Last week's BanditThis week, we continue with the Ninja 1000
I rented it for a whole day, 24 hours a day, and drove about 460km.Take the Tohoku Expressway to Nikko, pass through Gunma via Kinsei Pass, and return home via Kanetsu.。I lost my virginity to the Sepahan & aluminum frame & tracon & radial pump brake master.
It is a 2015 model, so it is a post-minor change type. Earlier models are equipped with KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control[3 modes])The biggest difference between the two is that it is equipped with a power mode selection (full/low).
When this becomes a 2016 model, an assist and slipper clutch will be added.
At first, I set the power mode to low and set off.
Traction control is set to the middle. It is convenient to be able to switch it easily with a button on the left handlebar. It is possible to switch it when the car is stopped at a traffic light, but I could not change it while driving.
I rented the bike at night, and unlike the Bandit I rode last week, I didn't feel like I could ride this bike right away. But compared to the NInja 400, it's a motorcycle that needs to be ridden hard. The difference between the Bandit and the Z1000 is that the Bandit is a big naked bike with low-speed torque, while the Ninja is a sto-fi bike with a ZX-9R engine.
Here are some notes on my impressions. Please note that this is the ramblings of an amateur.
I got in.
The 650/400 is a real Ninja with the ZX in its name, and although it's been given the pet name Ninja, it's still a Ninja. I guess the level of performance required is different on these bikes.
The same goes for the Bandit, but even though the clutch is heavy, it's perfectly fine for a full day of riding because of the small number of shifts. I don't need the assist and slipper clutch that the Ninja 1000 has since the 2016 model year.
If I were to buy one, it would be a used 2014-15 model. Then I can forgive a full or minor change in 2017.
Lovely place.
- Body for touring
High mounted sepahan and easy position. Easy to change the height of the screen. On the highway, you can move your foot back from the step and place it on the muffler guard to create a back-step-like position, making it easy to lean forward.
- Easy to cruise at high speed.
When riding the Ninja 400 at high speeds, I always look for the phantom 7th gear, but the Ninja 1000 is equipped with it as 6th gear. The Ninja 1000 is equipped with a sixth gear that allows the Ninja 1000 to cruise at speeds up to 20km faster than the Ninja 400./hThis is a big deal. This is a big deal because the reason I wanted a big car in the first place was for ease of use on the highway. By the way, I didn't have this feeling with Bandit.
- Sense of security in cornering
The ground contact feeling is amazing. I think it's because of the excellent suspension, but even if I make a small mistake in gear selection, the torque comes from everywhere, so I can maintain traction on the rear wheels, which gives me a sense of security. By the way, I wore PIRELLI Angel ST tires with a 9 minute hill. As with the previous Bandit, you can't discount the fact that the tires are new.
- Tasteful Engine
Four-cylinder engines are supposed to run like a motor, right? I no longer have this misconception. Especially after changing the power mode to FULL, opening and closing the accelerator pedal is a pleasure. The vibration at low rpm is also a good impression if you consider it as feedback from the vehicle. Maybe compared to the Bandit"Engines that never get old"That's right. It's a good idea.
- ABS&tiger control
Once, I tried to get it to work by stomping on the rear of it as hard as I could on an empty mountain road. Yes, it works. ABS is great. I don't know how far I can go on the Ninja 400 before the front brakes lock, and I don't want to test it, so I tend to be reserved with the brakes.
I didn't get a sense of how the TRACON works, but with this power, I think the TRACON is a must for rainy day manhole protection.
There was another section of the Kan-etsu where the windshield was pointing almost sideways, but the crosswind was fine. This is a relief.
It also shares the same acceleration for overtaking and a strong feeling on uphill roads as the previous Bandit. The vehicle is compact and easy to maneuver, so you can enjoy 100% of the benefits of a large vehicle.
Hmm? What is it?
- It's selling.
Unlike the Bandit, there are a lot of them on the road, so it's inevitable that you'll see them on the road. I've seen about 10 of them in one day. If you buy one, you'll probably want to dress it up so that it's instantly recognizable as your own.
- Seats that are a pain in the ass and crack after Bandit.
Gelzab is a must. However, adding the gelzab will also raise the seat height......
- It was hard to get the neutral out.
The shift pedal has a short stroke and clicks in and out, but it was hard to get used to until the end when it was hard to get neutral. I hope this is an individual difference......
- Faces and decals.
Nowadays, it has the face of a previous generation Ninja. This is my own prediction, but I think it will have to compete with the GSX-S1000F, and even if it doesn't get a full makeover for the 2017 model year, it will probably get a facelift to look more like a modern Ninja.
Also, the NINJA decals look a little cheap. I think I'll just buy some Ninja 400 SE logo parts and add them.
- My legs went numb.
It's a light ,,,, though. My legs were numb when I got off the bike after about an hour and a half of continuous driving on the highway. The steps are mounted with rubber mounts and rubber, but I guess this is unavoidable. On the other hand, it's an advantage to be able to ride for a long distance continuously without taking a break.
Impressions at the moment (after riding two cars)
"I see. That's why everyone rides large." I'm convinced.
The rich torque and power, as well as the chassis and suspension that can handle it, gives me a sense of security when I'm driving.
When I checked the power curve, I found that even though it has more than 100 horsepower, the way I ride, I only use 50-60 horsepower in the normal driving range for touring, and 80 horsepower at max. It's nice to be able to get the power you need right away and have plenty of torque.
However, both of the engines are at a level where they can't be handled by an amateur rider."Feeling like you're on a motorcycle"I'd like to test ride a Ninja 650 somewhere. I'd like to test ride a Ninja 650 somewhere.
Articles about the Ninja 1000, including touring with a rental bike, are collected here.
People who read this article also read
