I have the 2019 z1000sx and i absolutely love it. Done everything from short commutes to spirited riding and long multi-day trips and it's just been delightful ☺️👌

I think I agree with what you’re saying here but let me phrase it in my own words. I am an old man. I passed my bike test in 1976 on a Honda Superdream 250 and then went straight to a GS1000. Since then (apart from one moment of madness) I never dropped below a 1000cc sports or sports tourer. Why...... because I love to ride motorcycles. I want to be left in absolute awe when I ride a bike. I don’t want something that is ok, I want to feel I am alive. ABS and Traction control are the nanny state. Not what bikers want and if we tour we want to have something that tours but can also scare the living daylights out of us. Otherwise what’s the point? We buy hayabusa’s and H2’s not because they are safe but because we want to ride something that’s beyond our skills to tame. Riding a bike should always be on the edge otherwise give it up and become a nun/monk. Enough said. Oh and keep up the good work.

'Sports tourer' seems a great description of the bike to me. Sporty bike thats fine to go holiday two up.

I currently have 2017 model which has been faultless in the 3 years of ownership, not a single issue and looks as good as new when all cleaned up and polished. I use it for weekend rides and short tours and it is perfect for this, and it would commute with out issue as well. Plan to upgrade to this new model in about 12 months time and I believe the addition of cruise control, heated grips, quick-shifter and a better seat with a little extra leg room will be great addition. I would love to see the addition of a centre stand, but I guess you cant have every thing at this price.

Great honest review, well done. This bike seems like it's one of the best out there, your getting all the goodies for a reasonable price. I just won't spend 18k plus for a bike

Best review I have seen for a bike. Great job 👍

Enjoyed the review. Please make it a practice to check the lighting for night riding. It is, I think, always overlooked but I'll bet many of us find ourselves riding at night at some point when touring.

You answered two questions here that I always wondered about. My mate had the 2017 version and he said that he wouldn't want to use it to commute in slow traffic due to the heavy steering, so Kawasaki have fixed that by changing the rake angle but that makes it less stable at high speed hence you can EITHER have the top box OR panniers (although there are plenty of aftermarket products that let you have both). Great review, love the style and delivery, good job.

...or I could get a less reliable BMW with the same features for twice the price. This is gonna be a hard call.

Great review, really like this motorcycle!

Had an '11, best bike I've ever had. I like this single sided exhaust upgraded(and everything else!) model. Looking to get a '21 or '22.

A professional review ! Bravo !

Damn... I went from a ZX14 to a Concours .. probably should of seriously considered this bike!

hi, which other bike like this with this power can go to 50 mph/g ?

Sports Tourer in my head means it's not like a normal Tourer by the size and weight and not like a normal Supersport cause of raised handlebars and more lower to mid range power (less upper range than Supersport). It's something of both worlds, a balance. And that's what I feel about Ninja 1000SX.

Very good review Steve

I had a 2014 version, loved it. Now I´m a GS fan; for the comfort I guess. But I do miss those 4 cylinders sometimes... FYI: Cordoba is NOT in northern Spain

Loved this

The most complete bike for me. Just perfect ✌️

That’s a great review!!

Does anyone know why the akropovic exhaust available in the UK is not offered by Kawasaki at all in Canada? All other options are available as accessories

Wonderfully personal review, still too sophisticated for an old man like me.

Great Review..

I've always loved Sports Tourers. I used to sports tour on my old $400. Nighthawk 650 in 1990. I'd strap my tent and backpack to it and go Sports Touring

Probably the only current bike that I'd upgrade my 2000 Honda vfr800fi for

How does it gets compared to bmw f900xr ?

I own a 2018 H2 SX and continue to love all of it’s capabilities

Bennetts make the best English bike reviews.

I have the 3rd generation Z1000, which is pretty much this bike but minus 30 lbs worth of plastic bits. It's such a well rounded bike, it does everything incredibly well and reliability is among the best out there, which you really, really want on a distance-cruiser. I would personally get the Versys 1000 instead because it has a more comfortable riding position but if you're in it for the "sporty" looks, you can't go wrong with this bike either.

Why does both boxes have heat shields? The bike has a single endcam.

Finally a new review on the N1000sx

Hello Bennetts Bike, just a question. I live in Florida and just got ownership of my 2020 Ninja 1000 SX. My question to you is. Are there any good interned sites that make aftermarket parts for this bike? It seems there is very limited parts available for this bike. For example, windshields, mirror delete plates, etc

I didn't realise "Sports Tourer" had negative associations. I'm leaning the other way with nomenclature. I think a lot of ADV bikes should be properly called "Sports Tourers". Beaks or not. Very capable machine though, whatever you class it as.

Good review. I test-rode the earlier bike a few years back, and found low speed handling plain weird. I really like a bike to have a quick turn-in. Love the 1000 engine as I had the same (albeit with 20bhp cut) in the Versys - just was too heavy by a mile. I think I'll test ride this one, as I keep wanting to move back to a faired bike from the current crop of ADV's, but cannot handle the prone position of most sports bikes (like blade/GSXR).

