Great review Chris. I pick up mine next week. I’m 5’4” and 73 years old and been waiting for something like this for years. I didn’t think anyone would make a quality small bike again. I’ve got a mint nc35 and don’t like putting too many miles on it. These come with 4 year warranty so can thrash it as much as I like. ⭐️
I had the same thoughts, I'm 50 now so can remember the 400's of the day, i've thought about getting one for a while but they're all 30+ years old and mostly tatty. When kawaski announced this, i put a deposit down straight away. Had it few weeks now and I love it, running it in torture though as you will find out, 4000 rpm for the first 150 miles....
Great review. I am really hoping Kawasaki bring a roadster version using this engine (I can’t ride prone since being knocked off my bike in 1982), as in over 45 years of riding, the bike I had the most fun on, was a Honda CB400 Superfour.
I like smaller displacement engines for similar reasons. Yet, I'd rather a small displacement engine tuned for torque, makes a pretty rad sound, than an engine that needs 15,000 rpm to make some horsepower but doesn't really produce torque numbers that are satisfying. But that's just me and my engine preferences.
Open letter to all other reviewers: This is how you do it. Focus on the emotion. Focus on how the bike makes you feel. Address the historical context of the new bike. And start off with a bold, sincere claim.
Americans just don't get the appeal of a small cc screamer and Americans are what a lot of people watch, which is a shame because I would love for the big 4 to bring back all their small cc screamers
@@thegamingshatt4758 Americans didn't just ruin smaller cc bikes but also smaller cars too. Remember when you could get a 4 cylinder screaming Toyota that didn't weight over 2000lbs? Everything needs to be big and you can never use the power of any of these vehicles today. (Yes I know the GR86 exist but it's still heavy)
@@MJT-DA yeah ikr but it's definitely a mindset thing not a size of country thing because I'm an Aussie, pretty big country with long highways and a lot of us still love our sporty lightweight things
@@thegamingshatt4758 It wasn’t just the U.S. Europeans preferred the 600’s and up, it was a small percentage of you who would pay roughly the same amount for a smaller cc bike. The MFG’s cater to your stupid A2 regulations for bikes, you are the one’s that ruined small fun 4 cylinder bikes and we Americans have to suffer for your bowing down to the EU.
So glad Kawasaki still thinks outside the box with their lineup!!! The H2, W800, and the ZX4RR… Hopefully in the not to distant future there will be a 400RS with this engine 👍 And introduce a refresh of the ZX4RR with a twin spar aluminum frame w/ detachable rear subframe and fully adjustable suspension… I can dream right 🎉😎
Ya I think I speak for everybody when I say… we don’t need or want another small displacement single or twin… there is a plethora to choose from already 🤣
@@topibundar9554Kawasaki Motors is more of a side job/hustle for Kawasaki Heavy Industries… they make their real money in aerospace,rail, industrial,offshore etc. So lucky for us they can make unique/crazy bikes for us if they “feel” like it 😎
I'll be turning 60 in December. Planning on picking up a 2024 ZX-4RR in the 40th anniversary Livery in the spring. Love the sound of a high revving inline 4 cylinder. Unfortunately in North America we get a neutered version with only 50 horsepower. Have to flash the ecu for the full 78hp.
It always has and always will be far more fun riding a slower bike as fast as IT will go than riding a faster bike as fast as YOU can go. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.
I can't afford a modern bike so I modified a 2003 Kawasaki GPZ500S. It makes 68hp and weighs 177kg, has uprated springs and rear shock. It's my everything bike, and delights on the roads for all the reasons Chris stated, and is a lot of fun on track as well. Riding a quick agile (but not very powerful) bike has really helped me focus on improving my skills without fear of being pinged off.
I have this bike and I too think it's tremendous. Here's something to think about: My insurance counts this and the regular, 2 cyl 400 as the same thing, so its very cheap to insure. A new zx6r here is 11x as much to insure as this. Eleven times. An order of magnitude, and one to grow on. So every two and a half years, you could buy the bike again in just premiums, with a zx6r. And my lifetime mpg is in the 50s. 100% accurate video.
@@BEEBEE58679 Yes, usa. Its with Flow. It came down to the city I live in, really, as to why it cost so much for a 600+. People steal stuff here and crash it. It'd be almost fine if they returned it unharmed, maybe topped up the tank, but they always wreck em.
My insurance on this is 1.5x more than the 208hp Ducati streetfighter V4. Seems super sport counts more than hp with Flo in the USA. And I’m 50 with a clean record
Kawasaki are my favourite manufacturer. They do things very differently. Noone else has in their lineup three supercharged bikes, a proper 400 sports bike (and not a parralel twin facsimile) and a proper 600 (636). Respect, it's like it's just a fun game for them.
The mark of a good review - I've no real interest in the bike but I watched this all the way through (and enjoyed it!) just for Chris's comments and to see him wringing it's neck. Can't wait to see Chris on the new Hypermotard 698 😋
As anticipated a fantastic video, Chris you touched on all the points that make the Kawasaki ZXRR so exciting. A screaming rev happy in-line four cylinder. Chris thank you for putting a smile on my face today.
Fantastic riding. I would love to daily a 250cc 4t, for the same reasons you mentioned, hearing those tiny cilinders reving up to ~15000rpm while going at reasonable speeds is the perfect combination for someone who wants to enjoy a proper racing bike in the streets. Sadly those are almost imposible to find here in Spain for a decent price and parts are also scarce. At the end I ride a Yamaha fz6-s, but in orden to hear those cylinders scream you're going 100km/h... In first.
