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2018Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS

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The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS is a sport-touring middleweight suited for riders seeking versatile all-road capability with spirited performance. Known for its balanced handling and practical comfort, it combines an inline-four engine with advanced electronics including Kawasaki Traction Control and Corner Management Function. The bike excels as an accessible sportbike for both weekend warriors and commuters.

Capacity
1043.0 ccm
Engine
In-line four, four-stroke
Gearbox
6-speed
Wet weight
234.1 kg
Seat height
815 mm
Power
138.0 HP (102.9 kW) @ 10000 RPM
Other years 2012 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested
Speed 83Agility 76Comfort 80Off-road 10Touring 82Road manners 90
Off-road & trail10%
Cornering82%
City riding68%
Daily riding78%
Touring85%
Two-up75%
Track65%
Best for
Designed as a sport-tourer that blends fast, in-line four sportbike performance with a more upright, comfortable stance for longer rides.
Built for
Punchy, high-revving in-line four engine paired with a sport-touring chassis gives it a versatile, confidence-inspiring personality on twisty roads and highways alike.
Not ideal for
Not a good fit for off-road riding, complete beginners, or riders seeking a lightweight, minimalist commuter bike.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to us
At 815mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with both feet flat on the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS, with a cramped knee angle of around 70 degrees and a forward-leaning riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 751-820 mm — Middle Ground →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Full specifications

Engine
Capacity
1043.0 ccm
Power
138.0 HP (102.9 kW) @ 10000 RPM
Torque
113.5 Nm (11.6 kgf-m) @ 11600 RPM
Engine type
In-line four, four-stroke
Power/weight ratio
0.5895 HP/kg
Bore x stroke
77.0 x 56.0 mm
Compression
11.8:1
Cooling system
Liquid
Fuel system
Injection
Starting
Electric
Ignition
TCBI with digital advance
Valves per cylinder
4
Lubrication system
Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler
Transmission
Gearbox
6-speed
Transmission type
Manual
Final drive
Chain
Clutch
Wet multi-disc, manual
Dimensions & weight
Wheelbase
1440 mm
Overall length
2101 mm
Overall width
790 mm
Overall height
1186 mm
Seat height
815 mm
Wet weight
234.1 kg
Fuel capacity
17.00 litres
Ground clearance
130 mm
Dry weight
Not on record - add it
Chassis & suspension
Frame
Aluminum backbone
Front suspension
41mm inverted cartridge fork with stepless compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload/4.7 in
Rear suspension
Horizontal monoshock with stepless rebound damping, remotely adjustable spring preload/5.4 in
Front wheel travel
119 mm
Rear wheel travel
140 mm
Rake (fork angle)
24.5°
Trail
102 mm
Brakes & wheels
Front brakes
Double disc. ABS. Four-piston calipers. Radially mounted.
Front brakes diameter
300 mm
Rear brakes
Single disc. ABS. Single-piston caliper.
Rear brakes diameter
250 mm
ABS
Yes
Front tyre
120/70-ZR17
Rear tyre
190/50-ZR17
Other
Color options
Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Graphite Gray, Metallic Matte Fusion Silver/Metallic Flat Spark Black
Warranty
12
Comments
Small windscreen. Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS), Power Mode, Kawasaki Corner Management Function (KCMF.
Comments
Small windscreen. Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS), Power Mode, Kawasaki Corner Management Function (KCMF.

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted
Specification 201220162017201820192020
Capacity 1043 cc 1043 cc 1043 cc 1043 cc 1043 cc 1043 cc
Seat height 820 mm 820 mm 815 mm 815 mm 815 mm 815 mm
Fuel capacity 18.9 L 18.9 L 17 L 17 L 17 L 17 L

Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.

Safety Recalls

⚠ 2 open recalls
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONNov 2020 · 20V676000

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Ninja H2 SX, Ninja H2 SXSE, and 2019-2020 Ninja H2 SXSE+ motorcycles. In the event of a gear misengagement the engine electronic control unit (ECU) programming doesn't have the capability to suppress high RPM during transmission. If the transmission gears are not properly engaged while shifting into 4th or 5th gear, high engine RPM can cause the output gears of 4th or 5th to fracture when the gears re-engage.

Risk: Damaged gears and the inability to shift can cause the engine to lock up, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: KMC will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owners are advised to not ride their motorcycle until the repair has been completed. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. KMC's number for this recall is MC20-10.

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STANDAug 2018 · 18V580000

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE (ZXT02BJ) motorcycles. The pin for the center stand spring may have been improperly welded, and, as a result, the pin may shift or fall off resulting in the spring detaching and the center stand dropping to the ground unexpectedly and dragging while riding.

Risk: The dragging center stand can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left center stand bracket, free of charge. Owners may contact Kawasaki customer service at 1-866-802-9381. Kawasaki's number for this recall is MC18-05.

Source: NHTSA. View all Kawasaki recalls →

Rider Reviews

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MotorcycleDB Review

The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS is a powerhouse of a motorcycle with its 1,043cc inline-four engine and advanced electronics package. This sporty yet versatile bike is perfect for long rides on the highway or carving through tight corners on winding roads. The sleek design and comfortable riding position make it a great choice for experienced riders looking for a high-performance option that doesn't sacrifice comfort.

With its advanced ABS system and traction control, the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 offers peace of mind and safety for riders of all levels. The responsive handling and smooth power delivery make it a joy to ride, whether you're commuting to work or hitting the open road for a weekend adventure. Overall, the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS is a top-notch motorcycle that delivers on performance, comfort, and safety.

Common questions

What is the engine size of the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS?

The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS has a Capacity of 1043.0 ccm (63.65 cubic inches).

What engine power does the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS have?

The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS has a Power of 138.0 HP (102.9 kW) @ 10000 RPM.

How many gears does the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS have?

The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS has a Gearbox of 6-speed.

What is the torque of the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS?

The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS has a Torque of 113.5 Nm (11.6 kgf-m or 83.7 ft.lbs) @ 11600 RPM.

How much does the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS weigh?

The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS has a Wet weight of 234.1 kg (516.1 pounds).

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