Test Kawasaki Ninja 1100 SX SE 2025 - 6 hp less - but still faster!

[@CraigSmith568]

This price should include the saddlebags.

[@gxtoast2221]

A good tune and ECU flash will exorcise the Euro 5+ demons and liberate the potential of the bike.

[@mrmark8603]

They improved it. What more do you want? Mid-range is so much more useful than top end HP!

[@superduperkid3143]

I have a 2024. You literally cannot tell the difference between the two.

[@mrmark8603]

@@superduperkid3143 Where did you ride a 2025?

[@lIlIllIlIllIlllIllIIIIIIIIIlII]

​@@mrmark8603outside

[@kugangles9860]

People that complain about the HP don't understand why torque is so important on the street. This isn't a track bike.

[@nelsong8986]

Thats's true but the fact is that the 1000 had plenty of torque and nobody were asking for more. I have a previous model and I barely change gears when I am on the road, even when carring a passenger. I think this is just an excuse from Kawasaki that allows them to use the same engine for both, the Versys and the Ninja, without having to tweek the mapping of the Ninja's; my guess, just cost savings.

[@aluisious]

@@nelsong8986 They're not going to save any money on having the same map. Same physical engine, sure, but you only have to make a different map once.

[@nelsong8986]

@@aluisious why do you think they up the Versys's hp and lower the Ninja's so they have the same performance?

[@rcannon409]

​@@nelsong8986It saves on emissions testing.

[@nelsong8986]

@@rcannon409 agree

[@helioribeiro7935]

Here in america, we did not received any unit yet. I am still wait mine, great video. congrats.

[@SpringfieldFatts]

I really think on these larger touring bikes you should take the effort to get a person on the back and see how it is from the pillion.

[@grtbgf]

100%, a big omission from all these reviewewrs

[@1000pscom]

Sadly that is not possible at these first test events for the press. Everybody only gets one invitation per media outlet, the manufacturer organizes the whole event and therefore would have to provide a pillion rider. We will do more detailed tests as soon as the bike is available and the weather allows it. Cheers ✌️

[@fuglbird]

@@1000pscom Just pick up the bike and then pick up your passenger. Maybe you don't want to pay for the ticket. Is that it?

[@pdark3930]

Value for money it's the best in class

[@Coddiwomple133]

great bike

[@nelsong8986]

I hate the fact that the Ninja and the Versys will have exactly the same engine performance, to me that's laziness from kawasaki's part and a way to kill the ninja 1000's DNA. Ninja and Versys' owners are very different but yet kawasaki put us in the same category.

[@leviefrauim1425]

I will be buying a new bike in 2025. The N1100SX/SE is at the top of my list, along with the Triumph Tiger Sport 800. We'll see which one wins my $$$.

[@dorstefan]

I would personally go with the Ninja 1100SX. They are improving it since 2011, so it has some development under its chain.

[@leviefrauim1425]

@@dorstefan Yes, a solid reason. I previously owned an '11 N1K- big fan of the bike- and loved it but... I've always wanted a Triumph ST and the TTS800 seems to fit the bill. Time will tell.

[@CSK_Forever_shorts]

I would like ZX 10 R like Design for this one to differentiate it from others.

[@servomekanism8505]

Me too. It’s profile is kinda ugly

[@seasidewalktosand6567]

Is the engine still buzzy at 4000 rpm?

[@1000pscom]

A little but it’s not annoying. Poky

[@aluisious]

Where is the part of the video you talk about the feel of the Ohlins shock?

[@1000ps]

unfortunately this part got lost in the cutting process. In short: the Öhlins shock works great but it´s hard to say if it is worth the additional costs without riding the standard SX. Best wishes, Poky

[@davidlagno7717]

The older model was a beast with the shorter gearing. I guess it's actually better for touring now. If they didn't increase the top speed I'd just get the older leftover and put taller gearing on it and get more top speed and it had more hp. I know nobody cares about speed anymore just practicality, but how many phucking practical bikes do we need?

