I have a 2020 z400 and absolutely love it. I live in a small coastal town with no freeways within an hour. Z400 is all I need and I absolutely love it as a daily commuter and a weekend coastal road joy ride.
You made no mention on how much easier the Ninja is to clean than the Z400. The full fairing keeps most of the road dirt off the engine. A big consideration if you ride in inclement weather
I am 78 years old. I traded a 2000 Triumph 900 Thunderbird Sport. It was too heavy for me at my age and I dropped it twice making slow speed right hand turns. So, after 60 years of riding I went back to a smaller bike. Its faster than I am but no where nearly as fast as the Triumph. I have about 500 miles on the bike at this point and I am not disappointed in the bike.
Coming from a Harley Roadglide, this type of bike will be a big change. Hopefully, I'm going to be checking out the z400 this week. Looking for something as a daily commuter.
Great video/comparison. I've got a '21 Z400. Such a fun bike, but after owning for a bit, the comfort is lacking for me. I'm 6'/32" inseam, and I just feel cramped. The very slight lean forward too is putting a tad bit of pressure on my wrists. One of the biggest issues (for me) is the seat. It slopes down a bit/end up sliding toward the tank, and not the most comfortable after a while. Fun to buzz around, but longer rides, not so much. Those little comfort things are pushing me to look at something a little larger and more on point to what I need (i.e. Versys 650). But with all that said, the Z is a blast. So light, easy to get around on, power for days, rock solid performer and is a great looking ride.
Hi Peter, nice review. I'm an older rider (+70) and I think either of the 400's would be a good downsizing option for me from my current Honda CB500X. The 400's are simialr power to the CB but quite a bit lighter (50 lbs or so) which is important now for an old guy to wheel the bike around the garage. I was leaning towards the Ninja but after some thought it seems to me the Z has a more upright riding position which again as an old guy is important. The one thing I'm concerned about on both options is the lack of any meaningful windshield especially on the Z. Do you know if there are any after market larger windshields available for either bike.
We have a sold unit sitting at work right now and the customer has opted to put a Puig windshield on it and Shad luggage components, so you can absolutely do up a Z400 to suit your needs. I'm a huge fan of both the Ninja and Z400. I think you'll like them! Thanks for watching and sharing your questions and thoughts!
Thanks so much for watching! We're heading into a busy season of motorcycle reviews as all the 2023's begin to pour in every day. Feel free to subscribe!
Hi Peter, thank you for the review I am short size 5'5 and these bikes are a great option for me. I love the size and weight I just went and sat on both of them today and I think the Z400 is the one I will end up getting for price and value but both are amazing and feel great for someone my size.
I'm getting my z400 next week. I look forward watching the videos you'll post about luggage and accessories that fit the z400. Thanks for this video, very helpful.
Stay tuned to my Z900RS SE playlist. I'll be posting about my luggage on that playlist. Or just subscribe, you'll probably find it. You can also follow me on instagram as a reference for everything that I post on RUclips. Same name as my RUclips Channel without any spaces.
If I get a 400 I also would need an adjustable kick stand. Long story. I do like the bars on both bikes. I would raise them. I'm older and prefer sitting up.
Hi, Thanks for the informative video. I’m in the UK and find these smaller cc bikes very appealing, Cheap to own and run. Do you think they would make a good replacement for a Suzuki sv650 for 20/30 miles commuting?
You're going to notice a power difference in these when it comes to the torque. That SV engine is pretty torquey. They're also a little more compact in size, but I used to have a Versys 650, and I'd love to have one of these!
I haven't seen a Z650 yet, (just the Z650RS) but as the 2023's arrive (they're pouring in now!) I'll make sure to get as many of those videos up here as I can.
