[Flyinglow]

Hey gang im not new to riding or the forums, but new here

I'm seriously considering a 14 ninja 1000. I've been liking these since 2011 and now with the better stuff for the 14 makes more sense but.....

I've had Yamaha 600, cbr600rr, gsxr 750, 2 different year cbr1000rr's and my latest (I was a hair away from buying a ninja 1000 but got the cold feet and went with the KTM rc8r instead). The reason why is I love to ride aggressive most of the time with the weekend knee dragging on the local California twisties. Yes I get cramps in wrists or some back pain but at the end of the day riding the supersport a 300 mile in n out of canyon runs is worth it to me because the way the bike feels/handles riding/leaning.

I'm sure the N1K can be ridden aggressively too but how far can you lean on them before the pegs grab sending you on your way to a high side?

I mean I'm like caught in between the two options here.

1) get new S1000RR to ride alone and ride hard or
2) sacrifice handling/speed for a ride I can take the girl along too without me or her getting too tired.

It's gotta be a one bike only deal so it's either the n1K or s1000rr.

This is very confusing..

 

[SailorJack]

I have yet to do a track day on my '11 Ninja but others have. I really think you would need to be going hard on a track to scrap pegs. I don't know anyone who can ride the ninja to it's limits. Not saying you can't though.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you won't sacrifice much with the Ninja.

 

[Flyinglow]

Jack, thanks for the input. I was scraping my rc8r pegs and ended up upgrading them to Akrapovic adjustable rearsets. Same with cbr1000rr's had Sato on them but I've been looking and I haven't found a company to offer adjustable rearsets for the N1K.

My buddies I ride with all have gsxr 1000 and 13 14 zx10r 's and when they found out I'm thinking about the N1K they were like oh you'd regret that bike knowing how you ride and if you decide to resell to get a full on sportbike you'll lose a lot cause there's no big market for that bike (which I'd have to agree to kind of).

Wish you had done the track on it. I guess the only way I'll know for sure is to go to my buddy who's a motorcycle sales guy and get the bike from him to ride for an hour in the canyons.. (Mind you that this same sales guy buddy of mine was 100% recommending me to get the ninja in 2012 telling me it's the best all around bike you can't go wrong with) but the same exact reasons doubts and thoughts mentioned drove me into the KTM dealer lol.

 

[Flyinglow]

Actually cancel the rearset comment. I guess last time I checked was years ago now I just did and saw a few already offer them Rizoma and Sato

 

[old fart]

keep the KTM and ditch the girl friend or find one that doesn't like motorcycles. peg feelers unscrew.

 

[Flyinglow]

I wish I could but I got taken out the ktm is done by a hit and run idiot

 

[Shmoo]

If you can out ride a Ninja 1000 on the street, then hats off to you. I've ridden my 600's on the street, and was never close to getting to the limits of those bikes. On the track, I'd run them hard enough to push the front end.

It sounds like if you get the Ninja, that you'll always look back at the BMW. Just get the BMW, and get something more comfortable later down the road. The Ninja is the perfect street bike for me, I can tour on it, and ride the **** out of it in the corners. All day. With the supersports, I'd want to be home by lunch.

 

[rcannon409]

The Ninja 1000 is a great STREET bike. The others you mention are slanted towards the track.

When the Ninja 1000 was introduced, it set a new benchmark in the category. I still love my 2012, and plan to keep it..however, if I were in your shoes, I'd look towards the BMW s1000r. Kawasaki updated the Ninja, but missed the mark.The single r version....The rr does not have enough comfort to be a decent street bike..never built that way, and its amazing on the track...but for STREET.

If you have to take a passenger, the Ninja is the only logical choice.

If your in the market for a liter bike, other than the Ninja 1000, why buy new? There are thousands of mint condition, 2006-2010 liter bikes out there for 6 grand.

 

[Mikey1000]

Why not another RC8R?

 

[rcannon409]

He probably had to maintain the rc8r, or get parts. That will stop anyone in their tracks trying to rely on it as their only motorcycle...

As far as a big market for the Ninja 1000, I dont know. Its been updated within the last five years. The 10r got graphics. I'm not sure these big bikes are selling at all compared to where they were in 2006.

