2024 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Performance Tourer Review: The best sport touring bike? 

Kate, you absolutely nailed that review. Especially about the quick shifter and 3000 revs. Not many reviewers touch on that. You are very good at what you do. The passion for bikes also comes through. ***People you need to subscribe*** I own one and I bought it because it ticked so many boxes. But after owning it and putting some miles down, it has really blown me away with how good it is. In the corners it obviously isn’t as sharp as a Zx. But it will be much better than you think. You will be looking for the twisties on this beauty. The smooth power and smooth suspension just makes it a delight to do any road riding. I have the lower seat and the standard seat. Longer miles the standard seat is more comfortable. Better/more padding. However, for commuting or less than a 2 hour trip the short seat is much more comfortable. The foam is better cut for getting your feet does. The standard has a way of protruding into your thighs in stop start traffic. I keep the short seat on, unless I’m planning a long trip. I’ve owned many adventure bikes, but went to try this. Aside from the ninja being much better to look at than any adv bike IMO it is also a lot more fun to ride. The ADV is more comfortable (mainly in the legs) and in most cases easier to work on. The ninja just has character when comparing the 2 styles. I feel you just enjoy the ride more while getting to your destination. I find myself glancing back at it every time I walk away from it. That means a lot. The wind shield. It is there to keep wind off your body, not head for most of us. I’m between 5 11 and 6 foot. I put it on the second lowest and I get clean wind. High position the noise is too much. This is where adv bike would be better if you don’t like to have your head in the wind. Personally, having your head in the wind is a big part of riding. Yes, I’m really looking forward to the comparison with the Suzi.

After being a devoted VFR800 fan for many years, I have been riding an older ('12) of these for several years now and I have completely converted. I commute daily on it in all weathers, I've done day rides out in the country and mutliday trips. It had 2600km when I got it, and it's just past 55 000km now. It's an excellent bike, that exemplifies the sport tourer. I have tested the new model, and would buy one in an instant if I could ever get the money together. Glad you enjoyed it.

Had my SX kawasaki 1000 Tourer since 2017 unbelievable bike ,that's why I still have it ,7 years old now , new ones have too much black not enough colour dislike the poor choice of colours petrol tanks are all black, apart from the new red and black version, I get an average of 54 to the Gallon best I've had is 57 , Only thing it needs is heated seats for me , Nice review 😊

Michelin Road 6 GT's totally change the handling on this bike. I ran the standard Bridgestones for a bit and didn't have a huge amount of confidence. Definitely worth swapping the boots.

This bike is an absolute monster, I got mine on friday, and I've basically lived on the thing since then... I love the stock exhaust. It's not loud. Thats what I like. It doesn't attract the attention too much which is a good thing considering it reaches Mach 1 in about 3 seconds... Of course it's not as fast as an H2... But you REALLY don't need an H2 XD. This is mooore than enough bike to put you into serious trouble...

I’m looking at a Z900 and saw the Ninja and upsold myself to the 1000SX. Picked up a pre reg for peanuts 👍 Great review 👍

I bought mine at the end of last summer and hardly rode it until very recently due to the lousy weather. I think your assessment is spot on, and I agree completely with your conclusions. I hope I can at least put 600 miles on mine this year and catch you up. I love it so far, it's my first sports tourer after a lifetime of sports bikes (I still have a ZX7-R) and I love the comfort and the smoothness. An excellent bike and an excellent review.

A nice review - thanks. Kawasaki really are producing some excellent bikes at the moment.

I just bought this a month ago as an upgrade from my 400. I love every bit of it. Insurance was only $25 more than my 400, the dealer and I were sitting there in shock. Amazing bike! Great review. I don't believe in the Ninja tax though, maybe I just have a decent insurance company.

