P114
RIDE REVIEW I 2025 KAWASAKI NINJA 1100SX SE ABS
class competitors. Score four for
the Kawasaki. Oh, and heated
hand grips as standard. Nice.
I recently completed a
180-mile-plus round trip to meet
a mate for lunch, and it struck
me as odd halfway home that I
couldn't think of a bike I'd rather
be on for the combined task
of a few nice backroads, Los
Angeles traffic, and boring and
chaotic freeways. Kawasaki's
done splendidly well to craft a
sport touring steed that's happy
in each of the aforementioned
circumstances, and I got off at
the end of the day with hardly an
ache—which is saying some
-
thing for my broken body.
under power on corner exits,
but for the most part, I had zero
complaints in the handling de-
partment. It's a sporty prospect,
but just because it has a fairing
doesn't mean it corners like
a ZX-6R. Remember that and
you'll be just fine.
Given the raised handlebar
position (a trademark of the
1000/1100SX), the mid-level
seat height of 32.3 inches, and
a reasonable bend in the knees
given the footpeg position, long
days are easier on this than on
many other bikes on the market.
Even the screen, adjustable to
three positions, doesn't buffet
your head like some of the bike's
taking the missus on the back—
super handy given the suspen
-
sion doesn't come with wires
and electronic switches like the
Versys SE LT does.
Road holding is excellent,
especially so given the Bridge-
stone Battlax S23 rubber that
comes as standard. Given the
claimed wet weight of 516
pounds, you've got a bit to play
with and it is not as nimble as
something like a Tracer 9 GT,
but the Kawasaki will hustle
along your favorite backroad
plenty well.
A few turns of preload will do
most riders the world of good to
stop the chassis running wide
The base
suspension
settings are fine
for anyone under
200 pounds,
although you'll
want to add a
bit of preload
when carrying a
passenger, even
one as light as
Harvey.