It would be nice if other manufacturers got on board. On the little 4 stroke screamers that feel/sound like you are doing 160kmh and you look down and see 100kmh that is what makes sense:(having fun, releasing stressors and not necessary breaking the law while giving road bike beginners especially those who already know how to ride a motorbike a platform for the street). Yamaha give me a baby crossplane, Honda a baby V5( Honda, trust me on that one), Suzuki can do. Nice video and good review
@@ducedevlstear2471It's not at all stupid. Very few superbikes can be ridden at 10/10ths on the road for more than a few seconds at a time. They might be ridden fast when measured against speed limits, but rarely when measured against what the bike can do. As Chris said, small bikes make you work for every mph and, as a result, I find them so much more rewarding.
@@drsrsv8884 Yep, nothing to stop you except having to share the poorly maintained roads with too many vehicles, many with dashcams, largely driven by distracted drivers.
@@drsrsv8884 Ah, okay. I was napping my comments on the fact that the bike being reviewed and the other bikes Chris mentioned are all road bikes. And that the road is where most of them will be ridden most of the time.
its a great, it will not sell sadly. after 2 years it will be obsolete. and unfortunately, that is the reality. yes it has two brake rotors, even though 290mm. yes it has monoblock tokico calipers, but the 37mm suspenion non adjustable, means that regardless, you need to buy high tech cartridge kits for it. same with the rear shock. steel frame, and steel swing arm, also "compromises" a bit together with the 160 rear tire meaning that track days on the bike and having adjustable stuff will bring the price close to 15 grand. and for less money, you get the new zx6 or the new cbr 600 with fully adjustable suspensions, better brakes, real supersport chassis, and more power. not to mention 180 tire so you can actually find any type of tire your heart desires...
Great option. If I hadn’t bought a bike this summer I’d be in the market for this. I ended up with a 660cc Aprilia twin but I would definitely have been perfectly happy with a 400cc inline 4. Loved my 1996 FZR600 back in the day.
Absolutely on my 'Must own someday' list. They are a little pricey to have a steel frame and mid-grade components; but Kawasaki were taking a risk bringing this to market so I'm inclined to forgive them. Luckily, the ZX-4RR seems to be a smash hit and every last bike is selling. Hopefully this will drive more production of similar bikes and bring down costs and or improve quality. Could we be at the beginning of a new era of lower HP sporting motorcycles? Bikes the the Aprilia 660, R7, and zx-4rr hint that we may be. Fingers crossed.
@@drsrsv8884 Hey, your preaching to the choir. I would much sooner take the little Kawi over all it competitors. But it DOES have competitors - which means there is the beginnings of a segment growing here. That was the thing I was getting excited about in my original post. How cool would a 2025 CBR400RR be or maybe Yamaha tries a 450cc triple. These are the kind of bikes I fantasize about.
Amazing review thank you so much. I agree 100% with you, it's so good that Kawasaki made this bike I also missed small 4 cylinder inline engine. Beautiful sound, its Mazda mx5 in the bike world.
Come to my home track in Ireland, Mondello (I'm an instructor here), and genuinely - power/CC won't make a difference. It is such a technical track, that a well ridden 400/600 will embarrass many a Superbike in the advanced group (and which I can testify to tearing my wee CBR400 against R1's, Blades and 1098's back in the day, where they may want to give me the finger on the straights....... but I'd just overtake them 3 corners later!! 🤣)
I'm so glad kawi made this, if not id probably still not own a bike. I've wanted a sport bike forever but once i was in a position to buy one, no one made a small I4 anymore. 600 to racy 1000 way to fast and I'd never get to hear it. I couldn't buy the ZX4 fast enuf. i actually bought mine on the way from the factory to the dealer sight unseen. they had it listed but it hadn't showed up yet. 3 people called trying to buy it when i was there signing the paper work. Do you want the soul of a super bike but not the crazy speed, ZX4, want the scream of a inline 4 but dont want to have to go to the track or jail to hear it, ZX4. i hope this thing starts a trend.
Have the ZXR400 since 18 years and it was my first bike. Down paid the ZX-4RR well before it came out or the price was even fixed. Zero regrets, a lot of the ZXR400 DNA but much less demanding and easier to ride quickly. Love 'em both!
I fully understand the comment about the quick shifter and it being annoying on a trackday against litre bikes. I fitted 1 to my GSX-R 125 which meant could push harder on the twisties, throttle on the stop and being able to change my mid corner whilst fully on gas, at least let me keep up with bigger bikes in the bends. Was fun seeing riders turn round to see if I was still there 😂 Then to be smoked on the straights but catch them up again through the next bend. On a 600 now and apart from straight line speed, so far I'd say I had more fun on the 125.
I do like it as a good useable and engaging bike. It's 80% there. It would be nice to see a decent looking frame even the old 125 2 strokes had what appeared to be a better looking frame/swingarm. My money (and the extra £1800) would go on a CBR600RR though.
At 57 and after 40 years of riding 900-1100 twins, triples and fours I recently bought the 40th anniversary model here in Australia. Nothing has ever put such a maniac grin on my face as this bike. Has to be revved mercilessly but has a bit more down at lower rpm than you would think for those times when you are leaving suburbia to head for the fun roads and need to trundle at the speed limit or in traffic. WELL DONE KAWASAKI
good review! I put my money down as soon as it was announced and collected it at the end of october (september would have been nice!) The weather has been crappy since. Dying to thrash it but currently running it in. Your video made me want to THRASH it though!
