not avaiklable for it for about a year) that it never had the problems that my ST3 did. I love riding his ST4 (might still...lol).

    I really think it's the V-style engine I love. They just sound, feel, and respond different than an in-line four. They GRUNT, they don't WHINE. My brother's ST4's sound would shame a Harley with those D&D pipes he has on it. Makes them turn their heads!

    The Monster 796 is said to be snatchy at low RPM, but with only 803cc and weighing in at less than 400lb wet I think it would be a hoot. I prefer it over the 696 for the single-sided swingarm and extra displacement. I also test rode one a couple times (dealership) and it does have personality alright. I also like the gauges on it better than the 696, but would opt out of ABS as it takes up fuel space in an already small tank. Ducati 796 maintainance is about have of the sport or ST models as it has no fairings in the way of the mechanicals (already asked). That's important if you consider it may put on 15k miles a year and that means two service intervals (Dcati ST3 cost me $950 for that).

    I did spend about $950 for the Honda valve adjustment, but I did that at 35k miles and only one intake and two exhaust valves were out of spec. Not bad for four years cost really, aside from tires, oil, and filters. I felt the difference after the valve adjustment though, which I was frankly amazed I could.


    Porkchop - I really have no interest in the VFR1200. The 800 was more than plenty of power if you knew what to do with it. Just a very fun bike that never disappointed me in any way. And btw, you can already get deals on the VFR1200 here where I live at any of the dealerships. I called it a turd in the toilet that won't flush when it came out and I stand but it. It's just is not a big seller. All the hype to promote that bike, reminds me of the FJR1300, which was pre-order only at first. Now the FJR's also sit on showroom floors. Their days are numbered, especially in the shadow of the Concours 14 which comes LOADED for a lot less.

    If you're interested in the Ninja 1000 you can't go wrong. I have no doubts it can out perform the VFR800. The Kawasaki Ninja 1000 has nothing I can give fault to. It does what they say it'll do without complaints. Low RPM grunt from 2krpm up, handles very welll, does exactly what you want it to, but is has no soul or character while it does it. This year's model Ninja offers ABS, if that's your thing. I bought it because at the price it was on sale for I knew I could deck it out with the Givi bags and the heated grips and still be at about $10K. It was a deal I could not pass up, and there were no VFR800's on any dealer floors in my state anymore. But owning the Ninja is like owning a horse that doesn't care who rides it because it's going to do its own thing regarless. It's bland and spiritless, IMO. But it is a beast! You KNOW you have more power than you'll ever need the first time you crack the throttle, and that throttle is smooth, as long as you get used to the fact that a litttle throttle goes a LONG way. I've done the 6th gear, 25mph test. Forget to downshift? If you're not at a total stop it doesn't frickin' matter on the Ninja! It'll pull from 25mph in 6th gear without spit or sputter and once at 2krpm it starts to PULL. That does amaze me.

    When I get the exhaust mods and new chain on it I may have more thoughts of keeping it, but I think it's weird that I am frankly still in love with my old VFR after more than 6 months with my Ninja. My mechanic says I need to get more than one bike. Maybe he's right, but then I don't want to be playing favorites and neglect one or more.

    Personally, I think the Monster 796 would be an awesome mount if it were faired out ST style, and not a half-ass job of it with some shit mini fairing offered up front, but a nice tall wind screen and protuding side fairings. Leave it exactly as it is otherwise (ok, add a gallon of gas to the tank) - low seat height, nice upright reach to the bars, and a fairing would not add that much weight to it as it already has the tank and tail plastics. I'd offer a center stand option for it but I wouldn't include it since many would still want to keep as much weight down as possible.

    Not a fan at all of Honda's NT700V (another bike I called a turd in the toilet when it came out) - Bags can't even fit a helmet! Very heavy, and the least they could have done was give it 850cc-900cc. Other than that it's a comfy ride with a huge, plush seat. Nice touch with the shaft drive, and it's not the bulbous monstrosity found on the VFR1200. Simple, basic, gets the figgin' job done. Again though, Honda wants a bit more for it than I think it's worth. After all, it's not even a 700cc bike! You can also find them on sale as they're not the mover in the USA as they are in Europe.
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2012
  8. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Thats the one. :drool:
     
  9. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    TOE CUTTER - She's beautiful in that color scheme. No doubt about that. The 2012 scheme sucks, IMO. The solid black is just a black gloss, kinda plain especially compared to the metallic flake in the Honda black.
    Like I said, I can't find fault with her performance at all. If you want more power, more adjustability (full adjust on front suspension) and more fun in the twisties, then you can't go wrong with this bike. She jumps through all the right hoops. Especially if you are an urban commanddo like me. The bike requires no downshifting to accelerate better than the Interceptor and swoosh through traffic (6th gear at 45-50mph).
     
  10. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Wabbit you are right about the ST series, that is why I get the VFR for better handling and low maintenance since I do ride year round. Most of my duc are sport and Hypermotad. I just love the way they look and sound.........and the way they handle all the twisty :)
     
  11. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    Scubalong - If I were into it, I'd get a white 848...heh-heh.
     
  12. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    That bike is sooooo much better in the flesh. Pictures do not do it justice.
     
  13. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    Agreed. The mother of pearl white is awesome in the sun. The Monster 796 shares the color schme as well, but the 848 is just so mmmmmmmmm...
     
  14. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    I got the 848 few weeks ago but sold it and get the 749r much better.....
     
