(20-24) Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Stage 1+ Performance Calibration With Handheld Tuner

THIS PRODUCT IS 50-STATE LEGAL (C.A.R.B. EO# D-868-34)

MAKE SURE TO REVIEW THE TABS ABOVE: HANDHELD, DYNO RESULTS, RESOURCES AND MORE INFO!

The 2020-2024 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX combines sportbike performance with the comfort and electronics expected from a modern sport touring motorcycle. Unfortunately, the factory ECU also uses aggressive electronic throttle strategies that significantly restrict power as RPM increases.

Our testing found that the factory calibration begins heavily restricting throttle above approximately 7,000 RPM. As the engine approaches redline, commanded throttle can be reduced to approximately 19% even when the rider is requesting 100% throttle. This creates the noticeable high RPM power drop that can be seen clearly in our dyno testing.

BT Moto developed our Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Stage 1+ ECU Flash to properly address these factory restrictions while optimizing fueling, ignition, electronic throttle control, cooling fan operation, quickshifter behavior, exhaust valve management, and overall rideability.

Our goal was not simply to produce a larger peak horsepower number. The calibration was developed through extensive dyno and real world testing to improve how the Ninja 1000SX responds and delivers power throughout the usable RPM range.

KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX DYNO RESULTS

Our back to back dyno comparison was performed in 5th gear on 91 octane pump gas, allowing us to directly compare the factory ECU calibration against the BT Moto Stage 1+ ECU Flash.

The stock Ninja 1000SX produced approximately 130 WHP and 78 WTQ. With the BT Moto Stage 1+ calibration installed, output increased to approximately 134 WHP and 79 WTQ.

STOCK: 130 WHP / 78 WTQ
BT MOTO STAGE 1+: 134 WHP / 79 WTQ
PEAK TO PEAK GAIN: +4 WHP / +1 WTQ

Peak horsepower only tells a small part of the story on the Ninja 1000SX. The factory calibration begins closing the throttle heavily in the upper RPM range, causing the stock power curve to fall off when the engine should continue pulling.

With the BT Moto calibration, the factory throttle restriction is addressed and power continues substantially stronger toward redline. The result is a wider and more usable powerband with much stronger high RPM acceleration than the peak to peak horsepower number alone suggests.

See the Dyno Results tab above for the complete stock vs. Stage 1 graph and 60-130 MPH before and after testing.

WHAT DOES THE FACTORY NINJA 1000SX ECU RESTRICT?

The Kawasaki ECU controls significantly more than basic fuel and ignition. Electronic throttle opening, gear dependent fueling and ignition, RPM limits, top speed strategies, cooling fan control, traction control behavior, and exhaust valve operation are all managed through the factory ECU.

The most significant performance limitation we found is the Electronic Throttle Valve restriction. Even when the rider requests 100% throttle, the ECU can progressively close the throttle as RPM rises.

Factory throttle restriction begins around 7,000+ RPM
Throttle opening can fall to approximately 19% near redline
BT Moto recalibrates the ECU to allow up to 100% commanded throttle

At approximately 10,000 RPM, the factory ECU can be taking away roughly 80% of the available throttle opening. This is why removing the restriction has such a substantial effect on the shape of the power curve even though the peak horsepower comparison alone appears relatively small.

MORE THAN A WIDE OPEN THROTTLE DYNO TUNE

Peak horsepower is only one part of a properly developed motorcycle ECU calibration. The Ninja 1000SX spends much of its time operating at partial throttle, especially during street and sport touring use.

BT Moto calibrates fueling, ignition, electronic throttle behavior, and other ECU strategies throughout the usable throttle and RPM range rather than focusing solely on a full throttle dyno pull.

The result is a Ninja 1000SX that delivers smoother throttle response, stronger usable acceleration, improved high RPM power, and better overall rideability.

WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH OUR STAGE 1+ FLASH

• Fueling Optimized Per Gear
• Ignition Optimized Per Gear
• Electronic Throttle De-Restricted Per Gear
• Lower Cooling Fan Temperature
• Increased RPM Limiter
• Top Speed Limiter Addressed
• Traction Control Switching While Riding
• Exhaust Valve Management

THE DETAILS

• OPTIMIZED FUELING: Fueling is calibrated to achieve improved air/fuel targets not only at wide open throttle, but also during cruising and partial throttle operation for improved performance and rideability.
• OPTIMIZED IGNITION: Ignition strategies are calibrated throughout the usable operating range to improve performance while maintaining our focus on sustainable reliability.
• THROTTLE DE-RESTRICTION: The factory calibration begins restricting electronic throttle opening above approximately 7,000 RPM and can reduce available throttle to roughly 19% near redline. BT Moto recalibrates these ETV strategies to allow up to 100% commanded throttle, restoring the strong high RPM power delivery the engine is capable of producing.
• LOWER FAN-ON TEMPERATURE: Cooling fan activation is lowered to help control engine temperature during traffic, low speed operation, and demanding riding conditions.
• INCREASED RPM LIMITER: The factory limiter is approximately 11,800 RPM. Our calibration can increase the limiter to approximately 12,200 RPM when requested, extending the usable powerband and reducing the need to shift in certain performance situations.
• TOP SPEED LIMITER ADDRESSED: Factory top speed restrictions are properly addressed through the ECU calibration for closed course applications.
• TCS / MODE SWITCHING: The factory motorcycle does not allow traction control to be switched off while riding. With the BT Moto calibration, TCS can be switched while the motorcycle is moving as long as the rider is off the throttle.
• EXHAUST VALVE MANAGEMENT: Exhaust valve strategies are optimized as part of the Stage 1+ calibration for improved operation, performance, and sound.

PLEASE NOTE

• YOUR BIKE MUST HAVE ONE OF THESE ECU NUMBERS: 21175-1631, 21175-1488, 21175-1564, 21175-1566, 21175-1565, OR 21175-1572, OR THE ECU MAY REQUIRE A ONE TIME BENCH READ.
• If your motorcycle has a different ECU number, EMAIL US BEFORE PURCHASE. The ECU number can be found directly on the ECU located in the tail section of the motorcycle.

FACTORY THROTTLE RESTRICTIONS

The map below shows the factory electronic throttle limitation. The values shown represent the maximum throttle percentage the ECU will command even when the rider is requesting 100% throttle.

As RPM increases, the factory ECU progressively closes the throttle. At approximately 10,000 RPM the ECU can be removing roughly 80% of the available throttle opening, dramatically reducing high RPM power.

RESTRICTED

The factory calibration dramatically reduces available throttle opening as RPM increases, preventing the engine from using its full performance potential.

BT MOTO UNRESTRICTED

BT Moto recalibrates the electronic throttle strategy to allow up to 100% commanded throttle, restoring the airflow and high RPM performance that the factory calibration removes.

DEVELOPED FOR REAL WORLD PERFORMANCE

Our goal with the Ninja 1000SX was never to create a calibration that only looks good on a dyno graph.

The motorcycle is tested and refined through a combination of dyno development and real world riding so that improvements made at full throttle also translate properly to normal street and sport touring use.

From low speed throttle transitions and partial throttle cruising to high RPM acceleration, the calibration is developed as a complete package.

BT MOTO NINJA 1000SX REVIEW VIDEO

WHY CHOOSE BT MOTO FOR YOUR KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX?

Performance claims are easy to make. BT Moto backs our Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX ECU tuning with extensive dyno testing, real world development, documented ECU restriction analysis, and experience developing high performance motorcycle ECU calibrations.

Our goal is to provide a complete tuning solution that improves more than peak horsepower. We focus on the ECU strategies that determine how the motorcycle accelerates, responds to throttle input, manages temperature, and delivers power throughout the usable RPM range.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN WHY YOU SHOULD PARTNER WITH BT MOTO​

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR NINJA 1000SX SETUP?

Have questions about the Ninja 1000SX Stage 1+ tune, ECU compatibility, exhaust setup, or which configuration is right for your motorcycle? Our performance team can help determine the proper setup for your bike.

REACH OUT TO [email protected] OR (877) 483-4031