Really glad you enjoyed your time on the Ninja 1000sx. I bought one a couple of years ago and have been all over Wales, up to Yorkshire and the highlight was going to the Picos in Northern Spain (you must go if you haven't already Kate!!). Love this bike and it's even better now I have a full system on it. Loud but not deafening. Brilliant bike and under rated (even though they sell by the bucket load) and from one shorty to another (I'm only 5'6") the low seat is brilliant 😁😁

Kate with your looks and enthusiasm you should be on TV with your own show Top Lady 😍👏

I was going to buy one of these until I got an insurance quote, not gonna pay an extra £450 for the Ninja tax vs the Suzuki GSX1000S. If they had made the improvements and left the name as the Z1000SX I think you'd see a lot more of these on the road. Great review as always🤩 Looking forward to the mini tour Vlogs

Good review. I just got a ninja1000sx 2024 model about 2 months ago and I love it. From USA. Alabama

Not very often we're treated to a Kawa here on the UNK Channel. Thanks, i'm looking forward to eventually seeing more of their exciting and beautiful modells here in the future.

Very informative review! I now own one here in US a 2023 I must say I have to agree with you on everything you said! I don’t have the heated grips, but would like to. They’re plug and play so I would hope they’re warm enough here in northeast. I think one of the nicest features is the TFT screen which you failed to mention…but it does have different options including brake pressure monitor and lean angle sensor! Also cruise control, ABS, cornering ABS, and traction control via IMB technology. Fit and finish are premium! Love it!

Definitely the best sport touring bike, Kate. As you know, I've owned a Stormcloud Blue 2018 model (so still called a Z1000SX) which I bought in 2020 and have since ridden for over 22k miles. It's still going solid despite a couple of issues I've had to sort (corrosion in the evap pipe and loose/sheared subframe bolts). Did my own 4-year, 22k mile review recently. It's the same bike, except for the throttle by wire and QS. No QS on my one. Only two power modes on my one (Full or Low) and 3-level Traction Control (1, 2, 3). I've left it in Full & 1 (lowest) since my first ride, never felt the need to adjust it. Definitely changed from the Bridgestones to sport-touring tyres very quickly. Have had Metzeler, Pirelli Angel GT2 and will soon fit Michelin Road 6. Nice review, Kate.

Going down the gears you have to close the throttle completely, if you don’t you get that resistance you experienced. I have that model and that works for me pretty much every time. Great vid. 👌

Such an excellent informative review! Especially demonstrating the seat height with your height, and a demo of some twisty Northumberland roads. And I like the blooper outtakes 😀👍🏼

I have the 2022 ninja SX and it’s awesome. It’s got incredible power and speed and as you point out in your excellent review, it can handle everything in all gears without complaint.

Just picked a 23 reg bike with 1200 miles, absolutely awesome bike, and I've had a lot of bikes!

Loved the review Kate, you nailed it the bike is a super perfect to ride and never feels lacking. Cheers Paul

a huge thank you to Kate and the other reviewers for giving great feedback on the Ninja 1000SX performance tourer, I managed to test ride one a few days ago with Kawasaki Cradley, - thank you to Neil and ended up investing in one, - thank you Kate for your review and words of wisdom, greatly appreciated

Got the performance and love it. Manage big miles days and never gets uncomfortable. Heated grips as you say are a bit lacking, Oxford grips are better IMHO The insurance is more than a GS. £400 vs £600 for me

Don't. Change. In the good way, that is. Seriously though, whatever comes of this channel, please just keep being yourself. Thans to you my wife is starting to rethink our budget....at last. And that's not all...she asked me about CBT!!!!!!

Hi Kate great review as always and I gotta say I particularly love the outtakes, it reminds me of old movies where the outtakes were almost better than the movies themselves, cheers!

Thanks to KD Cycles for loaning our girl the Kawi SX.

Great to see you reviewing this as I own a 2020 one of these in Green. The only year they actually did a proper green bike. It's the same but it came with a satnav mount not a phone mount. Before this I had a 2018 model SX version and the Ninja is a better machine in many ways and was worth the upgrade and it's a great sports tourer.

Great to see you on the green side ,hope you get to those H2 SX and ZH2 SE soon ,my mate has one of these and I must admit I've been really impressed by it and Dam it can shift when you want it to ,plenty of grunt ,well thanks Kate for another great review and can't wait to see your girly wk end on it

As of April 2024 many Kawasaki dealers are offering this basic bike at £10,499 and £11,500 with loads of extras. At that price it’s probably unbeatable value, I’ve just had my second one and love it. Easier to ride than many much smaller bikes due to relaxed uber smooth engine and seat height, more refined than the Suzuki rival.

great review Kate, I've been riding the 2023 model ninja 1000sx performance model for the last few months and its superb, the ride is smooth, the sporty feel is enough for even the experienced riders and the sound is amazing, I agree with the handling, but I would add its almost like a firm steering feel, like the new tech that you get in new cars, almost like the bike knows where its going, don't get me wrong and don't be fooled, it goes well and you can throw it around too easily and get low down on the tight bends, I ride in Wales and the roads are tight, its a blast every time I take this bike out it makes me smile all day long, all whilst it eats the road miles with ease.