I picked up a 22 ninja 400krt new with 1mile on the clock way over paid after all the docking charges an fees. I'm also glad I have a z1000. I was kinda disappointed with the 400 its super nice looking and has power for in town I guess...? But after riding 2strokes my whole life it fell short on fun. I'll keep it just for gas mileage and ride to work this spring/summer. And the fact I owe more than it's worth 😆
Been driving a car for years and now branching out into getting a bike (my Mrs thinks I'm having a midlife crisis). Would love one of these bikes to learn on, I'm also hearing good things about the Honda CB500 - are these bikes comparable in MPG, comfort etc?
Let's just put it out there.. you ARE having a midlife crisis!! 🤣 So I'm a BIG fan of these bikes. I'm also familiar with Honda's 500 cc bikes. You should know that I'm going to show a bias towards Kawasaki bikes, but I honestly do believe that these two are better for most people. They have nearly identical horsepower to Honda's 500's and they're lighter. They're higher revving and more fun, and they're praised universally, not just by newer riders, but also by experienced riders. I genuinely think these are the best bikes out there for newer riders, and I'm not alone in that thinking.
@@PeterLoweOne Thanks for the useful comments (and confirming my midlife crisis). I get that you will be slightly biased towards kwaks but are the ninja 400s better on fuel economy than a cb500?
@@scottseedell238 That's a tough one. The bigger engine of the CB500 runs at a lower RPM for casual riding, so on average a bigger engine usually uses more fuel, but a higher revving engine can use more fuel as it's running higher in the revs. So what you end up with is a smaller engine (good of fuel) running a higher RPM (less good on fuel) compared to a bigger engine (less good on fuel) running lower rpm (better on fuel). At the end of the day, even asking other riders what they get won't be accurate because. a lot of people really scream on the Ninja 400's so their fuel consumption would be different than mine, and different than yours. My gut feeling is that whatever the difference may be between them, it isn't something that should sway you as it probably won't be all that noticeable at the actual gas pump.
any advice on mirrows on my new z400 2023,they are hard to adjust to get a good rear view,allso at 50mph they vibrate very badly and every thing is blurred.
I just got a 2021 z 400 and I agree ,I'm gonna change the mirrors out ..my buddy changed his on his ninja and they look way better and aren't song high up ..
That's a great idea! I'll try to make a video of that. The simplest way to use those is to buy a motorcycle specific cargo net. They have J hooks on (at least) the corners, (often more than that) and those hooks, along with the tension of an elastic netting material, work pretty well to hold on to whatever it is that you want to strap to the back seat area. There are other types of luggage that attach, but a net is very common because it can be stored under the seat when not in use, and pulled out whenever you need it.
From Denmark, I think the exhaust system under the engine looks like something an amateur made and then it has been discarded, but Kawasaki could use it anyway. It's a real shame for such a nice MC that they haven't done more with the exhaust system
when it comes to features and technology, is Z400 and Ninja400 the same? or Ninja400 is more advanced? because i know the only upgrade Z400 had since it was released was a Euro5 engine (2023 version)
I literally just filmed a comparison talking about beginner bikes. So I will say two things. What I would choose shouldn't be what you would choose. You should choose the one that you like better. What I like about these two is that, even though the seating position is slightly different, they are both very comfortable. So these bikes are equal in just about every way. If it were me, I would choose the Ninja purely because I like the styling of it just a little bit more than the Z400. But if that's my reason for choosing it, and you like the styling of the Z400, you should choose that! 🙂 I'll have another video that you may want to watch up online a little later today.
@@PeterLoweOne thank you! I was just curious on what your choice would be:) I'm getting my permit pretty soon and in the near future I've decided to choose between these two bikes:) your breakdown really helped me!! Thank you!! I appreciate the breakdowns! I'm most likely getting the ninja:)
I have the Ninja EX400 2022 model, and love the bike. It does generate a lot of helmet wind noise though, and I have an X-Lite 903. The motor is just sweet.
Thanks for sharing! I think any bike with a windshield can create some buffeting but it can depend on where you sit on the bike, your height, and even a good helmet can be noisy. Sometimes a different brand or style can help. At the end of the day, many riders where ear plugs, and that's an option, or an aftermarket windshield can change the shape of the airflow over your body.
