Very nice bike man! I like what you put on the bike also. Not too flashy, and tasteful mods to make what was good...better. I just started riding. Got myself the 20' Ninja 650. Seeing your video I know what bike to get whenever I upgrade. Thanks!
Hi Jonathan, Just wanna let you know that I really appreciate your high quality RUclips content on the Z1000SX. Interesting and helpful, eg the one on removing the body panels. And really nice how you updated your bike without disturbing it. KR, Peter
Hey!!! Welcome back on the road!!! I’m north of Montreal so still got 5 inches of ice in my drive way from our crazy icy winter... Have to wait another month before being able get the bike out... Very nice mods and your bike is really awsome!!! Really apreciate your videos!!! Be safe and have a great riding season!!!
Jonathan Long Yessss!!! Hanging in there for sure... Started the bike yesterday... Took my seat to be redone today, cause we all know that a FJR’s original seat is not the most confortable... All that is getting me in the riding spirit!!! I’m about 40 miles north west of Montreal... In a place called St-Colomban... Close to some very very scenic rides and about two hours from the amaizing Ontario Highlands loop... Look it up!!!
@@ajgprep1023 Thanks, and great question! I'll cover all my thoughts about the bike in an upcoming review, so keep an eye out for that. But my favorite thing about the Ninja is how well it blends performance and versatility. It has more than enough performance to be a ton of fun as a sport bike, but it's comfortable enough to ride all day. Then in less than a minute, you can have the windscreen raised and the hard luggage installed, and the bike is ready to go for an epic trip.
@@JonLong that's awesome man great choice of motorcycle! I was going to pick up one myself but ended up going for the 14r. I miss that good gas mileage tho
Greetings from Polnad. You're doing a great job on your channel. I learned a lot about Ninja 1000 (in Poland Z1000SX) and used a lot of your solutions and tips in my bike :)
very clean bike, love all the mods, though not so hot on those mufflers, IMO the stock exhaust looks better (in fact I would go as far as say that the stock Z1000 is one of the best looking mufflers, besides maybe something off an an MV Agusta), and I just can't bring myself to replace mine because everything in the aftermarket looks like a plain old tube of Pringles. Yes, I know stock is heavy but our bikes are heavy to begin with. I may just end up drilling the baffles out of my stocker for a bit more sound.
I was looking for a list of part numbers for the bags, so I can save some money instead of getting them through the dealer. Thanks! Love the videos and the mods.
Mic sounds great if you ask me. Have heard nothing but good things about the helmet too. I'm currently looking into buying a Z1000SX, would be stoked if it ended up looking like yours.
Hi i'm from Australia, I have a 2018sx and I have fitted the low accessory seat, it is okay for about 1 hour than my bum starts to get sore have you tried the Kawasaki gel seat accessory? Regards Doug
Hey Jonathan, big fan of the bike. I'd say the mods are spot on and mature too! IMO Those Leo Vince pipes are the only aftermarket pipes that deserve to replace the stock pipes and they do sound lovely! I also like that you did not eliminate the fender. I don't see the point on this bike. Looks neat as is. I see you're still running on Bridgestone battlax S21. How reliable have they been? Would you recommend them for all weather daily commuting? Have you any info on the S22? Thanks for the good work on your channel. Effort appreciated.
Hello, thank you for nice feedback! The Ninja 1000 is a great bike from the factory, so it hasn’t needed many mods. I had a good experience with the S21 tires, but switched to Pirelli Angel GT II in the fall of last year. I used the S21 in all kinds of conditions and never had any problems with them. I avoid riding in the rain for commuting (I just take my car if the weather will be bad), but the rain is unavoidable on multi-day trips. I wouldn’t be in any hurry to replace the S21, since they are a versatile tire, but I do prefer the Angel GT for my style of riding. Mostly because it has good tire life and is a great tire for sport-touring and commuting.
Jonathan, you're just making me want this thing more and more. I thought I wanted a nice sport bike but I'm happy enough with my Ninja 400 in that regard. Figured I'd have a look at the offerings on touring bikes and this thing is a beaut. I'll call it the fat Ninja now, thanks for the videos on mods. What's it like not riding a 2x4 plank?
