Exploring the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX: A Perfect Harmony of Power and Comfort
2025 Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX - Engine & Performance
The basis of the Ninja 1100SX’s engine might be the familiar
Kawasaki four-cylinder that powered its predecessor as well as machines like
the Z1000 and the Versys 1000, but its capacity hike to 1099cc marks a
rationalisation of the range as well as bringing a new balance of torque and
power.
As mentioned above, peak power drops by six horses,
declining from the Ninja 1000SX’s 140.1hp (104.5kW) to 134.1hp (100kW), which
might seem like a downgrade at first. But you need to dig a little deeper to
discover how the change really effects the bike.
First off, torque rises a fraction, going from 81.9lbft for
the old bike to 83.3lbft for the new one, but more important still is where
those peaks arrive. Both max power and max torque now appear at lower rpm, with
the power peaking at 9000rpm instead of the previous 10,000rpm, and torque
topping out at 7600rpm instead of 8000rpm. That’s a recipe for a fatter-feeling
midrange, which is bolstered further by revised gearing, with longer ratios in
5th and 6th to make the most of the torque curve and improve economy.
It's worth noting that for 2025, the engine designs of the
new Ninja 1100SX and the similarly-powered and equally new Versys 1100 have
converged. In their previous, 1043cc ‘1000’ guises, the Versys had a lower
compression ratio and substantially less power, while for 2025 both bikes make
near-identical outputs, sharing the same 11.8:1 compression ratio and
torque-focused design.
The capacity increase itself comes from a new, long-stroke
crankshaft that gives a 77mm x 59mm bore and stroke, up from the previous
bike’s 77mm x 56mm.
As well as the revised ratios, the six-speed transmission’s
standard-fit quickshifter can now operate at lower revs, allowing clutchless
changes as low as 1500rpm. And of course there’s the usual array of power modes
and an IMU-supported rider assist package including cornering traction control
that’s been a staple feature of the model for several years.
2025 Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX - Handling & Suspension
(inc. Weight)
There isn’t much to report in the way of changes to the
standard Ninja 1100SX’s chassis compared to its predecessor with the exception
of a switch from Bridgestone Battlax S22s to the latest S23s and a
larger-diameter rear brake disc. But the same can’t be said of the new addition
to the range, the Ninja 1100SX SE.
Those two extra letters denote a bigger change of suspension
and brake components, with the headlines including a new Ohlins S46 rear shock
and Brembo M4.32 monoblock calipers.
Both versions of the bike unchanged forks, as before; 41mm
USDs with adjustable compression, rebound and preload, and the standard SX
keeps its predecessor’s rear monoshock, adjustable for preload and rebound. The
SE version’s Ohlins rear strut doesn’t gain any extra adjustment features but
promises improved ride and damping.
On paper, both models have four-pot radial calipers on 300mm
discs at the front, but the SE’s Brembos are aided by steel braided hoses and
promise improved feel and performance. Brembo also supplies the discs and the
master cylinder.
The changes mean that, despite its higher level of
equipment, the Ninja 1100SX SE is fractionally lighter than the base model,
coming in at 234kg ready to ride, while the base version is the same 235kg as
its predecessor.
2025 Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX - Comfort & Economy
The Ninja 1000SX was already a capable long-distance machine
and Kawasaki hasn’t made big changes to the ergonomics for the 2025 Ninja
1100SX. Instead the comfort improvements are focused on technical changes like
that torquier engine and altered gear ratios to give more relaxed cruising.
On the new SX SE, there are a couple of extra luxuries
including heated grips as standard, and both models have cruise control.
The engine and transmission alterations have led to a slight
improvement in economy, at least under official test conditions, resulting in a
claimed 50.4mpg instead of the previous model’s 48.7mpg. With an unchanged,
19-litre tank, which means the theoretical range to empty rises from 203 miles
to 211 miles.
2025 Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX - Equipment
The Ninja 1000SX has long had a strong array of kit, and
that doesn’t change with the new Ninja 1100SX.
On board there’s a colour TFT dash with IMU-supported rider
assistance systems, plus a bar-mounted USB-C socket for your phone or other
accessories. That phone can pair with the dash via Kawasaki’s Rideology app,
which has been updated for 2025 to be ‘voice command application ready
anticipating the next generation of motorcycle and rider interactivity.’
Useful kit carried over from before incudes the ‘clean
mount’ pannier system that makes it easy to add or remove the optional luggage,
plus a four-position adjustable screen.
2025 Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX - Technical Specification
Capacity 1099cc
Bore x Stroke 77 x
59mm
Engine layout Inline
four
Engine details Liquid-cooled,
4-stroke, 16v, DOHC
Power 134.1bhp
(100KW) @ 9000rpm
Torque 83.3lb-ft
(113Nm) @7600rpm
Transmission 6
speed, chain final drive, quickshifter
Average fuel consumption 50.4mpg
claimed
Tank size 19
litres
Max range to empty 211
miles
Rider aids Cornering
traction control, cornering ABS, quickshifter, cruise control
Frame Aluminium twin
tube
Front suspension 41mm
inverted fork
Front suspension adjustment Compression,
rebound and preload
Rear suspension Gas-charged
monoshock (Ohlins S46 on
SE)
Rear suspension adjustment Rebound
and preload
Front brake Dual
semi-floating 300 mm discs. Caliper: Dual radial-mount, monobloc, opposed
4-piston (Brembo M4.32
monobloc on SE)
Rear brake 260
mm disc. Caliper: single-piston
Front wheel / tyre 120/70ZR17
Bridgestone Battlax S23
Rear wheel / tyre 190/50ZR17
Bridgestone Battlax S23
Dimensions (LxWxH) 2,100
x 805 x 1,190mm
Wheelbase 1440mm
Seat height 835mm
Weight 235kg (kerb)
(234kg for SE)
Warranty 4
years, unlimited miles