@@PeterLoweOne My Modular HJC i90 is quieter. I'm going to try the Tall Windshield (which is only 2cm taller, and a bit wider) and see if that helps. I have always used Earplugs as the dB inside a helmet can be at ear damaging levels.
Oh wow!! I haven't been on a Ninja 250 in over 20 years!! That thing was great. I honestly don't remember exactly what that bike was like from an ergonomic perspective. I owned a Ninja 500R and I would say that the new 400 is as comfortable as that... so I guess in short, it's probably just as comfortable, but as far as what your knee angle is, or those type of specifics, I just don't remember off-hand.
It's best to Google that, or check in forums for these bikes. It can really depend on the type of riding that you do, but no matter what, these are pretty efficient.
Nearest hotel or motel or hostel or air b and b because me and 8 of my friends are riding up all the way west coast in to the area of British Columbia this summer and some time s we get tired we sleep in the out door s
Dad joke books... We fill them with books... The paper kind... Filled with dad jokes. But seriously, if you've never moto-camped, or moto-toured, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. I grew up when there were still a lot of do everything motorcycles, and those are still the best for people who own one bike.
You call this a complete in-depth comparison? I don't even think you've ever spend time riding the two bikes. This is a generic comparison between a standard naked bike and a sports bike.
Funny thing,.. "we" are not in the U.S. I film these in Fredericton, New Brunswick which is most definitely in Canada. Side note... why does it make Americans so mad that people don't say things the American way? The name of the language is "English" from "England"... we didn't change how things are said, Americans did. Much of the English speaking world says Zed. Anyway... Good chat! Have a pleasant day!
@@PeterLoweOne here’s a better question. Why don’t Canadians think they are American? You are. You live in the Americas just like people from the U.S. and Mexico. The U.S. is the United States OF America, not America itself.
I have a 2020 z400 and absolutely love it. I live in a small coastal town with no freeways within an hour. Z400 is all I need and I absolutely love it as a daily commuter and a weekend coastal road joy ride.
Fuel consumption?
@Avijit Goswami I used to get right over 51 mpg. Right now I'm averaging 49 mpg. I honestly ride it pretty hard for what it is.
Yeah, if you're not near major highways, I can't see ever wanting much more than this... What a great bike for your type of roads! Thanks for sharing!
You made no mention on how much easier the Ninja is to clean than the Z400. The full fairing keeps most of the road dirt off the engine. A big consideration if you ride in inclement weather
I am 78 years old. I traded a 2000 Triumph 900 Thunderbird Sport. It was too heavy for me at my age and I dropped it twice making slow speed right hand turns. So, after 60 years of riding I went back to a smaller bike. Its faster than I am but no where nearly as fast as the Triumph. I have about 500 miles on the bike at this point and I am not disappointed in the bike.
That's so awesome you've been riding for 60 years and still do 😎 im sure you have a ton of stories, ever get into any nasty crashes?
what smaller bike?
Coming from a Harley Roadglide, this type of bike will be a big change. Hopefully, I'm going to be checking out the z400 this week. Looking for something as a daily commuter.
Great video/comparison. I've got a '21 Z400. Such a fun bike, but after owning for a bit, the comfort is lacking for me. I'm 6'/32" inseam, and I just feel cramped. The very slight lean forward too is putting a tad bit of pressure on my wrists. One of the biggest issues (for me) is the seat. It slopes down a bit/end up sliding toward the tank, and not the most comfortable after a while. Fun to buzz around, but longer rides, not so much. Those little comfort things are pushing me to look at something a little larger and more on point to what I need (i.e. Versys 650). But with all that said, the Z is a blast. So light, easy to get around on, power for days, rock solid performer and is a great looking ride.