 

[OCBrit]

New to the group, but bought my '13 Ninja Thou' last Jan. I've never been a peg-dragger or one for track days, but my "fanny-lines" (chicken strips in local parlance) have never been thinner and my grin has never been wider! My last bike was a ZX-9R E1 and I thought was pretty **** right for a 6'2" "brick outhouse" of a guy; comfortable, reliable and performed with me on it. The Ninja Thou' has been a great return to the 2-wheeled fold and I've not got anywhere near the limit on it. YET!!!

I know I'm "preaching to the choir" but the bike is great! Blasting up the freeway when running late, enjoying the twisties on the Ortega Highway or just carving through traffic, this bike has never felt better than any other. OK, the ZX-10 is dripping in race-derived kit and performance, but I know real-world riding mine is better; yeah, the 30th Anniversary color scheme is cool, but it doesn't make it better for everyday riding! Not criticizing it (It's a Ninja as well), but I pulled up to a guy on a ZX10 last year at lights and he really looked cramped and he definitely looked way smaller than me! Oh and the clincher was the visit to Kawasaki USA HQ for the last Koffee break and seeing the 30th Anniversary ZX10 and ZX6 - seeing the clip-ons mounted below the yoke made my back cramp in thought of more than 20 miles!

Sorry for rambling, but GO NINJAs (1000)!!!

 

[Flyinglow]

He probably had to maintain the rc8r, or get parts. That will stop anyone in their tracks trying to rely on it as their only motorcycle...

Actually the RC8R was very dependable and turn in was so precise, but the suspension was extremly rough and bouncy as well as the low speed stuttering not to mention the paper thin seat or the lack of being able to ride with a passenger occasionally are some of the reasons to not go back to it. Oh and some more reasons would be the lack of slipper on the 11' I had but they changed that for 12-13-14 year models but still no traction or abs. I guess that's the main reason why I'm looking towards the s1000rr or for more logical/practical reasons to get the N1K.

As far as a big market for the Ninja 1000, I dont know. Its been updated within the last five years. The 10r got graphics. I'm not sure these big bikes are selling at all compared to where they were in 2006.

Why not another RC8R?

Mikey look above my reply to rcannon409

The Ninja 1000 is a great STREET bike. The others you mention are slanted towards the track.

When the Ninja 1000 was introduced, it set a new benchmark in the category. I still love my 2012, and plan to keep it..however, if I were in your shoes, I'd look towards the BMW s1000r. Kawasaki updated the Ninja, but missed the mark.The single r version....The rr does not have enough comfort to be a decent street bike..never built that way, and its amazing on the track...but for STREET.

If you have to take a passenger, the Ninja is the only logical choice.

If your in the market for a liter bike, other than the Ninja 1000, why buy new? There are thousands of mint condition, 2006-2010 liter bikes out there for 6 grand.

I'd have to agree with you 100% minus the used 06-10 liter bikes since I'm looking to have both ABS/Traction on the next one with either s1000rr or N1K even a Zx10r 11' and above

New to the group, but bought my '13 Ninja Thou' last Jan. I've never been a peg-dragger or one for track days, but my "fanny-lines" (chicken strips in local parlance) have never been thinner and my grin has never been wider! My last bike was a ZX-9R E1 and I thought was pretty **** right for a 6'2" "brick outhouse" of a guy; comfortable, reliable and performed with me on it. The Ninja Thou' has been a great return to the 2-wheeled fold and I've not got anywhere near the limit on it. YET!!!

I know I'm "preaching to the choir" but the bike is great! Blasting up the freeway when running late, enjoying the twisties on the Ortega Highway or just carving through traffic, this bike has never felt better than any other. OK, the ZX-10 is dripping in race-derived kit and performance, but I know real-world riding mine is better; yeah, the 30th Anniversary color scheme is cool, but it doesn't make it better for everyday riding! Not criticizing it (It's a Ninja as well), but I pulled up to a guy on a ZX10 last year at lights and he really looked cramped and he definitely looked way smaller than me! Oh and the clincher was the visit to Kawasaki USA HQ for the last Koffee break and seeing the 30th Anniversary ZX10 and ZX6 - seeing the clip-ons mounted below the yoke made my back cramp in thought of more than 20 miles!

