Kawasaki has released an updated sports-touring Ninja for 2025. Big K have made some subtle refinements, and capacity has increased. Importantly, the new Ninja 1100SX retains the character of the previous model, which is a very good thing, as the Ninja 1000SX was arguably the best traditionally styled sports tourer available today.
The biggest change is the bump in capacity, with the fuel-injected inline four growing from 1043cc to 1099cc. That increase in numbers doesn't, however, come with a corresponding increase in power. Peak power has dropped slightly, from 104.5kW to 100kW, but it now arrives earlier in the rev range, and torque is up to 113Nm, also arriving lower down in the rev range. A heavier crank and milder cams for 2025 also aid the mid-range punch, and you feel that everywhere-overtakes are effortless, highway cruising is relaxed, and punching out of sweepers is exhilarating.
Kawasaki hasn't chased big top-end fireworks with this bike; they've tuned it for real-world grunt, exactly where a sports tourer of this ilk should be coming onto the pipe. There's an old-school superbike engine feel and sound to the Ninja that I love, like a love letter to the superbikes of the '80s and '90s. It's got that deep, air-gulping snarl when you open it up, and the mechanical noise from the engine is minimal, which is not something you can say about modern engines. While there is that hint of nostalgia about it, Kawasaki has smoothed out nearly every vibration, giving it the kind of polish only years of refinement can deliver. The six-speed box has been revised, as has the bi-directional quickshifter, which now functions at lower revs.
The Ninja is still a masterclass in balance. There's enough weight over the front for proper sportsbike poise in the corners, yet it never feels heavy on the wrists. The chassis hasn't changed much from the 1000SX, but that's no bad thing-it's still a sharp, comfortable platform that makes this bike equally happy chewing through tight twisties or covering hundreds of kays in a single hit. Its suspension is fully adjustable, quality Showa kit. Think of the Ninja as a comfortable sportbike, and you'll have an idea of what you're in for.
The brakes are strong and confidence-inspiring, though those coming from a modern sportsbike might find them a touch underdone. If you want a bit more bite and bling, the SE version is the one to get: Brembo calipers, braided lines, an Öhlins shock, heated grips, and extra goodies, all for a bit over $22K ride away. That's not outrageous money for a fully loaded, high-quality sports tourer in today's market, and only a couple of grand more expensive than the standard model.
Comfort is one of the Ninja's strongest cards-always has been. The seat is plush, the ergonomics are roomy, and pillion comfort looks properly sorted-something that's becoming rare as bikes chase ever sportier silhouettes. The Ninja boasts factory cruise control and a full electronics suite (cornering ABS, traction control, ride modes), so it's packing plenty of electronics heat. Kawasaki has also added a USB power outlet for 2025. A welcome addition, to be sure, but I would say no care was given when deciding on its placement-though I'll let you be the judge of that.
At just over $20,000 ride away, the Ninja 1100SX is a refined, beautifully finished, and hugely capable machine. Kawasaki has resisted the urge to turn it into something it isn't, and the result is a bike with soul, character, and a level of polish that only comes from years of quiet evolution. This is not a bike that you're meant to just plonk your arse on, press the cruise control button, and motor down the expressway-although it does that quite nicely-this thing wants to be pointed at corners as well. A comfortable sportsbike, that's the Ninja 1100SX in a nutshell.
If you're in the market for a sport-tourer that blends adrenaline with practicality, you’ll want to check out Pete Vorst’s latest review—where he puts the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX to the test from styling to real-world rideability.
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