Kawasaki Ninja 1000

The Ninja 1000 offers street riding excitement wrapped in seductive full fairing styling that embodies its sporty performance. Add a number of convenience features and the result is a unique package more than able to satisfy a rider's every desire.

Riders seeking the ultimate performance coupled with everyday practicality will be thrilled to throw a leg over the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja® 1000 ABS sportbike.

Real world motorcycle riding demands a great deal from man and machine. Kawasaki has equipped the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS with the most advanced tools to help ensure the rider is supremely equipped to tackle any situation. Starting with the powerful 1043cc DFI® engine, its usability is enhanced with Selectable Power Modes and the KTRC three-mode Traction Control system to help ensure power can be adequately delivered in all conditions.

The Ninja 1000 is targeted at riders looking for the aggressive styling of the Ninja but with a comfortable riding position, excellent ergonomics and Kawasaki dependability. So the motorcycle has a taller sixth gear for cruising, large fuel tank to reach the destination and remote rear spring preload adjuster to help ensure they arrive in comfort.

KEY NINJA 1000 FEATURES
•Subframe compatible with Kawasaki Quick Release 28L hard saddlebags
•1043cc inline-four with DFI® and Dual Selectable Power Modes
•KTRC three-mode Traction Control system with “off” setting
•Tall sixth gear for relaxed cruising and large fuel tank for extended range
•Remote rear spring preload adjuster for quick suspension tuning
•Distinctive sportbike styling in two new colors: Candy Lime Green / Metallic Spark Black and Metallic Carbon Gray / Metallic Spark Black

ENGINE

Chief among its attributes is the powerful inline-four cylinder 1,043cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled, 16-valve engine. It is governed by Kawasaki’s perfectly calibrated electronic fuel injection that utilizes four 38mm Keihin downdraft throttle bodies that inhale through equal-length velocity stacks to provide crisp throttle response. Engine breathing was further improved by a vented airbox that is fed by additional front intakes, along with oval sub-throttles that all contribute to strong performance in the mid-to-high rev-range.

For the important low-to-mid-range response, the Ninja 1000 boasts flexible power thanks to its torque-inducing intake cam that guarantees power where it’s needed on the street.

The engine’s ECU has Digital Timing Advance that further contributes to the responsiveness in the important low- to mid-range powerband, while ignition coils mounted on the spark plugs provide accurate and consistent combustion at all speeds.

Engine warm up is easy, regardless of the temperature, thanks to the ECU’s idle speed control system. The liter-class engine also has a balance shaft that is driven off the crankshaft to keep the solidly mounted engine operating smoothly, while a stylish 4-into-2-into-2 catalyzer-equipped exhaust system offers a pleasing growl without being overly loud.

The result of so much development and technology is a liter engine with phenomenal all-around performance that delivers on the street for commuting, canyon carving, touring or even track days. Yet it is not simply about peak horsepower numbers. The extremely reliable inline-four produces the sort of power that launches you out of corners and away from stoplights in a way that will keep you entertained every time you ride. Regardless of engine speed, the Ninja 1000 produces smooth, instant thrust that will leave most hardcore sportbike riders reaching for another gear.

POWER MODES, TRACTION CONTROL & ABS BRAKING

For those days in the saddle when road conditions are less than ideal, Kawasaki’s dual selectable Power Modes allow the rider to reduce engine output to 70 percent, matching the motorcycle’s performance to the prevailing conditions. This allows the rider to have confidence in any situation, especially when allied to the other attributes of the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS, such as its ABS braking system and KTRC three-mode Traction Control system.

The braking system uses radially mounted “monoblock” calipers for strength and stability. Using a radial pump master cylinder, the calipers clamp the brake pads onto 300mm wave-style rotors to give the rider feel and control. The precisely calibrated ABS system then helps to ensure the shortest stopping distances in slippery conditions, giving the rider greater stability and confidence to continue his ride.

The same wheel speed sensors used for the ABS system feed information to the KTRC Traction Control system, with its three different modes to allow maximum performance, regardless of the riding conditions.

The first two KTRC modes are intended to maximize acceleration, while the third is tuned for low traction or wet/adverse conditions. The traction control system can be turned off completely if the rider chooses.

The KTRC and Power Mode settings are selected via the bar-mounted switch. The chosen mode can be viewed at-a-glance on the LCD instrument display, along with the ABS and Economical Riding (ECO) status.

FRAME & CHASSIS

The Ninja 1000 sportbike features an advanced aluminum frame similar in design to the Ninja ZX™-10R. Its lightweight assembly curves over the engine, cradling it from above and bolting to it solidly in three places for torsional rigidity, but with a rubber-backed fourth mount to isolate vibration.

The design allowed Kawasaki’s engineers to keep the bike’s waist narrow for superb rider interface, along with maximum comfort and control. The main frame and swingarm pivot pieces are cast as a single unit, with welds eliminated wherever possible for seamless aesthetics.

The Ninja 1000’s subframe design eliminates the need for side covers, allowing a narrower midsection, which will make it easier for most riders to reach the ground. It also allows for dealer installation of Kawasaki Genuine Accessory Quick Release (KQR™) 28-liter hard saddlebags[1]. The KQR bags also feature distinctive styling that is well suited to the Ninja 1000.

Suspension is handled by fully adjustable 41mm inverted front forks. In the rear, the single-shock system is adjustable for preload and rebound, with a remote preload adjuster allowing riders to dial-in the perfect setting for weight, riding style or passenger and luggage.

The horizontal back-link suspension system features a damper mounted almost horizontally above the swingarm for optimal mass centralization and heat resistance. The gas/oil shock offers superb wheel control whether you’re hammering along backroads or navigating potholed city streets. On the Ninja 1000, you’ll always know what’s happening at the contact patches.

The lightweight six-spoke wheels are supersport-style and offer the latest lightweight production technology. Not only do they reduce unsprung weight, allowing the suspension to function better, but they also carry the latest radial tire technology. The result is superb grip, precise handling and extended tread life.

BODYWORK & TOURING

The most stunning aspect of the Ninja 1000 is its stylish wraparound bodywork. Designed with in the spirit of Kawasaki’s race-ready ZX™-6R and ZX™-10R, the Ninja 1000 offers a radical look that is edgy but aerodynamically efficient so that it is both stable at high speed but also creates a quiet cocoon in which to work. It is also available in two new colors for 2015: Candy Lime Green/Metallic Spark Black and Metallic Carbon Gray/Metallic Spark Black.

A manually adjustable, three-position windscreen helps tailor the protection to the rider, allowing riders to pick the right setting for their height and position. Integrated front turn signals, a ZX-6R-style front fender, stylish tail-section and full-featured instrument panel complete the look.

With such a radical appearance, the Ninja 1000 offers surprisingly comfortable ergonomics. The handlebars are mounted higher than on race-oriented supersports, and the rubber-topped pegs are lower, making the Ninja 1000 a capable sport tourer, yet it remains a sportbike you can spend the day aboard without undue strain.

Passenger comfort and security are paramount and include grab-rails mounted to the subframe. And to sweeten the deal, Kawasaki offers a line of touring-oriented accessories, including color-matched hard-case saddlebags and top trunk, seat cowl, axle sliders and so much more.

In addition to all the comfort features, riders who intend to use their Ninja 1000 for touring duties will enjoy the additional range from the taller sixth gear. Its function is to reduce engine revs, making it more relaxing for the rider and allowing you to travel even further on the large 5-gallon fuel tank.

It’s rare to find such all-around functionality in a sporting motorcycle today. But the 2015 Ninja 1000 is a different beast – one with wide-ranging talent in sport, sport-touring and commuting roles. As a leading magazine wrote recently: “In the real world we ride through every day, it doesn’t get much better than the Ninja 1000.”