Just bought an original zxr400 it baffled me why they stopped making the 400.s cost was a issue but they are the best handling bikes fast do it all 400.s are the bizz
I rode an r6 and 200cc bikes. 200 bikes are much fun in Twisties and nimble. Sometimes speed doesn't get me smiling. But the twisties put a smile on my face and how light the bike and nimble. I love hearing the bike screams around corner
Does it come with integrated TPMS? I bet it doesn't although not a big issue but if it comes with, it helps not only monitoring the front & end pressure also the tyres temperature!😊
Have you tried the 250cc 4 cylinder screamers? I have a 2010 Honda cb400 vtec, but I still prefer my 96 suzuki gsx250f across. 18000rpm through the tunnels is just pure eargasmic! It's no cbr250rr but still has more character.
I think it’s great to have a proper 400 screamer back available to have to keep them on the boil like a 250 stroker to get the best out of it is awesome
@@phillipartweger9547 Waste of money. I would tell you guys here what to install but RUclips would censor my comment. It's a browser plugin that bl0ck$ the rotten mess and makes viewing like it should be. But there may be a backslash to the channel's monetization if enough people do that.
I have a feeling no matter what journos say these will not do well in the US. since they are so close in price to the 600cc+ 4 cylinders. If i can pick up one for &5k after a few years I might have to add it to the stable. In the US it's neutered do to noise so you have to tune it just to get what Europe gets.
@@BikeWorldTVshow If it had been $7.9k instead $9.4K I think it would do a lot better. Most will start with an R3 or similar and then go for. ZX6R, CBR600R, GSX600R etc. As to turns you do know we have several mountain ranges…Tail of the Dragon anyone…
This is brilliant! I really hope this takes off and in turn prompts the other 3 Japanese companies to throw in their hats once again, just like they did 30 odd years' ago. A low capacity bike with clip-on's, sports fairing, single front disc, etc and possessing a single or twin cylinder engine, no matter how nice to ride, just isn't the same as a screaming inline-4. This is what the Japanese are so good at. Bring it on. 😊
Im impressed, i have 3 litre bikes. The riding position looks a bit tortuous. But love that wail... i have a 98 ZX-9R and the air box roar is something to behold. And an MT-10 nuff said. A good bike must have a definitive character and this has. I also have a TL1000S and again its its own machine. Its all about how it makes you feel. That chemistry is why we embrace, and sometimes disregard the risks and danger.
Also, in your comment about the chemistry is why we embrace and just dis regard the danger is what’s left me at 60 with no money lost a whole bunch of houses, oh and an ex-wife
@@malcolmwhite6588ZX-9R is just 13kg heavier ;-) That thing is purely mental thx to its power to weight ratio. But basically impossible to use these days in traffic because of radars and amount of cops
I'm 69 Years Old. I got my Motorcycle License when I was 18, and have kept the MC License for this entire time.I took my original riding exam on a Honda CB750: The guy at DMV was shocked I took the exam on such a Big Bike (For the time), and he was even more surprised when I passed with no errors. I currently ride a 2028 Suzuki GSX250R. I only use it for commenting and short hops, and it's a FINE Little Bike. BUT: I SO want something a little Bigger again. I don't need 600 OR A 1000 CC CROTCH ROCKET, AND I THINK EITHER THIS KAW OR MAYBE EVEN THE HONDA THAT'S COMING WOULD BE A PERFECT NICHE SPOT FOR GUYS LIKE ME.
I’m 58 and I just got 2024 390 duke. It’s not my 2007 ktm super duke but I think I can ride more aggressive on the 390 on the twisty back roads. The quick shifter is a nice feature, but not necessary. It’s really half the price of a 1000cc bike and all the add ons and upgrades are cheaper then the 1000cc bikes
I had a 250RR in Japan about 35 years ago. I loved that bike. Been waiting for many years for another small displacement RR to come to the U.S. market. I currently have. 2020 Z900 and love that bike as well. Insurance on the little 400RR where I live is crazy expensive; not worth it. I am 54, perfect driving record, good driver discount, Motor Cycle Safety course, motorcycle endorsement and it would cost me $3,200/year. WTF! My z900 only runs me $800/year. That’s too bad the 400RR is way too expensive to insure in California.
For the price, it's just not worth it to me. If it slotted in between the Ninja 400 and ZX-6R, around $7K-$8K, then maybe as is, it'd be a good deal. But as it stands, its got like 50hp (U.S. spec) and then you've got to spend even more money to unlock its potential. I'll just spend the extra cash and get the 600, or I'll save some cash and get the arguably better overall bike for the street in the Ninja 400.
This bike has been very successful in the US so far. It's kind of difficult to find one of these in stock at any dealership, at least in my area. They sell almost immediately as they hit the sales floor. I hope Kawasaki sets the standard with this bike so that other manufacturers will follow behind in the near future. It would be awesome to have 400 and 500cc bikes with inline 4 engines. For those who haven't ridden a ZX4RR yet, it's nothing at all like the Ninja 400. It's definitely a solid middle ground between a Ninja 650 and ZX6R...
2 track days per set of tyres?! I was thinking 10+. I get several full days out of a set on a GSXR1000K5 (and no I’m not going really slow - mid to front of intermediate group at least, depending on the track). It must be traction control enabling people to burn through their tyres this quickly right? I’ve never had it so I’m not sure.
