Disclaimer: I've not ridden either of these bikes, but have a KTM SD and had a faired SV650.

You're going to find the seating position on the Z1000 similar to your SV650. Wind blast should likely be similar. Wind blast is the thing that wears me down on longer trips, but YMMV.

The Ninja 1000 LOOKS like it offers more wind protection than the Z1000, but the moto rags say it doesn't. However, that seems like it would be an easy aftermarket fix. The seating position on the Ninja 1000 is more upright than the Z1000 and that generally helps with longer rides.

I have had my eye on the KTM SM-T since they came out. I finally rode one a couple of weeks ago and was surprised how much wind blast there was despite the fairing. KTM does make a wider screen, but that was not fitted to the test bike.

Other potential sport touring options are the VFR 800 and of course the Multistrada.

 

Thanks BR, the KTM looks pretty good and provides yet another option. I love the supermoto style, coming from an offroad background. The VFR 800 was a bike that I was looking at as well, but am afraid the riding position may be more aggressive than I would prefer.

I sat on the Ninja 1000 and the riding position was very comfortable. Silly, but the only thing I don't like is that is called a 'Ninja'....

 

Silly, but the only thing I don't like is that is called a 'Ninja'....

Me too... Across the pond, they call this bike the ZX1000. You could probably get a "ZX1000" decal from a microfiche such as ronayers.com to replace the "Ninja" one. That's what I'd do ;D

 

If you can wait till August, Kawasaki has a demo weekend in Houston. Details. From the link you should be able to sign up.

 

You should definitely take a demo ride as the Kawis have a history of some pretty bad vibes in the handlebars. I think the Ninja 1000 has raised clipons so it might not have the issue, but the 2005 Z1000 I rode was really, really bad. Imagine hitting an aluminum baseball against a solid object, while holding it by the fat end.

 

2nd and 3rd gen Z1000s do not have that problem. My 2nd gen was smooth as butter. Microwaved butter.

 

I have managed to resist the urge for more hp as the sv has plenty for me. Just received a cs one exhaust and will install tomorrow. Still lusting for that bigger bike but can't seem to justify it with the enjoyment the sv brings. Thanks to all on this forum, as the sv purchase was a perfect decision for me a couple of years ago.

 

IMO, Neither of those bikes looks like it would be much better than an SV650 for long trips.

 

I'm riding an 03 Z1000 at the moment. The first time I got on it, I wanted to chuck it down the road because of the handlebar vibes. I tried a few different things, such as bar end weights and bar end mirrors. The mirrors helped vibes, or maybe I just got used to it.

I recently went up a tooth in the rear and I felt that this helped to sort the engine into two different regimes: tamer city riding and top-end screamer on back roads.

I've done some light touring with soft saddlebags and it performs this task quite well for a naked bike.

I went to a 180/55-17 tire from the stock 190/50 for a bit quicker turn-in and I'm pleased with the results. The brakes are quite good.

Mileage is around 30 in the city, up to 45 on backroads and interstates.

It's pretty easy to maintain. The throttle action is very light compared to the SV. It's a much bigger bike than the SV. The quad exhausts were ugly to me back in the day, but they've grown on me.

The entire bike has, actually.

 

why did you get the bike if you didnt like it at first? was there just a good deal?

 

Tip of the day. For insurance, try State Farm. Yea, I know, I said the same thing. There is no way State Farm can be the cheapest - but it is.

I'm in my 40's with a clean driving record. State Farm would insure any sport bike you can think of for less than $600/year. Thats with $100/300K comp / collision / UM $1K deductible and med pay - I think. My '12 S1000RR is around $280/6 mths. They were even cheaper on my wife's Ninja 250. Before I decided on the S1000RR, I ran quotes for a GSXR 1000, an Aprilia Tuono V4R and RSV4. They were within $10 of each other.

 

I bought a Ninja 1000 last week after sellign my 2003 sv 650s. I looked at sv1000's , but did nto find anythign local that I liked that were not overpriced. Plus, Kawi had a 0-0-60 finance deal that did not suck.

Anyone here would love the Ninja 1000 (or z1000) because of the motor. It has a ton of low end like a v twin. Much more than the sv650 and very similar to the 1000. But it also revs out like crazy and makes great top end power. The brakes are incredible as well. But if I coudl have found an sv 1000, I'd have been all over it. Even though the weight is about the same, a SV1000 feels more top heavy than the ninja, but I dotn think thats a big deal.

You really have to shop around for Ninja 1000 insurance. Even being 46 years old, married, with a good driving record, was still very high with Progressive and Geico. Triple what it costs to insure my Concours 14. So, be careful there as the z1000 was more reasonable....go figure that one out.

As far as comfort goes, it is more comfortable than my svs was and I had riser clip ons on it. The ninja's bar position is perfect, though. Just high enough. As far as the seat goes, it MAY have been stolen from the sv 650. Or the guy who engineered it got a job with Suzuki as its almost identical in every way.

You'll forgive them for the seat once you ride behind the windshield. Its amazing. Far better than any stock windshield I've been behind, including my concours 14.

Then ninja is worth the extra insurance, and cost, because of the windshield and it also holds a gallon more fuel. Thats a great point as the bike is comfortable enough to drain a tank without stopping.

 

You really have to shop around for Ninja 1000 insurance. Even being 46 years old, married, with a good driving record, was still very high with Progressive and Geico. Triple what it costs to insure my Concours 14. So, be careful there as the z1000 was more reasonable....go figure that one out.

You haven't tried State Farm, have you? Seriously, the Ducati dealership here told me about State Farm and I didn't believe it either. But its true. Call them. They were 1/3 of Geico and about 6X less than Progressive.

 

Probably shouid start a new thread, but since there was a complaint about vibration in the handlebars... Many times adding a spacer/washer or two between the handlebar and the bar end weight changes the vibration frequency sufficiently to reduce or eliminate the problem. Sometimes a longer screw/bolt will be needed to hold the weight on firmly. On the various bikes I've tried this on 1-3mm usually is enough to help. Start small and work your way up.