2011/12 C14 vs. 2012 Ninja 1000 ABS

[cltsig]

Has anyone compared these 2 bikes?  MSRP on the Ninja is $11,899 with ABS so it could be had for somewhere in the $10.5k range.  I'm not sure when it comes out, however, but I'm guessing sometime this winter.  My use would be more shorter trips (few hours), some twisties in the Carolina mountains and 10 mile commute on a daily basis.  The Connie almost seems like overkill for these tasks as I'm not going cross-country or even cross-state anytime soon.

Pros:
-lighter than C14 (more flippable, easier to move around garage)
-cheaper
-less "stuff" to break
-probably more fun to ride around town or short rides

Cons:
-no bags (although soft bags aren't all that expensive and one less thing to get scratched up)
-less wind protection
-heated grips not standard but can be added
-no electrical plug
-probably not as comfortable for longer rides

Has anyone gone down this road and come away with a Concours?  Granted, ABS is a new feature on the Ninja 1000 as of 2012 so probably not many have.  However, any thoughts? 

I owned a 2008 C14 (got cooked so sold it) and I loved it.  I'm down to C14, Ninja 1000 ABS and with an outside shot the Suzuki GSF1250A.  The Zuk technology is outdated and the price is high for what you get, so I'm leaning away from it.

[stevewfl]

My friend that works at kawi showed me both at the daytona display.

     *  the 1000 performs better on the sport side of sport-touring and targets that market

     * the 1400 is much better for the long distance touring side of sport-touring and targets that market

Kawasaki was not being repetitive offering both bikes, each has a distinct purpose.

[DonB]

is that sorta like saying a Cadillac and a Porsche both have 4 wheels

[MrPepsi]

Different machines. You would not want to find yourself on a cross country trip on a Ninja 1000, at least not without some major changes in ergos. However a Ninja 1000 could probably eat the connie up in the twisties. Just depends on what you're primary use is going to be.

[EpicBadass]

is that sorta like saying a Cadillac and a Porsche both have 4 wheels

Im gonna give you the smartass answer back that its like a Porsche Panamera vs a Porsche Cayman 

[stevewfl]

Im gonna give you the smartass answer back that its like a Porsche Panamera vs a Porsche Cayman 

Actually those two Porshces are great comparision of the two bikes.  One goes slower but hauls more further and more comfortably.

[MrPepsi]

One goes slower

and by this you means hauls serious a$$

[cltsig]

I think at first glance you see "Ninja" and immediately think crotch rocket.  It's not though.  Upright riding position, adjustable windshield, etc.  Not sure why it's a "Ninja" but to me it's more of a sporty sport-tourer.  It's more like an FZ1 than a traditional Ninja.

[MrPepsi]

That's a good point, you're right.
But with the added CCs, and weight, they are still different.
How about a Carman and a Carerra. Wait, which one is which?

[alexx45]

Personally to me it sounds like the Ninja is the bike for you. I came from a Suzuki Bandit 1200 to my 09 C14. I had installed removable hard bags & a top case. If I had not started multiple day rides I would never had made the switch. I still have access to the Bandit even since the GF bought it. In town I would rather ride it just for its easier low speed & parking lot maneuverability. Once I hit the open road though it's always the Connie that I crave.  Don't know if this helps but it's the closest experience I have.

[wally_games]

I think at first glance you see "Ninja" and immediately think crotch rocket.  It's not though.  Upright riding position, adjustable windshield, etc.  Not sure why it's a "Ninja" but to me it's more of a sporty sport-tourer.  It's more like an FZ1 than a traditional Ninja.

That "windshield" is very small and is just too narrow to provide any real "protection".

I ride with two friends on FZ1's and I had an FZ6 for awhile. Great riding position and very comparable to the "Ninja".

[EpicBadass]

+1 

When I rode one that windshield was pretty nonexistent compared to a C14 (08 or 10 screen)

[gonzosc1]

yeah two different bikes, but if short trips are the norm the zx1000 would do the trick. some distance could be done but it would be the same as we know.  now if kickin a$$ and takin names is the business at hand the zx1000r is the ticket. with a few bolt on mods it will out run the zx14 and the busa in the 1/4 mile.