I had a '99 ducati 750 supersport from new, first one with the fuel injection if i remember rightly, no cats, Remus brand pipes, would bang on the down-rev so loud it would set off car alarms. It had about 70 odd HP, was as slow as a bastard on the straights, mates on japanese 600s would walk away from me. But, when it came to corners, I ate them alive. Theres something for being fearless winding open the throttle and knowing you're perfectly safe, made me a much better corner rider.
Its the England version of a superbike. The Queens Ninja. The only country that is impressed by small engines is European and other places with a picture of the queen on their money.
Ok so I know this will never be a highway cruiser, but I’m curious how bad it is. I had a Honda CB-1 (400cc i4) for a minute, and it was a blast on city streets and backroads. But when I needed to hop on the highway to get home quickly- it was absolutely terrible!!! Just screaming. So much high frequency buzzing in the bars and pegs and the aftermarket exhaust was obnoxious humming along at constant speed.
Man these are going to be so expensive in my country for a 400CC bike. Whenever it comes. They just released the ZX-25RR. The price is not far off from the new CFMOTO 800nk.
Great machine for the UK, for me i do wish the 250cc inline 4 made it to the UK. But i'm hoping this could be the start of lower cc Sports machines, in reality there just isn't any place for Litres on British roads, without knowingly breaking the law, even arguably's 600's. Rather go fast on a slow machine, than slow on a fast bike. Also for the youngster out there who just want bigger faster meaner, get a smaller spec bike and actually learn to ride a bike first, and get the most out of it.
I've ridden all the fast bikes, and I also can enjoy the smaller stuff as well, because you just don't have to take it too seriously. I've done twisties with a 650 burgman executive scooter and laughed my ass off, because you'd never really think you could have fun on a bus except you can - you just have to want to. I remember that big scooter thing had a turbo mode and gears and everything, and it all just felt so overcomplicated that I could not do anything but laugh. Those are the times you remember, not really the hundreds of times you did 150mph down a straight. I've seen some people do lots of mods to that zx-4rr to make it a proper track tool, so it is definitely possible to make it do a lot more.
Great review Chris. I pick up mine next week. I’m 5’4” and 73 years old and been waiting for something like this for years. I didn’t think anyone would make a quality small bike again. I’ve got a mint nc35 and don’t like putting too many miles on it. These come with 4 year warranty so can thrash it as much as I like. ⭐️
I had the same thoughts, I'm 50 now so can remember the 400's of the day, i've thought about getting one for a while but they're all 30+ years old and mostly tatty. When kawaski announced this, i put a deposit down straight away. Had it few weeks now and I love it, running it in torture though as you will find out, 4000 rpm for the first 150 miles....
Great review. I am really hoping Kawasaki bring a roadster version using this engine (I can’t ride prone since being knocked off my bike in 1982), as in over 45 years of riding, the bike I had the most fun on, was a Honda CB400 Superfour.
You’re 73 and you’re worried about miles on a street bike? YOLO
@@ManAndMachine23kinda like saving your girlfriend for the next guy 🤔
reggale, come back to this post and let us know how it is once you buy one. 👍
I like smaller displacement engines for similar reasons. Yet, I'd rather a small displacement engine tuned for torque, makes a pretty rad sound, than an engine that needs 15,000 rpm to make some horsepower but doesn't really produce torque numbers that are satisfying. But that's just me and my engine preferences.
One of the best bikes ever ridden was a race prepped cbr400rr so much fun on the road , the standard roadbike was so asthmatic in comparison
Open letter to all other reviewers: This is how you do it. Focus on the emotion. Focus on how the bike makes you feel. Address the historical context of the new bike. And start off with a bold, sincere claim.
Americans just don't get the appeal of a small cc screamer and Americans are what a lot of people watch, which is a shame because I would love for the big 4 to bring back all their small cc screamers
@@thegamingshatt4758 Americans didn't just ruin smaller cc bikes but also smaller cars too. Remember when you could get a 4 cylinder screaming Toyota that didn't weight over 2000lbs? Everything needs to be big and you can never use the power of any of these vehicles today. (Yes I know the GR86 exist but it's still heavy)
@@MJT-DA yeah ikr but it's definitely a mindset thing not a size of country thing because I'm an Aussie, pretty big country with long highways and a lot of us still love our sporty lightweight things
@@thegamingshatt4758 Hey now, not *all* Americans. 😂
@@thegamingshatt4758 It wasn’t just the U.S. Europeans preferred the 600’s and up, it was a small percentage of you who would pay roughly the same amount for a smaller cc bike. The MFG’s cater to your stupid A2 regulations for bikes, you are the one’s that ruined small fun 4 cylinder bikes and we Americans have to suffer for your bowing down to the EU.
Props to KAWASAKI! What a machine. Love it
It's too powerful for you.
@@kalnwi2023 lol what?
You are drunk, shut up@@kalnwi2023
So glad Kawasaki still thinks outside the box with their lineup!!! The H2, W800, and the ZX4RR… Hopefully in the not to distant future there will be a 400RS with this engine 👍 And introduce a refresh of the ZX4RR with a twin spar aluminum frame w/ detachable rear subframe and fully adjustable suspension… I can dream right 🎉😎
400rs sounds mint
400RS👍
Ya I think I speak for everybody when I say… we don’t need or want another small displacement single or twin… there is a plethora to choose from already 🤣
Kawasaki is always outside the box not like honda today
@@topibundar9554Kawasaki Motors is more of a side job/hustle for Kawasaki Heavy Industries… they make their real money in aerospace,rail, industrial,offshore etc. So lucky for us they can make unique/crazy bikes for us if they “feel” like it 😎
I'll be turning 60 in December.
