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2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Comparison Review Photo Gallery

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Comparison Review

See photos of the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 in the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Comparison Review. Read more in the 2011 Road Sport Shootout.

The Kawi just edges the 74.6 lb-ft Suzuki, but where the GSX starts to tap out at 6500 rpm the Ninja’s just getting into its top-end hit. The Kawasaki’s 123.5 peak horsepower comes at 9100 rpm.

The Ninja’s headlining feature is its rip-snorting Inline Four.

The Ninja is far and away the most wheelie prone hooligan bike of the group, and the howling engine noise also has us smiling too.

The engine package isn’t without its complaints. The Ninja exhibits the most intrusive engine braking, with throttle roll-offs pressing riders into the bars.

The Ninja's four-piston radial-mount Nissin calipers nabbing rave reviews for their outright stopping power and feel.

It bears repeating that the Ninja’s vibes do cut into the comfort factor. They are most noticeable when the tach revs up to 7K and the rattling buzz can get tiresome.

The Ninja’s slick-shifting six-speed transmission didn’t register any complaints.

The Kawasaki makes use of excellent suspension components. Its three-way adjustable Showa fork is particularly laudable, comfortably soft at low speeds and freeway droning, but progressively stiffer when pushed in sporty habitat.

The Kawasaki gets the top nod from our testers in engine performance.

Kawasaki touts its Ninja as a viable sport-touring option, and at 497 pounds it’s well over a hundred pounds lighter than purpose-built ST mounts

Off the dyno and onto real-word streets, the Ninja’s torquey engine tune translates into immediate, usable power.

Kawasaki’s rationale for building the Ninja 1000 epitomizes the road sport concept.

That Kawasaki delivers its all-new 2011 model with a $10,999 MSRP is remarkable.

With a 37 mpg efficiency, the range works out to a respectable 186 miles.

Where the Yamaha is more top-end biased the Kawasaki proves potent at any rev.

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Comparison Review

That Kawasaki delivers its all-new 2011 model with a $10,999 MSRP is remarkable.