Great review, Kate! That looks like a solid sports tourer with a lot of features. When you consider the price, that's quite a good value.

I have an older 2016 model as my first big bike, and handling is fine with Michelin Road tires and the suspension set up properly, great fun on flowing bends, tighter bends are where you notice the weight a bit but perfectly manageable, and a small price for such a great all rounder.

The outtakes are brilliant! Do you often have such monologues when talking to yourself? 🤣

This is the exact opposite to the bike i currently ride but i still love this sport tourer, if only i was 20 years younger its just the bike i would buy. Isn't that howl from the engine addictive, love it, nice video Kate, as usual.

I swapped my Tracer for one of these last year, it's a fantastic machine, nice review. I got the Kawasaki comfort seat which is better than the standard seat.

Fantastic ! Wonderful to see you on something from the sportier side of biking, love these bikes (big team green fan) and would have one if it had a decent pillion seat, but wifey refuses to sit on " a sandwich box" that's something I think designers neglect. Great review and (hopefully) looking forward to seeing it back to back with the suzuki.

Great review it’s a pity there’s no centre stand

Great review and ride of the NK1. Look forward to seeing the vlogs of your adventures with Lilly ( always entertaining) and you stretching the legs on the SX. I bought a used 20' in Mar of 22' with 6k miles. Came with the panniers, heated grips, comfort seat and the PO had installed a Puig screen. Fast forwarded to April 24' and the bike has 27k miles. It is great all rounder. Eats up miles and is fun in the twisties and is comfortable for my 61 year old body . Over time I did change out the front brake pads had the ECU flashed, and cat delete with a Leo Vince can. It sounds proper without being obnoxious. I also added a top case for the longer trips. I just recently had some upgrades done on the suspension with a new shock from YSS and the front forks were re- sprung and re-revalved by Traxxion Dynamics (US). The ride quality and handling went way beyond my expectations. Ride safe! Cheers from the US!

Hi Kate I’ve got the performance tourer and absolutely love it I have no trouble with the quick shifter fantastic option you gave 👍🏍️😎

It’s a great bike.ive owned a few and can definitely say the best and first thing to do is get rid of the Bridgestone tyres.Transforms the bike by putting on metzler 01 or Michelin road 6

Hi Kate I have ninja sx 2024 and I can tell you the something that you said. You are very professional really Hugs from Rome (Italy)

Another great review Kate. My wife has a 2017 sx1000 from new she loves it. The OEM bridgestone are not great it wants to drop in all the time l did not want to ride. But changed to Metzler 02 different bike altogether. You can get a USB insert for the socket. The bike handles well.

If ever a bike has suited you Kate, it's gotta be this one. You look the perfect fit for it, i'm sure Kawa made this with YOU in mind. Although green is my favorite colour, strangely i've never owned a Kawa and only ever test ridden a w800! Always liked Kawasaki, but never lived with a dealership nearby. But my love of Suzuki has been too dominant anyway so, I doubt if i'd ever of had one anyway. Thanks to KD Motorcycles for loaning you this beauty, coz without their generosity, we'd not of had this excellent Review Video to drooool over! You have made this a very interesting bike to get to know, with your excellent review... I only wish I was in the market for this sort of Bike. I'm sure the well thought out, and all incl. extras, will make this a very interesting contender for anybody from the Tourer fraction looking for a new bike. Looking forward to your Northumberland trip, as I was there a year ago, April '23, also to hearing more of your thoughts about this Ninja1000SX.

Thank you for the review on the knox clothing, the summer gear specifically. It is always useful to hear someone opinion on the sizing. I have the opposite to you. I have a 34 length leg requirement. Since I intend to ride somewhere warm next year to celebrate my 60th birthday.