Features

- 1,043cc inline-four with DFI® offers even more power and torque for effortless passing and backroads entertainment
- KTRC Traction Control system features three different modes, plus "off" for maximum performance and enhanced rider confidence in varying conditions
- Selectable Power Modes offer a choice between full power and approximately 70 percent power output to help suit changing conditions
- One-piece "monobloc" radial-mount front brake calipers offer superb braking power and control, along with a premium laser-etched Kawasaki logo and black alumite finish
- Taller 6th gear provides a more relaxed ride when covering highway miles
- Analog + Digital instrument cluster includes a large tachometer and a digital display offering a wealth of information on current bike conditions and settings
- Remote rear spring preload adjuster allows quick tuning for passenger and luggage weight
- Subframe with built-in compatibility for Kawasaki's new accessory saddlebag mounts
- Optional Kawasaki Quick Release (KQR™) 28-liter hard saddlebags[2] are cleanly integrated with the new subframe and can be removed in seconds to leave a clean, rack-free tail section
- Relaxed, upright riding position contributes to all-day comfort and impressive maneuverability
- Lightweight aluminum frame is narrow and tuned to transmit optimal feedback to the rider
- Fully adjustable inverted fork has settings designed for sporty performance and ride quality
- Design of horizontal back-link rear suspension contributes to mass centralization
- Sleek styling gives the Ninja 1000 a distinctive sportbike look
- Large 5-gallon fuel capacity offers substantial range
- Windscreen is adjustable to three positions, allowing for optimum wind and weather protection

DOHC, 16-valve, 1,043cc Engine
- 1,043cc liquid-cooled inline-four offers true open-class power from idle to redline
The cylinder connecting passageways reduce pumping losses and improve mid-to-high RPM performance
- The intake cams provide improved low-to-midrange torque
- Easily accessible torque offers instant thrust for maximum rider satisfaction
- Bore and stroke dimensions of 77x56mm offer an ideal balance of peak power and low- and mid-range flexibility
- 38mm Keihin throttle bodies cram the air/fuel mixture directly into combustion chambers via downdraft intakes for maximum power
- Oval sub-throttles help keep the engine slim, and a slim midsection allows an ideal bike/rider interface for maximum comfort and control
- Engine's rev limiter comes into play "softly," providing usable over-rev character because power doesn't drop off suddenly at high RPM
- The engine's relatively low crankshaft position allows a moderately long stroke without adding engine height
- A secondary engine balancer, driven off a gear on the sixth web of the crankshaft, eliminates excess vibration and contributes to rider comfort

Cool Air System
- Intake system routes cool air to the airbox via ducts in the fairing, minimizing performance loss due to heated intake air
- The airbox features additional atmospheric intakes to further enhance the engine's intoxicating intake howl
- Non-woven air filter element provides better flow for enhanced high-RPM performance
- The velocity stacks are now equal-length and provide improved throttle response and a more exciting engine character
- Intake ducts are positioned close to the rider to allow the intake howl to be heard and enjoyed
Selectable 2-Mode Digital Ignition
- Rider selectable Full & Low maps offer a choice between full power and approximately 70 percent power output to help suit changing conditions
- Digital Timing Advance enhances low- and mid-range power
- Individual spark plug-mounted ignition coils fire each of the four spark plugs independently to achieve the optimum timing for that cylinder
- ECU includes an idle speed control system for easier starting and warm-up
KTRC TRaction Control
- KTRC traction-control system features three different modes for varying conditions
- System can also be switched-off by the rider to disable traction control
- Modes are controlled by a handy switch assembly on the left handlebar
- Modes are indicated on the LCD cockpit display

Exhaust System
- The exhaust system features a 4-into-2-pre-chamber-into-2 layout to provide ample silencer volume without requiring excess bulk in the rear mufflers
- Main and pre-catalyzers ensure cleaner emissions
- Exhaust system offers excellent mass centralization and contributes to a low center of gravity

Large 5-Gallon Fuel Tank
- Slim-type fuel pump features an integral fuel level sensor with enhanced accuracy
- Supersport-style flared edges with a trim shape at the rear help make it easy for the rider to grip the tank with their knees
- Flared top and steel construction are well-suited to magnetic tank bags
- 5.0 gallon fuel capacity offers enough range for longer journeys than most other sportbikes

