2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000, 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 It s a rare thing: a new from the ground up motorcycle that feels so right and works so well right out of the crate that it has the press swooning and owners crooning. These well-sorted but rare bikes are often described as happy motorcycles, and it s become crystal clear during the last year that Kawasaki s Z1000 completely redesigned in 2010 is a very happy machine. It s a realization that comes after just a mile or two in the saddle, and it s one that confirms the fact that this motorcycle s design team worked a special bit of magic during development. The Z1000 thrills before you even jump aboard, with some of motorcycling s most rakishly stunning lines and body shapes. The aesthetic showcase begins with a low-mount front cowl that slopes back radically, highlighting the Z s prow and, behind it, an adjustable instrument cluster featuring a multifunction LCD display covered by a trick-looking orange lens. The headlight represents Kawasaki s first-ever use of a line-beam unit, the guts of which are integrated nicely into that angled cowl. Moving rearward, you come to a shapely fuel tank that s flared on the sides to let you grab it with your knees and that s trim at the back for a snug fit. The seat is low and narrow at the front to make ground contact easy, and flows beautifully rearward to end in a futuristically retro LED taillight behind a red lens. It s a thoroughly athletic shape, one sure to garner attention wherever it s ridden.