The Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE is proof that the best can get better | MCN Review

[@DB-so8zc]

Great unbiased review of the 1100sx se. I kinda get Kawasaki's point about not putting electronic suspension on it which helps keep production cost down but as you stated in your review it would be a nice touch. The N1K platform already offers a lot of bang for the buck. I may be a bit biased as I have a 20' SX. with almost 35K miles and the bike is such a delight to ride. Whether having fun in the twisties or logging long tour miles the bike and I just gel. Never leaves me exhausted or sore, even at 62 years old. Makes my giggle when I wick the throttle and I instantly feel 30 years younger. Keep up the great content on MCN and your channel! Cheers from the US!

[@carleddison7479]

Same age, and swapped my brilliant 19 1000SX for the H2 SX SE+. Fantastic, unbelievable machine, but "too good" for my needs and realising the 1000SX was perfect for me. Will be swapping back in the near future.

[@carleddison7479]

Very impressive on the road shots. Love the bike, and it looked beautiful in the slo-mo videography. Excellent presentation.

[@Terraceview]

Great review Michael you're getting better and better. Great bang for the buck bike btw, Kawasaki really upped their build quality.

[@Rickmac22]

Got a 2021 SX, love it and didn’t think I ever needed any more…. Then I found a H2SXSE, I am moving up!

[@peterkoning21]

This has always been my replacement bike , one day. The Suzuki had a foot in the door but now again, this 100SX SE all the way.

[@muckle8]

The Suzuki would eat this .

[@awakeadventurer9198]

I love the Suzi but this will be more stable at higher speeds and high speed sweepers. The Suzi definitely has an advantage with the electronic suspension. Hard to choose. I can get a new 24 kawi 1000SX for thousands less. But I want that suspension.

[@ganuvien]

@@awakeadventurer9198 My suzuki 1000 GT was stable with the bags on at 150+ mph 😂 The only reason people think it's garbage is because of the 190/50 tire, change it to a 190/55 and it handles like a dream in corners.

[@jimbothejetset]

My 23 model year Tourer 1000SX has heated grips, touring screen, panniers and cost me £11149. It’s a great bike, I’m not sure why is change it for this. If I didn’t have my bike it would be top of the list though. Good review.

[@cibsim]

I will keep mine as well: 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX, such a great motorcycle!

[@KiwiMoto72]

Nice work, as always, Mate. I personally own the 2023 model, and I love it. It's a proper Sport tourer.

[@sjk8273]

I'd love one, but when I recently went to trade my Z900RS for the '24 model I was looking at a 4x hike in insurance rates from all the major carriers. Apparently the use of 'Sport' and 'Ninja' has an enormous negative effect in the US.

[@Bryan11210]

I wonder what's more expensive then, a Z H2 or this.

[@sjk8273]

@@Bryan11210 Dunno, but a '25 1100 Versys with the wizzy electronic suspension is $19,499 (before sales tax + all the other add ons), so I won't be getting one of those either!

[@CraneTiger2]

That's weird because at 28, my 2021 Ninja 1000SX was about $750 a year for full coverage with Dairyland.

[@mtollmaster3747]

Also over 1000cc will kick it up a bit.

[@Roy_Godiksen]

I owned the 2019 Z1000SX. Best all-around bike ever made (back in 2019). My only issue was the double exhaust blocking chain maintenance. It was also quite heavy (260kg), You feel the weight when you're going fast, and it Ate front tires like no other bike i've owned. Unless you're going of road, you couldn't do better back then. I'm hoping to get a good ride on the new 2025 next year.

[@GarrettMaple]

Some really funny comments on this so far 😂. First point to answer, the centre stand thing. Why carry the weight around all the time? Get an Abba stand and leave it in the garage. It’ll work on pretty much any bike with the correct adapters too. Then the power thing… I guess all those people riding N1Ks who decry the lower bhp figure must be doing trackdays on them every month rather than touring! Lastly, electronic suspension. Pub ammo, pure and simple. Again, all those people decrying the lack of it on this bike probably never change their settings anyway! People ‘want’ them but they don’t want to pay for them, otherwise why not just stump up the extra cash for a bike that’s got all those things people are complaining about?! I don’t think I’ll be swapping my ‘21 for an SE just yet, but if/when the time comes I’ll be glad Kawasaki has kept the recipe very similar. It’s the reason so many owners love this bike.