Hi Peter, nice review. I'm an older rider (+70) and I think either of the 400's would be a good downsizing option for me from my current Honda CB500X. The 400's are simialr power to the CB but quite a bit lighter (50 lbs or so) which is important now for an old guy to wheel the bike around the garage. I was leaning towards the Ninja but after some thought it seems to me the Z has a more upright riding position which again as an old guy is important. The one thing I'm concerned about on both options is the lack of any meaningful windshield especially on the Z. Do you know if there are any after market larger windshields available for either bike.
We have a sold unit sitting at work right now and the customer has opted to put a Puig windshield on it and Shad luggage components, so you can absolutely do up a Z400 to suit your needs. I'm a huge fan of both the Ninja and Z400. I think you'll like them! Thanks for watching and sharing your questions and thoughts!
Awesome review again and on point! Keep em reviews coming 👌
Thanks so much for watching! We're heading into a busy season of motorcycle reviews as all the 2023's begin to pour in every day. Feel free to subscribe!
Hi Peter, thank you for the review I am short size 5'5 and these bikes are a great option for me. I love the size and weight I just went and sat on both of them today and I think the Z400 is the one I will end up getting for price and value but both are amazing and feel great for someone my size.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experiences!
I'm getting my z400 next week. I look forward watching the videos you'll post about luggage and accessories that fit the z400.
Thanks for this video, very helpful.
Stay tuned to my Z900RS SE playlist. I'll be posting about my luggage on that playlist. Or just subscribe, you'll probably find it. You can also follow me on instagram as a reference for everything that I post on RUclips. Same name as my RUclips Channel without any spaces.
If I get a 400 I also would need an adjustable kick stand. Long story. I do like the bars on both bikes. I would raise them. I'm older and prefer sitting up.
Thanks for the video. Just got my first bike (being delivered today).
Just got my brand new z400 yesterday. Oh boy was it smooth....loving it. And more than enough power on the highway.
Hi, Thanks for the informative video. I’m in the UK and find these smaller cc bikes very appealing, Cheap to own and run. Do you think they would make a good replacement for a Suzuki sv650 for 20/30 miles commuting?
You're going to notice a power difference in these when it comes to the torque. That SV engine is pretty torquey. They're also a little more compact in size, but I used to have a Versys 650, and I'd love to have one of these!
I like the 400cc motor but I wish Kawasaki would made a model with traditional styling.
650 range they have some models like that
They released the eliminator recently you can check it out
@@abdump94
Yes, new Eliminator is pretty cool.
I was also going to mention the Eliminator. It's like a naked/cruiser hybrid style with an upright position
Hi Peter, nice review! I'm a new ridder trying to decide between z400/z650 Can you compare z400 to z600 next? Thanks
I haven't seen a Z650 yet, (just the Z650RS) but as the 2023's arrive (they're pouring in now!) I'll make sure to get as many of those videos up here as I can.
FTP
I picked up a 22 ninja 400krt new with 1mile on the clock way over paid after all the docking charges an fees. I'm also glad I have a z1000. I was kinda disappointed with the 400 its super nice looking and has power for in town I guess...? But after riding 2strokes my whole life it fell short on fun. I'll keep it just for gas mileage and ride to work this spring/summer. And the fact I owe more than it's worth 😆
What's the weight difference on the z400 and the ninja 400
Does any Kawasaki motorcycle has turn by turn navigation?
So, I've always liked riding a "standard", I had a SV1000 years ago, but that was a lot of bike. It looks like this might be a perfect bike.
hi peter.
Which one is more agile and suitable to filter though city traffic?
Z for sure
Great job Peter
Thanks for watching!!
Will the ninja 400 looks small for me? I am 6 foot 3 inches
Been driving a car for years and now branching out into getting a bike (my Mrs thinks I'm having a midlife crisis). Would love one of these bikes to learn on, I'm also hearing good things about the Honda CB500 - are these bikes comparable in MPG, comfort etc?
Let's just put it out there.. you ARE having a midlife crisis!! 🤣 So I'm a BIG fan of these bikes. I'm also familiar with Honda's 500 cc bikes. You should know that I'm going to show a bias towards Kawasaki bikes, but I honestly do believe that these two are better for most people. They have nearly identical horsepower to Honda's 500's and they're lighter. They're higher revving and more fun, and they're praised universally, not just by newer riders, but also by experienced riders. I genuinely think these are the best bikes out there for newer riders, and I'm not alone in that thinking.
