Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX versus Honda NT 1100
Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX
Honda NT 1100
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- mega-mature machine
- silky 4-cylinder with punch and enormous elasticity
- soft seating position, also suitable for longer distances with pillion passenger
- Technically very well equipped
- Suitable for travel
- comfortable
- great standard equipment
- good handling
- partial noise depending on the setting of the windscreen
- minor vibrations
- Side case a bit narrow
- Lens adjustable only when stationary
- complicated controls
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.100 mm Height : 1.190 mm
Seat : 835 mm
Weight : 235 kg
Length : 2.240 mm Height : 1.340 mm
Seat : 820 mm
Weight : 238 (max: 447 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 1.043 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 77 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.084 ccm
Hub: 82 mm
Hole: 92 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 142 HP at 10.000 U/Min
Torque: 111 NM bei 8.000 U/Min Tank contents: 19 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 328 km
Performance: 102 HP at 7.500 U/Min
Torque: 112 NM bei 5.500 U/Min Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 400 km
Chassis
Double profile frame (aluminium) Front suspension:
41 mm upside-down fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Horizontal backlink gas pressure shock absorber (travel 144 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 190/50ZR17M/C (73W)
Double-loop pipe frame Front suspension:
Showa 43 mm telescopic fork (travel 150 mm) Rear suspension:
Monobloc aluminium swingarm with Pro-Link and SHOWA gas shock absorber, hydraulic adjustment device (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70R17 M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 180/55R17 M/C (73W)
Brakes
Double Petal Brake Discs, Double Radial Mounted, 4 Pistons (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Single petal brake disc, single piston (∅ 250 mm)
2 brake discs, radial four-piston brake calipers (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake (∅ 256 mm)
Conclusion - what sticks
This machine is just great! Volker and Dietmar didn't want to be relegated anymore, that's rare. You can see the bike's maturity everywhere. Everything works easily and simply and the machine gives the pilot full confidence right from the start. It is guaranteed not to break so quickly, at least that's what it radiates. It is suitable for all those who want to be sporty during a longer tour - also with a passenger, because he also feels at home on the SX.Kawa himself says about the Ninja 1000 SX: "Tours and sports – the Ninja 1000SX offers the best of both worlds". Usually we laugh at these marketing slogans, but in this case it hits the nail on the head.
The test machine was kindly provided by Heller & Soltau,by far the best Kawasaki dealer in Northern Germany! Our tip for the Ninja 1000 SX: Definitely test drive.
Conclusion - what sticks
Honda's NT1100 invites you to travel and certainly appeals to many drivers of high age (as well as us) with its unagitated, elegant design. Well imaginable, for example, as a successful upgrade for drivers of an NC750 or similar and of course all Deauville and Pan European fans. All those who want to ride comfortably longer tours and want to rely on a comfortable, solid bike are certainly well served here. Whether it will be possible to appeal to younger drivers, we think is rather questionable. In addition to the joy of color, the NT1100 may also lack one or the other corner or edge or let's put it this way: It is not exactly peepy.
If you take it exactly, the selection of competitors of the Honda NT1100 is limited. After all, it really is a thoroughbred tourer and not a hybrid like an adventure motorcycle trimmed for roadworthiness or a crossover bike with the genes of a super sports car. Nevertheless, you could perhaps compare it with a Yamaha Tracer 9, Kawasaki's Versys or even a BMW 1250 GS if you want to go on a long journey.
The Honda NT1100 is available from 13,899 €, with DCT from 14,899 €. The additional equipment packages available cost 675 € (URBAN package), 965 € (touring package) or 1636 € (travel package).
The test bike was kindly provided by Motofun in Kaltenkirchen . So if you want to take a relaxed test drive, you can do that there.
