Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
2024 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX: 142 hp sport tourer, 1,043 cc inline-four, 235 kg, replaced by the Ninja 1100SX. Full specs and press reviews.
At a glance
The Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX is a sport tourer powered by a 1,043 cc, 142 hp inline-four, weighing 235 kg wet. It is no longer in Kawasaki France's range since the arrival of the Ninja 1100SX, priced from €15,649: this page covers its last model year, 2024. Reviewers praised its smooth, powerful engine, comfort and comprehensive equipment, but criticised a screen offering little protection, sometimes intrusive ABS and panniers that cannot be fitted together with the top box.
World press review
Meta-score
9 sources
Press ratings
A very good bike: powerful, with impeccable fuelling and an effective, comfortable chassis; screen too low, no centre stand, panniers and top box incompatible.
Comfortable sport tourer for long distances, more technology and comfort than the Z1000SX; wide seat for shorter riders.
A do-it-all bike with a smooth, linear engine and seamless electronics; screen ineffective for a tall rider, thinly padded seat.
A nearly ideal solution for those who like sports bikes without their compromises; ABS too conservative when riding hard and cannot be switched off, mode changes only with the throttle closed.
Evolution rather than revolution: refined, strong engine, balanced handling, comfortable suspension, standard cruise control; screen adjustable without tools but only with both hands.
Benchmark of the sport-touring segment: looks, equipment, engine, electronics, sportiness and comfort; heated grips and USB socket optional, limited room to slide back, unflattering silencer.
Video test: the Z1000SX changed its name but neither its mission nor its character, 'and that's a good thing'.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
All reviews cover the 2020 model year, technically identical to the 2024 model year. MCN rates it 4/5 and Motorcycle.com 90.5/100, praising unrivalled value for the equipment. BikeSocial, Visordown, Cycle World, RevZilla, 1000PS, Le Repaire des Motards and Moto-Net tested it without a numeric score.
What reviewers like: a powerful, flexible and smooth four-cylinder (MCN, Cycle World, 1000PS), impeccable fuelling (BikeSocial), steering that is finally light compared with the Z1000SX (MCN), a successful compromise between sports bike and tourer (Le Repaire des Motards, RevZilla) and comprehensive standard equipment with quickshifter and cruise control (Motorcycle.com, 1000PS).
What they criticise: a screen too low for tall riders (BikeSocial, Cycle World), ABS too conservative when riding hard (RevZilla) and slightly abrupt brakes (Motorcycle.com), a firm or wide seat (Motorcycle.com, Visordown), panniers that cannot be combined with the top box (BikeSocial), no centre stand, and the USB socket and heated grips being optional (Le Repaire des Motards).
Key quotes
"The Ninja 1000SX carries over the Z’s magic mix of sporty style, plentiful power and undemanding versatility, then fixes a few of its shortcomings. The biggest single improvement is handling – the Z1000SX had horribly heavy steering at low speed and flopped reluctantly into turns, especially on its OE tyres."
"For now, this new Ninja is in a class of one."
"But asterisks aside, this is clearly a very good bike. It has plenty of power, impeccable fuelling and ease-of use and a chassis that copes as well with demanding switchbacks as it does with fast sweepers and finally steers like we knew it could, while being very comfortable too."
"The Ninja 1000 SX is a do-it-all motorcycle that makes little compromise."
"When it comes down to it, the Ninja 1000SX is a nearly ideal solution for those of you who, like me, are drawn to sport bikes but can’t stomach the compromise of a purebred supersport."
"The Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX is more evolution than revolution – but what is there to reinvent on such a well-balanced sport tourer?"
"Few motorcycles are as accomplished as this Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX. A remarkable compromise between sports bike and tourer, the new version raises this model's qualities even further."
Pros
- Powerful, flexible 142 hp four-cylinder
- Successful compromise between sports bike and tourer
- Standard up/down quickshifter and cruise control
- Much lighter steering than the Z1000SX
- Assist and slipper clutch
Cons
- No longer sold new in France (replaced by the Ninja 1100SX)
- Screen offers little protection for tall riders
- Conservative ABS when riding hard
- Panniers and top box cannot be combined
- USB socket and heated grips optional, no centre stand
Our review
Is the Ninja 1000SX still on sale?
Not in France. Kawasaki replaced it with the Ninja 1100SX, unveiled on 29 October 2024 for the 2025 model year: same basis, with capacity increased from 1,043 to 1,099 cc. Kawasaki France’s range now only offers the Ninja 1100SX, from €15,649, and the Ninja 1100SX SE, from €17,399. This page therefore covers the last model year of the Ninja 1000SX, 2024, which is now bought second-hand. In Japan, the Ninja 1000SX is still sold alongside the 1100SX.
How much did it cost?
Kawasaki France no longer publishes a price for the Ninja 1000SX, so this page gives no French new price. According to MOTORRAD, the 2024 model year cost €15,195 in Germany in black and €15,395 in green and black. The 40th Anniversary Edition, in red and black recalling the GPZ900R and with no technical changes, sold there for €15,445. In the UK, MCN gives a price of £12,349 following the 2023 increase, and in the United States the MSRP was $13,699 according to Motorcycle.com.