@@PeterLoweOne Thanks for the useful comments (and confirming my midlife crisis). I get that you will be slightly biased towards kwaks but are the ninja 400s better on fuel economy than a cb500?
@@scottseedell238 That's a tough one. The bigger engine of the CB500 runs at a lower RPM for casual riding, so on average a bigger engine usually uses more fuel, but a higher revving engine can use more fuel as it's running higher in the revs. So what you end up with is a smaller engine (good of fuel) running a higher RPM (less good on fuel) compared to a bigger engine (less good on fuel) running lower rpm (better on fuel). At the end of the day, even asking other riders what they get won't be accurate because. a lot of people really scream on the Ninja 400's so their fuel consumption would be different than mine, and different than yours. My gut feeling is that whatever the difference may be between them, it isn't something that should sway you as it probably won't be all that noticeable at the actual gas pump.
I'd like to see the Z400 with the N400 tac~
any advice on mirrows on my new z400 2023,they are hard to adjust to get a good rear view,allso at 50mph they vibrate very badly and every thing is blurred.
I just got a 2021 z 400 and I agree ,I'm gonna change the mirrors out ..my buddy changed his on his ninja and they look way better and aren't song high up ..
Hi Peter, can you show how to use the hooks on the z400 and what type of compatible luggages you can use?
That's a great idea! I'll try to make a video of that. The simplest way to use those is to buy a motorcycle specific cargo net. They have J hooks on (at least) the corners, (often more than that) and those hooks, along with the tension of an elastic netting material, work pretty well to hold on to whatever it is that you want to strap to the back seat area. There are other types of luggage that attach, but a net is very common because it can be stored under the seat when not in use, and pulled out whenever you need it.
@@PeterLoweOne Awesome, thank you for the quick response! I always thought the hook below the seat can be used to put bags there.
Would the fairings on the ninja fit on the z400? I have one and i just wanna know if you can do it.
Front fairings, no. There are different handlebars. But the middle to rear of the bikes are identical.
From Denmark,
I think the exhaust system under the engine looks like something an amateur made and then it has been discarded, but Kawasaki could use it anyway.
It's a real shame for such a nice MC that they haven't done more with the exhaust system
when it comes to features and technology, is Z400 and Ninja400 the same? or Ninja400 is more advanced?
because i know the only upgrade Z400 had since it was released was a Euro5 engine (2023 version)
If you were to personally choose for a beginner rider like brand brand new which would you recommend out of the two of these?
I literally just filmed a comparison talking about beginner bikes. So I will say two things. What I would choose shouldn't be what you would choose. You should choose the one that you like better. What I like about these two is that, even though the seating position is slightly different, they are both very comfortable. So these bikes are equal in just about every way. If it were me, I would choose the Ninja purely because I like the styling of it just a little bit more than the Z400. But if that's my reason for choosing it, and you like the styling of the Z400, you should choose that! 🙂 I'll have another video that you may want to watch up online a little later today.
@@PeterLoweOne thank you! I was just curious on what your choice would be:) I'm getting my permit pretty soon and in the near future I've decided to choose between these two bikes:) your breakdown really helped me!! Thank you!! I appreciate the breakdowns! I'm most likely getting the ninja:)
I have the Ninja EX400 2022 model, and love the bike. It does generate a lot of helmet wind noise though, and I have an X-Lite 903. The motor is just sweet.
Thanks for sharing! I think any bike with a windshield can create some buffeting but it can depend on where you sit on the bike, your height, and even a good helmet can be noisy. Sometimes a different brand or style can help. At the end of the day, many riders where ear plugs, and that's an option, or an aftermarket windshield can change the shape of the airflow over your body.