  15. Dani

    Dani New Member

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    I agree with the original review of the Ninja 1000. I read all the reviews and was very impressed. I rode last June to Americade in Lake George, NY from Boston and spent about 1000 miles for a 5 day trip. At Americade I got to take a Ninja 1000 for their test ride loop (around 25 miles of mixed twisties, highway and slower stuff). The engine was great for an inline-4 and torquier than other inline-4's and the riding position was more upright than my heli-bars. That being said, I was happy to get back on my VFR. The VFR feels a little bigger and a little slower, but is soulful and everything just clicks better. It is not the best long distance tourer, but neither is the Ninja. For a more blanace towards long distance I would get something like the FJR which is still reasonably small. I have too say that the only other bike I would consider and have ridden for 2500km in the Alps is the BMW F800ST which is lighter than the VFR, ahas much better fuel economy and yet is still as good of a tourer if not better. But, the F has its own faults and for the long haul the VFR is better in my humble opinion.
     
  16. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    Dani -

    I had a Sargent seat on my VFR and just the bar spacers for height. I actually preferred the stock bars a bit more with just a tad more lean forward to them. The Sargent seat was a definite improvement in comfort, but in all honsety I could be comfortable doing an 800 mile day sitting on either one. Comfort was never a real issue with me. I'm tall and thin with a bony arse built for a smaller seat like the VFR. The stock seat on my 2007 Ducati ST3 was so cushy I felt like I was on a sofa cushion.

    The two piece racer bike style seat on the Ninja to me is crap. I hate the fact that to get to the battery you have to get out the tools and unscrew the seat. It should be one-piece, IMO. And also, there is so much room in the back it amazes me that the exhaust isn't undertail. the Givi bags on my Ninja jut out farther on each side than they do on the VFR.

    Again, I cannot find fault with the Ninja save to say that it just feels so right to be on the VFR instead. The VFR may feel heavier but they are the same weight give or take a couple pounds. The difference is in the balance of that weight. The VFR is front heavy with the forward lean of the V4. On the Ninja you are just about over the center of the engine's weight, so the front is actually lighter in feel.

    I think after I get all the mods put on my Ninja in the coming weeks, that I am going to look at lowering the rear at least a half inch to an inch, changing the weight distribution and making it feel like you are more sitting toward the rear tire than the center of the bike. That would also take weight off the legs and wrists and plant it more squarely on the butt. I already sit as far back in the Sargent seatb on the Ninja as I can for cruising. I'm pondering that and I'll discuss it with my mechanic in the near future.
     
  17. Dani

    Dani New Member

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    Helibars, sargent seat, MRA vario, Givi full set etc...I have done all the touring mods which work well. I came from a Yamaha FZ6 which was remarkably comfortable with a slight lean, so I needed to do those mods (i am only 5'8"). My other bike is my wife's 696...which I keep moving most of the time for her ;-) I think that if i was to do it again, I would try to leave it with more lean and the stock screen since i am used to it now. I sometimes think taking a bike and farkling it a lot takes away for the essence of motorcycling. I commute to work, rain or shine and in boston winters as well.
     
  18. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    I do the same, Dani.

    I ride everyday, rain or shine. I have a car. It's a 2007 with 4,000 miles on it. I use it to get large things I may buy that don't fit in my cases...lol. I use my motorcycle when I go grocery shopping. I keep a rain suit in my side case.

    I have Sena and UClear communications devices for a number of helmets (that's a whole different review and I plan to get the new UClear model when it becomes available).

    My VFR I had K&N air filter, Givi factory cases with liners, Pazzo levers, Sargent saddle, Givi windscreen, power commander O2 sensor elliminators (makes a difference, and IMO you don't need a power commander at all), RK Gold chain and steel sprockets (replaced at 35k miles but I really had a lot left on my stock setup according to my mechanic.), and a Scorpio alarm. I happen to have liked the stock exhaust sound so I never changed them out. Only thing I never put on the Honda was heated grips. Would have been nice a few weeks out of the year. I have battery powered heated gloves though now and the combo of that and the heated grips can take me into riding into the teens. Not that it'll ever get there here in Florida, but for touring cross-country they come in handy.

    The Givi touring screen is better than the MRA Vario IMO, and at your height would be excellent for an almost wind free experience.

    The Yamaha FZ600, if it's the one that they stopped making in I think 2005, was an under the radar motorcycle. All reviews liked it. Only thing to it's disadvantage was it was kinda heavy and they detuned the engine too much. But if it's the one i am thinking about, it was a steal for the price and it came with fully adjustable front and rear suspensions - change the oil weight and springs in the front and you had a corner killer. ;-)

    I'm old - my Yamaha FZ600 was a 1986... had a flat, non-existent race replica seat, and a red, blue striping on a white body. She was a beauty to behold in her day, and dominant at the track.

    Here's YouTube of some guy that has what I had, WAY back in the day!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abvtJUahQdw
     
  19. Porkchop

    Porkchop New Member

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    Its funny all the bikes you are talking about are bikes exact ones I want.

    My plan is to get a VFR 750/800 next.

    Then I want to add something hooligan as a second bike. Ducati 696/796 or Triumph Street Triple R...

    Down the line, I want to replace the 750/800 with the 1200. I know you can get steals right now on the 1200. My local dealer has one sitting. I went to look at it and the woman was like thats a $15,000 bike that we just lowered to $9,500. I looked at her and said, yeah I know.

    After that I'm not sure if I want to keep the hooligan to compliment the 1200, or go with the 848 EVO.
     
  20. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    I'd a bought it for $9,500.00...LOL
     
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