The Ninja 1000 is the closest to a super sport that I’ve ever been interested in. I’m typically drawn to naked bikes and touring bikes, and the Ninja 1000 strikes an incredible balance between sporty looks, performance, and handling, while also being really comfortable and practical for all kinds of riding. It’s a blast to ride on twisty mountain roads, and comfortable enough to spend days in the saddle.
Thanks! I’ve considered installing that horn, but I’m not sure if there’s a good space for it. I also considered the Soundbomb Mini, but I’m not sure if it’s much louder than stock.
I have you had any issues with shifting? I have the same model and color and I am getting false neutrals through the gears. I got all my gears replaced and shift fork under warranty but I am still having a few issues.
That’s crazy! I haven’t had a single false neutral, or any other problems with my transmission. Let us know if you ever find out more info about the problem.
Hey there Jonathan, I was wondering if you are using the rode lavaliere mic direct into you Sony FDR3000x or are you using an attenuator of some sort. I use the Sony lav mic in mine an even it overdrives the preamps in the camera sometimes. I have never found another lav mic that wont overdrive the pre-amps on the Sony. Thanks Sir.... :)
I’m using the mic straight in, with a TRRS to TRS adapter. No attenuator with the Rode or with the Sony mic I used in the past. The volume levels are super hot, so I always have to turn the levels down in my video editor.
I don’t mind lubing the chain at home. It’s only annoying to have to lube the chain on long trips, but I only do a few of those per year. So for me, it’s not worth the cost or complexity of adding a chain oiler.
Your bike is looking really nice! I see you have a camera mount on the screen. Is there any vibration/jello when videoing from this mount? Great video, thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I am planning on doing a video in the near future about my bike and helmet video setup, and I’ll talk about all of the different mounts I use in that video. But to answer your question, I’ve been satisfied with the quality of the video when mounted on the screen. Check my most recent road trip video, and there is some sample footage in there.
Can u specify which ram mount base are you using on the handlebar mirror mount. Also, is it good for mounting a phone? Is it 349U (M10 1.26 thread) ? TIA
Love your vids, I have a 2017 NINJA 1000 and did some similar mods. Curious as to your thoughts on the seat. My one and only complaint about this bike is the seat. I was thinking about a sargent, but primarily the stock seat seems (to me) good for about an hour or so before becoming uncomfortable.
I like the stock seat. People hated the seat on my last bike (FZ-09) too, and I didn’t mind that one either. If I was looking for a new seat, I’d like at the Kawasaki Gel or the Sargent.
Hey Jonathan, great bike. How's the riding position? Do you feel any discomfort on longer trips? The dash is pretty basic and there's not too many settings you can adjust, which seems odd given it's a touring bike, but on the other hand, Kawasaki needs to encourage people to buy the H2 if they seek more technology, am I right? Did you have a chance to ride with a passenger?
Hey Dominik, I’ll be doing a full review on the bike in the next month or so, and I’ll cover everything you’re asking about in that video in more detail. But here are the short answers: I’ve done 400-500 mile days on multi day trips, and I find the bike to be really comfortable. I like the seat and the riding position a lot. No pressure on my arms or hands, and easy to keep my head up so I can look forward comfortably. It has adjustable power levels and IMU-based traction control. ABS is always on. The only thing I think is missing is cruise control. I have ridden with a passenger quite a bit, and she finds it to be comfortable. I really like the shape of the passenger seat, because it keeps the passenger in place, rather than sliding forward and putting pressure on me. I wear a belt around my jacket that has handles for her to hold onto. Those are a lot more comfortable and secure feeling than only holding onto the grab handles on the bike.
@@dmandhelen TFT display (which is becoming a standard nowadays), cruise control, cornering lights, and also KEBC (Kawasaki Engine Break Control). No to mention a turbocharger, which increases fuel efficiency greatly...