[@kugangles9860]

Looks like a healthy increase in torque and slight decrease in weight makes it a even better road bike. People get too caught up in horsepower numbers nowadays.

[@JDeezle21]

Versys 1100 SE with Upgraded Tires ❤

[@mikes.8305]

My old 2010 Ninja 1000 was the best motorcycle I ever owned.

[@smg1707]

I own a 2017. Most reliable motorcycle I’ve ever owned.

[@cloudcata8300]

Man I love motorcycles, I could never have enough of them but what I like the most is big CC engines. Glad manufacturers are still going over 1000cc. I love my gen 3 hayabusa for this exact reason, torque matters on the road, not horsepower. I don't need 16k RPM

[@joshuaanothereraseddad]

I have an 02 and I completely agree with you. Whats even better about the 02 is a low 11 and some change to 1 compression ratio. Which means I can run regular pump gas all day long. Can't wait to test ride a 3G though!. :)

[@RikkyTang]

For me, my "all rounder" has to do touring as well as track days and the only thing that stopped me getting a 1000SX last year was the typically conservative Japanese ABS setup that'll makes it not great for heavy braking at the track. Will be interested to know if the SE has a more Euopean approach to heavy braking now! Nice overview thanks Michael 👍

[@GarrettMaple]

It’s a sports tourer, for sporty touring. It’s not designed for the track. You should know that really given your, er, hobby?

[@RikkyTang]

@GarrettMaple it sounds like you know that I've taken my old BMW R1250R to the track previously, so clearly it doesn't really matter to me whether the bike is designed for the track or not 😄 The 1250's ABS was very unobtrusive though, which is obviously very useful at the track.

[@yetti423]

Good review as usual Neevesy

[@robert-wr6md]

Not quite the top of my shopping list, snow and ice on the roads around my "racetrack" in Shropshire. Nice colour anyway. (Although I was riding today on my BMW R1200RS).

[@n.elliott9122]

Thank you Michael. Another wonderful review. Agreed. With todays technology this bike should have Electronic suspenders. Heck, even my new motorcycle cargo trailer now has anti lock brakes. Whats next on the trailers? Disc brakes!

[@creedm3040]

Awesome video! Beautiful bike for sure. Best!

[@Champion2Manager]

I was already thinking to get one last year, but now the choice is clear as water. Could it get any better? Every year I’m surprised by the little details Kawasaki are adding on that bike let alone the heated grips 😮

[@leviefrauim1425]

Terrific review - thank you.

[@alexerioeduardo2844]

Kawasaki looks are definitely starting to come back after a few years in the weird wilderness.

[@awakeadventurer9198]

Thank God

[@paulfowler6665]

I own a 2020 Ninja 1000 sx and before this had the previous z1000sx and the changes were enough to make me upgrade but this new 1100 seems no better really so this time im not upgrading. I can't see that many owners of the current 1000 version doing so either. Having said that im sure its just as brilliant as the current machine so it would be a good upgrade for anyone riding the older non Ninja versions or anyone just looking for a fantastic sports tourer.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

Great review. Thank you. As a purist, if I’m taking a pillion out for a long ride I do enjoy setting up the suspension myself instead of a computer telling me what it thinks is best for who? It doesn’t know you and rather than an individual that knows what to tweak and by how much then the only reason why you’d want the electronic suspension is if you simply lack the knowledge. My thoughts are twofold for this machine. The riders who do buy these know a bit more than your average rider and perhaps Kawasaki is keeping this for a midlife update.

[@johnsparks211]

@@marcusgeorge1825 electronic suspension does two things well. First you can alter it as you are travelling, so for example trundling down the motorway in road mode, then dynamic mode when you get to the Twisties. Second, some adjust the preload automatically so you don't have to fiddle with it when taking a pillion. Of course, if it goes wrong it's a PITA but that's true for most things.

[@zakw3637]

Good modern electronic suspension will give you the option to adjust almost all of the parameters for the different modes. It’s not just about knowledge, having the ability to change on the fly is a game changer and it’s hard to go back once you’ve experienced how well it works.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

@@johnsparks211 Just another reason why I’m not a fan of electronic suspension, especially when it’s combined with seperate function forks. I’ve had an Aprilia, as an example, thats been in and out of one of my workshops over a period of 3 months as the electronics (suspension) keeps failing. Less chances of suspension failure when you take the computer out of the equation.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

@@zakw3637 I’ve experienced it both on and off a racing track. Remember, it’s a system designed for everyone, yet everyone is different. That’s my main point.