Planning on picking up a 2024 ZX-4RR in the 40th anniversary Livery in the spring.
Love the sound of a high revving inline 4 cylinder.
Unfortunately in North America we get a neutered version with only 50 horsepower.
Have to flash the ecu for the full 78hp.
It always has and always will be far more fun riding a slower bike as fast as IT will go than riding a faster bike as fast as YOU can go. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.
I can't afford a modern bike so I modified a 2003 Kawasaki GPZ500S. It makes 68hp and weighs 177kg, has uprated springs and rear shock. It's my everything bike, and delights on the roads for all the reasons Chris stated, and is a lot of fun on track as well. Riding a quick agile (but not very powerful) bike has really helped me focus on improving my skills without fear of being pinged off.
Loved my Gpz. Thrashed the legs off it what a great first big bike it was
I have this bike and I too think it's tremendous. Here's something to think about: My insurance counts this and the regular, 2 cyl 400 as the same thing, so its very cheap to insure. A new zx6r here is 11x as much to insure as this. Eleven times. An order of magnitude, and one to grow on. So every two and a half years, you could buy the bike again in just premiums, with a zx6r. And my lifetime mpg is in the 50s.
100% accurate video.
American insurance?
Who is your insurance company???? And, is it here in the ISA ??? Thanks
Correction: "USA"
@@BEEBEE58679 Yes, usa. Its with Flow. It came down to the city I live in, really, as to why it cost so much for a 600+. People steal stuff here and crash it. It'd be almost fine if they returned it unharmed, maybe topped up the tank, but they always wreck em.
My insurance on this is 1.5x more than the 208hp Ducati streetfighter V4. Seems super sport counts more than hp with Flo in the USA. And I’m 50 with a clean record
Kawasaki are my favourite manufacturer. They do things very differently.
Noone else has in their lineup three supercharged bikes, a proper 400 sports bike (and not a parralel twin facsimile) and a proper 600 (636).
Respect, it's like it's just a fun game for them.
The mark of a good review - I've no real interest in the bike but I watched this all the way through (and enjoyed it!) just for Chris's comments and to see him wringing it's neck. Can't wait to see Chris on the new Hypermotard 698 😋
I've had mine for 2 months and love every minute of it! It puts a smile on my face every day I ride it!
As anticipated a fantastic video, Chris you touched on all the points that make the Kawasaki ZXRR so exciting. A screaming rev happy in-line four cylinder. Chris thank you for putting a smile on my face today.
shame they didn't use the zx10 face as it's also a 4 cylender and their 400's look is the same as most of their range.
"Not some rattly parallel twin single cylinder thing..." haha love it mate. So true
Fantastic riding. I would love to daily a 250cc 4t, for the same reasons you mentioned, hearing those tiny cilinders reving up to ~15000rpm while going at reasonable speeds is the perfect combination for someone who wants to enjoy a proper racing bike in the streets.
Sadly those are almost imposible to find here in Spain for a decent price and parts are also scarce. At the end I ride a Yamaha fz6-s, but in orden to hear those cylinders scream you're going 100km/h... In first.
Surely what we need next is a ZX-4RR-SP with all the top spec suspension and electronic gizmos in a true 90's style 😂
Still pointless without an aluminum frame. This is too heavy.
Theres a guy in america he tune the engine and puts loads of quality parts on it, the bikes a beast
@@aluisiousi know, was expecting to be around 160kg
This already has top grade tech. Up/Down quickshifter with auto-blip, traction control modes, full digital display, road/track modes.
@@aluisiouscost
It would be nice if other manufacturers got on board. On the little 4 stroke screamers that feel/sound like you are doing 160kmh and you look down and see 100kmh that is what makes sense:(having fun, releasing stressors and not necessary breaking the law while giving road bike beginners especially those who already know how to ride a motorbike a platform for the street).
Yamaha give me a baby crossplane, Honda a baby V5( Honda, trust me on that one), Suzuki can do.
Nice video and good review
surprisingly decent highway wind deflection! after my test ride i decided i'm making space for one.
Slow bike fast is much more fun than fast bike slow. I'll always miss my old Derbi GPR125.
That quote is a bit stupid, it sounds like fast bikes are never ridden fast.
@@ducedevlstear2471It's not at all stupid. Very few superbikes can be ridden at 10/10ths on the road for more than a few seconds at a time. They might be ridden fast when measured against speed limits, but rarely when measured against what the bike can do. As Chris said, small bikes make you work for every mph and, as a result, I find them so much more rewarding.
@@drsrsv8884 Yep, nothing to stop you except having to share the poorly maintained roads with too many vehicles, many with dashcams, largely driven by distracted drivers.
@@drsrsv8884 Ah, okay. I was napping my comments on the fact that the bike being reviewed and the other bikes Chris mentioned are all road bikes. And that the road is where most of them will be ridden most of the time.
6:19 "Thrash the living daylights out of it...." is the feeling making this pocket rocket a desirable companion on daily roads.
Kawasaki would sell a lot more motorcycles if they did not paint half of them that horrible green color.
My ex girlfriend had an NC30. It was great fun. Handled superbly, looked great & plenty quick enough on country roads.
