Kawasaki's venerable Ninja family continues into MY2023 with the Ninja 1000SX model. Meant to be a versatile ride, the 1000SX has room for you to put your chin on the tank, but with enough rise, so you can push off for a more relaxed riding position, just the thing for taking trips. The relaxed rider's triangle joins with a comfortable seat and narrow waist with passenger amenities baked in right on the showroom floor.

The liter-size lump rolls with a robust, advanced-electronics suite that helps you keep a leash on the beast, and it all comes wrapped in that unmistakable, Kawi-tastic bodywork found nowhere else in the world.

Kawasaki's Ninja line first saw the light of day with the '84 GPZ900R model, but it has since become a household name recognized by riders and cagers alike. The Ninja 1000SX launched in 2020 expands the venerable Ninja line.

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2023 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX

8.50 / 10
Key Features
  • Improved 1,043 cc Inline-Four
  • New Bosch IMU
  • Next-Level Electronics
  • Full-color TFT display
  • Up/Down Quick Shifter
Specifications
  • Model: Ninja 1000SX
  • Engine: 1043 cc Inline-4
  • Power Output: 140 HP
  • Torque: 81.7 LB-FT
  • Transmission: 6-Speed, Manual
  • MSRP: $13,199
Pros
  • Ample Electronic Support
  • Comparatively Decent Power
  • Good Looks
Cons
  • Only The One Colorway
  • Shorter Riders Will Be On Tiptoes
  • Windscreen Coverage Could Be Larger

2023 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Performance And Capability

Gray 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX coming out of a curve
Kawasaki

Power for the Ninja 1000SX comes from a transverse-mounted, in-line four-banger. It is water cooled, which dampens mechanical noise, and it will perform under harsh conditions to include hot weather, slow traffic, or some combination thereof.

Dual over-head cams time the 16-valve head – that's four per bore – for efficient aspiration and effective exhaust-gas scavenging, all in the service of creating clean fuel-air charges. A quartet of 38 mm throttle bodies feed the beast in partnership with Kawi's Direct Fuel Injection system that delivers the atomized fuel straight to the combustion chamber for precise control.

Bore and stroke mic out at 77 mm and 56 mm respectively for a 1,043 cc displacement and spicy, 11.8-to-1 compression ratio that'll prefer the higher octane fuels for sure, but it's a necessary evil for the power output. The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX produces 140 horsepower and 81.7 pound-feet of torque.

A slipper-style clutch adds a level of insurance at the rear wheel by mitigating backtorque before it reaches excessive levels in the drivetrain on hard downshifts and general engine-braking techniques. Plus, it delivers a light lever pull to give your left hand a break, especially around town.

The six-speed transmission comes set up for touring with a tall top gear for a less-than-frenetic rpm range when on the superslab. Kawi's own Quick Shifter feature comes stock to deliver clutchless shifts both up and down the range. Power Modes let you dial in the delivery with a full-power and low-power setting, the latter of which is about 70-percent of maximum power.

An inertial measurement unit informs the Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-Lock Brake System, Corner Management Function, and Traction Control feature for corner-optimized protection across the board with rear wheel-lift mitigation to complete the suite. The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX turns in a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h) to place it squarely in stupidfast territory.

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Design

Gray 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX shown with accessory Touring package
Kawasaki

The factory threaded the needle by increasing rider protection through the front fairing design and adjustable windshield without losing that Ninja panache that the fans like so much. This turns out a bike that will be comfortable over long distances, even at speed. That said, the engineers still placed function ahead of form, so you can count on low-drag penetration to the benefit of both acceleration and top speed.

The bodywork guides heat from the engine away from the rider's legs for comfort on the hot days, which also boosts its commuter chops by helping you to arrive fresh to the office or whatever. If you really want to give it some everyday utility, the optional Quick-Release, color-matched, hard side cases will do the trick. Each case is capable of storing a full-face brainbucket, so you can use it for errands and grocery-getting if you like. For the maximum utility, you can add a 47-liter top case.

Dual LED headlights split the night and ensure good, two-way visibility while you rock it around the clock. The windshield height is adjustable sans tools to let you dial in for maximum sportiness or maximum comfort, whichever you prefer at any given moment.

Seat height rides 32.3 inches off the deck, which is typical of the genre and should be manageable by most riders. To help with that, the factory sculpted the pilot's perch to be narrow where it meets the waist and help give your legs a straight shot to the ground which helps at stops and when padding around the parking lot.

The p-pad and folding foot pegs along with two beefy J.C. handles act as an anchor for both passenger and cargo nets. The taillight is typical in its mount at the tip of the tail, while the rest of the gear in the rear mounts to a short mudguard that completes the fling control.

Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Specs

Length

82.7 in

Width

32.5 in

Height

46.9 in (48.2 in - windshield high)

Seat Height

32.3 in

Wheelbase

56.7 in

Ground Clearance

5.3 in

Fuel Capacity

5 gals

Curb Weight

513.8 lbs

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Chassis

Two-up riding on a gray 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX shown with accessory Touring package
Kawasaki

Kawi uses the engine in the Ninja 1000SX as a stressed member to displace the downtube/cradle section of the frame. The rest of the structure is aluminum with cast-and-welded members for the lightweight strength it adds to the mix. The narrow aluminum subframe section is die-cast to complete the standing structure.

