The Kawasaki Z400 is the naked version of the Ninja 400. (Kawasaki/)
Ups
Comfortable, upright ergonomicsSame great engine as in the Ninja 400Nimble handlingHello, cheap thrills! Great low price
Downs
Side shrouds can cramp taller riders
Verdict
Kawasaki’s Z400, small streetfighter with aggressive styling, provides cheap thrills with its near $5K price. The bike is well prepared for urban environments but also fun to ride on backroads or on the racetrack. The 400 stands out with nimble handling and a fantastic engine that riders won’t easily outgrow.
Overview
Introduced in 2019, the Kawasaki Z400 is a relatively new face to the small-displacement naked bike category. Unveiled a year after the significantly revised Ninja 400, the Z400 combines stripped-down streetfighter styling with the same capable, fun-loving 399cc parallel-twin engine found in its sibling. All the important characteristics of a small-displacement machine remain; the 400 is light and agile and its engine is great for developing riders. And for those who simply aren’t Ninja people, its upright ergonomics make it comfortable for longer commutes. It’s no wonder the Z400 followed on the coattails of its counterpart when it claimed the 2019 and 2020 Cycle World Best Lightweight Sportbike award.
At $5,199, the Z400 is priced competitively for the beginner market. (Kawasaki/)
Updates for 2022
Kawasaki offers the 2022 models in two color options: Candy Lime Green/Metallic Spark Black and Pearl Robotic White/Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray.
Pricing and Variants
The 2022 Z400 is competitively priced for the beginner motorcycle market at $5,199. The only version of this motorcycle is equipped with standard ABS.
Competition
The Z400 is not alone in its quest for attracting newer riders. The Austrians have a selection of small-displacement naked bikes with the KTM 390 Duke, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, and Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. Competition from Japan includes the Honda CB300R and Yamaha MT-03. At the beginner/intermediate level, there’s also the Suzuki SV650.
A chipper 399cc parallel-twin engine powers the Z-four-hundo. (Kawasaki/)
Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance
When a motorcycle is easy enough for a new rider to tame but still exciting enough to make a veteran rider smile under their helmet, there’s usually a well-balanced engine to blame. Such is the case with the Z400; its parallel twin won’t scare off beginners, but it can be ridden hard when asked. Its assist-and-slipper clutch has an easy pull and aids in smooth deceleration into corners.
On the CW dyno, the engine delivers 44.1 hp at 9,830 rpm and 25.1 lb.-ft. of torque at 8,250 rpm to the rear wheel. The resulting power curve is linear and the torque curve is broad and flat. Power delivery is extra smooth, receiving top marks from our editors.
Handling
The nonadjustable 41mm Showa fork and preload adjustable KYB shock have softer spring rates than the Ninja 400′s suspension units. We found that the Z400 performs well over bumpy surfaces with a cushy, well-damped ride. Overall, its nimble chassis and neutral handling make the Z400 easy to control and tip into turns, and its light weight and low mass make maneuvering at low speeds easy.
Brakes
Nissin calipers grab hold of 310mm and 220mm discs (front/rear). They do not provide a strong initial bite, but that’s OK for beginners. Nonswitchable ABS comes standard.
Aggressive in style, but not so aggressive in ergonomics. On the Z, riders will have a more upright riding posture than if they opted for the Ninja 400. (Kawasaki/)
Fuel
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By: Cycle World Staff
Title: 2022 Kawasaki Z400 ABS
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/buyers-guide/kawasaki-z400-abs-2022/
Published Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2022 17:45:04 +0000
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