Dealer-fitted accessory packs were also available: Performance (Akrapovič silencer, tinted screen), Tourer (panniers, tall screen, heated grips) and Performance Tourer, which combines both.
How good is the engine?
In European form the 1,043 cc inline-four (77 x 56 mm) makes 142 hp (104.5 kW) at 10,000 rpm and 111 Nm at 8,000 rpm; Kawasaki Japan quotes 141 PS. It drives a six-speed gearbox through an assist and slipper clutch. MCN, Cycle World and 1000PS highlight its flexibility and power, BikeSocial its impeccable fuelling, and Motorcycle.com gives it 19 out of 20 in its scoring grid.
How does it ride?
The twin-spar aluminium frame carries a fully adjustable 41 mm inverted fork and a horizontal Back-Link shock with remote preload adjustment. Braking relies on twin 300 mm discs and four-piston radial monobloc calipers, with cornering ABS; original-fit tyres are Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22. MCN notes the clearest progress over the Z1000SX: steering that is finally light. Common Tread finds the ABS too conservative when riding hard, especially as it cannot be switched off, and Motorcycle.com finds the brakes a little abrupt with the ABS.
What electronics does it have?
Standard equipment is comprehensive: up/down quickshifter, cruise control, four riding modes (Sport, Road, Rain, Rider), three-level traction control, an IMU and a 4.3-inch colour TFT screen connected by Bluetooth to the Rideology app. The USB socket and heated grips remain optional.
Who is it for?
The Ninja 1000SX is aimed at riders who want sports bike performance with touring comfort: an 835 mm seat in Europe, a four-position adjustable screen and pannier mounts integrated into the tail. BikeSocial and Cycle World find the screen too low for tall riders, and the 47-litre top box cannot be fitted at the same time as the side panniers. There is no standard centre stand.
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Kawasaki Japan quotes 17.5 km/L under the Japanese WMTC standard, or about 5.7 L/100 km, giving a range of about 330 km from the 19-litre tank. Foreign press tests recorded 5.7 to 6.6 L/100 km, and up to 7.1 L/100 km for Cycle World when riding hard. Kawasaki France specifies an oil change every 12,000 km or every year and a valve clearance check at 42,000 km.
Where does it come from?
The Ninja 1000SX succeeded the Z1000SX in 2020, which had appeared in 2011 as a faired version of the Z1000 naked. The switch to the Ninja name brought ride-by-wire, cruise control, the quickshifter, the TFT screen and a single-silencer Euro 5 exhaust. The bike did not change technically until 2024.
Recalls
No recall affects the Ninja 1000SX (RappelConso, Safety Gate, NHTSA).
Specifications
| Displacement | 1043 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 142 hp (104.5 kW) @ 10,000 rpm (European figure reported by the foreign press; Kawasaki Japan quotes 141 PS / 104 kW) |
| Torque | 111 Nm @ 8,000 rpm |
| Weight | 235 kg (wet, European figure; Kawasaki Japan quotes 236 kg kerb) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 1.65 |
| Seat height | 835 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 19 L |
| Fuel consumption | 5.7 L/100 km (17.5 km/L, Japanese WMTC standard quoted by Kawasaki Japan; no European figure published) |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 12,000 km or 1 year — Valves: check at 42,000 km (Kawasaki France maintenance schedule) |
| Engine type | Inline four-cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 16 valves, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain drive, assist and slipper clutch |
| License | A |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 77 x 56 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 11,8:1 |
| Fuel system | Keihin fuel injection, 4 x 38 mm throttle bodies with oval sub-throttles, ride-by-wire |
| Valve train | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Max power RPM | 10000 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 8000 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5 |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Twin-spar (diamond) aluminium frame |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 24 ° |
| Trail | 98 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1440 mm |
| Ground clearance | 135 mm |
| Front suspension | 41 mm inverted fork, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, 120 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Horizontal Back-Link monoshock, adjustable rebound, remote preload adjustment, 144 mm travel |
| Front brake | Dual 300 mm semi-floating discs, four-piston radial monobloc calipers |
| Rear brake | Single 250 mm disc, single-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear tire | 190/50 ZR17 |
| ABS system | KIBS cornering ABS (KCMF, IMU) |
Electronics & rider aids
| Riding modes | Sport, Road, Rain, Rider |
|---|---|
| Traction control | Yes |
| Quickshifter | Up/down, standard (KQS) |
| Cruise control | Yes |
| Dashboard | 4.3-inch colour TFT |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Rideology smartphone app |
| Other features | Bosch 6-axis IMU (cornering ABS and traction control, KCMF), 3-level KTRC traction control, 2 power modes (Full, Low at 75%), Assist and slipper clutch, Economical riding indicator, Full LED lighting, USB socket and heated grips optional |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Sport touring: leaning slightly forward, raised clip-on handlebars |
|---|---|
| Passenger comfort | Fine for occasional two-up riding |
| Wind protection | 4-position manually adjustable screen, considered too low for tall riders |
The Ninja 1000SX offers a sport-touring position, leaning slightly forward to raised clip-on handlebars. The seat is 835 mm high in Europe (820 mm according to Kawasaki’s Japanese and US spec sheets), with a seat 15 mm lower available as an option; Visordown finds it wide for shorter riders and Motorcycle.com firm. The screen adjusts by hand to four positions, but only with both hands according to 1000PS, and BikeSocial and Cycle World both find it too low for tall riders. Le Repaire des Motards regrets limited room to slide back on the seat. According to Visordown, the passenger is comfortable enough for occasional two-up riding.