Monobloc ABS Brakes with Petal-type Rotors
- One-piece "monobloc" radial-mount front brake calipers offer superb braking power and control, along with a premium quality look from their laser-etched Kawasaki logo and black alumite finish
- ABS pump features a fluid pressure sensor that allows more precise control of line pressures and also provides data to the ECU to help suppress rear lift under braking
- A low-battery mode helps preserve ABS effectiveness when the battery charge is low. (although riders may notice that ABS operation is less smooth than in normal mode)
- Petal-type 300mm front brake rotors are full-on sportbike hardware
- A radial-pump front brake master cylinder contributes to the superb control and feel offered by these high-end monobloc calipers
- The pad compound has a higher coefficient of friction that contributes to the enhanced brake feeling
- A single-piston rear caliper grips a 250mm petal-type disc. This compact caliper is mounted below the swingarm and located by a torque rod
- Stylish Bodywork
- Supersport-style full-fairing bodywork gives the Ninja 1000 a distinctive, head-turning look, and also offers plenty of wind and weather protection for short-tour ability
- The fairing's slat-style leading edges direct wind around the bike, allowing the fairing to be narrower at the middle
- The fairing flares at the rear, keeping hot engine air off the rider's legs
- Front turn signals are integrated into the fairing and are attached to the inside of the fairing with rubber mounts that minimize damage if the bike falls over
- Front fender design contributes to excellent aerodynamics and racy looks
- Slim and compact tail cowl moves mass physically and visually toward the front of the bike
- LED taillight features red bulbs and a red transparent lens
- Slim rear fender gives the bike a light-looking rear end
- Windscreen is manually adjustable for optimum wind/weather protection
- Windscreen has three available positions spanning approximately 20-degrees and ranging from sporty to maximum wind protection. Adjustment can be done by hand (no tools required) by depressing the release button below the instrument panel. Windscreen adjustment should always be done with the bike stopped

Aluminum Backbone Frame
- Aluminum backbone frame is similar in concept to the Ninja ZX-10R's, and helps make the bike narrow and easy to grip with the knees for maximum rider comfort and feedback
- The frame is lightweight and highly rigid, and uses the engine as a stressed member for solid handling and optimum stability
- Frame elements are tuned to transmit optimal engine feedback to the rider
- The frame uses four engine mounts, three of which are rigid, one of which (the upper rear crankcase mount) is rubber
- The subframe features built-in compatibility for Kawasaki's new accessory saddlebag mounts
- The sub-frame is an example of form and function combined, negating the need for side covers and allowing underseat narrowness for a shorter reach to the ground

Horizontal Back-Link Rear Suspension
- Rear suspension design positions the shock unit and linkage above the swingarm where it's less exposed to exhaust heat and contributes to mass centralization
- Remote rear spring preload adjuster allows quick tuning for passenger and luggage weight
- Stepless rebound damping adjuster allows damping characteristics to be tuned to suit spring preload and passenger/luggage weights

Fully Adjustable 41mm Fork
- The Ninja 1000's inverted fork is adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload - and is protected from harm by a cool-looking shroud
- Settings are designed for both sporty performance and ride quality

Rider / Passenger Interface
- Separate, raised handlebars contribute to the sporty, comfortable riding position; bar stays are mounted to the fork tube tops, which extend above the top clamp
- A thick urethane seat provides a high level of rider and passenger comfort
- Tapered grips, like those used on supersport models, offer a more direct feel than traditional designs
- Rubber-topped footpegs help isolate unwanted vibration and provide comfortable foot support on long rides
- Grab-bars are redesigned to provide a more comfortable hand-hold for the passenger
- The passenger footpeg brackets incorporate convenient luggage hooks
- Left handlebar features switches for KTRC Traction Control, Power Mode Selector, High/Low Beam and headlight flasher

Instrumentation
- LCD functions include KTRC, Power Mode, ABS and Economical Riding (ECO) indicators
- Additional LCD functions include a digital speedometer, odometer, dual trip meter, clock, instant and average fuel consumption, coolant temperature, and low-fuel warning lamps

Large-volume Fuel Tank
- Five-gallon (19L) fuel tank offers substantial range
- Steel construction facilitates use of magnetic tank bag
- Tank shape (flared edges and a trim shape at the back) allows riders to easily grip tank with their knees