2024 Kawasaki 1000SX Review // IDEAL Sports tourer? // 4K

Is the 2024 Kawasaki 1000SX the ideal sports tourer out there?
Fancy supporting us and our channel? Follow the links below.
Buy us a coffee/Monster - www.buymeacoffee.com/DSR.YT
Become a Patreon - www.patreon.com/user?u=80004317
All our kit is located here - kit.co/DarkSideRedefined
Hey! We are Matt and Zoe - a couple who love riding motorcycles and make content of us doing so.
You can expect reviews of the latest bikes, vlogs on our own fleet and also the occasion dabble in some off-road action and track days.
We hope you enjoy sharing our motorcycle passion with us. Your support and all the support from our local dealers is greatly appreciated, don’t forget to hit that subscribe button.
If you can, consider joining us as a member for exclusive content and added bonuses. We would love to have you onboard.
Thank you and as always ride safe!
Social media links;
Join us on Instagram: / dark.side.redefined
Join us on FaceBook: / darksideredefined-1127...
Business enquiries only:
If you are interested in having a product featured or sponsoring the channel, please contact us here; [e-mail]
Thank you to Bransons Motorcycles in Yeovil. Their website is www.bransonsmotorcycles.co.uk
Thank you to Completely Motorcycles in Yeovil. Their website is www.completelymotorbikes.co.uk/kawasaki
Thank you to Dick Lovett Motorrad in Bristol. Their website is www.dicklovett.co.uk/bmw-motorrad
Thank you to Riders of Bridgwater. Their website is www.ridersmotorcycles.com
Thank you to Premier Bikes KTM. Their website is www.premierbikes.com
Thank you to Triumph Oxford. Their website is www.triumph-oxford.co.uk

[@1956colinb]

I got one in 2020 when they first came out, got 21,000 miles on it now and it’s been a great bike, absolutely bulletproof, not a thing has gone wrong on it, fill with petrol, turn the key and it goes as quick as you like 😬 which is exactly what you want from a sports tourer 👍 Ride anyway you want and it’ll do 165 miles until reserve light pings on, so range is decent and I’m ready for a coffee ☕️ by then anyhow, the bike you’re riding is missing something,…the “tourer” package also gives you a sat nav bracket that mounts to the two front tank bolts, it’s not on your bike, I’ve got my Garmin Zumo mounted on it and it works fine. This bike’s biggest asset is that creamy smooth, tractable, torquey engine, its just so easy to ride and make good progress with very little effort, which is exactly what you want at the end of a long tour day when you’ve done 350 or so miles in the rain 🌧️ and you’re starting to feel tired, it kinda looks after you. I get what you’re saying about the windscreen , it protects you okay but it can get a bit noisy, no buffeting, just noise, I’ve gone the other way and after experimenting with an aftermarket Powerbronze screen, I decided to cut it down by about 4 inches and my helmet now sits in the calm quiet airstream, works for me 🤷🏻‍♂️ Re the quickshifter, only use it when you’re getting a bit of a lick on and it’s fine, quickshifters are not designed for crunching through the gears at 3,000 revs around town, do that and it’s just mechanical abuse and bad technique. It’s a great all rounder and brilliant value for money, I would buy it again put it like that 👍

[@oclv110sl]

Agreed. I have a '22 which I got for 9k with only 350miles on it. I have a cut down screen too as I want clean air hitting above the chest. The other screens cause turbulence under my helmet. Nothing a wood saw cant fix :)

[@martinhughes9769]

I still have a 2017 touring version in Green,that I bought new ,my screen has never moved, yes it does have a small bit of vibration but I’m sensitive to it due to hand and feet issues, brilliant bike that’s the main reason why I still own it and I don’t much like the colour scheme of these newer bikes 90% black😢, fuel economy is unbeatable if driving in a sensible manner 50 + to the gallon 😊 what more can you ask of a 1000 cc bike other than possibly a shaft drive ,

[@DSR1YT]

Kawi do make solid bikes there is no questioning that. I fear I’m just not the right size for one 🤣

[@brianrussellbrd]

There is an after market mount for your sat nav that attaches to the screen mounts and puts the unit above the TFT. works really well.

[@DSR1YT]

Ah that’s great to hear someone has already come up with a solution. Thanks for the heads up.

[@Rickmac22]

Got a '21, love everything about it! 6'1" and the ergo seat helps. Headers help power all around. Still helping two kids through college, so this hits the budget right as well! Oh yeah, moved up to the xl screen and the wind gets me mid- helmet.

