Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Insurance

The Kawasaki Ninja 1000 — also known as the Ninja 1000SX or simply the “NK1” — has been in production since 2011, designed as a “sport bike for the real world.” It shares the same 1043cc 16-valve engine and aluminum twin-tube backbone frame as the Z1000 streetfighter, but has full fairings, a larger fuel tank, and ergonomics / storage geared for the sport touring market.

“The Ninja 1000SX carries over the Z’s magic mix of sporty style, plentiful power and undemanding versatility…from mini-roundabouts in town to tight mountain roads to wide open countryside sweepers, the new 1000SX steers as easily and accurately as anything.” —MCN

Though the Ninja 1000 isn’t quite as aggressive as the ZX-10R or the supercharged H2R, insurance coverage for any sport bike can be incredibly costly — particularly if you’re a young rider, or your driving record isn’t pristine. Fortunately, we can help.

Ninja 1000 Insurance Rates

When it comes to exact rates, there’s a bewildering assortment of variables that determine what you’ll be charged: location, age, driving record, credit, types of coverage, and more. Only an actual quote will give you a true answer, but here a few real-world examples:

Rider 1:  Male, age 52, Southern California:

• Geico: $1200 / year, full coverage
• Allstate:  $700 / year, full coverage.

Rider 2: Male, age 58, Central Kentucky, clean driving record.

• State Farm: $496 / year, full coverage.

Rider 3: Male, age 48, Middle Tennessee.

• State Farm: $331 / year, full coverage.

Rider 4:  Female, 50s, Missouri, spotless record and RiderCoach:

• Progressive: $1500 / year, full coverage.
• Nationwide: $500 / year, full coverage

Riders have reported quite high rates for the Ninja 1000. Says one member of the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 forum:

“The N1k insurance rates are higher than other bikes in its class. In some cases it’s at or near liter class sportbike level insurance depending on the insurance company, bike owner, and geographic location.”

As you can see, rates have varied widely for riders from company to company, with some owners saving up to $1000 a year by switching carriers.

Ninja 1000 History

Kawasaki introduced the Ninja 1000 in 2011 as a “sport bike for the real world,” built to compete with sport tourers such as the Honda VFR1000 and Triumph Sprint GT. As such, it was designed with more upright ergonomics than the ZX-R series super sports, as well as a larger fuel tank, adjustable windshield, and more storage / luggage options.

The 1043cc liquid-cooled 16-valve inline four engine makes 140 bhp and 82 ft-lbs of torque, with generous midrange power:

“With a classic slightly-propped riding position and bulging midrange drive, it pours through rolling, darting open countryside; the road is turned into one long flowing motion, passing smoothly yet briskly as long-legged thrust is delivered with subtle roll-on throttle. Whoosh.” —MCN

Currently, it competes with machines such as the Yamaha MT-10 Tourer Edition and Suzuki GSX-S1000GT.

Ninja 10000 Coverage Requirements

As you probably know, the vast majority of states require liability coverage for any motorcycle, and if you’ve financed your N1K, your bank or lender will require you to carry full coverage insurance — i.e., collision and comprehensive coverage.

In order to keep your premiums as low as possible, we recommend attending a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course, which often translates into a 10% discount on your premiums. Visit the MSF website to find a course near you.

You may also save by insuring all your vehicles with the one company — multi-vehicle discounts can save you up to 25%.

Most importantly, you need to shop your coverage around, as motorcycle insurance rates vary widely from carrier to the next — particularly when it comes to sport bikes. That’s why we have created an easy-to-use tool so that you can get quotes from multiple companies.