[@worldsnomad]

It looks like kawasaki has decided to maximise it's profits over the years, I've bought 2011, 2015 and 2019 SX and each time they improved just enough to justify the change, this time it looks like we lost panniers, Akrapović exhausts and good looking back wheel adjusters. We got strange USB port, generic Versys /SX engine, boring colour with different stickers etc. Not sure what's going on with kawasaki designers but it doesn't look like they put any effort in it, so my SX tradition will stop with this model. 😢

[@RPMpor1000]

Nice work

[@ilmongolo]

what? weight is the same as the past, what are you reviewing? I had a '17 and '20 , this model needs more love from kawi in the future... /55 rear... lighter... zx10 like aesthetics would be nice indeed

[@nelsong8986]

Agree, I actually switched to a 55 rear and adjusted the geometry by lowering the front, after that, the handling in corner entry and changes of direction improved a lot.

[@chriskarenjake]

Seems like pretty minor upgrades.. can't imagine a test ride will persuade me it's worth an upgrade from my 2021 SX but who knows..🤷🏻

[@irenepascua690]

Everything is beautiful looking except for the front cowling

[@barrycomer3688]

Shame about the vibrations - I got spoiled by the ultra smooth ZX14.

[@rcannon409]

You are testing this bike, offering us an opinion on the changes, but you've never ridden an older version?

[@duncanharvey2209]

Gotta admit. I have a 2022 1000sx and if the improvement is 2 nm of torque but at 9,000rpm, its practically useless for the same reason everyone thinks the hp drop doesn't matter. No-one is riding at 9,000 plus outside of a track. I really don't get it outside of manufacturing sharing of engines. Also the 1000sx uses nowhere near 6 or 7 litres per 100km so somehow its become far less efficient as well.

[@ayushsallanvlogs]

I will purchase this in india next year for sure

[@Mikaeel84]

Does it feel exciting and fast?

[@RobertNixon-ml9ri]

I'll be sticking with my 2020 ninja1000sx, can't justify spending money on an 1100,when mine does everything you want it to anyway. Then usb looks like an afterthought...I'll seriously heading in the direction of bmw for my next bike

[@kuhndj67]

It's actually pretty lightweight for 'sport touring' bikes... certainly a LOT better than a majority of that niche (which are more like upright cruisers if you ask me)... and I definitely like the price point (compared to other bikes I'd consider for lightweight sport touring... Multistrada v4/v4s/v4rs, S1000XR/M1000XR)... or a bit farther afield a bike like the Tuono (which you CAN get bags for... small bags). As a lightweight sport focused rider I never seriously considered any bike in the sport touring "category" the last time I bought a tarmac touring bike (it was between the S1000XR and the Multi). Glad to see that manufacturers are trying something besides huge 600-700lb goldwing wannabe's.

[@alf786]

Still a tiny 4inch display ! And ok gearing better but really traction control that bad on 2021-24 ?

[@1000pscom]

MY25 is a big step up. Pokx

[@alf786]

He said tyre size was 120 at the back supposed to be 190! Please get this simple stuff right

[@1000pscom]

I said 190 like 5 seconds earlier. Was a mistake sry about that. Poky

[@Champion2Manager]

Heated grips on the base model is a good upgrade let alone the added torque, but not the 6hp less though.

[@HeldIntegral]

So... it's a versys clone?

[@paulnorman8274]

Not even close. The Ninja is much more planted at higher speeds. More precise as well. The Versys has a much roomier riding position, plusher suspension and is more chuckable in tighter stuff. They may share a lot, but they ride totally different. Same as the 3 S1000 variants, the Duc V4s, the H2s and the ZX14 vs the Concours. There's a lot more to a bike than the power output of its engine.

[@NaMinesClarence]

120/50-17 rear tire, eh?

[@1000pscom]

That is mistake. I said 190 seconds earlier. Poky

[@douglasgrosch228]

ill stick with my HOPED UP Concours 14 105 lbs torqe and 160 hp .. its fast 1/4 mile 10.2 and sus[pension redone for twisties .. 1352 motor gobs of torqe

[@mrriesen9004]

Love my Concours. Last trip, traded bikes with my buddy riding a BMW 900, simply awful. Couldn't wait to get off it, now he is looking to sell.

