Kawasaki Ninja 1000

The roar of a pack of superbikes echoes through the rolling hills of Northern California. The world famous Laguna Seca Race Track is alive with another race weekend. The lead group climbs the backstretch headed for the corkscrew. Atop the adjacent hill is a lone sportbike parked overlooking, watching as the laps tick away with lightening speed. The checkered flag waves signaling the end of the race, but the beginning of your adventure.The kickstand snaps up, as you roll onto a two-lane twisty road. You head west, towards the coast. You’re many miles from home, but you still decide to take the long way back. You’re a racer at heart, but you’re not on the track—at least not today—instead, you’re riding many miles to watch the race up close. Now, it’s time for you to have your fun.

Introducing the 2017 Ninja® 1000 ABS, infused with Ninja sportbike spirit, speed-minded technology and engineering, but with the comfort of a touring motorcycle.  

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS motorcycle:

• NEW enhanced chassis orientation awareness technology featuring Bosch IMU

• NEW Kawasaki Cornering Management Function

• NEW Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-Lock Brake System (KIBS)

• NEW Windshield and fairings

• NEW Lower more ergonomically comfortable seat

• NEW ECU tuning

Kawasaki’s flagship, open-class sport touring bike with power and comfort, the Ninja 1000 ABS returns for 2017 with added electronics, normally reserved for race models. Built for riders wanting sporty handling and smooth, powerful acceleration, the Ninja 1000 ABS has all of that, but in a relaxed, comfortable riding position—creating a motorcycle with liter-bike performance, but a level of comfort and versatility that allows the miles to roll on with ease. Now, with the added electronics, the 2017 Ninja 1000 ABS will give riders increased confidence on their next ride.

New for 2017 are wider fairings, a new double-bubble windscreen, 5-way adjustable clutch lever and seat, all aiding in increased rider comfort, making the 2017 Ninja 1000 even more enjoyable. Hard, KQR™ color-matched saddle bags may be selected from among a variety of Kawasaki Genuine Accessories, further enhancing the touring comfort of the Ninja 1000 ABS.

ELECTRONICS

• New A Bosch IMU with 6-axis of measurements

• New Kawasaki Cornering Management Function

• New Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS)

• Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC)

• Power mode selection

Utilizing technology previously reserved for the Ninja® ZX™-10R sportbike, the 2017 Ninja 1000 ABS motorcycle features a 6-axis Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that includes electronic rider aids such as: Kawasaki Cornering Management Function, Kawasaki TRaction Control (KTRC) , and Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS).

The system uses minimal hardware but complex Kawasaki proprietary software. The strength of Kawasaki’s cutting-edge electronics has always been the highly sophisticated programming that gives the ECU an accurate real-time picture of what the chassis is doing. Kawasaki’s proprietary dynamic modeling program makes skillful use of its formula as it examines changes in multiple parameters, enabling it to take into account changing road and tire conditions.

The new Bosch IMU enables inertia along five DOF (degrees of freedom) to be monitored: acceleration along longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes, plus roll rate and pitch rate. While the sixth axis, yaw rate, is calculated by the ECU using Kawasaki original software. Bosch’s latest IMU is compact and very lightweight, weighing only 40 g.

Using the latest evolution of this advanced modeling software, KCMF monitors engine and chassis parameters throughout the corner – from entry, through the apex, to corner exit – modulating brake force and engine power to facilitate smooth transition from acceleration to braking and back again, and to assist riders in tracing their intended line through the corner.

Three modes cover a wide range of riding conditions, offering either enhanced sport riding performance or the peace of mind to negotiate slippery surfaces with confidence. Modes 1 and 2 prioritize maximum forward acceleration, while Mode 3 provides rider reassurance by facilitating smooth riding on slippery surfaces. Riders may also elect to turn the system off.

In Modes 1 and 2, highly sophisticated programming allows a degree of slip – a certain amount of slip is required to maximize acceleration. The ideal slip ratio varies according to conditions. The system looks at a number of parameters to get an accurate real-time picture of what is going on: front and rear wheel speed (slippage) and various engine, machine and rider input parameters are monitored. The IMU-enhanced feedback allows even more precise management than on the previous model.

KIBS AND BRAKING

KIBS is a multi-sensing system, using the input from numerous sources, to provide the best braking possible. In addition to front and rear wheel speed sensors (standard for any ABS system), KIBS also monitors front caliper hydraulic pressure and various information from the engine ECU (throttle position, engine speed, clutch actuation and gear position). High-precision brake pressure control enables the system to avoid reduced brake performance due to excessive pressure drops, allows lever feel to be maintained when KIBS is active, and helps ABS pulses feel smoother (not heavy).

High-precision brake pressure control also offers a number of sport riding benefits: less rear lift under hard braking, minimal kickback during operation and accounting for back-torque. With the addition of the new KIBS systems comes improved rear brake pad material and optimized spring.

ERGONOMICS

• NEW Wider fairings and taller double-bubble windshield

• NEW 5-way adjustable clutch lever

• NEW Mirrors for increased visibility

• NEW Lower, wider and comfortable seat for rider and passenger

The relatively upright position—compared to supersport models—offers both control and comfort for riders. Separate, raised clip-ons are mounted on top of the forks, for relaxed arm position, while maintaining a sporty and comfortable riding position.

