Kawasaki Ninja 1000 vs. Suzuki GSX1250FA vs. Yamaha FZ1 Comparison Test | Battle of the Super-Standards

All Hail The King
At the end of the day, the Yamaha FZ1, Suzuki GSX1250FA and Kawasaki Ninja 1000 all prove to be good bikes. Each super-standard has made compromises, giving up a little bit of performance in the way of comfort and vice versa. But when push comes to shove, the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 proves that it has made the fewest compromises. And in a category where versatility is King, the Ninja 1000 takes the crown.

Specifications	Kawasaki Ninja 1000	Suzuki GSX1250FA	Yamaha FZ1

MSRP	$10,999	$11,599	$10,490
Engine
Type	Liquid-cooled, transverse inline four	Liquid-cooled, transverse inline four	Liquid-cooled, transverse inline four
Displacement	1043cc	1255cc	998cc
Bore x Stroke	77.0 x 56.0mm	79.0 x 64.0mm	77.0 x 53.6mm
Induction	Keihin DFI, 38mm throttle bodies w/ oval sub-throttle plates, single injector/cyl.	SDTV EFI, 36mm throttle bodies	Mikuni EFI, 45mm throttle bodies
Chassis
Front Suspension	41mm inverted cartridge fork, 4.7 in. travel	43mm conventional fork, 5.1 in. travel	43mm inverted cartridge fork, 5.1 in. travel
Rear Suspension	Horizontal monoshock, 5.4 in. travel	Single shock, 5.4 in. travel	Single shock, 5.1 in. travel
Front Tire	120/70ZR-17 Bridgestone BT-016 BB	120/70ZR-17 Bridgetone BT-021 AA	120/70ZR-17 Dunlop D221 G
Rear Tire	190/50ZR-17 Bridgetone BT-016 BB	180/55ZR-17 Bridgetone BT-021 AA	190/50ZR-17 Dunlop D221 G
Rake/Trail	24.5 deg. / 4.0 in. (102mm)	25.6 deg. / 4.1 in. (104mm)	25.0 deg. / 4.3 in. (109mm)
Wheelbase	56.9 in. (1445mm)	58.5 in. (1485mm)	57.5 in. (1460mm)
Weight	503 lb. (229 kg) wet; 473 lb. (215 kg) dry	567 lb. (237 kg) wet; 538 lb. (244kg) dry	487 lb. (221 kg) wet , 458 lb. (208 kg) dry
Fuel Consumption	29 to 37 mpg, 33 mpg average	32 to 44 mpg, 40 mpg average	34 to 38 mpg, 36 mpg average

Performance Numbers
Quarter-Mile
Kawasaki Ninja 1000	11.30 sec. @ 123.5 mph
Suzuki GSX1250FA	11.38 sec. @ 117.3 mph
Yamaha FZ1	10.87 sec. @ 128.2 mph
Roll-Ons	60-80	80-100
Kawasaki Ninja 1000	2.60 sec.	2.80 sec.
Suzuki GSX1250FA	3.25 sec.	3.94 sec.
Yamaha FZ1	3.24 sec.	3.98 sec.

2011 Standards Comparison Test Horsepower Chart

2011 Standards Comparison Test Torque Chart

Dyno numbers show the Suzuki,...

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Of the group, the GSX1250FA...

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Unlike most standards... the Kawi's 1043cc powerplant was specifically designed with commuting and canyon carving in mind.

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Community Comments

arless (12/26/11 05:03 PM)

The Yamaha is by far the most comfortable bike, the best set and handle bars for my 5'9" body. And in the twisty I want to be on the Yamaha also. The price is by far the easiest on the wallet. The Kawasaki has a irritating vibration at 7000 rpm and in the corners you have to hold it in the line you are taking or it will fall out. Plus it is a heavy motor cycle at 508lbs. I like a motor cycle that is a Clark Kent sort-ave bike. The Yamaha has what I personally love in a sport standard

arless (12/30/11 07:39 PM)

The Kawasaki's motor is more rambunctious at low rpms, you wait for a hit that never comes. It will out run the Yamaha in every roll on, But the eighth and Quarter mile belong to the Yamaha FZ1. The big Suzuki 1250 engine is all on the bottom end of the power band. There's virtually no mid range at all. signing off at 6900 rpm. The new FZ8 Yamaha is probably going to be the best of both worlds. Light weight crankshaft, 20lbs lighter than the FZ1 A 11.23 quarter mile time @ 121 mph. $6499.00 price point sale for a fz8!