LONG-TERM TESTS

Simon jumps at the chance to put 1000 miles on the SX – and the Ninja has fun, too

350 miles from RiDE HQ to Godrevy Point: Simon and Ninja are both in their happy places

UPDATE 03: KAWASAKI NINJA 1100SX PERFORMANCE TOURER 1810 MILES

That’s more like it. Always a good day when editor Matt sends me and the Ninja on a sporty tour of Cornwall and Devon. And it’s about time the SX did some proper miles instead of running around on short-haul trips. So, I load the panniers and a new SWMotech Pro tail bag with cameras, waterproof jacket (forecast is iffy), clothes, trainers, kitchen sink, and a puncture plug kit and compressor (if you remember to pack it, guaranteed you never need it; but if you don’t, you will).

The tail bag is an update. I’ve used its Evo predecessor for thousands of miles over the past five or so years, and it’s still a top piece of kit; all the zips work, nothing’s broken or torn. The new bag is the same top flap, rigid body, strap-down principle but has looped straps with quick-release hooks rather than metal clips, and the top opening has loops for further attachments. Expandable to nearly twice its height, too.

We hit the road, taking the Fosse Way from Rugby to Bourton-on-the-Water to avoid the M6/M42, then scoot over to the M5 at Gloucester down to Exeter, and on to the A30 – but I jink off midway across Bodmin Moor to visit my sister who lives in the back end of nowhere.

Get on flowing B-roads and the SX swings into action

The SX is ridiculously easy on the straight, boring bits. Engine seemingly on tickover, no vibes, cruise is handy, riding position and ergonomics are superb, and I’ve added a honeycomb seat mat to calm bum pain (which it does – there’s none). I’ve also added my customary Amazon flip-up screen extender, which, it turns out, is most effective adding an inch or two to the screen when it’s fully down. Raising the screen upright isn’t possible anyway; its ratchet mechanism isn’t the sturdiest and the flip-up’s extra wind pressure keeps pushing the screen back down.

At motorway pace, the SX’s tank lasts a lot longer than gunning it on back roads – an easy 160 miles is plenty before I need my next coffee. Over the next few days, the SX is capable on the nadgery stuff in Cornwall, but first and second-gear chuntering, wrestling it over bumps, through tight turns and across gnarly bits isn’t its happy hunting ground. But Devon’s fast, flowing series of Bs and As are right up the its chassis and engine alley, where gargling midrange stomp and smooth arcs are the order of the day.

‘Fast, flowing Bs and As are right up its chassis and engine alley’

Back home, Josh at Mobile Bike Tyres (07912 158649) swaps the OE Bridgestone S23s for T33s, so we can test Bridgestone’s claim they last nearly 50 per cent longer than the T32. Josh pulls a face: “Why are you fitting less grippy tyres?”. Because editor Matt has asked me to.

But what’s happened is unexpected. The S23s had plenty of life left (barely 1800 miles old, they hadn’t squared off), but the T33s are a revelation. They suit the SX so much better – they’re softer and more forgiving, ride quality is improved, and confidence in grip and steering is off the charts. Now the SX can really hustle – it tracks even bumpy, lower-speed bends with more stability and assurance, and flicking it into, through and out of roundabouts is joy.

That’s more like it indeed.

SIMON HARGREAVES

MAKING THE NINJA BETTER

The two bolt-ons that made a difference on SiH’s trip – and the new rubber that’s made a difference since

Flippin’ up

Budget Amazon flip-up visor adds 2in to the SX’s screen and ducts just enough wind over my head to reduce noise without adding buffeting. But the downforce pushes the screen flat at speed.

Trick of the tailpack

SW-Motech Pro (£170.83, www.sw-motech.co.uk) is class. It’s made from ‘ballistic nylon’ – spacious, easy to fit and unbreakable. Excuse the gaffa tape – I didn’t want to scratch the pillion seat ‘cover’.

Gripped and sorted

Does Bridgestone’s T33 really last 47 per cent longer than the T32? We’ll find out, eventually – but the T33s suit the SX so much better than the OE S23s that I’d recommend them anyway.