Hey man, what do you use for a mic setup? I tried a lavalier mic to a voice recorder in my helmet and it was wayy too loud even when I put the sensitivity to low. Any suggestions? Yours sounds so much better
Karma Hey, I have two videos on my helmet cam setup. One is more recent and shows all my camera gear. The other is older but focuses on the helmet setup. I’m currently using the Rode Smart Lav+ with the Sony X3000. The Sony records external audio at very high volume, but I just turn it down in my video editor. There is no distortion in the recording, so when you turn it down it sounds like what you hear in this video.
I’ll cover this more in a future video (either a bike review, or a Ninja 1000 vs other bikes video), but here’s a short version. In terms of power, they actually feel about the same. The FZ is lighter and feels like it has a more aggressive throttle opening, so it has a really sharp acceleration. The Ninja has more power, but is heavier. It also has the dual throttle bodies, with one set being controlled by the ECU. So even if you crack the throttle open hard, the ECU controlled throttle bodies still open a little more slowly to give you a smoother acceleration.That makes the FZ feel a little faster during the first fraction of a second of acceleration. Once moving, both bikes have more power than you ever need. Passing on the highway with the NInja is effortless; it goes from 65-100 like it’s nothing. The FZ feels more compact and upright, but not more comfortable. The Ninja has a little more room to stretch out and is very comfortable on long rides. I like the slightly leaned forward position, because it stabilizes me during acceleration. The Ninja feels a bit more refined (suspension, chassis dynamics, braking). In terms of obvious differences, the Ninja is a better sport touring bike. The luggage and wind protection are great. I feel like the Ninja adds the sport touring versatility without losing any of the sporty character of the FZ. That was a longer answer than I expected!
how can you still be running those horrible factory tires i couldnt wait to get rid of them i binned them at 50% tread, got michelin road 5's which transformed the bike
I haven’t had any problems with them so far, but I’ll be replacing them pretty soon. How are you liking the Road 5? I’ve used Pirelli Angel GT in the past, and I’m not sure which to go with for this bike.
Hello, I watched all your videos about the kawasaki ninja 1000 because I have the same bike. could you refer me to the online store i can buy the tank pad like on your motorcycle. thank you
These mods are awesome....the sound coming from the pipe sounds beautiful. Clear sound from the mic. Stay with the videos!!!! 👍👍👍👍
Thanks!
Very nice bike man! I like what you put on the bike also. Not too flashy, and tasteful mods to make what was good...better. I just started riding. Got myself the 20' Ninja 650. Seeing your video I know what bike to get whenever I upgrade. Thanks!
Your bike looks amazing! Great mods! And I love the exhaust note!
Thanks!
Hi Jonathan, Just wanna let you know that I really appreciate your high quality RUclips content on the Z1000SX. Interesting and helpful, eg the one on removing the body panels. And really nice how you updated your bike without disturbing it. KR, Peter
Hey!!! Welcome back on the road!!! I’m north of Montreal so still got 5 inches of ice in my drive way from our crazy icy winter... Have to wait another month before being able get the bike out... Very nice mods and your bike is really awsome!!! Really apreciate your videos!!! Be safe and have a great riding season!!!
Thanks a lot! The warm weather is headed up your way, so just hang in there. How far north of Montreal are you?
Jonathan Long Yessss!!! Hanging in there for sure... Started the bike yesterday... Took my seat to be redone today, cause we all know that a FJR’s original seat is not the most confortable... All that is getting me in the riding spirit!!! I’m about 40 miles north west of Montreal... In a place called St-Colomban... Close to some very very scenic rides and about two hours from the amaizing Ontario Highlands loop... Look it up!!!
You got yourself a mighty nice Ninja 1000.
What is your favorite thing about that motorcycle
@@ajgprep1023 Thanks, and great question! I'll cover all my thoughts about the bike in an upcoming review, so keep an eye out for that. But my favorite thing about the Ninja is how well it blends performance and versatility. It has more than enough performance to be a ton of fun as a sport bike, but it's comfortable enough to ride all day. Then in less than a minute, you can have the windscreen raised and the hard luggage installed, and the bike is ready to go for an epic trip.