For me this bike does everything. Great for a Sunday scratch, brilliant commuting and Very comfortable on a long tour . I looked at loads of sport touring bikes BMW XR etc but it came down to looks in the end and I've not been disappointed a great upgrade to my 6th Gen Veefer👍🏻👌🏻🤟

Kate, you have knowledge and beauty looking to buy one next spring

I got a 1000sx back in December, I'm still running it in and I love it. I personally like the Kawasaki 1000sx ninja better as I recently owned a Suzuki gsxs1000gt.

Very nice review ❤ I got my 2021 Model as my first bike ever late '21 after falling in love with it on first sight and can only agree on almost everything. What I noticed after the first couple of thousand kms is that the downshifting actually started getting "smoother" and more consistent after some mileage. It still doesn't feel anywhere near as smooth as upshifting but it's much better than in the beginning. I went for the SE Performance combo with all factory extras and mods and added a few bits to make her look and feel even better. I'm hitting 22k km these days riding her all through the year and enjoy every moment.

Hi, your review is without a doubt the best presented i have ever watched. Im very impressed. Ive watched plenty of harley ones as that is what i currently ride, but yours was extreemly practical and, as i said earlier, well presented. Top job.👍

Great video Kate - Looking at this for some touring next year. Did 1000 miles on my 23 Street Triple and it was OK but a little sore by the end :-) Also - I saw that "Team LCR" t-shirt in your bag - Big up to the Chopsie...

I will say that here in the USA the insurance is the same way. Because it has the “ninja” name, it’s over 4 times more expensive to insure full coverage as the Versys 1000

Feels like this could be the modern Blackbird. Nice review thanks 😊

An impressive review. Covers all the issues someone touring wants to know.

Great vid Kate 👍🏼👍🏼, as a touring bike not many people seem to try them two’s up are they just not upto the job or has no one that rides them two’s up got a good review vid, think there a good bike in the way of value for money if you don’t want all the fancy kit of a bmw or ktm and such as in electronics to go wrong if you was away on tour. 👍🏼

Kate, when you do the sitting on the bike, aside from showing your foot on the ground, please also show your foot on the pegs to see how low or high the pegs are. Was curious how the pegs are on this bike. I tried the Suzuki counterpart of this bike and found the pegs were too high up.

I'm picking up my new 1000SX performance tourer (red/black - NOT the anniversary edition) next wednesday. Trading in a '17 Z1000SX on it. The USB socket is an option from Kawasaki, its fitted under the back seat and is an extra £87. As for the 12v socket at the front, the first time you've got a flat and your only option is buy a pump from Argos.....you'll be really happy you've got that 12v socket when you see the compressors in the catalogue. The frame sliders.....got em on my current one and the most use they get is for putting a leg on if I want a stretch while moving. If they sell this bike in India there's gonna be kids sat on the fuel tank using the sliders as pegs. Re: the range counter. On mine it really, really means it when the range counter starts showing 3 lines. The good news is the panniers will easily fit a fuel can so you don't have to push the bike to a petrol station. I did have to buy a fuel can though...

Just bought my 2nd Z1000sx a 16 plate these are fantastic all round bike with more grunt than a pig farm 👌

I've a 2003 Z1000, and it's quick enough, more comfortable than you'd expect with a Muzzy exhaust; I don't know why I even look at other bikes. 2x to California from BC and it was just a sweetheart. (oddly bad on ful...?) Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

A stock 2015 besides a flash and a Sergeant seat is a fantastic bike. The flash lets you access all of the power and the new seat gets rid of the torture device that it comes with.

Great vfm package, nice to see a proper sport tourer still available. Might try one next time around👍

😮 That's a giant ninja monster... Can you touch the ground?😂 I can't wait to see you ride it! 😍

Kate a very professional and informative review keep the good work up, I would recommend Oxford heated grips ,less expensive and much hotter

Ohh awesome. Those BOA gloves look awesome.

Kawasaki ergonomics spot on , city manners also , very smooth great machine, nicely girl .

Love the 1984 ninja 900 color scheme….,I had one!