I am looking at the Ninja 1000SX this year. I've read conflicting information concerning the passenger backrest/top luggage rack is not an option or even possible to install for whatever reason. Can anyone verify this? Bit of a deal breaker for me (well... my wife anyway). Thanks!

"ride like a tired idiot" - sold it for me.

Cruise control is a given in Australia. Long roads, you need this

Which bike do you think handles the best, the Ninja 1000sx or the Versys 1000 SE with its electronic suspension?

That with the pannier or top box.....is quite shaddy. You either have pannier or you take a pillion...... So it's either your sox, or the miss? On a sports-tourer? They aught to see us on a Z900 or H2 with panniers, top-boxes and a fat pillion :))....

Love this bike. How heavy is it to maneuver around when parked. That's my only worry. Otherwise cracking bike.

Boss whats your height

Would love to see a 2up review.

Whats the difference between this and the z1000 sx?

140 bhp at the crank, no?

Not a fan of the single exhaust I’ll stick to mine 2019 model, colour tft and quick shifter is nice addition though :)

Love the bike just heard that the quickshifter/blipper is a bit hit and miss.

Sport touring is, indeed, the category. Of course, they have more performance and are more capable than before! This is happening - thankfully! - in all categories. If they weren't, you'd be complaining about how they aren't keeping up with the times. The reality is the "details" are not actually details, but central to the bikes use. The seating position is certainly not like the older sportsbikes. Gee, that would make them, what, more comfortable to ride longer? The seats are more generous and designed for longer rides. Again, that speaks to the purpose. There is more wind protection, there is - actually - luggage space. There is - and this one is actually a big deal - a much better, far less torturous pillion seat. All for...better long-term comfort. That would make this a better (what for it...) touring mount! What a surprise. This, and a few others out there, now, are truly do it all bikes, and they are incredibly welcome! I'm now looking at this one, the Tracer 900GT, the Kaw 900RS (though with aftermarket bags and a small windshield), and have been trying to remove the Guzzi V85 TT from my mind (just knowing it might not be the stone reliable, or at least easily repairable, rig needed for weekenders), but I really like it. So, yeah, sport touring is a real thing.

The mirrors fold in on a "detente" thing? 🤔 I guess it's supposed to be a detent thing 😉 😆

Any good for taller riders?

Lets see a pillion review.

But they are : ) - comfortable that is

The new Honda vfr 👌

COST OF INSURANCE WARNING!!!! I am thinking of buying one of these but there is a fly in the ointment, the cost of insuring it is double that of insuring an MT09 SP. I’m an older guy in a quiet area and with a clean licence and umpteen years no claims and pay about £100 per year for my Honda Blackbird and around £120 per year for my Ducati Supersport S (1018). The values of the MT09, and the Ducati Supersport are comparable to the Kawasaki so why is this bike so expensive to insure. Even Kawasaki insurance which was one of the cheapest quotes came in at £216. Not disastrous for me but every one should be aware that this bike is going to cost them for insurance. It appears to be due to the name change to Ninja. The older Z1000sx is much cheaper. Come off it insurance companies. Kawasaki should offer their insurance at a decent rate at least.

Nice bike but I couldn’t believe how high the bars are when I sat on one. Almost an adventure bike position! For me that ruled it out. Also, all the reviews go on about how creamy smooth the online four is. I found it surprisingly buzzy. Try an FJR if you want cream. Anyway, nice bike, I just need proper clip ons for my back.

Older models had nice twin exhausts. What happened?

the intromusic is too loud compared to the intro voice

Realest talking road tester I've ever seen.

Spiritual successor to the ZX-11/ZZR1100?

It is a great motorbike & an excellent package! But, this motorbike has balance related design flaw (drifts to the right due to heavy exhaust). That is why the previous generation Ninja 1000 had dual side exhaust(equal weight distribution on both sides). Unfortunately, Kawasaki is not willing to solve the issue! They are in denial. So, Isn’t as perfect as typically one would expect from a Japanese Company. If you are willing to ignore this flaw & perfect balance doesn’t matter to you, it is a great motorbike & smooth as butter! The lighter exhaust version sold in some countries will work better!

I so want to buy this bike but fear my parents and wife would throw me out of the house even buying out of my own pockets.. Lol

A sports bike that you could ride everyday….aka a “sports tourer.”

Heated grips.

Big fat racer replica styled bikes that arent tuned for responsive handling but for interstate travel are nothing else but sports tourers.

The only thing missing from it being the perfect bike is a centre stand.

What a plank!!😂 Sport Tourers are for people with brains who want more than 100 miles per tankful and cannot afford a chiropractor. The "Sports" bikes are fine for track days and impractical for most other jobs.

Terrible audio. The music is super loud but I can barely hear this guys voice.

Pegs too high. I'll wait for the new Bandit 1300R

Very nice, I love Kawasaki but it’s just too damn expensive! I’ll take the FJR1300 instead every time.

You obviously haven't heard of yoga, have you?

Too much irrelevant talking

I can't understand a word he's saying. 🤦🏻‍♂️