What about the bike ? 😅
One of my best investments in Life
its a great, it will not sell sadly. after 2 years it will be obsolete. and unfortunately, that is the reality. yes it has two brake rotors, even though 290mm. yes it has monoblock tokico calipers, but the 37mm suspenion non adjustable, means that regardless, you need to buy high tech cartridge kits for it. same with the rear shock. steel frame, and steel swing arm, also "compromises" a bit together with the 160 rear tire meaning that track days on the bike and having adjustable stuff will bring the price close to 15 grand. and for less money, you get the new zx6 or the new cbr 600 with fully adjustable suspensions, better brakes, real supersport chassis, and more power. not to mention 180 tire so you can actually find any type of tire your heart desires...
It’s a Goddamn 400 smh paying up to $10K for anything less than an 1000cc is ROBBERY! So no…and no thanks;
Now its time for Honda to resurrect the proper 4cyl. CBR 400. Or, even better, VFR400 with monowishbone. And aluminium frame.
Great option. If I hadn’t bought a bike this summer I’d be in the market for this. I ended up with a 660cc Aprilia twin but I would definitely have been perfectly happy with a 400cc inline 4. Loved my 1996 FZR600 back in the day.
How’s the Aprilia? I’m considering an RS660, coming from a Kawi z400.
@@tangyian I got a new 2022 Tuono 660 Factory and I absolutely love it. I haven’t ridden the RS660.
I love it. My dream bike. I had Kawasaki zxr 400 1992 for 8 years. Good old days.
Absolutely on my 'Must own someday' list. They are a little pricey to have a steel frame and mid-grade components; but Kawasaki were taking a risk bringing this to market so I'm inclined to forgive them. Luckily, the ZX-4RR seems to be a smash hit and every last bike is selling. Hopefully this will drive more production of similar bikes and bring down costs and or improve quality. Could we be at the beginning of a new era of lower HP sporting motorcycles? Bikes the the Aprilia 660, R7, and zx-4rr hint that we may be. Fingers crossed.
Too heavy, too expensive. The 6R is better.
@@drsrsv8884 Hey, your preaching to the choir. I would much sooner take the little Kawi over all it competitors. But it DOES have competitors - which means there is the beginnings of a segment growing here. That was the thing I was getting excited about in my original post. How cool would a 2025 CBR400RR be or maybe Yamaha tries a 450cc triple. These are the kind of bikes I fantasize about.
@@drsrsv8884go ride a sxv 550 and tell me if its dull lmfao
@@enderzebak2863Unfortunately they all exploded by now
Amazing review thank you so much. I agree 100% with you, it's so good that Kawasaki made this bike I also missed small 4 cylinder inline engine. Beautiful sound, its Mazda mx5 in the bike world.
Come to my home track in Ireland, Mondello (I'm an instructor here), and genuinely - power/CC won't make a difference. It is such a technical track, that a well ridden 400/600 will embarrass many a Superbike in the advanced group (and which I can testify to tearing my wee CBR400 against R1's, Blades and 1098's back in the day, where they may want to give me the finger on the straights....... but I'd just overtake them 3 corners later!! 🤣)
The US version is completely neutered though, right?
This is such a thoughtful and well put together review. Thanks Chris & team!
@@conradclipper Thanks!
I think Chris could sell snow to the Eskimo's. Great review.
I'm so glad kawi made this, if not id probably still not own a bike. I've wanted a sport bike forever but once i was in a position to buy one, no one made a small I4 anymore. 600 to racy 1000 way to fast and I'd never get to hear it. I couldn't buy the ZX4 fast enuf. i actually bought mine on the way from the factory to the dealer sight unseen. they had it listed but it hadn't showed up yet. 3 people called trying to buy it when i was there signing the paper work. Do you want the soul of a super bike but not the crazy speed, ZX4, want the scream of a inline 4 but dont want to have to go to the track or jail to hear it, ZX4. i hope this thing starts a trend.
This is my favorite ZX4 review. You *get* this bike, and I can hear the glee in your voice.
Hope they use this engine block for a retro design👍 Z400RS-R perhaps?
Ya that was called an rd350lc 40 years ago! Damn I'm old.
I love it ❤
I had a Aprillia rs 250 absolute fun just like in this vid. Love these small screamers, o was I young again.
So Chris, for everyday on the road use, is it the Kawasaki or the Yamaha R7 that you would choose? 🤔
Had mine a month , first sports bike , absolutely brilliant , you burn it off every set of lights 😂
Have the ZXR400 since 18 years and it was my first bike. Down paid the ZX-4RR well before it came out or the price was even fixed. Zero regrets, a lot of the ZXR400 DNA but much less demanding and easier to ride quickly. Love 'em both!
A huge drawback for track days is that it doesn't have a replaceable subframe.
"sell your 200 horsepower Superbike. Go buy one of these"--- what an opening!!!
I want one of these, but Kawasaki doesn’t seem to be bringing them into my country 😢
Upside is I’ll get an 890 duke instead 😂
Great review as always Chris. At 6'4", it's just a bit too cramped for me.
I fully understand the comment about the quick shifter and it being annoying on a trackday against litre bikes. I fitted 1 to my GSX-R 125 which meant could push harder on the twisties, throttle on the stop and being able to change my mid corner whilst fully on gas, at least let me keep up with bigger bikes in the bends. Was fun seeing riders turn round to see if I was still there 😂 Then to be smoked on the straights but catch them up again through the next bend.
On a 600 now and apart from straight line speed, so far I'd say I had more fun on the 125.
I do like it as a good useable and engaging bike. It's 80% there. It would be nice to see a decent looking frame even the old 125 2 strokes had what appeared to be a better looking frame/swingarm. My money (and the extra £1800) would go on a CBR600RR though.
I have an old KTM 990 Superduke R which is a beast but I think I’d have more fun on this. Worth the swap? Thoughts anyone?