@@JonLong that's awesome man great choice of motorcycle! I was going to pick up one myself but ended up going for the 14r. I miss that good gas mileage tho
Lovely looking bike Jon....keep those videos coming...waiting eagarly for the next one
Thanks, I really appreciate the support!
Greetings from Polnad. You're doing a great job on your channel. I learned a lot about Ninja 1000 (in Poland Z1000SX) and used a lot of your solutions and tips in my bike :)
Cześć! Thank you, I appreciate the feedback and I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying the channel!
@@JonLong What settings do you use when recording movies while driving ? (resolution, fps, angle) ?
Great man, very nice mods! I'm having a lot of fun with this bike! Ride safe ✌️
it is January 2020 and I'm already waiting for spring! Ride safe, Kawa for life!
Warm weather can’t come soon enough!
very clean bike, love all the mods, though not so hot on those mufflers, IMO the stock exhaust looks better (in fact I would go as far as say that the stock Z1000 is one of the best looking mufflers, besides maybe something off an an MV Agusta), and I just can't bring myself to replace mine because everything in the aftermarket looks like a plain old tube of Pringles. Yes, I know stock is heavy but our bikes are heavy to begin with. I may just end up drilling the baffles out of my stocker for a bit more sound.
Awesome mods. Thank you for these good videos! 👍👍
Thanks, I’m glad you’re enjoying them!
I was looking for a list of part numbers for the bags, so I can save some money instead of getting them through the dealer. Thanks! Love the videos and the mods.
Love your mods,can you please make a list of parts with links , greatly appreciate it
Great setup 👍
Mic sounds great if you ask me. Have heard nothing but good things about the helmet too. I'm currently looking into buying a Z1000SX, would be stoked if it ended up looking like yours.
Thanks for the feedback about the mic. What color / year Z1000SX are you looking at?
That first ride feels great, did mine Sunday just gone 😊
It’s tough to make it through the winter without any riding!
Beautiful bike, greetings from Germany
Hello in Germany! I’ve visited there once, but I can’t remember the name of the town I visited.
Hello Jonathan!
what kind of helmet lock is under the pillion seat ?
Hello, does the 2019 Ninja 1000 ABS have the 3 “ride modes” like Sport, Road and Rain?
Hi i'm from Australia, I have a 2018sx and I have fitted the low accessory seat, it is okay for about 1 hour than my bum starts to get sore have you tried the Kawasaki gel seat accessory? Regards Doug
Hey jon would you have the link for your ram mount for the phone please 😊oh i just seen installation video ill check that out 😉
Cool, I’m glad you found the video!
All good found link and video. Love your videos 👍 brad from oz
I'm not really into bikes but damn that is Beautiful especially in the matte silver
Thanks!
Hey Jonathan, big fan of the bike. I'd say the mods are spot on and mature too! IMO Those Leo Vince pipes are the only aftermarket pipes that deserve to replace the stock pipes and they do sound lovely! I also like that you did not eliminate the fender. I don't see the point on this bike. Looks neat as is. I see you're still running on Bridgestone battlax S21. How reliable have they been? Would you recommend them for all weather daily commuting? Have you any info on the S22? Thanks for the good work on your channel. Effort appreciated.
Hello, thank you for nice feedback! The Ninja 1000 is a great bike from the factory, so it hasn’t needed many mods. I had a good experience with the S21 tires, but switched to Pirelli Angel GT II in the fall of last year. I used the S21 in all kinds of conditions and never had any problems with them. I avoid riding in the rain for commuting (I just take my car if the weather will be bad), but the rain is unavoidable on multi-day trips. I wouldn’t be in any hurry to replace the S21, since they are a versatile tire, but I do prefer the Angel GT for my style of riding. Mostly because it has good tire life and is a great tire for sport-touring and commuting.
@@JonLong Thanks mate. Really cool.
39000mile?)))That's cool!!!
