Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE… 1.98 million yen
Kawasaki Care Model, released on March 29, 2025
The vehicle used for the photo shoot was fitted with genuine accessories such as a pannier case kit (187,308 yen), a large windshield (clear, 24,420 yen), front axle sliders (11,110 yen), frame sliders (19,470 yen), a tank pad (8,580 yen), and knee pads (8,580 yen). The test ride was also carried out in this condition. A top case kit (177,430 yen) is also available, but it cannot be installed at the same time as the pannier cases.
The body color is Emerald Blazed Green x Metallic Diablo Black, as shown in the photo. The standard model does not have a green-based color scheme, so if you want a color that is typical of Kawasaki, you will have no choice but to choose the SE. The SE is also 1 kg lighter.
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On the same day, I test rode the Ninja 1100SX (1,771,000 yen). Please read
here for my impressions of the basic riding experience.
Add genuine accessories to transform it into a true sports tourer
The first-generation Ninja 1000 (known as the Z1000SX in Europe) was released in 2011, based on the concept of a “personal jet fighter.” Variation models such as the “Z1000SX Tourer,” which comes standard with pannier cases, and the “Z1000SX City,” which comes with a top case, were also sold in Europe. In addition, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the birth of the original Ninja, the GPZ900R, in 2024, a special model called the “Ninja 1000SX 40th Anniversary Edition” will be released. And this year, the “SE” model will be available as a higher-end model of the Ninja 1100SX.
The differences from the standard model are the Brembo front brake set (caliper, disc, stainless steel mesh hose), the Ohlins S46 shock absorber, and the special coloring. After checking the individual prices on the parts list, we calculated that the difference of 209,000 yen was a bargain.
The front forks are 41mm inverted type, and the price per part is the same as the standard model, 64,790 yen, but the bottom part of the SE has the cast lettering “SHOWA.” The front calipers are Brembo M4.32, and the price per part is 44,220 yen. By comparison, the calipers for the standard model cost 29,370 yen. The brake hoses use stainless steel mesh. The master cylinder is the same for both the standard and SE models. The standard tires are Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23.
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The front fork is fully adjustable, with preload and rebound damping force adjusters on the top caps on both sides, and compression damping force adjuster on the bottom part on the right side.
The rear suspension is a horizontal back-link monoshock, and the SE model uses an Ohlins S46 shock absorber. The standard model’s rear shock is priced at 73,920 yen, while the Ohlins shock is priced at 217,800 yen. Both models have adjustable rebound damping and preload using a hydraulic controller.
This time, I test rode the SE with the standard Ninja 1100SX on the same day, and left the genuine accessories attached to it. The first thing I noticed when comparing the two was that the difference in basic handling was very small. With such large pannier cases added, it would seem that there would be some effect on steering. Of course, it depends on how much luggage you have loaded, but the moment your feet hit the pannier cases when getting off the bike, the difference is so small that you’ll remember, “Ah, this is the SE.” This is proof that the handling has been fine-tuned, including the genuine accessories, and these pannier cases in particular are an excellent product that can be recommended for their practicality as well.
The pannier cases have a capacity of 28L per side. They are large enough to store a full-face helmet, and the one-key system allows them to be unlocked and locked with the ignition key. The styling is designed so that the pannier cases are installed for a cohesive look, and the clean mount pannier system means that when the panniers are removed, no brackets are left behind to spoil the appearance.
The large windshield is 24mm taller than the standard model, and because it’s wider in area as well as taller, it feels like it provides 20-30% more wind protection. However, I personally find it hard to give up the wide forward visibility that comes with the standard windshield, so I think it’s a good idea to change it depending on the situation, such as when going on long tours or traveling in cold weather.
The large windshield comes in two types: clear (24,420 yen) and smoke (26,510 yen). In addition, a smoked shield (17,270 yen) with the same shape as the standard equipment is also available.
The STD model is excellent, but if you want more comfort, the SE is also an option.
The Ninja 1100SX has excellent front and rear suspension even on the standard model. It operates so well that it makes rough roads feel smooth, and the body pitches smoothly and naturally on winding roads. In contrast, the SE’s Ohlins suspension has a higher level of movement, and it feels like it generates a gentle damping force from the moment it starts to move.
The SE model I test rode had an inertial damping effect from the pannier cases, and when going over a gap, only the under-sprung part moved smoothly to absorb the shock, which was probably another factor that made it feel like a high-quality model. On the other hand, even when I increased my pace on a mountain road, there was no breakdown, so it seems that the Ohlins can handle a wider range than the standard rear shock.
The Brembo brake set had not yet been fully broken in, so I didn’t feel a big difference between it and the standard model. I don’t know if that’s because the standard brake set is that good, or if the difference is reduced by the intervention of the KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-lock Brake System), but there’s no doubt that the controllability is at a high level.
Now, one thing you can’t overlook about the Ninja 1100SX and SE is that they come standard with a dash cam. The front camera near the left mirror stay and the rear camera to the upper right of the license plate both have a slightly retrofitted feel, but the product itself is a premium model made by Mitsuba Sanko, so it gives you a great sense of security.
The Mitsuba Sanko EDR-22G-K dash cam, which is standard equipment only on the Japanese model of both the STD and SE models, is a premium model with two front and rear cameras and GPS. The suggested retail price for the EDR-22G is 58,080 yen.
The Ninja 1100SX SE is a must-have for anyone who likes green coloring, and there’s no doubt that the Brembo and Ohlins wheels offer more than enough value for the price. Test riding the bike with the pannier cases attached once again allowed me to appreciate the high level of perfection it offers as a sports tourer.
Riding position and foot reach (175cm/68kg)
The riding position is the same for both the STD and SE models. Be careful as it’s easy to hit your feet on the pannier cases when getting on and off.
The seat height is also the same at 820mm. The amount of sinking at 1G seems to be almost the same, and as you can see, the foot reach is good.