At 57 and after 40 years of riding 900-1100 twins, triples and fours I recently bought the 40th anniversary model here in Australia. Nothing has ever put such a maniac grin on my face as this bike. Has to be revved mercilessly but has a bit more down at lower rpm than you would think for those times when you are leaving suburbia to head for the fun roads and need to trundle at the speed limit or in traffic. WELL DONE KAWASAKI
If money not an issue you recommend a 35yo beginner this bike?
good review! I put my money down as soon as it was announced and collected it at the end of october (september would have been nice!) The weather has been crappy since. Dying to thrash it but currently running it in. Your video made me want to THRASH it though!
Just bought an original zxr400 it baffled me why they stopped making the 400.s cost was a issue but they are the best handling bikes fast do it all 400.s are the bizz
Chris it's getting hard and expensive to view your reviews, because I'm ending up with a new bike every time😂
I rode an r6 and 200cc bikes. 200 bikes are much fun in Twisties and nimble. Sometimes speed doesn't get me smiling. But the twisties put a smile on my face and how light the bike and nimble. I love hearing the bike screams around corner
Does it come with integrated TPMS? I bet it doesn't although not a big issue but if it comes with, it helps not only monitoring the front & end pressure also the tyres temperature!😊
Is this more fun than the Z650? Which would you buy?
At this price they should have gone with an aluminium twin spar frame at least
Have you tried the 250cc 4 cylinder screamers? I have a 2010 Honda cb400 vtec, but I still prefer my 96 suzuki gsx250f across. 18000rpm through the tunnels is just pure eargasmic! It's no cbr250rr but still has more character.
Kawasaki sells a Ninja 250cc four in some markets.
@raboox9 yep. Yamaha has a version too.
I think it’s great to have a proper 400 screamer back available to have to keep them on the boil like a 250 stroker to get the best out of it is awesome
Seems a shame this isn’t A2 compliant or that there isn’t a A2 version of it. I’d get one in a heartbeat!
I've too large a frame, but watching Chris having a jolly good time will suffice. 😁
Feeling the love for small bikes. I have the most fun on my Honda grom, the feeling of thrashing a little bike everywhere is hilarious
This is the Miata or 86/BRZ of motorcycles
Whith small bikes that can rev high you dont need to ride fast to feel fast and the sound is still grate
Its fun ag
I want one. Got to save up a bit longer!!! 😢
Lee Betty Jones Dorothy Jackson Daniel
Riding a smaller bike fast is always a lot more fun than riding a big bike fast
That 40th ninja edition is pretty sweet!
Good video. Nearly gave up watching before it started as the adverts at the start were so long 😕….but glad I persevered! 👍
Out of our control, it seems that RUclips are pushing ads more now. Glad you stuck around though.
There's free software you can patch into your browser that takes care of all that garbage.
Agreed. In the last week or so the ads have become almost unbearable. Starting to watch less RUclips.
@@ENLSN77broke down and tried premium and boy what a difference.. never going back
@@phillipartweger9547 Waste of money. I would tell you guys here what to install but RUclips would censor my comment. It's a browser plugin that bl0ck$ the rotten mess and makes viewing like it should be. But there may be a backslash to the channel's monetization if enough people do that.
I have a feeling no matter what journos say these will not do well in the US. since they are so close in price to the 600cc+ 4 cylinders. If i can pick up one for &5k after a few years I might have to add it to the stable. In the US it's neutered do to noise so you have to tune it just to get what Europe gets.
It’s because you don’t have any corners! 😂
@@BikeWorldTVshow If it had been $7.9k instead $9.4K I think it would do a lot better. Most will start with an R3 or similar and then go for. ZX6R, CBR600R, GSX600R etc.
As to turns you do know we have several mountain ranges…Tail of the Dragon anyone…
@@SSS-mp8th Hi, only joking. We know all about the great roads over there, we've ridden some of them.
10 grand I believe in the USA? Worth it?
I would love one of these, definitely on the list. Awesome bike.
I had an old model one 15 years ago , and it was too small for me. I’m willing to try again 😂
We shrink as we age.
@@tvdinner325 sold!😂
Please advise where this road is that you are riding on?
190kg's!!!, fucking hell, bit of a lump ain't it. If it shed 20-25 kilos I'd be tempted, might as well just get the 600.
That’s curb weight, though. The old 400s were typically listed in dry weight, so they’re actually pretty close.
This is brilliant! I really hope this takes off and in turn prompts the other 3 Japanese companies to throw in their hats once again, just like they did 30 odd years' ago.
A low capacity bike with clip-on's, sports fairing, single front disc, etc and possessing a single or twin cylinder engine, no matter how nice to ride, just isn't the same as a screaming inline-4.
This is what the Japanese are so good at.
Bring it on. 😊
Im impressed, i have 3 litre bikes. The riding position looks a bit tortuous. But love that wail... i have a 98 ZX-9R and the air box roar is something to behold. And an MT-10 nuff said. A good bike must have a definitive character and this has. I also have a TL1000S and again its its own machine. Its all about how it makes you feel. That chemistry is why we embrace, and sometimes disregard the risks and danger.
Well I bet your “3 Litres bikes” are bloody heavy though!😂
Also, in your comment about the chemistry is why we embrace and just dis regard the danger is what’s left me at 60 with no money lost a whole bunch of houses, oh and an ex-wife
@@malcolmwhite6588but was it fun? Because if so id think it was worth it
@@pitchforkpeasant6219 let’s cheer me up some more LOL I mean yes it was fun but also plenty of stress but can’t change the past LOL
@@malcolmwhite6588ZX-9R is just 13kg heavier ;-) That thing is purely mental thx to its power to weight ratio. But basically impossible to use these days in traffic because of radars and amount of cops
5:07 exactly!
