only thing I missed were hand guards to keep the wind chill off. But then, that is an Adventure bike thing and not really fitting on a Sports Tourer, so I’ m told.
ELECTRONICS Riding modes are Rain, Road, Sport and Rider Adjustable. Rain mode is broadly like Road mode in the first quarter of the rev range, but from there up the power is noticeably reduced. Road is a little softer in response and generally a little more mellow than Sport. Sport is how I like an engine to feel – plenty of power and response that progressively grows as the throttle opens, yet is smooth and very manageable. Sport has a natural, unrestricted feel that just feels right. The Adjustable mode is just that – you adjust it just how you want it. This includes the traction control which has three levels, as well as off. There is rear wheel lift mitigation built in to the ABS which is cool, but does eliminate stoppie fun. The adjustments are not particularly intuitive and there are no prompts on the clear, but small 4.3-inch TFT screen. Some brands are more straight forward for making these selections, but reading the manual is helpful. On the left bar is a large USB-C port that could have been smaller and better integrated into the controls. All usual warning and info is shown on the dash, as well as the lean angle, which can be fun to see.
BRAKING The brakes are not particularly flash on the spec sheet, but are excellent in use. They show total disregard for the 1100’ s 238kg wet weight and my large carcass. The front twin 300mm disc set up has a lovely light lever feel and plenty of stopping power. The rear is a fairly standard sized 260mm single disc that works great. Both ends have ABS that is well controlled with no unnecessary intervention. The handling is typical Sports Tourer. It is wellplanted and stable with a crisp turn-in, aided by the 24-degree steering angle. Turning requires some input from the rider compared to the lightness of feel of a similar-sized Adventure bike … which is my normal staple. That said, a few minutes on the Kawasaki saddle is all that’ s required to have you cranking in to turns with an easy confidence. The suspension action is firm yet compliant without a hint of harshness throughout the stroke.
THE SKINNY This is a grand machine and Kawasaki should be rightly proud of the updates. If I didn’ t loving riding gravel like I do, I’ d own this machine – it’ s that good. It is just so nice to ride- comfortable, fast, smooth, stops well, a reasonable screen and, most importantly, it puts a smile on my face. It takes me back a decade or so to happy times on my own ZX-14, but I think the new 1100SX is better overall.
50 KIWI RIDER