2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 in Emerald Blazed Green/Metallic Carbon Grey - The Comprehensive Review
A Gentleman's Sports Tourer
If you don't have a motorcycle, then this is basically WHY you have a motorcycle!
Presenting
The Kawasaki
Ninja
1000 - MY 2018
Now with the Harley Heritage Softail already in the garage, time was apt for a good long distance tourer. I was contemplating a bike for nearly the past one year and my mind was nearly made up for the Versys 650. It was comfortable but understated, enough power for our roads and could tackle all roads. Now in this waiting and deciding process, Kawasaki separated from Bajaj in April 2017 with a new set of separate manufacturing plant, showrooms and service stations. That was good news. And immediately they announced that they will be bringing in their latest and highly improved Ninja 1000, now assembled in India, at a mouth watering price of Rs. 9.98 Lacs ex-showroom pan India. That changed the equation immediately.
As I mentioned on the launch thread of the Ninja 1000, it has so much more going for it which the Versys cannot be. A bike capable of doing 300 kmph (electronically limited to 256). A 0-100 kmph time of 3.3 seconds (nearly faster than all the high end 1-2 crore rupee cars). A proper 1000+cc 100+bhp (142) 4 cylinder bike, fly by wire, LED lighting (1st in class), Slipper and Clutch Assist, 2x2 exhausts, all latest electronic aids including that Bosch 6 axis inertia IMU system, both Adjustable Suspensions, good enough Wind Protection, dedicated
Pannier Mounting System, 3 mode Traction Control, Cornering ABS, dual Power Modes, average kmpl of around 17 giving a range of 300+kms on a tankful plus all other bells and whistles of a litre class bike @9.98L is just too mouth watering... And my primary aim is cross country riding on paved roads, not off road. So the choice was made.
My pre-delivery thoughts/dilemmas/color issues etc. can be found here and it's subsequent posts -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/superb...ml#post4257402
So the bike was booked on 24-08-2017 at a quotation 11.12L on-road price and the bike was delivered on 12-10-2017, whereas the bike actually costed me on-road 10.95L (998000 + 15000 Comprehensive Zero Dep Insurance + 82000 RTO Delhi) plus the accessories I got from AliExpress.
My delivery photos are also here -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/superb...ml#post4285886
and here -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/superb...ml#post4286192
So
what's new in the 2018/17 from the earlier models (2016 and before) are, according to Kawasaki -
1. Now equipped with the same IMU as Kawasaki's top sports machines, six parameters of attitude are measured aiding the cornering management function and intelligent braking system among other features. Acceleration along longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes, plus roll rate and pitch rate are measured. The yaw rate is calculated by the ECU using Kawasaki’s proprietary dynamic modeling software has been added.
2. A new, taller double-bubble windshield also contributes to the increased wind protection. As before, the windshield is adjustable by hand (without tools), with three available positions to suit rider preference.
3. All-new sophisticated instrument design 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. Also added are adjustable shift up indicator lamp and needle, outside temperature gauge, indicators for IMU and KIBS.
4. Dual LED headlamps, first in class, (each featuring low and high beams, as well as a LED position lamp) offer significantly increased brightness, casting their light wider and farther forward.Both left and right LED lights now remain lit together.
5. The redesigned rider seat now has a wider seat area, while the passenger seat is longer (+25 mm), with 3 mm thicker urethane padding and a design that swells at the front.
6. Cornering ABS (KIBS) and Cornering Traction Control is now included due to the IMU
7. Kawasaki’s supersportgrade high-precision brake management system is standard equipment on the 2018/17 Ninja 1000 now. This is the same base system used on the Ninja H2 and Ninja ZX-10R, with programming and settings revised to suit the performance parameters of the Ninja 1000.
8. New Front cowl design with new front and side fairings with sharper lines. Also improves wind protection.
9. New chin spoilers similar to those on the Ninja H2 and Ninja ZX-10R to make a similar family line
10. New front and rear turn signals are more integrated and not bulging out.
11. New Rear Brake Pads are supposedly more effective.
12. Adjustable Clutch and Brake Lever (6 positions) is new
13. Passenger hand grips have been redesigned
14. Mirrors are now positioned 20mm further out.
15. New clean mount side case system is now integrated
16. New DC Power out knock out has been added.
17. New Cornering Management Function (KCMF) with inputs from IMU has also been added.
Rest all other features as optional pannier system, dual throttle valves, assist and slipper clutch, power modes, traction control, horizontal back link rear suspension, remote pre-load adjuster for the rear suspension, 41 mm inverted front fork featuring stepless compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability and most importantly the powerful 1,043 cc liquidcooled, 4-stroke
In-line Four engine making 142 bhp etc. remains same as before.
Few Photos -
In the shade
or in the sun
The beautiful derriere with those shot gun dual exhausts is to die for
The broad front
Close up of the LED headlights
Low beam
High Beam
The LED Tail Light
Switched on
With the hazards
The cockpit
The beautiful, legible and clear Instrument Panel (odo reading at 2km on delivery)
Whether under shade
Or under direct sunlight
Or at night
Right side engine casing with oil filler cap and throttle adjustment knob
The front wheel
The beautiful ribbed annulling on the upside down front shocks oozes quality
The now flushed front indicator lamps in the fairing
A closer view. Made by Minda.
The front brake calipers
The beautiful 2x2 exhausts
A closer view
The beautifully sculpted 19 liters fuel tank. Note the dazzling emerald green shade in the sun. Also note the quality tank pad from AliExpress.
more to follow...