Jonathan, you're just making me want this thing more and more. I thought I wanted a nice sport bike but I'm happy enough with my Ninja 400 in that regard. Figured I'd have a look at the offerings on touring bikes and this thing is a beaut. I'll call it the fat Ninja now, thanks for the videos on mods. What's it like not riding a 2x4 plank?
The Ninja 1000 is the closest to a super sport that I’ve ever been interested in. I’m typically drawn to naked bikes and touring bikes, and the Ninja 1000 strikes an incredible balance between sporty looks, performance, and handling, while also being really comfortable and practical for all kinds of riding. It’s a blast to ride on twisty mountain roads, and comfortable enough to spend days in the saddle.
Cool bike
Beautiful!
Nice Bike
Your bike looks real good. I love the Leo Vince tail pipes. They sound perfect. Have you thought of installing the Denali Soundbomb?
Thanks! I’ve considered installing that horn, but I’m not sure if there’s a good space for it. I also considered the Soundbomb Mini, but I’m not sure if it’s much louder than stock.
I have you had any issues with shifting? I have the same model and color and I am getting false neutrals through the gears. I got all my gears replaced and shift fork under warranty but I am still having a few issues.
That’s crazy! I haven’t had a single false neutral, or any other problems with my transmission. Let us know if you ever find out more info about the problem.
Badass bike though
Hey there Jonathan, I was wondering if you are using the rode lavaliere mic direct into you Sony FDR3000x or are you using an attenuator of some sort. I use the Sony lav mic in mine an even it overdrives the preamps in the camera sometimes. I have never found another lav mic that wont overdrive the pre-amps on the Sony. Thanks Sir.... :)
I’m using the mic straight in, with a TRRS to TRS adapter. No attenuator with the Rode or with the Sony mic I used in the past. The volume levels are super hot, so I always have to turn the levels down in my video editor.
@@JonLong thanks Sir......
What is the part number for the levers? Thanks brother!
Great Colour scheme
where do you attach the EZ-Pass?
Nice bike！
Thank you!
Hey man, didn't you want to install a chain oiler?
I don’t mind lubing the chain at home. It’s only annoying to have to lube the chain on long trips, but I only do a few of those per year. So for me, it’s not worth the cost or complexity of adding a chain oiler.
Your bike is looking really nice! I see you have a camera mount on the screen. Is there any vibration/jello when videoing from this mount? Great video, thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I am planning on doing a video in the near future about my bike and helmet video setup, and I’ll talk about all of the different mounts I use in that video. But to answer your question, I’ve been satisfied with the quality of the video when mounted on the screen. Check my most recent road trip video, and there is some sample footage in there.
@@JonLong Many thanks. I look forward to the video and I will check out your road trip video in the meantime.
Hey what tank cover are you using? I've got a pro-grip lying around, but yours looks like it fits really well
Can u specify which ram mount base are you using on the handlebar mirror mount. Also, is it good for mounting a phone? Is it 349U (M10 1.26 thread) ? TIA
Part# RAM-B-349 is the part # for the ball mount. You will also need an extension arm to connect it to the ball base of the X-grip for a phone mount.
@@JonLong thank you 🙏. Ordered.
Love your vids, I have a 2017 NINJA 1000 and did some similar mods. Curious as to your thoughts on the seat. My one and only complaint about this bike is the seat. I was thinking about a sargent, but primarily the stock seat seems (to me) good for about an hour or so before becoming uncomfortable.
I like the stock seat. People hated the seat on my last bike (FZ-09) too, and I didn’t mind that one either. If I was looking for a new seat, I’d like at the Kawasaki Gel or the Sargent.
Great vid! Is it possible to get the list of your upgrades? :D It would be awesome!
Keep it up!
Hey Jonathan, great bike. How's the riding position? Do you feel any discomfort on longer trips?
The dash is pretty basic and there's not too many settings you can adjust, which seems odd given it's a touring bike, but on the other hand, Kawasaki needs to encourage people to buy the H2 if they seek more technology, am I right?
Did you have a chance to ride with a passenger?
