Kawasaki has taken the wraps off their 2014 Ninja 1000, and it’s getting some significant upgrades this time around.
In an age where litre-bikes (in this case, a 1043 cc inline-four) are silly-powerful, all the technology designed to speed them up can also be used to slow them down, and the Ninja is just the latest big-bore superbike to take advantage of this.
The Ninja 1000 comes with the three-mode KTRC Traction Control System; riders can combine that traction control with a choice of either full power (140 hp, 82 ft-lb of torque), or 70 per cent power. The traction control system can be turned off by a handlebar switch. Ain’t technology wonderful?
Other changes to the powerplant include work on the intake cams, intended to boost torque in the low and mid range. There’s also been changes on the breathing system to accommodate the mechanical tweaks. Engineers have also threw in a taller sixth gear.
Brakes have been upgraded as well. Up front, there’s monobloc-style radial-mount calipers and 300 mm discs, and of course, ABS. There’s a 260 mm disc in back.
Kawasaki revised the subframe on this machine; it’s a bit slimmer, and that makes the optional 29-liter panniers able to fit more snugly. For riders interested in touring on their Ninja, these clamshell-opening hard bags are supposed to conveniently come off the bike in seconds. The rear suspension is also remotely adjustable for preload, which is convenient for touring.
Of course, the bodywork has been restyled again.
The new machine is supposed to weigh about 231 kg. We don’t have Canadian pricing yet.
GALLERY
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Hello once again.
Even though I would have been elated if Kawasaki had included the slipper clutch and SFFBP forks like on my white 2013 ZX6R 636, I will be taking possession of the first 2014 Ninja 1000 (green) that arrives at my local dealership here in the Monterey, CA area.
I’ve been riding and drag racing Kawasaki’s since 1976. I held the world 1/4 mile A/A record for 2 years on a early Z1 I bored to 1200cc. I ran a 9.28 – 140.84mph on the 9.54 record. I also ran a 4.96 @ 123mph in the 1/8 mile.
I’m quite sure the new Ninja 1000 will thrill, amaze and amuse me for years to come.
Thanks for the major upgrades Kawasaki, I’ll let you know what I think after a few thousand miles. Maybe a trip north to Vancouver and up through the Frazier River Valley to the Babine and Kispiox Rivers for a little Steelhead fishing.
I’m going to make a few passes at the drag strip as well! I bet I can put it in the nines stock!!
Wahoo! Jay
Greetings,
It’s hard to understand why Kawasaki didn’t add the big piston (SFBP) forks to the new 2014 Ninja 1000 like on my 2013 Ninja ZX6R 636 and the ZX10R. They rival high end Ohlins forks in my opinion.
I would have added a slipper clutch like the 636 as well. It’s provides a greater degree of safety when downshifting. To eliminate the possibility of rear wheel hop under hard/panic stopping would have been a huge plus, IMHO of course!
I and other folks will be doing track days on the bike as well, so why not the forks and slipper, eh Kawasaki?
Thanks, Jay
They need to hire a different person to design their exhaust systems. Other than that, me like.
Kawasaki Great Britain already offers an aftermarket exhaust as a genuine accessory.
Like all ugly modern mufflers (a bit of a redundancy), I suspect it is a cost-saving measure. Although I do think Honda came out with some excellent-looking headers on their CB1100 and the 500 series this year.