[@GarrettMaple]

Not once in my riding life have I sat there on a motorway thinking ‘I wish I could soften up my rear shock’. I just set my bikes up for how I want them to feel, depending on what the bike is intended for, and if that’s for optimum handling it makes zero difference to how it rides on a motorway (for example).

[@Jagshemasher]

Look forward to seeing this in North America where we can instantly dispense with all things EURO 5 related.

[@johnsparks211]

RS - better brakes,more grunt, electronic suspension, decent tyres AND can have a topbox with panniers. Apart from the price I'm not sure why the sx is counted better if you're going two-up regularly.

[@fearhand12]

RS has a heated seat for rider and passenger as well.

[@GarrettMaple]

When I spec’d one up as an option against the N1K it had got to well over £15k before I’d reached the standard spec of the Ninja so I stopped configuring it! And just for accuracy, you CAN have a top box on the N1K and plenty of people do.

[@johnsparks211]

@@GarrettMaple oh yes an rs is more expensive but it has more for your money. It's surprising the discounts you can get from the right dealer if you don't do a part+ex though. Topbox -;you can fit a top box to most things but check the max weight of the bike. Once you put pillion and luggage and top box on there's a lot that go over the limit and should you have an accident or subframe failure it can be counted against you

[@greensocks4507]

Nice bike, Kawasaki make the best finished bikes of any Japanese brands. A quality manufacturer. The lead in the pegs surprised me. I'll stay with my '18 ZX14R, just bought it, Ohlins equipped with Brembo's and only 16,000 km's from new. The power and smoothness of the 1441 motor means I'll be hanging to it for ever, and over 200 hp.

[@morganmartin9286]

I wonder if Kawasaki not opting for semi active suspension on the SE could be taken advantage of by Suzuki if they add an up-spec gt with the semi active from the GX. I imagine they won't, but it could be a good way to close the gap and steal some sales.

[@GarrettMaple]

You think if Suzuki did add it that it would be free? And IMO it would take a lot more than that to make the Suzuki as good as the N1K. It’s a much better place to be.

[@morganmartin9286]

@GarrettMaple nope, it would definitely drive up the price .....which is why I don't think they would do it(not their business model). Just think it would be interesting if they did. The thing most complain about with Suzuki's is the lack of bling.

[@dazsyvo8499]

I got one a 2016 bike good as a sports bike but a little slow but the biggest thing for me was it used to buz through the bars and pegs on the motorway was it bit better geard up 1 on the front but had to to go better off with the zzr1400

[@SSS-mp8th]

I'm curious what the take rate of this is compared to the new "crossover" style sports tourers. Bought a ZH2SE last year so not in the market but I have had thoughts of getting a M1000XR for some wind protection (also lighter and faster) now that the Ninja H2SX is $29k in the US.

[@chrisfromkatunga6245]

What are the headlights like? The standard lighting on my 2016 model was very poor. I had to upgrade them to LED.

[@douglasgrosch228]

how you compare this from Concours 14 GTR1400 power and overall one bike does all ect... ?? thanks .

[@nanoffyourbesyness9577]

I don't like this trend of fake OE tires like these S23.... What if someone thinks he as the same tires that he himself bought for is old bike ? What if crooked dealer sell you these instead ? What is the difference money wise ? Why do it, to save what ?

[@joek81981]

This is super strange, isn't it? I don't know a lot about bikes, but this was news to me. It stands to reason there'd be a whole separate line for a crummier version of something they already make. A whole second set of machines, personnel and salaries, etc. Unless its a binning thing (some materials make the cut, some don't), and the lower binned product gets sent out to factories at a discount? Is it binning the tiers of rubber batches, I wonder? #askneevsey

[@mrcintheuk4641]

I was considering purchasing a 2020 Ninja SX Touring with 5,700 miles for £8,300. Insurance quotes for a 67 year old male, living in Hertfordshire, full license for 50 years, no claims, no convictions, 12,000 miles pa, full NCB and garaged were coming in at £700-£800!!! Didn't buy it!

[@richardhoskins307]

I lay any money the insurer was miss quoting on a H2, common problem.

[@MikeTheBike58]

That's a rip off,I'm 49 have a 2018 H2 SX,Full NCB,No Claims,and I pay 360 Fully Comp.