Rake and trail measure 24 degrees and 3.9 inches respectively. This is just about as short as you can get on both accounts to make this Ninja every bit as agile as its even more sport-oriented siblings.

Inverted forks float the front end on 41 mm tubes with the full trifecta of tweaks that give you incremental control over the ride quality. Out back, a remote hand-knob lets you quickly dial in for changes in passenger/cargo weight to maintain that comfortable ride no matter what you are doing with adjustable rebound- and compression-damping values at the horizontal-mount, coil-over monoshock. Suspension travel is 4.7 inches and 5.4 inches on the front and rear respectively, which should be comfortable on the road with plenty of room to squat on hard curves.

Cast wheels round out the rolling chassis with a 17-inch rim at both ends, shod in a 120/70 and 190/50 with a “Z” speed rating to tolerate the Ninja's impressive top speed. Radial-mount monobloc calipers have four bores and bite 300 mm discs up front with a single-pot anchor and 250 mm disc out back. KIBS ABS keeps you from breaking a tire loose on hard braking actions, even in corners.

Chassis & Suspension

Frame

Aluminum backbone

Front Suspension/ Travel

41mm inverted cartridge fork with stepless compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload/ 4.7 in

Rear Suspension/ Travel

Horizontal back-link with stepless rebound damping, remotely adjustable spring preload/ 5.7 in

Rake

24°

Trail

3.9 in

Front Tire

120/70 ZR17

Rear Tire

190/50 ZR17

Front Brake

Dual 300 mm discs with radial-mount 4-piston monobloc calipers and KIBS ABS

Rear Brake

250 mm disc with single-piston caliper and KIBS ABS

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2023 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Price And Availability

The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX costs $13,199. A tri-colored Emerald Blazed Green/Metallic Diablo Black/Metallic Graphite Gray is the only colorway on offer for MY2023.

Pricing & Features

Features

Rideology the App Smartphone Connectivity, TFT Instrumentation

Warranty

12 Month Limited Warranty (optional Kawasaki Protection Plus™ 12, 24, 36 or 48 months)

Colors

└ 2020

Metallic Graphite Gray/Metallic Diablo Black

└ 2021

Metallic Carbon Gray/Metallic Diablo Black

└ 2022

Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Metallic Diablo Black

└ 2023

Emerald Blazed Green/Metallic Diablo Black/Metallic Graphite Gray

Price

└ 2020

$12,399

└ 2021

$12,599

└ 2022

$12,899

└ 2023

$13,199

Competitors

While there is plenty of local competition from the rest of the Big Four, I wanted to see how the Ninja 1000SX stacks up to a European machine, namely the R 1250 RS from BMW. Beemer puts together a sporty-looking package complete with forward protection for trunk and legs with a tall screen to duck behind. One minor point with the Bavarian, it comes with a solo seat, so you'll have to go out of pocket to accommodate a riding partner.

2023 BMW R 1250 RS parked at the roadside
BMW Motorrad

The handlebar has a bit of rise to it to give you room to push off into a more upright riding posture, just like the Ninja. Unsurprisingly, Beemer stuffed a top-shelf electronics package in to make the R 1250 RS competitive with the best in the world in that respect.

The Beemer runs a 1,254 cc boxer-twin engine with 136 horsepower and grunty, 105 pound-feet of torque against the Ninja's 140/81.7 for the typical trade-off between an in-line four and opposed-piston twin. Like the Ninja, the BMW comes with a generous optional equipment list, so you can set it up for touring or commuting just like the Kawi. BMW comes off looking a bit proud with its $15,695 sticker for what is, essentially, a peer for the Ninja.

He Said

“Every new Ninja comes behind a big set of shoes to fill, but it seems like Kawi manages to deliver with the 1000SX model. You have the power, and the electronics to manage it, along with that familiar Kawi look that combines curves and angles. Cargo boxes would mar the look, but add so much in the way of utility.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “

The Touring package added in 2021 that increased the adjustability of the windscreen, and the improved derrière comfort of the more cushy saddle in 2022 takes care of my concerns in calling this a sport-tourer. It's always been sporty, sure, but to check the boxes for a 'tourer,' it needed more. Now it has more. Performance is spot-on, and the electronics package is nice for this price point.”

FAQ

Q: ​​​​​​​Is the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX fast?

The Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX has a claimed top speed of 155 MPH. According to accelerationtimes.com, the Ninja 1000SX handles a zero-to-60 MPH shot in 3 seconds.

Q: ​​​​​​​How much horsepower does a Ninja 1000SX have?

With its 1,043 cc engine, the 2023 Ninja 1000SX produces 140 horsepower and 81.7 pound-feet of torque.

Q: ​​​​​​​Is Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX comfortable?

While the Ninja 1000SX received a significant overhaul in 2020, the addition of a Touring package in 2021 increased its comfort level. A more subtle update in 2022 included a more comfortable saddle making the Ninja 1000SX a suitable long-distance sport-tourer.

Q: Is Ninja 1000SX good for touring?

Slated as a sport-tourer with the accessory Touring package, the Ninja 1000SX has the long-distance comfort, fuel capacity, and storage capacity to qualify as a touring bike.