The late 1980’s to early 1990’s was a special time for Japanese motorcycles. Back then 400cc sport bikes had four carbs, four cylinders, sky high redlines and all packed into a small confidence inspiring package. Entry level bikes were exciting back then! I own two from that era and easily enjoy them as much as my 1000cc V twin sport bike and 1000cc super bike.

Fast forward to today and the 400cc category is still entry level but the performance took a back seat as the machines slowly became watered down shells of their former glory with focus shifted to MPGs and commuting. Well there is a light at the end of the tunnel! At least one 399cc inline four sport-bike with a sky high redline is coming back!!!!

The price is a little bit of a shock.($10,000) Ehh but maybe it shouldn’t be, the whole reason the high revving 400 fours went away was because the cost to manufacture a machine relative to its 600cc super sport competitors which ultimately won out. The 600’s sales are not as hot today so the moto manufacturers need to find ways to entice younger potential customers.

Considering the prices super bikes have been climbing to the past few years I think it makes sense to be brave and offer an entry level displacement bike that isn’t watered down or focused on commuting. When you look at current 1000cc & 600cc race replicas you’ll see that the price tag of this bike is about on par with this subsection of the moto industry right now.

Cycle world article on the new baby ZX super bike

The Ninja ZX-4RR is Kawasaki’s second sub-500cc inline four-cylinder powered product. The mechanical specifications of this motorcycle are quite impressive and are as follows:
-a 399cc, inline four-cylinder
-liquid-cooled engine with 16 valves (four valves per cylinder) and a Ram Air intake system
-While the company has not revealed the power output figure, this motor makes a peak torque of 36Nm at 11,000rpm and redlines at 16,000rpm
-six-speed transmission that benefits from a bidirectional quick-shifter and a slipper/assist clutch mechanism with auto blipping on downshifts.

Wicked.

Motorcycle sales are less than half of the peak back in 2006. Nice to see US market still get the good stuff.

I knew exactly what this thread was going to be about! While at the local dealership for something else, I was looking at a Ninja 400. The sales guy said just wait because they’d be getting the new ZX4-RR in soon.

This could be the first motorcycle I’ll purchase new, since my 1998 ZX9R that was $10,000 out the door. I settled for the maroonish red because I couldn’t find one in Kawasaki Green.

I don’t remember, but I think the FZR-400 had a 14,000rpm red line.

I was pretty into bikes in the 90's and remember that. Now I'm late 50's and when I buy another bike it will be a minimum of 1000 cc's. I'm too old to pretend I'm Superbike racing on the street. I want highway passing power now.

Looks incredibly lightweight too. But I am too old and fat to try it on!

Will be curious to see how this performs, compared to the p-twin options

I used to love small lightweight bikes when they were two strokes but once they all became 4 strokes the 750cc was the sweet spot for me. Partially because I’m 6’4” and 235lbs.

Once you get used to the torque of the bigger bores it’s hard to go back to high revving engines that don’t make much power unless they’re screaming. It’s probably much better with today’s technology though.

I’m surprised they don’t have a heat shield between the header and the oil filter.

Has Kawasaki created a high revving, low vibration inline 4 that doesn't make your teeth chatter?

Like the engine but hate the styling.

I really like that Kawi made this, but in the scheme of history an FZR400 is going to just stomp on it. Its nice it has modern electronics, but everything else is just a price point and that point is at a really odd level. Way more than the twins and not very much less than the 600's. I briefly considered one for racing this year, but its going to end up in classes with many superior options.

Last year one of my next door neighbors purchased a new off the show room floor a Honda Grom (?) in 125cc(?) motor......About 3 months later he purchased a new Honda 300cc street bike and the proceeded to swap motors placing the 300cc motor into the Grom frame....Almost direct replacement.... now his Grom is a screaming street sleeper. .................................. drill sgt.

400 cc, 4 cyl?

Are the pistons’ diameters same as a quarter’s? Lol

I am interested to see more when they are available on the street.

I am enjoying my 2022 MT-09 and hav been riding it everyday since purchased in July, except when it is raining when I set out. I just got back from a quick trip to drop a loaf of fresh baked bread.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
400 cc, 4 cyl?

Are the pistons’ diameters same as a quarter’s? Lol

That’s how they get it to rev like that.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Are the pistons’ diameters same as a quarter’s? Lol

Bore and stroke measure 57.0mm x 39.2mm (about the diameter of a soda can top) at redline revs are 266 times a second. I'd like to hear that.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
400 cc, 4 cyl?

Are the pistons’ diameters same as a quarter’s? Lol

^^^^^^^ Back in the 1960"s Honda had a bike designed for the GP Racing type track. It was a 4 cylinder that ideled at approx 11,000 rpm and required a outside seperate electric motor for starting purposes. Was capable of approx speeds of 125 mph on the race track with rider.....Total displacement of motor was 50cc..... Correct.. That was 50cc displacement. .......... drill sgt.

That’s crazy to think those engine assemblies can rotate 200-250 times in one second.

I was amazed that my jet ski can cruise along at 7500rpm. I can’t imagine leaving a car over 5k for more than a few seconds.

Looks like it would be very fun for an afternoon but less that fun for a daily driver. Overall a pretty cool bike.

Im just shocked it’s happening. I was 100% certain the days of 399cc inline fours revving to the moon were long gone.

Once again Kawasaki has done something brave and bold.

It’s illogical and would be redundant in my small moto collection but for some reason I find myself really wanting one of these ZX4RRs.

I’m not too worried about the USA getting a neutered version. If it’s accomplished via software that’s not gonna be too hard to undo.

It's slow, relatively, but a CBR250RR is a grail bike for me.
20k rpm, and that banshee wail, can run it hard without committing a felony.