Motorcycle specifications KawasakiNinja 1100 SX 2025 A new maturity

After the Versys, it's the Ninja SX's turn to go 1100. This significant increase in displacement is felt directly at the end of the crankshaft. This Sport-Tourer makes no secret of its love of the open road, which it intends to ride with greater decorum without sacrificing its dynamism. Except that the increased displacement brings welcome AND somewhat surprising consequences.

The 4-cylinder block has undergone so many changes over the years that its origins (the old ZX-9R) are almost forgotten. Improved, rejuvenated, re-cubed and regularly relifted, it now boasts 3 mm more piston travel. Its 1099 cm3 gives it another breath of fresh air, resulting in a slight improvement in torque: 0.2 mkg more, at a lower rpm of 400. Above all, the dose of this muscle has been increased at all engine speeds, for greater response than before, wherever the bar graph cursor is set.

Except perhaps on 5th and 6th gears. These have been lengthened, to lower engine revs and fuel consumption on these more "road-going" ratios. But where the Ninja 1100 SX surprises us is in the field of power. Its predecessor, the 1000, gave us a good feeling of strength and smoothness, with 142 hp. With a few 56 cm3 more, the 1100 boasts... 136 hp. It's rare that an increase in displacement is accompanied by a reduction in watts. But as maximum power is obtained 1000 rpm earlier, we like to think that the engine is fuller throughout all its revolutions.
To assist with gear changes, the Up&Down shifter is now active from 1500 rpm.

This streamlined roadster boasts a healthy dose of electronics, with traction control and ABS backed up by an IMU inertial unit for angle-sensitivity, cruise control, two power modes, 4 riding modes, the arrival of a USB-C port and an updated Rideology app. It can now be controlled by voice.

As the chassis has been designed to withstand a great deal of stress since the debut of the SX, and before that the vigorous Z 1000, Kawa hasn't touched it up much. Just a pneumatic update with the installation of excellent Bridgestone S23s and a touch of braking reinforcement with a rear disc 10 mm larger (260 mm).

The Ninja SX is now available in an SE version. A large family, from the Ninja 500 SE to the sultry Z H2 SE, not forgetting the Z 900 SE, the Versys 1100 SE, etc., each distinguished by superior quality features. For the Ninja 1100 SX, the upgrade includes Brembo brake calipers and hardware, an Öhlins shock absorber, heated grips and a more sophisticated color scheme.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos