2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS details

2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS


Riders who want real world, open class performance need to look no further than the upgraded 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS sportbike. With an unmistakably aggressive profile that could only come from the Ninja family tree, this premium quality sportbike has the perfect combination of power, handling, looks, technology and rideability.

The Ninja 1000 twin-spar aluminum frame rises over the motor and gives that narrow mid-section to the bike. The motor is a stressed member of the frame and, by tuning the engine mounts carefully the rear crankcase mount is rubber  the chassis has a little tuned flex in it that contributes to its excellent feel.

The 2014 Ninja 1000 ABS now has specifications very close to those of a superbike, without the radical ergonomics. The engine was already excellent, and the 2014 version is even better.  Throttle response is smoother, and the bike feels like it has a meatier, more immediate power throughout the rev range. One of the things we love about this bike is the power advantage it has over superbikes at real world rpm levels

This bike is powered by a liquid-cooled 1043cc Inline-4 engine. Fuel injection makes for effortless cold starts and smooth power delivery. The 11.8:1 compression ratio is slightly higher than the average of all 2013 sport bikes. A higher compression ratio is desirable because it means an engine can do the same amount of work with less fuel, leading to increased efficiency and power for a given engine size.A cylinder bore and stroke of 77 x 56mm makes this motor oversquare: the bore (width) of the cylinder is greater than its stroke (length).

In addition to TC, the Ninja has two engine power modes. When started it defaults to full power but also offers a low power mode. When selected the lower setting reduces power delivery at elevated rpm which will help less experienced riders maintain control. It also dulls throttle response slightly. In application the lower setting didn’t feel that much different than full power, unless you were accelerating full throttle in the upper reaches of the tachometer. Overall it’s a great feature and will make the already inviting Ninja easier to ride for a wider range of riders and road conditions.

The chassis is very similar to the one on the bike it replaces with a couple of exceptions: New one-piece monobloc, radial-mount front brake calipers are controlled by a radial-pump master cylinder and pinch 300mm petal-type discs. ABS is standard. Out back, the shock features a new remote spring preload adjuster for quick and easy adjustments to accommodate a passenger and/or luggage.

Stopping power is provided by ABS equipped disc brakes 300mm petal-type rotors up front squeezed by new ultra-rigid radially mounted “monobloc” calipers fed hydraulic pressure by an equally race-spec radial pump master cylinder. The new, monobloc front calipers are machined from a single piece of aluminum delivering both increased caliper stiffness and lower weight. Riders will love the responsive braking power and improved feel at the lever. Out back is another tech-savvy disc. The power and feel of the brakes at both ends is amazing, giving rookies, pros and everyone in between supreme confidence hauling the bike down from speed. The Ninja 1000 ABS’ anti-lock brake system (ABS) offers additional rider confidence when riding in slippery situations.

The Ninja’s 502-pound curb weight feels more than manageable. The 24.5-degree rake and four inches trail, combined with the 56.9-inch wheelbase, make for an easy-to-turn, yet stable mount. The biggest challenge in tighter terrain comes not from the chassis, but keeping the lively throttle smooth, as the Ninja chomps at the bit to open things up

Priced at $11,999, the 2014 Kawasaki Z1000 costs a grand more than its predecessor, but when you consider that its engine is smoother and more powerful, that its brakes are better and ABS is now standard, that its handling and suspension have been improved, and that its fuel capacity has increased (from 4.1 gallons to 4.5), that’s money well spent.