Ownership & maintenance
5.7 to 6.6 L/100 km (foreign press, converted figures: Motorcycle.com, BikeSocial, RevZilla, MCN); 7.1 L/100 km for Cycle World when riding hard
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~330 km (calculated: 19 L tank x 17.5 km/L, Japanese WMTC standard)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 12,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 42,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 12,000 km |
| Chain | Check, lubricate and adjust at every service and at least once a year |
Average service cost
About £220 a year in the UK (MCN estimate)
Warranty
4 years / Unlimited (2-year manufacturer warranty + 2-year extension for new purchases since 1 July 2023)
The Ninja 1000SX owner’s manual could not be consulted. Kawasaki France’s maintenance schedule (model ZX1002K) specifies a first oil change at 1,000 km, then an oil and filter change every 12,000 km or every year. Spark plugs and air filter are replaced every 12,000 km, and valve clearance is checked at 42,000 km. Coolant is changed every 3 years, brake fluid every 2 years, and the chain is checked and lubricated at every service. MCN estimates the annual servicing cost at around £220 in the UK. A Ninja 1000SX bought new since 1 July 2023 is covered by Kawasaki France’s 4-year (2 + 2) warranty with unlimited mileage.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX | — | 142 hp (104.5 kW) @ 10,000 rpm (European figure reported by the foreign press; Kawasaki Japan quotes 141 PS / 104 kW) | 235 kg (wet, European figure; Kawasaki Japan quotes 236 kg kerb) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX2027 | €15,649 | 136 hp | 235 kg (wet) |
| Suzuki GSX-S1000GT2026 | €13,999 | 152 hp | 226 kg (kerb, full tank) |
| Yamaha Tracer 9 GT2025 | €15,799 | 119 hp | 227 kg (wet) |
| BMW S 1000 XR2026 | €20,800 | 170 hp | 227 kg (wet) |
| Honda NT11002027 | €14,799 | 102 hp | 238 kg (kerb, without the standard panniers) |
Generations
- Z1000SX (1re génération)2011 – 2013
1,043 cc · 138 hp · 110 Nm · —
Faired road-going version of the Z1000 naked, with optional ABS and no other electronic aids.
- Z1000SX (2e génération)2014 – 2016
1,043 cc · 142 hp · — · 230 kg (road-ready)
Tokico monobloc calipers, firmer suspension, two power modes, 3-level traction control, integrated panniers and remote rear preload.
- Z1000SX (3e génération)2017 – 2019
1,043 cc · — · — · —
IMU (cornering ABS and traction control), wider fairing, taller screen, LED headlights and gear position indicator.
- Ninja 1000SX2020 – 2024
1,043 cc · 142 hp · 111 Nm · 235 kg (road-ready)
Renamed Ninja: ride-by-wire, cruise control, up/down quickshifter, integrated riding modes, 4.3-inch connected TFT and single Euro 5 silencer.
- Ninja 1100SX / SE2025 – today
1,099 cc · 136 hp · 113 Nm · 235 kg (road-ready)
Capacity up to 1,099 cc for more torque, taller 5th and 6th gears, quickshifter from 1,500 rpm, standard USB-C socket; new SE version with Brembo brakes, Öhlins shock and heated grips.
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z1000SX (1re génération)2011 – 2013 Faired road-going version of the Z1000 naked, with optional ABS and no other electronic aids. | 1,043 cc | 138 hp | 110 Nm | — |
| Z1000SX (2e génération)2014 – 2016 Tokico monobloc calipers, firmer suspension, two power modes, 3-level traction control, integrated panniers and remote rear preload. | 1,043 cc | 142 hp | — | 230 kg road-ready |
| Z1000SX (3e génération)2017 – 2019 IMU (cornering ABS and traction control), wider fairing, taller screen, LED headlights and gear position indicator. | 1,043 cc | — | — | — |
| Ninja 1000SX2020 – 2024 Renamed Ninja: ride-by-wire, cruise control, up/down quickshifter, integrated riding modes, 4.3-inch connected TFT and single Euro 5 silencer. | 1,043 cc | 142 hp | 111 Nm | 235 kg road-ready |
| Ninja 1100SX / SE2025 – today Capacity up to 1,099 cc for more torque, taller 5th and 6th gears, quickshifter from 1,500 rpm, standard USB-C socket; new SE version with Brembo brakes, Öhlins shock and heated grips. | 1,099 cc | 136 hp | 113 Nm | 235 kg road-ready |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
No known recalls for this model.