2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000sx Test Ride

[@florme6494]

Thank you for your thoughts. It is definitely an amazing bike. Few points - the windscreen will never be as good as an adventure bike. I see it as a naked bike with a little wind protection. I think only if you think this way will you be happy with it. - the quick shifter you will definitely get use to with what revs etc to use it. Basically, above 3k revs for it to work. Even better after warmed up probably and higher revs. - the engine is quiet and a little boring at low revs. But amazingly fun when you give it a bit with that induction raw and quick shifter. - between 5’11 and 6 foot I find the bike much more comfortable than it looks. No saw neck, wrist, arms, back or bum for 2 hour stints. The slight lean to the handle bars actually is the perfect balance of control, weight to bum and arms. Leg position is more than fine for me, but I have shorter legs, longer body. - cornering is much better than I expected. Not as good as a sport bike, but a decent amount better than my former ninja zx14r. - slow speed manoeuvres is where I think it may get you, as a instructor. Sport bikes don’t have the best turning circle. It’s obviously also somewhat heavy but will feel lighter than the Africa twin due to low weight. But giving examples to your students might be troublesome. I’d be really concentrating on that before purchasing. I find this bike the best balanced bike currently on the market. I’ve owned 50 odd bikes of all different genres and this bike is the best at being balanced. Great at everything else. The looks of this compared to any of my adventure bikes is another level. Did you end up getting it?

[@triplelock]

Love the response thank you some great points for sure As it goes I did get the bike and in all honesty out the of the fair few bikes I've had in the past two years it's my favourite. The wind protection doesn't bother me not being like an adventure bike because it's more than enough plus come winter time I wear heated gear to take the edge of so It doesn't feel clumsy moving it around even slow speed manoeuvres but I wouldn't be demonstrating on this bike for students it would be showing them on the bike they use so they know their bike is capable And as you said the seating position is a great place to be neck, wrist, arms etc all feels comfy In a nut shell its an incredibly capable machine so pleased and can see this bike will be here for the foreseeable and to see how pleased I am with it I have made an update video showing pure happiness🤣

[@sfzx54]

Road mode does not change throttle input on 20-24 1000SX. What changes from sport to road mode is the amount that traction control will let you get into trouble before it interferes. I have this same bike only reason I know this, it took reading carefully in the owner manual though. The rain mode is the lessened response from throttle. There are only two throttle roll on changes in response. Three traction control levels though.

[@triplelock]

Great to know thanks, I do love how this bike doesn't have crazy amount of customizing options to overwhelm the user... Keeps it real simple