[@DSR1YT]

Glad to hear the bigger screen makes a difference over stock, it would be a real bug for me as it is.

[@giovanniricci4369]

I love my 1250 RS and I’ve been ready to pay for it but I must admit that, if you factor in the price, this is the best package. Thanks ✌️

[@DSR1YT]

No worries mate, id probably go for the RS over this SX though, if money wasn’t the main factor.

[@TheDervMan]

I've never riden one if these but they're very popular in my local bike club. Reckon I'd have to go for the H2.

[@DSR1YT]

There’s something a little extra about the h2 😁. They have one at the dealership so I’ll jump on that soon as well.

[@joeparamed90]

Had one on a 20 plate, put it in when pcp was up. Got z9 to buy but wish I could have the 2. Fab bike

[@DSR1YT]

ah the old multi bike garage dilemma, dont worry, we've all been there :).

[@inked-96]

Looking at picking a low milage, used example up for the 2nd bike. I have an xsr900 currently and after having the Tracer9, the vibrations that developed were horrendous! Im not a fan of the adventure looking sports tourers, i think they're pig ugly. Im moving towards a traditional sports tourer. Anothe great review lad.

[@DSR1YT]

This certainly looks the part IMO and you can’t go wrong, as long as you sort the wind out 🤣🤙

[@inked-96]

@DSR1YT aftermarket screen are available. I'd rather have the wind on my helmet than be sat behind anything like i did when I had a GS.

[@cjrides.1]

Can i ask what mount your using for the camera on the mirror?

[@DSR1YT]

Normal claw clamp style mount with a rigid 6-8 inch metal extension arm then the 350 just screws on to that. Hope that helps. 🤙

[@myownroad9278]

Fantastic

[@DSR1YT]

Thanks

[@mart7798]

Nice review mate.i dont think you can go far wrong with a kawasaki.solid,reliable,good price.always nice looking and ride well.if you want premium you have to pay out more.

[@DSR1YT]

Well put mate. You should do a star appearance on the channel 😁

[@mart7798]

​@@DSR1YTthanks mate!im available for star roles funnily enough!😂

[@DSR1YT]

Sounds good to me mate. I’ll get my agent to talk to your agent and we can get them to set something up for us to look at meeting in the future.

[@tigerick7291]

I had an 18 plate for 4 years. A great bike but I found it a bit boring, no character. I think it was just too refined and good at everything if that makes sense. Also the handling was a bit weird and didn't give any feedback from the front end and it dived into corners sometimes.

[@DSR1YT]

Makes perfect sense mate. I like bikes with a bit of extra grunt but sometimes they aren’t too forgiving. If you want an easy bike to ride then this is the one for you 😁🤙

[@peterkoning21]

Very nice bike. Looking at ....all things, methinks your build, size is a bit limiting. For me, it would be ideal.

[@DSR1YT]

I don’t disagree Peter. I honestly thought about getting this as my main bike last year. But I’m just a little too big. Also I’m not very flexible 🤣🤙

[@sjk8273]

@@DSR1YT Interesting. I have coveted this bike for a long time and recently finally got to sit on one, but not ride. I'm 6'1'' too and not so bendy as I used to be. My immediate reaction was that it wasn't right for me. I kept trying to kid myself that it was just different to my Z900RS, but it's more than that. A huge disappointment.

[@CKN_Goujon]

Recognise that demonstrator sticker, what was the experience like booking a test ride with them??

[@DSR1YT]

Ive had no issues booking in through them mate, usual licence and NI required but that's normal for most dealers these days.

[@CKN_Goujon]

@@DSR1YT nice one, thanks bro, where did you do your license with??

[@DSR1YT]

Just the salesman. They do the normal check for points on your licence. 🤙

[@CKN_Goujon]

@@DSR1YT sorry, that didn’t make sense when I reread it, I meant who did you do your bike license with?? Ahah

[@DSR1YT]

@CKN_Goujon haha got you. I thought it was one or the other. 🤣. I done it about 14 years ago in London. 🤙

[@geecee4746]

Love this bike, but i think she would be 2 quick for me🤔

[@holeephuc007]

It's got modes so you can increase the power from 75% up.

[@richardrobinson1879]

Tried one a few weeks back. Lovely throttle and clutch but god the seat was painful! Also with anything other than slippers I struggled to find the gear lever. Shame, lovely bike otherwise but not for me.

