By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
BMW S 1000 XR (K69) vs Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX (ZX1100H)
BMW S 1000 XR vs Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX: which one you'd rather spend the big miles on.
Wide open in a high gear, the BMW S 1000 XR pulls clean from the midrange, then it's all top-end rush and growl to redline. The Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX's throttle wakes a silky shove that's already there at low revs. It'll slide past traffic on one lazy roll.
So which one do you buy?
The S 1000 XR has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: S 1000 XR
In the twisties, the S 1000 XR asks a bit less of you to go quickly. Put it down to harder acceleration and stronger brakes. Call it a modest edge.
What makes each one tick
S 1000 XR
Light steering at the bar lets the S 1000 XR swap from one bend into the next with barely a push, while it holds steady once it's settled into the turn. On broken pavement, the semi-active suspension stays taut even in its softer modes, and each bump thumps straight up through the seat. There's real feel at the front lever, with bite that keeps building the harder you squeeze. The front brake hauls it down.
Nils rode the S 1000 XR in 2020, and in Andalusia in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
Ninja 1100SX
On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Ninja 1100SX drops into each sweeper off a light bar and doesn't wander once it's leaned over. A tall bar and middle-height pegs hold you upright for a whole day in the seat, yet the bike tips you forward just enough to stay tied to the front. Its screen parts the highway air into a calm bubble.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The S 1000 XR has the lower wet weight: 498 lb (226 kg) vs 516 lb (234 kg).
- The S 1000 XR makes more peak power: 165 hp (121 kW) vs 136 hp (100 kW).
- The Ninja 1100SX has the larger engine: 1099 cc vs 999 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for this
As first bikes, both are a stretch. Starting smaller isn't a step down.
Don't look for a gap on commuting, long days, and running costs: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
S 1000 XR
What owners say
Strengths
- Superbike-level engine performance
- Agile and precise handling
- Comprehensive standard electronics
- Powerful and progressive braking
Trade-offs
- Firm suspension even in softer modes
- Ineffective stock wind protection
Ninja 1100SX
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth and flexible engine with a strong midrange
- Agile handling that belies its weight
- Comfortable, all-day riding position
- Excellent wind protection and refined electronics
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| S 1000 XR | Ninja 1100SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 32.9 in (835 mm) |
| Wet weight | 498 lb (226 kg) | 516 lb (234 kg) |
| S 1000 XR | Ninja 1100SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 999 cc | 1099 cc |
| Power | 165 hp (121 kW) | 136 hp (100 kW) |
| Peak power at | 11,000 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 84 lb-ft (114 Nm) | 83 lb-ft (113 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 9,250 rpm | 7,600 rpm |
| S 1000 XR | Ninja 1100SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 US gal (20 L) | 5.0 US gal (19 L) |
| S 1000 XR | Ninja 1100SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 300 mm |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 190/50-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| S 1000 XR | Ninja 1100SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Option | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Option | Standard |
| Navigation | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Standard |
| Heated Grips | Standard | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