Hey Dominik, I’ll be doing a full review on the bike in the next month or so, and I’ll cover everything you’re asking about in that video in more detail. But here are the short answers: I’ve done 400-500 mile days on multi day trips, and I find the bike to be really comfortable. I like the seat and the riding position a lot. No pressure on my arms or hands, and easy to keep my head up so I can look forward comfortably. It has adjustable power levels and IMU-based traction control. ABS is always on. The only thing I think is missing is cruise control. I have ridden with a passenger quite a bit, and she finds it to be comfortable. I really like the shape of the passenger seat, because it keeps the passenger in place, rather than sliding forward and putting pressure on me. I wear a belt around my jacket that has handles for her to hold onto. Those are a lot more comfortable and secure feeling than only holding onto the grab handles on the bike.
@@JonLong I appreciate you taking time to reply. How tall are you?
5’10” 180lb
What other technology were you thinking of ..??:-)))
@@dmandhelen TFT display (which is becoming a standard nowadays), cruise control, cornering lights, and also KEBC (Kawasaki Engine Break Control). No to mention a turbocharger, which increases fuel efficiency greatly...
Hey man, what do you use for a mic setup? I tried a lavalier mic to a voice recorder in my helmet and it was wayy too loud even when I put the sensitivity to low. Any suggestions? Yours sounds so much better
Karma Hey, I have two videos on my helmet cam setup. One is more recent and shows all my camera gear. The other is older but focuses on the helmet setup. I’m currently using the Rode Smart Lav+ with the Sony X3000. The Sony records external audio at very high volume, but I just turn it down in my video editor. There is no distortion in the recording, so when you turn it down it sounds like what you hear in this video.
Didin't have time so far, ride safe!
Hey man, just come across your vids, how'd you find this bike compared to the FZ?
I’ll cover this more in a future video (either a bike review, or a Ninja 1000 vs other bikes video), but here’s a short version. In terms of power, they actually feel about the same. The FZ is lighter and feels like it has a more aggressive throttle opening, so it has a really sharp acceleration. The Ninja has more power, but is heavier. It also has the dual throttle bodies, with one set being controlled by the ECU. So even if you crack the throttle open hard, the ECU controlled throttle bodies still open a little more slowly to give you a smoother acceleration.That makes the FZ feel a little faster during the first fraction of a second of acceleration. Once moving, both bikes have more power than you ever need. Passing on the highway with the NInja is effortless; it goes from 65-100 like it’s nothing. The FZ feels more compact and upright, but not more comfortable. The Ninja has a little more room to stretch out and is very comfortable on long rides. I like the slightly leaned forward position, because it stabilizes me during acceleration. The Ninja feels a bit more refined (suspension, chassis dynamics, braking). In terms of obvious differences, the Ninja is a better sport touring bike. The luggage and wind protection are great. I feel like the Ninja adds the sport touring versatility without losing any of the sporty character of the FZ. That was a longer answer than I expected!
how can you still be running those horrible factory tires i couldnt wait to get rid of them i binned them at 50% tread, got michelin road 5's which transformed the bike
I haven’t had any problems with them so far, but I’ll be replacing them pretty soon. How are you liking the Road 5? I’ve used Pirelli Angel GT in the past, and I’m not sure which to go with for this bike.
I'm trying to decide between the Pirelli Angell ii or Michelin road 5
Hello,
I watched all your videos about the kawasaki ninja 1000 because I have the same bike. could you refer me to the online store i can buy the tank pad like on your motorcycle.
thank you
It is the R&G modular tank pad. I don’t remember where I bought it, but hopefully that helps you find one. Thanks for watching!
Thank you
I thought he was going to talk about the bike.
Take the fender off the back! It’s the only thing wrong with your sick bike 🏍
Haha, they definitely look better without it. But I like the protection it provides when I get caught riding in the rain or on wet roads.
wow, I cant believe how bad the condition of the roads are in your neck of the woods.
i got me the 2017 ninja 1000abs, kalamazoo
Nice, another Michigan Ninja 1000 rider!
I have a 2017 in Rochester hills north of detroit. Woot!
oh U are so
handsome ！
Video starts at 3.00
Thank me later