KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package
Bike SA|June 2022
I’ve recently written in my Editor’s note bemoaning the lack of available Sports-Touring motorcycles nowadays.
Ferdie Pieterse
KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package

LOCAL TEST

Seems like the Dual-Purpose/Adventure style of bike have taken over that role, and there’s also a range of “moretouring-and-less-sports” bikes available. Having not yet ridden the first-generation Kawasaki Z1000SX it was not a bike which I would have considered as the riding position looked very upright, and I really enjoy a riding position which makes you lean a tad forward and puts a bit of weight onto your wrists.

Kawasaki has done a number of updates to the NINJA 1000SX in 2022, and when the opportunity came for me to have a go on it, I grabbed it with both hands. At first glance, it is a handsome beast, and build quality seemed solid. I wasn’t quite sure abut the white bit on the side of the fairing, as well as the white belly pan. Personally I believe a Kawasaki must have some green on it, and I would probably opt for the black and green colour scheme, not that the black and white one is ugly, it’s just personal preference.

Sitting on it at home in the garage, I was immediately happy with the seating position, the seat-to-footpeg position is perfect and you lean forward just a touch to reach the handlebars. The (very wide) fairing-mounted mirrors looked to be sturdy and the screen offers 4 different positions. It is a manual operation though, not something which can be done on the move. The switchgear was pretty standard fare, with everything where you expect it would be on the left and right handlebars.

In terms of features, the new Ninja 1000SX has a whole host of them. The list includes:

• Speedo Cruise

• Cornering ABS brakes

• Two engine power level settings

• Three traction control settings

• Four rider modes – Sport, Road, Rain and Custom

This story is from the June 2022 edition of Bike SA.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2022 edition of Bike SA.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BIKE SAView All
A Ladies Perspective What a Surprise Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
Bike SA

A Ladies Perspective What a Surprise Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX

I’m sure as everyone knows by now there is little that compares to my BMW K1200S and out of the 13 different bikes I’ve been lucky enough to ride over the 18 months I’ve been riding, I finally came across one that I’m almost certain I’d swap my bike for…

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2022
Goodwood's 79th Members Meeting - Hunting, Shooting and - Racing
Bike SA

Goodwood's 79th Members Meeting - Hunting, Shooting and - Racing

For that’s what marked the 79th Goodwood Members Meeting aka 79MM, held this year on April 9-10, which this time included two thrilling motorcycle races, each with a blanket finish which in Race 1 saw less than a second covering the first four bikes home.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2022
MIDWEIGHT PUNCH - TRIUMPH TIGER SPORT 660
Bike SA

MIDWEIGHT PUNCH - TRIUMPH TIGER SPORT 660

The Triumph brand seems to be going from strength to strength worldwide. New models are seeing the light of day in various sectors, and here in South Africa there is a carefully planned dealer expansion program in action.

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2022
Isle of Man TT-winning ABUS NORTON NRS588 GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Bike SA

Isle of Man TT-winning ABUS NORTON NRS588 GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Exclusive track test of the last British bike to win the Isle of Man Senior TT in 1992, after what's widely considered to be the most exciting race ever held in the Island

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2022
NORTON ROTARY RACERS HISTORY - Rotary Race Record
Bike SA

NORTON ROTARY RACERS HISTORY - Rotary Race Record

For eight successive seasons the world’s first - and so far only - Rotary-engined racebikes swept to serial success on British racetracks. Here’s a timeline on their ebb and flow.

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2022
MOTO MORINI'S Alberto Monni - INTERVIEW
Bike SA

MOTO MORINI'S Alberto Monni - INTERVIEW

Exclusive interview with Moto Morini's CEO Alberto Monni, responsible for directing its ride along the comeback trail since its 2018 takeover by Zhongneng Vehicle Group/ZVG

time-read
9 mins  |
June 2022
KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package
Bike SA

KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package

I’ve recently written in my Editor’s note bemoaning the lack of available Sports-Touring motorcycles nowadays.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2022
DRYSDALE HISTORY PART 4/5: 25 YEARS ON FROM CREATION OF FIRST 750-V8
Bike SA

DRYSDALE HISTORY PART 4/5: 25 YEARS ON FROM CREATION OF FIRST 750-V8

2002 1000-V8 Bruiser mega-Monster was a Naked roadster with added muscle - the answer to the question of how to out-max a Yamaha V-Max!

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2022
GODIER & GENOUD KAWASAKI 1000 - Enquring Excellence
Bike SA

GODIER & GENOUD KAWASAKI 1000 - Enquring Excellence

Exclusive track test at France's Carole circuit of what's arguably the first motorcycle of the modern era - the title-winning Kawasaki Endurance racer built in 1975 by Frenchmen Georges Godier and Alain Genoud

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2022
Unnecessarily Fast, or Unnecessarily Dangerous?
Bike SA

Unnecessarily Fast, or Unnecessarily Dangerous?

“The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” This truism comes from boxing, but applies to all walks of life. Innovative MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez, however, adds a new twist.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2022