[troydba]

Hello Everyone!

I am the proud owner of a 2014 Ninja 1000 ABS (blue) with hard bags (on order)!

My salesman asked me if I was going through a mid-life crisis, and I said, "Ah, NO. Why do you ask that?". He said it was because I doesn't see many Harley guys come in to buy a Ninja.

My wife has been riding her own bike for years, and I have been wanting something different for a long time. Something sportier - better handling in the twisties but still comfortable for all day - 400-500 riding when need be. That being said, we only "tour" max of 10 days per year! So, does it make sense to drive big "tour" bike every day? Of course not. So, I began my search for the "perfect" bike.

I test road a Ducati Multistrada. Loved the power, hated the enduro form factor and seat height and I absolutely HATED the brakes. I was very concerned about maintenance costs too.

I test road a BMW 1200GS - Great bike, but again, enduro issues, but I actually preferred it over the Ducati by a long margin. Very surprised by this bike.

I test road a BMW K1600GT - probably the finest overall piece of equipment I ever rode. Amazing. Super Pricey - SUPER BIG!!! Feels light under power but man is that thing HUGE. It has a drive line lash thing that is weird. It is so smooth and almost devoid of road feedback to the point that I almost felt like I was riding a video game! Everything else is nearly perfect about this bike. Oh...except for the size/weight and price! If you need a luxo-liner for comfortable 2 up riding that is still sporty - this thing is your jam.

I searched online for a comfortable (fairly up-right riding position) motorcycle with high performance and some wind protection - a modern street bike. I was shocked at how there seemed to be 2 camps: hyper single focused sport bikes and jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none bikes.

I read tons of shoot-outs and comparisons,etc. This is actually how I stumbled onto the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS. Honestly, I would have discounted this bike the second I heard the word Ninja if I hadn't been in research mode.

Well, the rest you say is history because you already know what I found out....This 2014 Ninja 1000 ABS is a damned refined and potent motorcycle with comfortable ergos, tons of power and one ****-of-a lot of fun!

I'm looking forward to good times, and this decision has really got be excited about riding again - about learning again - about growing as a rider again.
I put 71,432 miles on my 2006 Road King Custom and I will miss her, but damned, that is one sexy little blue bike LOL!

-Troydba

 

[Mikey1000]

Welcome & I'm glad you've come over from the dark side, hah. Quite a difference in rides but I believe you're better served with the N1K.

 

[ydo]

I test rode a Yamaha Raider cruiser bike with a 1850 cc engine and a whole lot of chrome... but in the end it was not as refined and fun as the Ninja 1000. A bunch of cruiser riders thought I would love it and switch from the Ninja but it had less kick in power, poor handling and a lot of vibration. I guess I looked cool though.

Surprising for me was that the lounge-chair riding position actually is not as comfortable as I thought it would be. You are always holding yourself up by pulling on the handlebars fighting the wind and your body. The position is like sitting on a stool with an ottoman (without a backrest)...or like sitting on the floor. I think with a back rest this type of bike then becomes more comfortable I guess but otherwise it is only good for low speeds or short trips.

I apologize for all who love the cruisers and this is just my opinion. To be honest if I hit the lottery I would probably include a cruiser in my stable but it would be low on my list of must haves.

 

[troydba]

Yeah. A group of 4 of my riding friends stopped late yesterday afternoon.
You should have seen their faces. You'd have thought someone died and they were on their way to a funeral. I just laughed. I heard the "You're be done with this thing by the end of the summer. It's going to kill your back, etc." They didn't even ask to sit on it or ask about the riding position - just assumes. These are good folks - I just blew their mind is all. It was funny to me.

 

[ToNY97]

Welcome brave young warrior. Post your location.

Excellent description of your search process. It was educating and vindicating.

You're friends acted as if you changed orientation.
You followed the light and escaped the dark side.

 

[SailorJack]

Have fun with it. It is a comfy bike. Rack those miles up and take some pictures for us. We like pictures.

 

[KawiRider]

Have fun with it. It is a comfy bike. Rack those miles up and take some pictures for us. We like pictures.

x2

the more miles the better
Just get out their and ride!

 

[troydba]

Thanks Everyone for the warm welcome!
I am working on getting some training from Ricky Orlando.
I am having a blast!

-troydba

 

[ToNY97]

I learned a lot from Ricky Bobby.

 

[rcannon409]

I like riders who buy what they need and want vs peer pressure. I have two friends who no longer ride. The reason being their backs wont handle the feet forward riding position. The spine takes all the force. Instead of getting a.....uh, "new motorcycle brand" they stopped riding entirely. Awesome.

 

[rcannon409]

Its also funny that these same people think nothign of going back outside and jumping in their new Toyota Camry. You'd think with the same mindset, they would go out and jump in a 1973 Ford Pinto. After all, the old designs are far better than new ones.

The mindset is so strong, and so engrained the Japanese built an entire side of their business, possibly the biggest side, copying it. Think about that for a minute.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

Thanks Everyone for the warm welcome!
I am working on getting some training from Ricky Orlando.
I am having a blast!

-troydba

Troydba, I just found this post doing a search on the net for others who may have had the same, ah, 'enlightenment' as I have. I've been riding for 30 years, HD since 2000, and just feel the urge to ride something different that handles better and can go a distance for the rare time the urge strikes me. Exact same process and thought as you. I am going to pull the trigger on a new 2016 Ninja 1000 with bags tomorrow. If youre still around on this forum any comments about your journey to share on this 4 year old thread?