The 2012 Ninja 1000

Like the original – and highly acclaimed – Ninja 1000 of 1986, the 2012 version delivers a dominating mix of power, handling, looks, technology and rideability. This system offers confidence-inspiring braking action on all types of surfaces.

The Ninja is blessed with rideability – an incredible blend of ability on the street and extreme ease of operation. The source of all this two-wheeled goodness is Kawasaki’s own – and now legendary – Z1000 super standard, the engine and chassis platform upon which the Ninja 1000 is based. At seemingly every rpm level, the Ninja 1000 engine produces smooth, instant-on thrust many hardcore sportbikes simply can’t match.

Kawasaki’s perfectly calibrated electronic fuel injection helps make this so. Like the superb-handling Z1000, the Ninja 1000 features an advanced aluminum frame similar in design to the Ninja ZX™-10R’s. The wheels, brakes and suspension bits that allow the Ninja to move so gracefully and swiftly are truly state-of-the-art. The single-shock system features a damper mounted nearly horizontally above the swingarm for optimal mass centralization and heat resistance. Stopping power is provided by race-spec brakes – 300mm petal-type rotors up front squeezed by ultra-rigid radially mounted calipers fed hydraulic pressure by an equally race-spec radial pump master cylinder.

The wheels working with those brakes – lightweight six-spoke supersport-style units – are also the latest in lightweight production technology. Designed with an eye on Kawasaki’s race-ready ZX-6R and ZX-10R, the Ninja offers a thoroughly radical look, but one that’s unique and memorable. A manually adjustable, 3-position windscreen helps, allowing riders to pick just the right setting for their height and riding style. Authentic Kawasaki Accessories are available through Kawasaki dealers.

The 2012 Nija 1000 Specifications

• Engine Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four 
• Displacement 1,043cc 
• Bore x Stroke 77.0 x 56.0 mm 
• Compression Ratio11.8:1 
• Fuel System DFI® with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies, oval sub-throttles 
• Ignition TCBI with digital advance 
• Transmission Six-speed 
• Final Drive X-ring Chain 
• Rake/Trail 24.5 deg / 4.0 in. 
• Front Tire Size 120/70 ZR17 
• Rear Tire Size 190/55 ZR17 
• Wheelbase 56.9 in. 
• Front Suspension / wheel travel 41 mm inverted cartridge fork with stepless compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload / 4.7 in. 
• Rear Suspension / wheel travel Horizontal monoshock with stepless rebound damping, adjustable spring preload / 5.4 in. 
• Front Brakes Dual 300mm petal-type rotors with radial-mount four-piston calipers 
• Rear Brakes Single 250mm petal-type rotor with single-piston caliper 
• Fuel Capacity 5.0 gal. 
• Seat Height 32.3 in. 
• Curb Weight 502.7 lbs. 
• Overall length 82.9 in. 
• Overall width 31.1 in. 
• Overall height 48.4 in. 
• Color Choices Metallic Spark Black / Metallic Flat Micron Gray, Candy Lime Green / Ebony 
• Good Times™ Protection Plan 12, 24, 36, 48 months