KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package

I’ve recently written in my Editor’s note bemoaning the lack of available Sports-Touring motorcycles nowadays.

- Ferdie Pieterse

LOCAL TEST

Seems like the Dual-Purpose/Adventure style of bike have taken over that role, and there’s also a range of “moretouring-and-less-sports” bikes available. Having not yet ridden the first-generation Kawasaki Z1000SX it was not a bike which I would have considered as the riding position looked very upright, and I really enjoy a riding position which makes you lean a tad forward and puts a bit of weight onto your wrists.

Kawasaki has done a number of updates to the NINJA 1000SX in 2022, and when the opportunity came for me to have a go on it, I grabbed it with both hands. At first glance, it is a handsome beast, and build quality seemed solid. I wasn’t quite sure abut the white bit on the side of the fairing, as well as the white belly pan. Personally I believe a Kawasaki must have some green on it, and I would probably opt for the black and green colour scheme, not that the black and white one is ugly, it’s just personal preference.

Sitting on it at home in the garage, I was immediately happy with the seating position, the seat-to-footpeg position is perfect and you lean forward just a touch to reach the handlebars. The (very wide) fairing-mounted mirrors looked to be sturdy and the screen offers 4 different positions. It is a manual operation though, not something which can be done on the move. The switchgear was pretty standard fare, with everything where you expect it would be on the left and right handlebars.

In terms of features, the new Ninja 1000SX has a whole host of them. The list includes:

• Speedo Cruise

• Cornering ABS brakes

• Two engine power level settings

• Three traction control settings

• Four rider modes – Sport, Road, Rain and Custom