[@albertschneider5978]

I agree on conni dontforget the drive shaft 🎉

[@denisbar7334]

Just some 🍕for the Algorithem

[@pkosbill]

Still prefer my GSXS1000GT

[@Bryan11210]

How come? I've looked at reviews on both extensively, and I see the bags for the gsxs are better and the engine is more sporty, but comfort, suspension, power (except at the top) and tech are all better with the ninja. And it's cheaper!

[@FedericoRodriguez-td6hg]

1. Paniers are way better in the Suzuki, the helmet fits better thanks to it's greater volume(I have the SENA Ext intercom). 2. It's lighter, 225kg, the Kawa is, and feels heavier (center of gravity?), so you feel more confident at the Twisties. 3. Quick shift it's suberb, up and down shifting. 4. Engine low to mid range is fine, and mid to hi range (6000 and above) is a rocket. 5. It is more sport than tourer, for the good and bad. Down sides, front brake, is just correct, the standard tyres, Dunlop Sport max, the same , just ok. Also, Suzuki connectivity is a total useless crap.

[@superduperkid3143]

1. Fits better is such a dumb thing to say. If it fits it fits. 2. You feel more confident because of a few less weight? You must be inexperienced. 3. Quickshifter is fine and they made it even better this go around. 4. Engine is fine on both and more refined on the 1000sx. 5. It's comfortable. Trying to split hairs is stupid. You can like your bike. But the shit you're saying is just dumb.

[@jurgendegreyt6313]

@@FedericoRodriguez-td6hg and do mention the paint quality of both bikes. I own a GSXR1000 and a z1000sx. The paint quality is remarkably better on the Kawa!

[@hex_surfer4588]

@@Bryan11210GSXS is lighter too. It’s more sport than a tourer tho - it can be good or bad depending on your tastes. Rear shock is bit budget but can be fixed with an aftermarket one.

[@fyorbane]

Kawasaki have been extremely lazy lately with their updates. It is like let's spend the minimum amount to update some of our models that are desperately needing an update. A 4" dash on a model like this is not really good enough and that USB looks like an afterthought. What the hell are they playing at. I am sure the bike will ride well but Kawasaki need to get their house in order to genuinely compete with what is a tough world full of very competitive machinery.

[@Bryan11210]

I do not understand why they use the same dash on their Ninja 500SE, this, and the H2.

[@nordstar2698]

You don't need a goddamn tablet glued to the front to see what you need. Kawasaki is absolutely competitive and their sales show it. So many brands nowadays just load their bikes with useless electronic crap nobody cares about. That's not "keeping up", that's just upselling gimmicks to tech fetishists.

[@fyorbane]

@@nordstar2698 A 4" dash is not a tablet. Many people have trouble reading some info on small TFT's. Fact. A 5" or 6" is much better for this and should have been implemented on the new 1100's like they have on the new updated Z900. I am not into huge 7,8 or bigger TFT's. A 5 OT 6" is fine. My 22 Tuono 1100 has a 5" and is fine for displaying info. However 3 to 4 inch is just too small for my eyes [and others].

[@sumitgupta-uf4hq]

I was always ugly looking and now as well

[@brianmaclennan561]

Don't be so hard on yourself bro

[@tigerick7291]

😂​@@brianmaclennan561

[@michaeldoherty4070]

It's slower 145mph top speed 1000sx 155mph

[@Mikaeel84]

1000 vs 1100 both with a full exhaust and tune and I bet the 1100 is faster

[@paulnorman8274]

Get a 'Busa... :) Only half joking: If you are one of the few lucky enough to be in a position to practically care about differences at those speeds, the 'Busa is an absolute masterpiece at it, compared to either of these, and anything else. I suppose the H2s may be as well.

[@1000pscom]

I wasn’t talking about top speed. However the 1100 feels faster on the way to it’s topspeed. Poky

[@fefgam]

Disappointing the lower power.... really was expecting 155hp

[@napal123]

Take a 2020 version 2hand with low Km like 10-12k and buy upgrade suspension and you have better bike than this one,

[@dorstefan]

Great bike.