2024 Kawasaki Ninja 1000sx First Ride Review

I hit the Kawasaki demo truck at Laguna Seca and rode the Ninja 1000sx. This was the day after I rode the 2024 Ninja 500 and it was so good I regretted it.
GoPro Hero 12
Purple Panda Mic

[@MojoCycle]

Great bike I have the 2024 and added full aropovick exhaust and an ECU tune . Nothing but joy

[@SocalMotoRx]

@@MojoCycle man I’m sure that Akrapovic really wakes it up!

[@clayharrison8889]

I just got a 2024 ninja1000sx about two weeks ago, it's a great bike! I love it. I live in Alabama, I put about 1300 miles on it doing short rides so far.

[@SocalMotoRx]

@@clayharrison8889 that’s some good mileage in two weeks!

[@trunktoyz]

That's a lot of short rides to get that many miles!

[@scottmatzeder9162]

I own this exact Bike, same colors, 2024 as well. I traded in a Concours 14 for it & for my tastes and riding likes the N1K is a better bike...excellent machine.

[@SocalMotoRx]

Yeah it was a fun ride. I’m sure going from the big Concourse to the SX makes it feel super light and nimble. It’s a great value for the price too.

[@ninji5226]

I keep coming back to this as my next bike. I have an 04 FZ1 and Yamaha doesn't really make that kind of bike anymore (Tracer GT is an adv bike in sport tourer clothes and the MT is too naked). I would get panniers with it too. Also the most fun Iv had on a motorcycle was during my riders course zipping around on a little 400 so I agree with you there. I cant afford 2 bikes so I wouldn't buy one but man are little bikes fun.

[@SocalMotoRx]

@@ninji5226 yeah it was really nice. It made me question if it would be worth trading my z900rs for one. My RS just looks too good to trade but on pure riding this SX was amazing.

[@jimmymcjimmyvich9052]

I love my SX)

[@sjk8273]

An interesting review. I've owned a '21 Z900RS from new and have been thinking about trading it for a 1000SX for a while now. I'm an older man (maybe like your Father!) so the one thing that's holding me back is the more sporty riding position. My riding is now purely recreational, typically less than 200miles. However, my back and knees don't bend like they used to. Otherwise, what's not to love?

[@SocalMotoRx]

@@sjk8273 I also own a z900rs and have a review of it on the channel. I think the seating positions are very similar on both of these bikes. I wouldn’t worry about it being too sporty. Have you sat on one yet?

[@sjk8273]

@@SocalMotoRx I have and thought it felt more leant forward with (slightly) more weight on my wrists. However, that might have been it just being 'different'. When I sat on my RS again it felt like I'd come home. And then there's the hike in insurance ...😳I'll check out your RS review now. Cheers!

[@jimmymcjimmyvich9052]

I am 54 and am no athlete. I rode mine from Dublin to Killarney (150 miles) and back last week and I am gonna do it again next week. I use the old roads cos motorway is boring. I never used to do such long trips on my other bikes as It could be tiring. Part of the reason was great trout i caught))). Buy the bike I say))

[@SocalMotoRx]

@@jimmymcjimmyvich9052 I did that drive a couple years back. Beautiful drive and would have been much nicer on a bike! Doing the Ring of Kerry on a bike would be a blast! Maybe next time I visit your amazing country!

[@sjk8273]

@@jimmymcjimmyvich9052 I appreciate your thoughts.The last hurdle is the hike in insurance .. my current provide (Geico) wants an additional $1,500 for the SX and it's the same with all the other quotes I've got. Maybe it's an age-related algorithm as I turn 65 in 2 weeks. The only way I can afford it is to just go liability only. Cheers!

[@williamduckworth305]

You and i close to same size im 6'2 230, how does z900 feel to you.

[@SocalMotoRx]

@@williamduckworth305 The RS version feels big to me. It’s not too big for me but I could see being a little taller and not being bothered by the size of the bike. Once you adjust the preload on the shocks it will sit higher than stock.

[@GageVista]

subscribed bro!

[@SocalMotoRx]

Thanks! Appreciate it!

[@SWTVENOM]

Does this bike feel heavy? I mean 500lbs is no joke

[@SocalMotoRx]

@@SWTVENOM it felt surprisingly light to me. Definitely not like the Ninja 500 but it didn’t feel like a pig. That day I had ridden my BMW K1600GTL to the demo truck and it felt a million times smaller. If you are going to use it for any kind of touring I don’t think you would want it any lighter.

[@FalconMe]

I’m considering this bike. I’ve heard this bike be called the perfect compromise. Which makes it feel kind of vanilla and boring. What are your thoughts? I have a 60 mile commute one way. I’m worried that this bike might be the equivalent of a Camry. Needs to have character

[@SocalMotoRx]

I would say this bike feels more like an Audi S3 than a Camry. A little sporty, luxurious and more than fast enough. I don’t believe in the “character” line that a lot of journalists use as a crutch. I could see how someone could feel it’s not raw enough but raw gets annoying on commutes. I had to cut this review way down because I kept talking over and over about how nice the engine was and how good it felt with the quick shifter. I don’t think you would go wrong with this as a commuter. It’s definitely sporty and small enough for a sports tourer to feel the action. At the same time it’s refined, fast and stable enough to be a good long commuter.

[@tobyh3681]

I concur with socalmotorx, this bike does just about everything well. I just purchased a 2024 as a daily commuter, 72 miles round trip and just took it to Northern Minnesota from Ohio, 980 miles straight through with zero issues. I’ve been a sport bike rider for over 30 years, but wanted something I could take on longer trips without getting fatigued. This bike fits the bill, cruise control, quick shifter up/down, 4 ride modes, cruise control, optional saddle bags, USB port, 12V outlet, the list goes on. I wouldn’t have any qualms about taking it to a track day either.

[@ssbagley]

Twist the throttle if you get bored 😊

[@j.ih.p8813]

I have one and it can do 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds.... Is a real beast when you pull the throttle... Is too much power for 99% of mortals...