@@PeterLoweOne My Modular HJC i90 is quieter. I'm going to try the Tall Windshield (which is only 2cm taller, and a bit wider) and see if that helps. I have always used Earplugs as the dB inside a helmet can be at ear damaging levels.
Brilliant video, thank you
Im a 9 for feet and im 5,8 so Im good with these bikes. Im deciding on one of these for a first bike.
I have a 2001 ninja ex250. Will the new ninja 400 have similar ergonomics?
Oh wow!! I haven't been on a Ninja 250 in over 20 years!! That thing was great. I honestly don't remember exactly what that bike was like from an ergonomic perspective. I owned a Ninja 500R and I would say that the new 400 is as comfortable as that... so I guess in short, it's probably just as comfortable, but as far as what your knee angle is, or those type of specifics, I just don't remember off-hand.
@@PeterLoweOne Thanks. I do love the 250R but as it is 22 years old, I will need to upgrade eventually. I have only 6000km on it so I have some time.
very helpful breakdown
What is the seat height on the Z400?
All the specs can be found at www.kawasaki.ca
fantastic, thank you
This video is perfect. Need more people to see this 😅
Thanks for your kind words!
Qual protege mais do vento? Essa carenagem da ninja protege contra o vento?
A carenagem do Ninja terá um pouco mais de proteção contra o vento. Nenhum deles lhe dará muita proteção.
Fuel efficiency per litre ?
It's best to Google that, or check in forums for these bikes. It can really depend on the type of riding that you do, but no matter what, these are pretty efficient.
I just can't decide which one to get 😭
If that's the case, it won't matter. They're both great. I like the style and dash of the Ninja, so that would be my choice.
@@PeterLoweOne I do like the dash of the ninja more, but if I wanna go on mini tours I feel like a naked bike might be better for comfort
your Height?
I'm about 6 feet tall.
Nearest hotel or motel or hostel or air b and b because me and 8 of my friends are riding up all the way west coast in to the area of British Columbia this summer and some time s we get tired we sleep in the out door s
The dash screen looks like a toy! It looks like in arcade video game toy!
I think it works well!
What’s up with Gen X’ers and wanting to put bulky saddle bags on their bikes? Lol like what are you even putting in there.
Dad joke books... We fill them with books... The paper kind... Filled with dad jokes.
But seriously, if you've never moto-camped, or moto-toured, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. I grew up when there were still a lot of do everything motorcycles, and those are still the best for people who own one bike.
will z400 be launching in india or not? plss answer my question peter lowe one
Ask Kawasaki India not Peter.
Yeah, unfortunately, I don't have too much information about what is or isn't coming to India.
Sorry, but I couldn't watch this. Zed? No it's Z!
Hahaha. I film in Canada, and like the rest of the English speaking world, we say Zed. Sorry to show you too much world culture for you to handle! 🤣
Hi
First!!!
An American said Z properly 🤣 as in.. Zed
I'm not American, I'm Canadian! 🇨🇦
@@PeterLoweOne That explains it 👍 oh n my apologies, I wouldn't wanna be called American either 😆
Or maybe we just say things differently? Want your shitty lexicon pronunciation enforced? Win the war next time…
You call this a complete in-depth comparison?
I don't even think you've ever spend time riding the two bikes.
This is a generic comparison between a standard naked bike and a sports bike.
Are we in the US? Yes. Therefore, It's the Z400, not the Zed 400. Thanks.
Funny thing,.. "we" are not in the U.S. I film these in Fredericton, New Brunswick which is most definitely in Canada. Side note... why does it make Americans so mad that people don't say things the American way? The name of the language is "English" from "England"... we didn't change how things are said, Americans did. Much of the English speaking world says Zed. Anyway... Good chat! Have a pleasant day!
@@PeterLoweOne here’s a better question. Why don’t Canadians think they are American? You are. You live in the Americas just like people from the U.S. and Mexico. The U.S. is the United States OF America, not America itself.
Who cares its a review and anjoy it. Just apreciate the time he took and leave him alone.