KAWASAKI Z1000SX (2012-2013) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Kawasaki Z1000SX, also known as the Ninja 1000SX, Ninja 1000, or Z1000S, was a sport-touring motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki from 2011. The bike was part of the Ninja family and continued production until the present (2023).

The bike was characterized as a fully faired sibling of the Z1000 streetfighter, sharing its engine and frame. Besides its name, the bike was unrelated to the 1986-1989 Ninja 1000R or any other Ninja models.

Compared to the Kawasaki Z1000, the Z1000SX model was fitted with more touring-oriented features, such as panniers for more storage, a larger fuel tank for more range, better ergonomics, and other touring elements.

The bike had standard features, such as a full fairing, an aggressive front cowl with two headlights, a medium-sized windscreen, a two-piece dual seat, a blacked-out exhaust system, and six-spoke lightweight wheels.

Underneath its fairing, the 2012 Kawasaki Z1000SX had hidden from plain sight a 1.043cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with a fuel injection system in charge, delivering 138 hp at 9,600 rpm and 110 Nm (81 lb-ft) torque at 7,800 rpm.

The power produced by the engine was transferred to a six-speed manual transmission with a cable-operated wet multi-plate clutch and sent to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to a top speed of 243 kph (151 mph).