Just looking for your reviews in making the transition. I'm glad I bought the 650r but definitely want to move to the ninja 1000. I feel a little cramped on the 650r (I'm 6'2") and would like the additional hp as well, especially for 2up riding. Thanks for your input. The versys is also on the short list of bikes I may consider, feels less cramped, I know it has the same engine as what I already have though. I guess I could mod it for additional hp it if I really liked it.

650 would not make me happy. I love the flat tq anywhere you punch it. Not the crazy top end pull but Ive taken down 750 and 1000 cc ss bikes with the right run

Originally Posted by 1wd

Just looking for your reviews in making the transition. I'm glad I bought the 650r but definitely want to move to the ninja 1000. I feel a little cramped on the 650r (I'm 6'2") and would like the additional hp as well, especially for 2up riding. Thanks for your input. The versys is also on the short list of bikes I may consider, feels less cramped, I know it has the same engine as what I already have though. I guess I could mod it for additional hp it if I really liked it.

The new Versys 1000 should be on your "to ride" list, it has a slightly de-tuned Z1K/N1K motor setup for more mid-range and low end. Sounds like a great sport-touring/2-up machine to me.

Never tried the 650.. Straight from the 250 to the 1000

Upgrading from Ninja 650R to Ninja 1000

Repost. Thread locked.

Versys 1000 is not available in the US.

Short answer is: I upgraded to the N1K this year from a 650R, and I could not be happier. The N1K is every bit as fantastic as they say it is.

Long answer:

First of all, you should not set your hopes too high with the possibility of modifying the Versys engine for more HP. Cost of doing this would be prohibitive compared to the modest increase in HP you could achieve. You might as well spend that money on upgrading to a Ninja 1000. Also, the Versys and Ninja 1000 have slightly different purposes. The Versys is more a swiss knife all-purpose motorcycle, useful for road as well as adventure, while the Ninja 1000 is aimed at sport-routing, with strong emphasis on sport.

Last spring I traded my 2009 650R for a 2012 Ninja 1000. While I had two great seasons on my 650R, I was ready for a more powerful engine, and better brakes and suspension.

I read this forum thoroughly before making the move. Everybody told me I would not be disappointed. They were right.

The Ninja 1000 is a little heavier than the 650R. That, the sticky BT-016 tires, and the vastly superior suspension and chassis, provide a ride that's more comfortable and more confidence-inspiring. The bike is more stable on the highway, ride is smoother over potholes and less than perfect pavement. No more rear wheel jitterring over rough pavement. The bike is also less affected by crosswinds and the tires do not always skid to the bottom of a crack in the road like the BT-021 of my 650R did. Also, skidding on tar snakes is less of a problem since the tires are wider on the Ninja 1000.

I have gained a lot of confidence with the N1K. I now ride faster and more aggressively in the twisties.

The engine is just fantastic, and it pulls strongly from down low in the rev range, and it emits a powerful growl.

Comparing the Ninja 1000's suspension to the 650R's, is like comparing the ride quality of a regular Honda Civic to the super stable, planted and comfortable ride of a BMW 5-series.

As for 2up riding, obviously the Ninja 1000 or Versys are not as comfortable for your significant other than say, the ride in the back of a Concours. But I had someone on the back seat of my bike last Saturday and we rode 500 miles in one day, and I was surprised her butt didn't hurt and she was willing for more.

The Ninja 1000 has proven to be all I had imagined and more. It's definitely a keeper, and I plan to ride it for a very long time.

If you choose to upgrade to a Ninja 1000, your main concern after each ride will be to wipe that stupid grin off your face.

Recently I had the opportunity to ride the N1K and a friend's Speed Triple back to back. The Speed Triple's seat is slightly higher than the N1K, the wheels are closer together, and the machine is lighter and more maneuverable than the N1K. However nice the sound of the Triple might be, it became annoying after a while. And the wind screen on the N1K makes high speed cruising more enjoyable, for myself anyway.

I didn't upgrade from the 650, came 'down' from liter super sports, but I'm 6'3" and 195lbs, for size input, if I were anymore comfy on the N1K I'd fall asleep. Thought I'd share since we're both on the taller side.
Dave.

Originally Posted by amigo

Short answer is:

I was surprised her butt didn't hurt and she was willing for more.

Originally Posted by amigo

Short answer is: I upgraded to the N1K this year from a 650R, and I could not be happier. The N1K is every bit as fantastic as they say it is.

Long answer:

First of all, you should not set your hopes too high with the possibility of modifying the Versys engine for more HP. Cost of doing this would be prohibitive compared to the modest increase in HP you could achieve. You might as well spend that money on upgrading to a Ninja 1000. Also, the Versys and Ninja 1000 have slightly different purposes. The Versys is more a swiss knife all-purpose motorcycle, useful for road as well as adventure, while the Ninja 1000 is aimed at sport-routing, with strong emphasis on sport.