[@DSR1YT]

That's it mate, some people forget the not every bike is made for everyone, when I say I dont like a certain bike, said owners of that bike really dont like it :)

[@richardrobinson1879]

@@DSR1YT I just wish it had worked for my boney arse! Fab bit of kit.

[@kennethwanyoike8399]

Best Sport Touring Bike? Close, but I think the BMW R1250RS peeps it for having an abundance of torque and shaftdrive, albeit slightly more $$

[@markharrison2484]

I had a 21 plate sx. The screen is crap, so noisy. Kawasaki don’t recommend fitting a top box and panniers at the same time which is a bit naff. The best phone/sat nav solution is an EvoTech unit that bolts to the tank front mount. I’m now on a Tracer 9 GT which is a similar proposition to the sx. I’ve got a top box fitted and the heated grips are much better than the sx. Oh and the quicker shifter is much better on the Tracer.

[@inked-96]

Had a Tracer 9 and sold it after a few months. Couldn't find a good screen. The vibrations that developed were bloody awful. It didn't feel stable at higher speeds, felt to light and darty at the front. Its looks are questionable. The seat was like bricks. The dual screen was hideous, and I wouldn't pay 15k for the new plus, that's ridiculous! Again, they are just my findings and opinion.

[@markharrison2484]

I hear ya. I can cope with the screen but I find it quieter than the sx. Vibes dont bother me. Looks could be better. Mine came with the comfort seat which is fine, position is a bit odd. Dual screens don’t bother me. Love the engine and gearbox.

[@inked-96]

@markharrison2484 Yeah, the engine and gearbox are 👌. I think if I was to have one bike that does ticks a lot of boxes, the T9GT would be it.. But if you're fortunate enough to have a 2 bike garage, I'd go Suzuki 1000GT, R1250RS or Ninja 1000SX. They're more natural to ride and look better. I have an xsr900 and I'm currently in the process of selling it to fund a tuono1100, so the ninja 1000sx would be a nice addition to go alongside it.

[@mickthawley]

I had a tracer. Found it very unstable with 2 up. In fact bordering dangerous. Ninja is miles in front on everything also built quality is better

[@mazpaps]

Traded mine in for the Suzuki GSX s1000gt...Best thing I ever did ..lighter, faster more agile, smoother ..much better quick shifter.. amazing versatile engine.. liked my Kwacker but love the GSX-S1000GT..

[@DSR1YT]

sounds like I need to get out to a Suzuki dealership and test their S1000GT then :)

[@andyninja949]

That suzuki is nowhere near as smooth as the ninja1000sx you must of had a different bike lol 😂

[@Bazza47]

The BMW R1250RS would be (well actually is) my choice too. It is more expensive but to offset that slightly BMWs hold their value better. It has the option of 3 seat heights of 760, 820 and 840 mm on the configurator, as well as a 790mm version available to buy separately. You can also get it with tubular bars now if the reach to the clip ons is too wristy for you so it will fit a lot of riders. It has a better (the best?) TFT as well as semi active suspension and no chain to faff with as it's shaft drive. The screen is crap though but as with most sports tourers fixable via a Puig Touring or MRA Vario screen. It's coup de grais is however the engine, just 4 hp short of the Ninja SX, but has 143 nm of torque at just 6250 rpm so goes like stink throughout the rev range and is very easy to ride quickly and smoothly which pillilns will like. It's very smooth for a twin and mine shows over 230 miles tank range when I fill it up. The sat nav mount is in a poor position but you can get an after market mount that puts it above the TFT so just where you want it. Stupidly though heated grips arn't standard, even on the high spec SE model, but you can add them either seperately or as part of the "Comfort" pack. It's a very underrated bike, sitting in the shadow of the (much more expensive and common as muck) GS but it's certainly worth a test ride if you're looking for a traditional sports tourer. Panniers are not included, but as with all BMWs you can also fit a top box too, where as with some other manufacturers you can only fit panniers or a top box which for touring is not ideal. One nice little option is that the modes (Eco, Rain Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro) are switchable in the menu and you can add up to 4 of them to select via the mode button. As I only normally use Road/Dynamic Pro I only have them showing so can switch between the 2 very easily, rather than having to toggle through modes I won't be using on that ride. Likewise if the weather was poor you could add Rain mode to the menu etc. To suit the conditions/your riding style.