This covers the cost of added goodies like the additional bodywork and a three-way adjustable windscreen. Debuting a year after its fairing-free sibling, the Ninja also shares the same braking setup, suspension components and quad exhaust silencers. Despite sharing components and a powerplant, the Ninja actually cuts through the air more efficiently than its naked sibling, thanks to its additional aerodynamics, necessitating an electronic speed limiter.

Steering that is both light and precise makes the Ninja one-thou inspire confidence. Thanks to Mass Centralization, which is essentially a fancy way of saying the bulk of the weight is kept low, the Ninja feels much lighter than its 228-kg (503-lb) running weight would suggest. The Showa suspension includes a 41-mm fork and rear monoshock, offering three adjustment choices up front with adjustable preload and rebound in the rear.

Acceleration is as smooth or severe as your right hand dictates, and wheelies are easily attainable but can easily be tamed if calmer heads prevail. While the speed and agility of the biggest Ninja may be impressive, it’s no one trick pony.

The Showa suspension includes a 41-mm fork and rear monoshock. (Photo: Dustin A. Woods)

Its true value lies in the fact that it boasts exhilarating performance without compromising comfort. Over the course of a week with the Candy Lime Green and Ebony tester, it never felt out of place, whether I was tackling twisties out in the country or battling streetcars on my commute in the city. Its beauty truly lies in its versatility.

Braking is equally exceptional and reeling in the Ninja’s 136 horsepower is both swift and predictable. Radial-mounted four-piston Tokico calipers grab a pair of 300-mm, petal-style rotors up front with help from a Nissin radial-pump master cylinder, while a single-piston caliper clamps onto a single 250-mm rotor out back.

A neutral riding position, 19-litre fuel tank and adjustable windscreen make it an ideal mount for longer distances, unlike most supersports where you need to be helped off the bike after a spirited day of riding. My only grievance with the Ninja 1000, as with several Kawasakis, is the placement and effectiveness of the mirrors. Appearing to be concave, their surface area is adequate, but their coverage leaves something to be desired.

If that is the biggest gripe I can possibly conjure up, I’d say the engineers have done a pretty damn good job.

Pros
Agile handling at any speed
Comfortable riding position, adjustable windscreen and 19L tank allow for longer trips
Powerplant is as strong or serene as you like

Cons
Mirror placement and coverage could use some tweaking