Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX 2026 — Specifications

Following the Versys, it’s now the Ninja SX’s turn to move to 1100. A notable increase in displacement that is directly felt at the crankshaft. This Sport-Tourer no longer hides its love for the road, which it intends to cover with increased grace without denying its dynamism. However, the increase in displacement brings about welcome and somewhat surprising consequences.

The 4-cylinder engine has traversed the ages to the point that one might forget its origins (the old ZX-9R). Improved, rejuvenated, re-bored, and regularly restyled, it now claims an additional 3 mm for the stroke of its pistons. Its 1099 cm3 allows for a different breath, leading to a slight increase in torque: 0.2 mkg more, at a reduced engine speed of 400 rpm. Above all, the dose of this muscle has been increased at all engine speeds, to have more responsiveness than before, wherever the bar graph cursor is.

Except perhaps on the 5th and 6th gears. They have been lengthened, in order to reduce engine speed and consumption on these more "road" ratios. But where the Ninja 1100 SX surprises us is on the power ground. Its predecessor, the 1000, offered us beautiful sensations of force and smoothness with 142 horsepower. Coupled with a few 56 cm3 more, the 1100 announces… 136 horsepower. Arglhh! It is rare for an increase in displacement to be accompanied by a reduction in watts. But since the maximum power is obtained 1000 rpm earlier, we like to believe that the engine is fuller throughout its revolutions. To accompany it in gear changes, the Up&Down shifter is now active from 1500 rpm.

This faired roadster has a good dose of electronics, with traction control and ABS backed by an inertial IMU to be sensitive to the angle, a speed regulator, two power modes, 4 Riding Modes, the arrival of a USB-C port and an update to the Rideology app. It can now be controlled by voice.

The chassis having largely been designed to withstand a lot of constraints since the beginnings of the SX, and before it the vigor of the Z 1000, Kawa has hardly touched it. Just a pneumatic update with the installation of excellent Bridgestone S23 tires and a slight reinforcement of the braking with a 10 mm larger rear disc (260 mm).

In turn, the Ninja SX has a SE version. A large family now, ranging from the Ninja 500 SE to the sulphurous Z H2 SE, without forgetting the Z 900 SE, the Versys 1100 SE, etc.; each distinguished with superior quality elements. For the Ninja 1100 SX, the enrichment is translated by brake calipers and Brembo hardware, an Öhlins shock absorber, heated grips and more elaborate colors.

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