BMW S 1000 R vs KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R
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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 S 1000 R 83 cm Lowest seat here
- KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R 83.5 cm Tallest seat here
Spread in this comparison: about 0.5 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 165 hp (BMW S 1000 R) up to 213 hp (KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R).
- Torque spans 114 Nm (BMW S 1000 R) up to 114.9 Nm (KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R).
- Weight spans 206 kg (KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R) to 208 kg (BMW S 1000 R).
- Engine sizes are very close.
All values look the same; turn off the filter.
| Specification | BMW S 1000 R | KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | BMW | KAWASAKI |
| Model | BMW S 1000 R | KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R |
| Engine size | 1000cc | 1000cc |
| Power | 165hp | 213hp |
| Torque | 114nm. | 114.9nm. |
| Cylinders / valves | 4 cylinders, 16 valves | 4 cylinders, 16 valves |
| Weight | 208kg | 206kg |
| Front brake | Twin-disc brake with a diameter of 320 mm, four-piston fixed calliper | 330 mm Brembo dual disc, dual radial-mounted Brembo M50 monoblock, 4-piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Single disc brake with a diameter of 220 mm, one-piston floating calliper | 220 mm single disc, single-piston caliper |
| Seat height (cm) | 83cm | 83.5cm |
| Front tyre | 120/70 ZR 17 | 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) |
| Rear tyre | 190/55 ZR 17 | 190/55ZR17M/C (75W) |
| Cooling | Liquid cooling | Liquid cooling |
| Front suspension | Upside-down telescopic fork with a diameter of 45 mm, spring preload and adjustable rebound and compression stage | 43mm inverted fork with unbalanced external compression chamber, KECS-controlled rebound damping, compression damping, and spring preload adjustable. |
| Rear suspension | Aluminium underbeam swinging arm, Full-Floater Pro, central shock absorber, adjustable rebound and compression damping and adjustable spring preload | Horizontal, back-link, BFRC lite gas-charged shock with KECS-controlled compression damping, rebound damping, and spring preload adjustable. Additional Features: |
| Motorcycle type | Naked | Supersport |
| Top speed | 270km/h | 320km/h |
| Fuel capacity / consumption | 16.5 L – 7 L/100km | 17 L – 7 L/100km |
| Service network | ||
| Service quality | ||
| Parts availability | ||
| Price | $13945 | $17799 |
| Brand price lists | View BMW price list | View KAWASAKI price list |
| Extra features | -Three riding modes (Rain, Road, Dynamic, incl. HSC), Six-axis sensor box incl. ABS Pro & DTC -TFT display with connectivity, Adjustable handlebar position, Intelligent emergency call ECALL |
Additional Features:
|
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2023 BMW S 1000 R vs 2023 KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R: listed specifications
The 2023 BMW S 1000 R and 2023 KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R are closely matched in weight and torque, while the Ninja ZX-10R has more peak power, and the higher listed top speed.
Engine displacement
S 1000 R and Ninja ZX-10R have very similar engine displacement (1000 cc vs 1000 cc).
Peak power
Ninja ZX-10R has a clear listed power advantage (213 hp vs 165 hp).
Torque
S 1000 R and Ninja ZX-10R have very similar listed torque (114 Nm vs 114.9 Nm).
Listed top speed
Ninja ZX-10R has a clear listed top-speed advantage (320 km/h vs 270 km/h).
Cooling
Both motorcycles are listed as liquid-cooled.
Weight and seat height
S 1000 R and Ninja ZX-10R have very similar listed weights (208 kg vs 206 kg). S 1000 R and Ninja ZX-10R have very similar seat heights (83 cm vs 83.5 cm).
Conclusion
The measurable differences are therefore concentrated in peak power and listed top speed, while displacement, torque, weight and seat height remain relatively close.
Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of BMW S 1000 R vs KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R?
KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R is listed at 320 km/h (199 mph) vs 270 km/h (168 mph) for BMW S 1000 R.
Which has more horsepower, BMW S 1000 R or KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R?
KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R has 213 hp compared with 165 hp on the BMW S 1000 R.
Which is lighter, BMW S 1000 R or KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R?
KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R is lighter at 206 kg vs 208 kg for BMW S 1000 R.
Which is better, BMW S 1000 R or KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-10R?
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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