Last spring I traded my 2009 650R for a 2012 Ninja 1000. While I had two great seasons on my 650R, I was ready for a more powerful engine, and better brakes and suspension.

I read this forum thoroughly before making the move. Everybody told me I would not be disappointed. They were right.

The Ninja 1000 is a little heavier than the 650R. That, the sticky BT-016 tires, and the vastly superior suspension and chassis, provide a ride that's more comfortable and more confidence-inspiring. The bike is more stable on the highway, ride is smoother over potholes and less than perfect pavement. No more rear wheel jitterring over rough pavement. The bike is also less affected by crosswinds and the tires do not always skid to the bottom of a crack in the road like the BT-021 of my 650R did. Also, skidding on tar snakes is less of a problem since the tires are wider on the Ninja 1000.

I have gained a lot of confidence with the N1K. I now ride faster and more aggressively in the twisties.

The engine is just fantastic, and it pulls strongly from down low in the rev range, and it emits a powerful growl.

Comparing the Ninja 1000's suspension to the 650R's, is like comparing the ride quality of a regular Honda Civic to the super stable, planted and comfortable ride of a BMW 5-series.

As for 2up riding, obviously the Ninja 1000 or Versys are not as comfortable for your significant other than say, the ride in the back of a Concours. But I had someone on the back seat of my bike last Saturday and we rode 500 miles in one day, and I was surprised her butt didn't hurt and she was willing for more.

The Ninja 1000 has proven to be all I had imagined and more. It's definitely a keeper, and I plan to ride it for a very long time.

If you choose to upgrade to a Ninja 1000, your main concern after each ride will be to wipe that stupid grin off your face.

Recently I had the opportunity to ride the N1K and a friend's Speed Triple back to back. The Speed Triple's seat is slightly higher than the N1K, the wheels are closer together, and the machine is lighter and more maneuverable than the N1K. However nice the sound of the Triple might be, it became annoying after a while. And the wind screen on the N1K makes high speed cruising more enjoyable, for myself anyway.

amigo pretty much nailed it on the head. i upgraded this year from an 09 650r to a 2011 ninja 1000 and couldnt be happier i made the switch. dont think i could have said it any better. and to add to this Im 6' and use this as a commuter bike to work and back (about 30 miles) and sometimes take it back home to CT from Boston (200 miles) during the summer. great bike for commuting and just plain messing around on on the weekends

If you choose to upgrade to a Ninja 1000, your main concern after each ride will be to wipe that stupid grin off your face.

I can't explain the simple pleasure I get just riding the bike any way I want. Tooling around below 5000rpm, moderate street racing up to 8000 rpm, to ball busting wheelie machine pulling to red line. Always a grin on my face when I park it in my garage after a ride. The modern looks of the N1k & Z1K make some very recent bikes look dated and primative.

Thanks for all of the responses. I would love to see the Versys 1000 come over here, unfortunately not yet.
Dman, good to hear of the comfort as we're both on the taller side.
Amigo, thanks for the detailed write up. Some of the points you made are exactly what I will be looking for when I test ride the bike, especially the suspension.
smarty85, I'm in CT as well, good to hear it can do long highway runs comfortably versus ss bikes.

How would you guys compare the gear box/shifting from the 650r to the ninja 1000? Although, I've gotten use to the clunky shifting I was hoping to go to a much smoother shifting bike.

Thx again.

I personnally feel that the gearbox/shifting on the Ninja 1000 is slightly better than the one on the 650R. With the 650R, I'd sometimes have difficulty upshifting to 2nd gear, I don't have that problem with the 1000. As with other bikes I've owned, shiftings always gets smoother after an oil change. I miss the adjustment wheel on the clutch lever of the 650R though. My fingers are a little short for the standard position of th clutch lever on the Ninja 1000. Nothing that can't be fixed though.

Originally Posted by amigo

I personnally feel that the gearbox/shifting on the Ninja 1000 is slightly better than the one on the 650R. With the 650R, I'd sometimes have difficulty upshifting to 2nd gear, I don't have that problem with the 1000. As with other bikes I've owned, shiftings always gets smoother after an oil change. I miss the adjustment wheel on the clutch lever of the 650R though. My fingers are a little short for the standard position of th clutch lever on the Ninja 1000. Nothing that can't be fixed though.

Have you tried adjusting the wheel adjuster on the N1K clutch cable? Screwing it in towards the lever will bring the engagement point closer to the bar but be careful not to go too far or the clutch won't completely disengage.

Hey,

I'm the guy that posted the original thread that Rowdyred linked to. I upgraded from a 2009 650R to a 2011 Ninja 1000.

The Ninja 1000 is far superior to the 650R in just about every way imaginable!

If you decide to upgrade to the Ninja 1000 - you will NOT be disappointed!!!

It is an amazing motorcycle.

Here's a link to a post I did on a Ninja 650R forum comparing both bikes shortly after I upgraded:


My 650R to Ninja1000 Comparison : KawiForums.com Kawasaki Forums: Kawasaki motorcycle forums