[jjsC6]

I think at first glance you see "Ninja" and immediately think crotch rocket.  It's not though.  Upright riding position, adjustable windshield, etc.  Not sure why it's a "Ninja" but to me it's more of a sporty sport-tourer.  It's more like an FZ1 than a traditional Ninja.

A close friend of mine has both bikes (and I've ridden his Ninja 1000).  First of all, I don't agree with you that just because the Ninja has an upright riding position and adjustable windshield that its not a "crotch rocket".  While its not in the same league as a ZX10r, its not in the same league as a Concours either.  It's closer to the ZX10r.

My friend now has over 2000 miles on the Ninja, and 20,000 on his Concours.  He feels like he can't live without either bike anymore.  Like he said, the Ninja is a lot more fun than the Concours, but he would not think of putting nearly 4000 miles on the Ninja in a week (which he and I do once a year, every year).

BTW, he also has a Ducati 1198S, and it's simply too radical of a riding position to be comfortable on a 300 mile day, which we also do almost every Saturday.  Keep in mind that we live in the Houston area, and we have to do a lot of straight line slogging to get to a handful of curves - which is pretty much why we have to ride 250-300 miles minimum  every weekend.  He considers the Ninja to be the perfect balance of being plenty sporty, but not enough that he has to go to a chiropractor every Monday.

[lt1]

<snip>
My friend now has over 2000 miles on the Ninja, and 20,000 on his Concours.  He feels like he can't live with either bike anymore.
<snip>

Do you mean "with" or "without"?  "Without" seems to make more sense in context.  Is he going to get rid of both of them?

[alexx45]

  Keep in mind that we live in the Houston area, and we have to do a lot of straight line slogging to get to a handful of curves - which is pretty much why we have to ride 250-300 miles minimum  every weekend.  He considers the Ninja to be the perfect balance of being plenty sporty, but not enough that he has to go to a chiropractor every Monday.

I live in the same area & suffer the same straight line slogs which is one of the other reasons I prefer to be on the C14 as opposed to the Bandit.

[jjsC6]

Do you mean "with" or "without"?  "Without" seems to make more sense in context.  Is he going to get rid of both of them?

Yes, meant WITHOUT - thanks for catching my typo.

[maxtog]

Has anyone compared these 2 bikes?

It is not really a valid comparison for most people.  They are two TOTALLY different types of bikes in different classes. 

You also left off many other Cons of the Ninja 1000, such as:

*Chain drive, which is much more maintenance.
*No traction control
*No variable valve timing
*Smaller alternator
*Probably have considerably less torque/grunt (despite being lighter)
*Shorter wheelbase (worse ride for long distance)
*Probably more vibration (no gear driven balancers)
*No KIPASS (although that might not matter to some)
*No analog speedometer
*Less other instrumentation and control
*FAR FAR worse warranty than the C14

[ZG]

You also left off many other Cons of the Ninja 1000, such as:

*Chain drive, which is much more maintenance.
*No traction control
*No variable valve timing
*Smaller alternator
*Probably have considerably less torque/grunt (despite being lighter)
*Shorter wheelbase (worse ride for long distance)
*Probably more vibration (no gear driven balancers)
*No KIPASS (although that might not matter to some)
*No analog speedometer
*Less other instrumentation and control
*FAR FAR worse warranty than the C14

And mama won't ride on the back...

[lt1]

It is not really a valid comparison for most people.  They are two TOTALLY different types of bikes in different classes. 
<snip>

Personally, I think all bike comparisons are valid.  I think every one of us compares and contrasts all the bikes on our shopping list before buying.  For some, both bikes will be on the list, and for others only one or neither.

If the Ninja 1000 ABS would have been available when I bought the C14, there is a good chance that it would have been my choice.  Now, it is easier to keep the C14 and fill the garage with a variety of cheap used bikes.  Lots of days the C14 sits while the old scoots get ridden.  Each bike has different qualities, but they are all a joy to ride.