I think you are absolutely lovely! Oh and I want this as my next bike 😊

Great review that the bike looks good, I thought it was only me that drives past junctions day dreaming ! 😂

Sold my 2023 for a Tracer 9 GT. More relaxed riding position and better wind protection. 1000SX was hands down the smoothest bike I’ve owned - that motor is a gem - and a blast to ride; just didn’t fit 💁 Great review. P.S. Yoshimura pipe sounds way better 😁

That's a lovely bike. Great idea having a phone mount - so much faff on mine getting one to fit.

My 2019 SX is awesome I did not want all the technology what comes with the 2020 onwards. I like a basic riders bike and no tele screen. My bikes been mapped with new exhaust system punching out 158bhp , it’s also much better on fuel and goes like stink. Just toured Scotland for 4 days the bike was brilliant, 200 miles plus to tank with full luggage including back box. Great machines.

I’ve had a 2012, a 2018 sx and now have a 2023 ninja sx. Toured Scotland, France,

You're the first reviewer I've heard that mentioned the Ninja Tax. I had a 2016 1000SX, and traded it for a 2020, and price was quite a bit higher...and the company I had been with said 'oh no, we don't i sure those at all' 😮

Really enjoyed the video thanks for sharing the force is strong with this one I really fancy one 👍

Great review. I'm just about to get mine, but I can't wait. What phone holder is that, please?

Thanks for the info about the phone mount Kate. I’ve just ordered one from M&P………👍

nice vid and this bike is a beast but i have one question, how tall are you(cm) and what your inside leg length?thank you very much

You should try the Kawasaki Versys 1000. It's really nice! It's got the Ninja engine, but much better ergonomics, and a shaft drive.

It took me a while to get the hand of quick shifter down shifting. Basically, you have to have no input from the throttle and then down shifting works perfectly every time. time.

An owner today tells me you can't have a top box and panniers as the subframe is too weak. Is this true? Not a sports tourer if so

You can get a plug with two USB ports that fits flush in the 12v socket.

I love your VDO clip+ KAWASAKI Bike.

The quick shifter works best over 2,500 revs when coming down the box 👌

yes I reakon you should do a back to back with them both great job ! ATB

If then the anniversary. That paintjob surely works.

My insurance went mad as they thought it was a h2 as once I told them it was the 142 bhp standard version it came down a good bit perfectly acceptable

I had a 2012 model ,had it stolen in first week ,got it returned but then two weeks later white van man pulled out and killed my bike ,that was my experience with a sx 😢

Nice Review Kate, If you change the tyres to the Michelin pilot 6 and put a 255 profile on the rear over the 250, it really sharpens up the steering.. I am very happy with it. Great bike

Hey up Kate, hope you're well. Thx for this new vid, great as always. I'm looking forwards to the Northumberland 250 vid as I just got the map and thinking about doing it this summer after my Lakes trip. Any road up, you mentioned gritty roads?... Are the roads bad and gritty?... If so I might not bother... Thanks in advance, your avid fan (but not a nutter) Andy. Lol. X

Great review! This bike is almost perfect. It's just too bad we can't put the top box and banniers at the same time... Because of that I am split between this one and the Tiger 900.

Love your reviews. I own a Suzuki GT, which are cheaper in NZ, including the panniers, the only thing I liked better on the SX is the higher gearing, the Suzuki feels like it needs a 7th gear!

22:22 min: Sing it Kate! “Lily Lily Looha!”🎤

I liked this so much that I bought one. For me it’s the perfect all rounder, but I do use the clutch for downshifts. Thank you for this review. How about one of the S1000XR?

Great videos, Great info, like the outtakes, I've got to get a bike ❤👍👍

As Chris said, it's a bit of a dad bike. Not for me personally, but another great review.

Nice Vlog. Would be good if you could also review Kawasaki’s more touring oriented Versys 1000. Apparently it shares the same motor but in a different state of tune.

Yup, gonna have to upgrade mine next year .....

Just found your channel! Thank you for the information and amazing production value! I am researching my first bike! Cheers from Canada :)

The Kawasaki Ninjas always look cool. I couldn't ride one though. Id fart and my back would collapse lol.

Murphs bar risers make the seating position much better for anyone that is as beat up as I asand can't lean over anymore.

Great review, I am torn for my next bike either 1000SX or the BMW S1000XR. Which would you choose and why