A new 5-way adjustable clutch lever can be set to suit the size of the rider’s hands, aiding in rider comfort. Mirrors are positioned 20mm farther outward and have a greater range of movement, offering easier adjustability.

Both rider and passenger seats deliver increased comfort. The redesigned rider seat has a wider seat area, offering greater support, and enabling longer stretches without having to stop due to discomfort.

The passenger seat is longer with thicker urethane padding and a design that swells at the front, resulting in a larger seat area that keeps passengers from sliding forward. Dampers on the underside of the seat also help reduce vibration. Ergonomically sculpted passenger grips are easy to hold and naturally positioned, contributing to even more passenger comfort.

The fairing design also covers part of the frame, contributing to a good ergonomic fit and helping to protect the rider from engine heat for added comfort.

STYLING

• NEW Headlight design for a sporty look and increased visibility

Supersport-style full-fairing bodywork gives the Ninja 1000 ABS motorcycle a distinct, head-turning look. The sleek styling also offers a good measure of wind protection, aiding to reduce rider fatigue. Front cowl design is much sharper, giving the 2017 Ninja 1000 ABS a much sportier appearance and greatly increasing its Ninja family resemblance. Chin spoilers similar to those on the Ninja H2™ and Ninja ZX-10R motorcycles strengthen the resemblance.

Turn signals are built into to the fairings to aid in the slim profile and sporty look. Supersport-style front fender contributes to both aerodynamics and racy looks.

ENGINE

• Exhilarating power from the 1000cc, inline 4-cylinder engine

• New ECU settings for smoother power delivery and functionality with the Kawasaki Corner Management

Powerful 1,043cm3 liquid-cooled, 4-stroke in-line four-cylinder engine pulls strongly from all rpm.  Adding to rider exhilaration, the engine delivers superb engine response, a strong mid-range hit and an intoxicating intake howl. Revised engine settings offer even smoother power delivery, facilitating control and contributing to rider comfort and confidence.

Downdraft throttle bodies allow for the shortest path to the engine, helping for ideal low-mid range power. The throttle bodies are oval sub-throttles allowing for a slim profile of the engine as well.

The Ninja 1000 ABS features many enhancements that allow for a smoother engine feeling and less vibration to the rider. One major feature is the secondary balancer on the engine crankshaft, which eliminates excessive vibration.

CHASSIS

• Highly rigid aluminum frame

• Combination of solid and rubber engine mounts for reduced vibration and excellent handling characteristics

Thanks to a rigid, lightweight aluminum frame and compact engine design, the weight is not only low and centered inside the motorcycle, but the overall profile is also slim. This centralization allows for sharp handling, neutral steering and a light turn-in. Lightweight and highly rigid, the frame uses the engine as a stressed member.

The frame is a 5-piece cast aluminum construction, consisting of steering stem, left and right main frames, and two cross pieces. The front part of the rear frame is an example of form and function combined, allowing the side covers to be eliminated. This also allows the width under the seat to be narrower, offering riders a shorter reach to the ground.

SUSPENSION

• 41mm front inverted forks

• Front and rear adjustability

Up front you’ll find 41mm inverted front forks with stepless compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability. Settings offer both sporty performance (contributing to light handling on the street and in the hills) and comfort.

Rear suspension positions the shock unit and linkage above the swingarm, allowing for greater mass centralization. The rear shock features rebound and preload adjustability, with a remote preload adjuster facilitating setting changes to suit tandem riding, luggage or rider preference. This is ideal for quick, on-the-go adjustability when traveling.

INSTRUMENTATION

• NEW Instrument panel

• NEW LCD screen

• NEW Gear position indicator

• NEW Shift light

An all-new instrument panel layout features a large analogue tachometer flanked by warning lamps on one side, and a gear position indicator and multi-function LCD screen on the other. The LCD screen features a negative-lit display, adding to the instrument cluster’s sporty, modern appearance. Gear position indicator increases shifting precision and confidence, while also lending to the Ninja 1000 ABS’s sporty image.

Complementing the gear indicator is a new shift light, the tachometer’s needle changes color (from white to pink to red) to indicate the rider-selectable shift-up timing. During normal operation the shift indicator lamp is off, and the tachometer needle is white. When engine speed is within 500 rpm of the selected shift-up timing, the shift indicator lamp flashes, and the tachometer needle turns pink. When the pre-chosen rpm is reached, the shift indicator lamp flashes rapidly, and the tachometer needle turns red. Riders can set the shift-up timing between 5,000 and 11,000 rpm in 250 rpm increments. The shift indicator function can also be turned off completely.

In addition to the digital speedometer and gear position indicator, display functions include: odometer, dual trip meters, remaining fuel range, current and average fuel consumption, external temperature (new for 2017), coolant temperature, clock and the Economical Riding Indicator.

Colors: 

Candy Lime Green / Metallic Graphite Gray

Metallic Spark Black / Metallic Graphite Gray

ACCESSORIES

A feature that sets the Ninja 1000 ABS apart is the large number of Kawasaki Genuine Accessories for owners to choose from, allowing them to create the unique sport tourer, just for them – like the hard Kawasaki Quick-Release color-matched side bags. .

A full range of Kawasaki Genuine Accessories are available at authorized Kawasaki dealers. For the different models, these can include different seats, seat cowl, frame sliders, tank bag and tail bag. Please visit your local Kawasaki dealership for more information.