I'm 69 Years Old. I got my Motorcycle License when I was 18, and have kept the MC License for this entire time.I took my original riding exam on a Honda CB750: The guy at DMV was shocked I took the exam on such a Big Bike (For the time), and he was even more surprised when I passed with no errors.
I currently ride a 2028 Suzuki GSX250R. I only use it for commenting and short hops, and it's a FINE Little Bike. BUT: I SO want something a little Bigger again. I don't need 600 OR A 1000 CC CROTCH ROCKET, AND I THINK EITHER THIS KAW OR MAYBE EVEN THE HONDA THAT'S COMING WOULD BE A PERFECT NICHE SPOT FOR GUYS LIKE ME.
I’m 58 and I just got 2024 390 duke. It’s not my 2007 ktm super duke but I think I can ride more aggressive on the 390 on the twisty back roads. The quick shifter is a nice feature, but not necessary. It’s really half the price of a 1000cc bike and all the add ons and upgrades are cheaper then the 1000cc bikes
I had a 250RR in Japan about 35 years ago. I loved that bike. Been waiting for many years for another small displacement RR to come to the U.S. market. I currently have. 2020 Z900 and love that bike as well. Insurance on the little 400RR where I live is crazy expensive; not worth it. I am 54, perfect driving record, good driver discount, Motor Cycle Safety course, motorcycle endorsement and it would cost me $3,200/year. WTF! My z900 only runs me $800/year. That’s too bad the 400RR is way too expensive to insure in California.
Track days should be in bhp classes
For the price, it's just not worth it to me. If it slotted in between the Ninja 400 and ZX-6R, around $7K-$8K, then maybe as is, it'd be a good deal. But as it stands, its got like 50hp (U.S. spec) and then you've got to spend even more money to unlock its potential. I'll just spend the extra cash and get the 600, or I'll save some cash and get the arguably better overall bike for the street in the Ninja 400.
Will it fit a 6"2 (188cm) guy?
so.... 250 gamma 2025 next? not any of this hippie valvetrain BS. Come on suzi, show us something other than those sensible 800 "sport" bikes
This bike has been very successful in the US so far. It's kind of difficult to find one of these in stock at any dealership, at least in my area. They sell almost immediately as they hit the sales floor. I hope Kawasaki sets the standard with this bike so that other manufacturers will follow behind in the near future. It would be awesome to have 400 and 500cc bikes with inline 4 engines. For those who haven't ridden a ZX4RR yet, it's nothing at all like the Ninja 400. It's definitely a solid middle ground between a Ninja 650 and ZX6R...
On the road, toque is more useful. As for the price, in my opinion, this bike is £1500 over priced. Should be around the £6999 mark.
2 track days per set of tyres?! I was thinking 10+. I get several full days out of a set on a GSXR1000K5 (and no I’m not going really slow - mid to front of intermediate group at least, depending on the track). It must be traction control enabling people to burn through their tyres this quickly right? I’ve never had it so I’m not sure.
I had a '99 ducati 750 supersport from new, first one with the fuel injection if i remember rightly, no cats, Remus brand pipes, would bang on the down-rev so loud it would set off car alarms. It had about 70 odd HP, was as slow as a bastard on the straights, mates on japanese 600s would walk away from me. But, when it came to corners, I ate them alive. Theres something for being fearless winding open the throttle and knowing you're perfectly safe, made me a much better corner rider.
Best reviewer in the game
Its the England version of a superbike. The Queens Ninja. The only country that is impressed by small engines is European and other places with a picture of the queen on their money.
Ok so I know this will never be a highway cruiser, but I’m curious how bad it is. I had a Honda CB-1 (400cc i4) for a minute, and it was a blast on city streets and backroads. But when I needed to hop on the highway to get home quickly- it was absolutely terrible!!! Just screaming. So much high frequency buzzing in the bars and pegs and the aftermarket exhaust was obnoxious humming along at constant speed.
Man these are going to be so expensive in my country for a 400CC bike. Whenever it comes. They just released the ZX-25RR. The price is not far off from the new CFMOTO 800nk.
Great machine for the UK, for me i do wish the 250cc inline 4 made it to the UK. But i'm hoping this could be the start of lower cc Sports machines, in reality there just isn't any place for Litres on British roads, without knowingly breaking the law, even arguably's 600's. Rather go fast on a slow machine, than slow on a fast bike. Also for the youngster out there who just want bigger faster meaner, get a smaller spec bike and actually learn to ride a bike first, and get the most out of it.
just went and looked at one a couple days ago definitely the little bike I'm looking to get, been riding a z125 for over a year! :)
I've ridden all the fast bikes, and I also can enjoy the smaller stuff as well, because you just don't have to take it too seriously. I've done twisties with a 650 burgman executive scooter and laughed my ass off, because you'd never really think you could have fun on a bus except you can - you just have to want to. I remember that big scooter thing had a turbo mode and gears and everything, and it all just felt so overcomplicated that I could not do anything but laugh. Those are the times you remember, not really the hundreds of times you did 150mph down a straight.
I've seen some people do lots of mods to that zx-4rr to make it a proper track tool, so it is definitely possible to make it do a lot more.
What about old Honda CBR 250 RR? Watch on youtube from Australia, red start on 16 000 rpm.