Sorry for rambling, but GO NINJAs (1000)!!!

See I agree with you too. You comment about pulling up next to a Zx10r guy reminds me of my buddy on his 13' zx10r and me on a rented 18 wheeler of a bike the goldwing with a passenger hauling up from Los Angeles to San Diego when he would pull up next to me he kept pointing to his back and shaking his head in pain but me lol I had an open face helmet with a cigarette, cruise control on almost no wind and felt like I lost my remote for my flat screen lounging on my lazy boy lol. When we made it there he swore to not ride it again that far and kept wishing he took his car instead and even wanted to pay a tow truck to get back home. Stuff like that is the best reason to consider the ninja I believe.

 

[rcannon409]

I believe people are figuring that out, the comfort thing, or we;re just getting older. Either way, I dont think we're willing to give up all comfort for that extra 10% in

For Performance loss... The Ninja 1000 has a monster engine up to about 9000 rpm. Its only there that the power falls behind a supersport. How often do you visit that area as it translates to 70 mph in first gear??? For me, not very often..and not often enough...

 

[troydba]

I hang with some pretty fast peeps on my ninja 1000 and I am never sore or in pain. My friends are shaking their hands and arching their backs about 2 hours into the day. If you need need one bike to do it all, then the ninja 1000 is a great choice. If money is no object, then K1600GT for touring and a S1000RR for track and twisties is a sweet combo.

 

[OCBrit]

Mikey look above my reply to rcannon409



I'd have to agree with you 100% minus the used 06-10 liter bikes since I'm looking to have both ABS/Traction on the next one with either s1000rr or N1K even a Zx10r 11' and above



See I agree with you too. You comment about pulling up next to a Zx10r guy reminds me of my buddy on his 13' zx10r and me on a rented 18 wheeler of a bike the goldwing with a passenger hauling up from Los Angeles to San Diego when he would pull up next to me he kept pointing to his back and shaking his head in pain but me lol I had an open face helmet with a cigarette, cruise control on almost no wind and felt like I lost my remote for my flat screen lounging on my lazy boy lol. When we made it there he swore to not ride it again that far and kept wishing he took his car instead and even wanted to pay a tow truck to get back home. Stuff like that is the best reason to consider the ninja I believe.

Just read back through this thread, looking for the latest comment and I must eat my own words, within reason! Since my comment I've met a guy, now a friend, that is over 10 years older than me but rides a '14 ZX-10R as his everyday ride. We went for ride out to Palomar mountain the other week (my first time), he rides with a full face and still smokes a cig! We did stop regularly a few times for fuel and a couple of other reasons, often for me to catch up when we got to the more interesting bits, although I'm still certain it was an excuse for him to light another ciggie! Bloody great ride though and the bike had way more capability than my abilities, but I still had a fantastic afternoon out.

 

[Flyinglow]

Finally pulled the trigger on the faster blue color of course lol. I'm really glad I could control myself this time around and buy a bike that doesn't have a name that ends with "R" or "RR" . Thanks to everyone here for chiming in to let me know your thoughts about this bike that led me to the purchase. Got her yesterday and the bags are on their way. Gonna go back to dealer to mount them.

 

[troydba]

Welcome to the Blue Ninja Brotherhood! Congrats!

 

[Flyinglow]

Welcome to the Blue Ninja Brotherhood! Congrats!

Thanks bud!

 

[Buelligan]

Get the BMW, or get a Concourse...
You won't be happy on the Ninja 1000. The suspension sucks.
I ride my '14 Ninja 1000 hard, and it's just not up to the task without major upgrades to the suspension. It's comfortable, and the removable hard bags are what sold me on the bike. But, it's no sport bike. If you like carving the corners, better you get a sport bike, and modify it to accomodate your GF, or plan on upgrading the suspension on the N1K after you buy it.
I have to agree with Old Fart, "keep the KTM and ditch the girl friend or find one that doesn't like motorcycles". Since the KTM is gone, you might look at the EBR's. Comparable price, phenominal power, and handling. Get a gel pad for the woman...
;-)