BMW R 1250 RS vs KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX
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Scores, summary & seat (optional) Estimates and auto text from specs — open if you want them.
Technical score (estimate)
Weighted mix of power, torque, power-to-weight, top speed and lighter weight within this comparison only. Not a real-world verdict — riding style and roads matter.
Usage fit (estimate)
Rough scores for city riding, touring, sporty riding and new riders — mix of specs and bike category. Same caveats as the technical score: traffic, skill and tyres matter.
City / commute
Touring / long rides
Sporty riding
New rider friendly
Seat height (cm)
Figures are as in the database; boots, suspension sag and road surface change how tall the bike feels.
- BMW R 1250 RS 82 cm Lowest seat here
- KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX 83.5 cm Tallest seat here
Spread in this comparison: about 1.5 cm.
Rough guide: comfortable flat-foot reach often needs inseam roughly in the same ballpark as seat height (varies a lot by ergonomics).
Auto summary from specs
Generated from the numbers in the comparison — not a review.
- Power spans 136 hp (BMW R 1250 RS) up to 142 hp (KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX).
- Torque spans 111 Nm (KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX) up to 143 Nm (BMW R 1250 RS).
- Weight spans 235 kg (KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX) to 243 kg (BMW R 1250 RS).
- Displacement spans 1000 cc (KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX) to 1100 cc (BMW R 1250 RS).
Reader votes so far — total 2: BMW R 1250 RS (1); KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX (1).
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| Specification | BMW R 1250 RS | KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | BMW | KAWASAKI |
| Model | BMW R 1250 RS | KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX |
| Engine size | Above 1000cc | 1000cc |
| Power | 136hp | 142hp |
| Torque | 143nm. | 111nm. |
| Cylinders / valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves | 4 cylinders, 16 valves |
| Weight | 243kg | 235kg |
| Front brake | Twin disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 320 mm, 4-piston radial brake caliper | 300 mm dual disc, Radially mounted monoblock 4-piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, 2-piston floating caliper | 250 mm single disc, Single-piston caliper |
| Seat height (cm) | 82cm | 83.5cm |
| Front tyre | 120/70 ZR17 | 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) |
| Rear tyre | 180/55 ZR17 | 190/55ZR17M/C (75W) |
| Cooling | Liquid cooling | Liquid cooling |
| Front suspension | Upside-down telescopic fork | 41 mm inverted fork, stepless compression and rebound damping, spring preload adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Cast aluminum single-sided swingarm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, WAD shock absorber, spring preload continuously adjustable hydraulically by handwheel, rebound damping adjustable by handwheel | Horizontal back-link, gas-charged, stepless rebound damping, spring preload adjustable |
| Motorcycle type | Touring | Touring |
| Top speed | 230km/h | 280km/h |
| Fuel capacity / consumption | 18 L – 5.5 L/100km | 19 L – 6 L/100km |
| Service network | ||
| Service quality | ||
| Parts availability | ||
| Price | $15695 | $13699 |
| Brand price lists | View BMW price list | View KAWASAKI price list |
| Extra features | -TFT display with BMW Motorrad Connectivity, Full LED headlight, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) -Integral ABS Pro (lean-optimised ABS), 3 riding modes (Eco, Rain, Road), Hill Start Control (HSC) -USB charging socket, Intelligent emergency call, Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) -4-way mechanically adjustable windscreen |
Additional Features:
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Opinions
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2023 BMW R 1250 RS vs 2023 KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX: listed specifications
The 2023 BMW R 1250 RS and 2023 KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX are closely matched in peak power, while the R 1250 RS has more displacement and torque, and the Ninja 1000SX has the higher listed top speed and a lower listed weight.
Engine displacement
R 1250 RS has a larger listed engine displacement (1100 cc vs 1000 cc).
Peak power
R 1250 RS and Ninja 1000SX have very similar peak power (136 hp vs 142 hp).
Torque
R 1250 RS has a clear listed torque advantage (143 Nm vs 111 Nm).
Listed top speed
Ninja 1000SX has a clear listed top-speed advantage (280 km/h vs 230 km/h).
Cooling
Both motorcycles are listed as liquid-cooled.
Weight and seat height
Ninja 1000SX has a modest listed weight advantage (235 kg vs 243 kg). R 1250 RS has a lower listed seat height (82 cm vs 83.5 cm).
Conclusion
The measurable differences are therefore concentrated in displacement, torque, listed top speed, weight and seat height, while peak power remains relatively close.
Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of BMW R 1250 RS vs KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX?
KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX is listed at 280 km/h (174 mph) vs 230 km/h (143 mph) for BMW R 1250 RS.
Which has more horsepower, BMW R 1250 RS or KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX?
KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX has 142 hp compared with 136 hp on the BMW R 1250 RS.
Which is lighter, BMW R 1250 RS or KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX?
KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX is lighter at 235 kg vs 243 kg for BMW R 1250 RS.
Which is better, BMW R 1250 RS or KAWASAKI Ninja 1000SX?
It depends on your riding style. Compare top speed, weight, fuel use and price in the table on this page, then vote for the bike you prefer.
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