2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX First Ride Review

• Ride-enhancing technology makes this 2020 Ninja a fun and capable do-it-all sport-tourer

A strong engine and well-designed chassis just aren’t enough anymore. As sport-touring motorcycles get more and more capable every year, our uses for them expand and our expectations grow. We want more tech, more storage, more refinement, and more safety - and we don’t want to pay more for it. Kawasaki has given us just that with its 2020 Ninja 1000 SX: a bike that is more versatile and more capable than previous years, while only increasing the price tag by $200 for an MSRP of $12,399.

Everything about this bike is smooth, starting with the 1,043cc inline four-cylinder engine. Power delivery is predictable and linear with a crisp throttle response off the line. The engine’s output doesn’t change much for 2020 aside from new throttle mapping, but a focus on reducing vibration makes it easy to forget how incredibly quick the bike is too, easily getting well above highway speed limits. The engine is torque-rich and comfortable in a wide rev range, so it feels comfortable at lower speeds, unlike superbike mills that spur you to wind up at every opportunity. This is responsible power.

• Sugomi styling
• Kawasaki’s trademark Sugomi styling, defined by sharp and aggressive lines.Jeff Allen

Now Euro 5 compliant, the Ninja wears a single-sided exhaust system that saves about 4 pounds from previous years. The exhaust note is crisp and throaty without being overly loud or obnoxious.

2020 Ninja 1000 SX
The 2020 Ninja 1000 SX now has a single exhaust pipe, saving weight over previous years.Jeff Allen

I did tend to be a little heavy-handed with the throttle, using fuel at an average rate of 33 mpg, which is still surprisingly inefficient for a sport commuter, though maximizing mileage was a lower priority than testing performance during my time with the Ninja. Cruise control will no doubt help with fuel efficiency here and is another great new feature lending itself to the more sport-touring nature of the 2020 Ninja 1000.

• Ninja 1000 SX
• It’s easy to forget you have saddlebags and a 5-gallon gas tank while piloting the Ninja 1000 SX through a twisty canyon.Jeff Allen

A new two-way quickshifter is nearly seamless with smooth shifts through the six-speed gearbox - another element adding a heightened sense of refinement. The spacing of the gearbox is excellent as well, making gear selection less critical in varied conditions, and the torque-rich engine is poised to quickly respond through the wide rev range.

• 2020 Ninja 1000 SX

• The 2020 Ninja 1000 SX is available in only one colorway with a starting MSRP of $12,399.Jeff Allen

Kawasaki’s Electronic Throttle Valve ride-by-wire system is smooth while maintaining a connected throttle feel. Integrated ride modes (Sport, Road, Rain) cater to rider preference and road condition, as well as an additional customizable Rider setting. Both Road and Sport mode give full power with varied levels of throttle response and traction control (Sport more and Road slightly less), and Rain cuts power back to 70 percent as well as adding a maximum level of traction control input.

• 28-liter saddlebags

• These 28-liter saddlebags are available for the Ninja 1000 SX for $900 and weigh 17 pounds.Jeff Allen

A Bosch IMU means upgrades in the traction control and ABS through Kawasaki Cornering Management Function and Intelligent anti-lock Brake System. While out for a day of testing in some of California’s twisty mountain roads, pushing the bike to the best of my ability, braking late into the turns and accelerating hard out of them, the Ninja maintained traction without ever hindering performance or feeling imposing. That increase in traction was also at least partly thanks to the new Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires, specially developed for this bike. Another very satisfying and slightly distracting benefit of the IMU is the lean angle indicator, which you can have displayed on the dash, constantly egging you on to tip it just a little lower into the next turn, or maybe just a useful training tool if you’re less childish than I am.

• Shoei RF-1200
• Each saddlebag easily fits a full-face helmet, shown here with a Shoei RF-1200.Jeff Allen

Kawasaki-branded Monoblock brake calipers and 300mm front and 250mm rear disc size are unchanged for 2020, though the rotors are no longer petal style. Braking power was excellent with precise feel and feedback, the Intelligent ABS silently working in the background.

• 1000 SX windscreen
• The Ninja 1000 SX’s adjustable windscreen up (top) and down (bottom).Jeff Allen

Just as we saw across the rest of Kawasaki’s 2020 sport lineup, the 1000 SX now gets a full-color TFT instrumentation and integration of the Rideology app. Similar display systems have become industry standard at this point, and anything less would feel dated, though Kawasaki’s system is efficiently presented and easy to navigate.

• 300mm rotors and Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires
• The new 300mm rotors and Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires.Jeff Allen

Riding the Ninja is a beautifully effortless experience. The bike feels composed and stable in a straight line, yet still nimble on its feet with a little coaxing. Weighing 533 pounds fully fueled with saddlebags equipped, it does take some muscle to get down into the corners, but once settled in, is planted and carves with unwavering confidence.

• Kawasaki Intelligent ABS
• Kawasaki Intelligent ABS and Cornering Management Function work quietly behind the scenes without interrupting a smooth riding experience.Jeff Allen

Manually adjustable suspension is a near-perfect complement to the ride, eating up the imperfections in the road with slight feedback. The rear monoshock allows for on-the-fly preload adjustment through a knob on the bike’s right side—handy when installing or removing the bags or riding with a passenger. Even on big hits, there was enough support deep in the stroke to continue pushing the bike through the less-than-perfect road conditions, assured that it could easily handle whatever was around the next bend.

• 2020 Ninja TFT display
• The 2020 Ninja’s new TFT display is bright and clearly readable. Automatically adjusting to a dark background for nighttime riding.Jeff Allen

Whereas the Ninja 650 and Z900 had my legs cramped up beneath me, the 1000 SX gave me the perfect balance of legroom and lean angle. The handlebars are high enough to rest comfortably without weight on your wrists, but still provide a nice balance between control when tucked and comfort when upright. The newly adjustable windscreen has four points, moved manually when pressing down on a tucked-away lever. The adjustability is nice, though I found myself using only the top or bottom settings, and it doesn’t really block the wind effectively while upright for my 6-foot-4 frame, though it would probably be more effective for average-sized riders. The good news, though, is now there’s an adjustable mount, and you can install a larger accessory shield later to fit your aerodynamic needs. We do see less padding on the seat this year, which is definitely felt during longer stints in the saddle. That little bit of extra padding is sorely missed after an all-day romp.

• Cruise control
• Cruise control is a nice addition for 2020, enhancing the Ninja’s touring capabilities.Jeff Allen

We tested the Ninja with its 28-liter hard saddlebag set, which is available for $900 through Kawasaki. The rounded-off shape is perfect for fitting a helmet or soft goods, and easily fits my Shoei RF-1200. They remain locked at all times, unable to open without the key in the bag, but they do share the same key as the bike. This does make it less likely you will have a bag open at speed because you forgot to lock it. The bags attach and detach quickly from the bike, also requiring the key to do so and only taking about 10 seconds apiece. A 47-liter top case is available through Kawasaki as well, though it takes additional mounting hardware.

• Ninja 1000 SX seat
• The seat on the Ninja 1000 SX is slightly thinner for 2020, which you begin to feel at the end of the day.Jeff Allen

At the end of the day, it was hard to hand the keys back to Kawasaki. With premium finish with an added dose of tech, the Ninja easily justifies its $12,399 price tag. The Ninja 1000 SX is a do-it-all motorcycle that makes little compromise. If you want to head out for a weekend of cruising, this is a great bike for that. Chasing after your buddies on supersports? It can do that too.