[@jonathandavies6862]

I'm 33, 5 yrs riding experience and no claims, garaged cb1000r, commuting, and it's £700 so that's just par for the course now. Times have changed and the market including insurance has jumped in price.

[@GarrettMaple]

Something wrong with that mate, it shouldn’t be anywhere near that by my reckoning (as somebody in a similar position to you paying a quarter of that price). Shop around, and make sure they’re quoting you for the right bike!

[@petewatson9866]

It’s nothing to do with all the years you have been riding and NCD you have all they see is 67yrs old. My dad like yourself got hit with insurance when he hit 75, he was never in accident fully NCD. First he removed his bike license, but he just gave up driving £700 for a 1.2 corsa

[@juliuscarlopoblete2092]

The swinging arm seems to be the same to the versys 1000/1100... Not the same one we see in the old z1000 and old ninja 1000

[@DrGonzo-vq2zi]

Nice catch. It also seems to do away with the elliptical hub chain adjustment and has gone to the normal nut and bolt.

[@evanjohn503]

replace your new bikes tyres straight away? You could see how jittery they were on the cornering - why don't they have ST tyres as standard. What a waste

[@mrmark8603]

Cost. All manufacturers do it. Someone would complain that they put the wrong expensive tyres on it.

[@jotka724]

it didnt have full power of 142hp and it wont have 136hp either. it can - but u need to change exhaust/headers/decat/flash ecu :) as its been for couple years now with euro emissions standards for new bikes. still a good bike tho, peace.

[@martinhughes9769]

What ! No heated seats, I’ve got the SX 2017 it’s been brilliant, but struggling now at nearly 68 bit of hard work on the neck ,back and wrists 😢I was hoping for some big difference in its specs and fraction taller bars,

[@GarrettMaple]

Eh? Even the ‘20 onwards is a massive upgrade over your ‘17. Sounds to me like you’d be better off in a car mate. Heated seats FFS…

[@ninji5226]

This is in the same vein as the "new" Z900, lots of smoke and mirrors for essentially the same bike. It's good from all accounts to begin with so it's not bad per se but it's still the same bike. Also someone at Kawasaki needs to open up the purse stings on paint options, all the options are very narrow year to year.

[@GarrettMaple]

The same? Power, torque, options, reprogrammed quickshifter, different 5th and 6th gears, colourways, all changed. Did you even watch the video? 😂

[@patwilliam543]

134bhp is good for a tourer if you want a tourer, but if you're essentially after a chubby lads superbike a drop of 60 odd bhp seems a lot, especially when BMW and the likes are splitting the difference between this and the superbikes.

[@alexstan5358]

Better then BMW R1250RS only if don’t have money to get a BMW…Kawasaki build quality? Kawa is the worst out of 4 Japanese brands… Personally had 3 Kawa bikes,all 3 were cheap trash,i bought them only because they were cheaper than competitors

[@davidrutherford3345]

1 = Pirelli Angel gt 2 2 = Michelin Road 6 3 = Continental Road Attack 4 Or 4 = Dont worry about the mileage and Michelin Power 6 if you just like a good blast out usually in the dry ? 😂

[@prof.2248]

1. Metzeler Roadtec 02

[@GarrettMaple]

Non-OE S22s. Great tyres.

[@matthewjackson3034]

Think I'd rather stick with the previous gen. Don't sound like a great deal has changed.

[@prof.2248]

Versys 1000 have 120hp vs 1000Sx 140hp, for 2025 both have exatly the same engine with 134hp and the same gearbox, so is no really advantage have 1100Sx vs Versys 1100 with better seat and wind protection and the same engine.

[@joshtacker9531]

Kawa Zacky

[@bingoberra18]

In a couple of years it will be 1400cc and then there will be a new 1000cc variant.

[@Mikaeel84]

I'm deciding between this and the 2024 Hayabusa. Ideas anyone?

[@blipco5]

Two different bikes. One is bonkers, the other is one you can use.

[@Mikaeel84]

​@@blipco5 the ninja I can use? I don't get it. I'm riding. Not using anything. I'm not riding 2 up or carrying luggage I just want something sporty yet comfortable with proper wind protection.

[@xef322]

No brainer here. Busa all the way. Excellent motor super linear and pulls like nothing else when you want it to. Mechanical grip is fantastic with a good pair of tires.

[@20spag]

I have a 2022 model. As on this 'bike; no centre stand. A disappointing omission on a Sports Tourer.

[@MyToxicMasculinity]

Europe is fkn everything up!

[@rotorbro]

Ninja 1100SX SE or is it worth spending the extra money for a KTM 1290 (now 1390) Super Duke GT?

[@mikes.8305]

I haven’t ridden a Kawasaki in years but I always loved my old ninja 1000. Both my KtM 890r and KtM SMT had so many issues even as brand new bikes I will never go back to KTM. They ride insanely good, but it’s bad when my Ducati is the reliable bike and my KTM is always in the shop… I’m sure the Superduke GT would be a much more raw and exciting bike to ride, but then again I always that it was torture having that much power and not being able to use it 99% of the time…

[@carleddison7479]

Kawasaki build super-reliable bikes. KTM, not so much.

[@movem1]

had the 1000sx (1000 ninja abs here in the states), the KTM is superior and I swapped for a used 1190 adventure with 3k miles. Now it has 37k and I still absolutely love the KTM. Far more thrilling, comfortable, very fast & sporty (electric suspension too). I bought the 1000sx to replace my CBR1000RR and in the end found it dull and heavy by comparison. Quality bike the Kawi is and I like the engine note but I don't miss it. Also I chose to gear the Kawi taller it was so short and buzzy hence all the vibes they are working to cover over. The SuperDuke GT is more like the Kawi always leaning forward 45 degrees. This is oddly tiring for my back. Personally prefer a full super-sport or the upright adventure / tall-rounder positions. Lastly, I'd get the SD-GT over the Kawasaki. The engine, WP suspension and brakes are simply incredible. I know many fear the reliability but I've been lucky so far. Only had to replace clogged fuel filters for $85.

[@GarrettMaple]

@@movem1So you bought a sports tourer to replace an actual sports bike and were surprised that it was heavier and not as exciting? You sound like somebody whose opinion we should all listen to…

[@swoop1352]

Really not a useful review for anyone with a 1000SX. _"I never hit the red line"_ does not inform us if we're gonna hate the engine or not. Everything else is stuff we already know.

[@dstev55]

From a marketing point of view I don’t think it being down on outright power is a great move by Kawasaki

[@godlyobject6509]

Several new bikes are like that; a bunch of unelected technocrats are to thank for that.

[@mrmark8603]

Watch the Lamb Chop review for the explanation. MCN didn't mention the additional balancer and heavier flywheel to give the bike more torque and midrange, where you actually use it. I always include the additional cost of a slip-on to get back the stolen euro 5 performance.

[@dstev55]

Look I’m with you. But from a marketing perspective it ain’t great. BMW managed to extract more torque and power with their 1300 boxer engine and others have too.

[@richardhoskins307]

Its minimal, you wont even notice.

[@dstev55]

@@richardhoskins307you’re missing my point

[@Ridabu]

Bigger engine less power. Welcome to 2024.

[@GarrettMaple]

And more torque at lower RPMs where you really need it. Do pay attention 😉

[@sivanm2130]

I can't get over the fact that it's always been a budget naked bike with fairings

[@steve-wu7jp]

A bit boring and not really anything new

[@Davidlouis3]

Beautiful bike I’ve got the 1000sx love it

[@n.elliott9122]

Rumor is, Suzuki is adding Electronic Ohlin's to the GSX-S1000GT+. You heard it here first. And if in the states. Use Fox Moto Movers for all your Motorcycle and Automotive shipping needs.

[@justtruth2740]

Get a Bandit 1250 S or FA. You will have 95% of the same qualities for 40% of the price.

[@GarrettMaple]

Some really funny comments on this so far 😂. First point to answer, the centre stand thing. Why carry the weight around all the time? Get an Abba stand and leave it in the garage. It’ll work on pretty much any bike with the correct adapters too. Then the power thing… I guess all those people riding N1Ks who decry the lower bhp figure must be doing trackdays on them every month rather than touring! Lastly, electronic suspension. Pub ammo, pure and simple. Again, all those people decrying the lack of it on this bike probably never change their settings anyway! People ‘want’ them but they don’t want to pay for them, otherwise why not just stump up the extra cash for a bike that’s got all those things people are complaining about?! I don’t think I’ll be swapping my ‘21 for an SE just yet, but if/when the time comes I’ll be glad Kawasaki has kept the recipe very similar. It’s the reason so many owners love this bike.