Road test of KawasakiNinja 400 2018 LA sportive A2

"That's it! You've survived the motorcycle driving test with all its practice questions. With the Holy Grail in your pocket, it's now time to take to the road on that famous and tricky first motorcycle! That first steed on which, after a while, you feel so at ease that you think you're invincible and an ultra pilot! However, since the introduction of the A2 motorcycle license in 2016, requiring all new riders to ride a motorcycle with a maximum power of 35 kW (47.5 hp) for 2 years, the motorcycle market has seen its sales evolve. Today, a veritable niche market of A2 motorcycles is emerging, reinforced by all the new models presented by the various brands. Here at MP, we've thought of the new bikers with our test of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT edition (Lime Green/Black Ebony).

replacing the recently-departed 300, the Ninja 400 is a blend of elements from its 2 big sisters : the 650 and the H2, and looks set to make its mark on the French A2 motorcycle market.
At first glance, the sleek, Ninja H2-inspired front spoiler charms. Only the "400" inscribed on the sides and the size of the rear tire betray its status as the green brand's youngest model. The sporty fairings are neatly styled. A good-sized instrument panel with analog rev counter and full LCD screen gives the impression that Kawasaki has taken care with its presentation, and you don't feel you're dealing with a moped. The optional 12V socket is located on the console plastics; otherwise, you'll have to make do with a useless cover that leaves these panels feeling fragile and in need of improvement.

having looked at it from every angle, it's time to sit down and take possession of the machine :-). First observation: small people will be delighted to see that Kawasaki has thought of them: with my meter 70, I put both feet flat on the ground and knees bent. Special thoughts to all the girls who haven't eaten enough soup and are always on the lookout for a small bike or have to dig out their saddle. The Ninja 400 is perfect for you! Short legs will suffice for the seat, but you'll need long arms to adjust the mirrors, which are a long way from the rider. Don't try to adjust them while you're riding - it can be downright dangerous.

the Ninja 400 is 8 kg lighter, weighing in at 168 kg when fully loaded! This slimming down makes the Kawette lightweight and disconcertingly easy to ride, allowing even the most novice rider to quickly feel at ease and control the twin-cylinder's gentle torque. A real all-rounder in the city, and playful in the hills, the Ninja 400 surprised us throughout our test ride. The only downside to its light weight is the wind on the freeway: a good blast of Mistral wind will ensure that lane deviations are tricky to control. You'll have to be very careful, or prefer to take the main roads and enjoy the countryside. What's more, there's no point hiding behind the protective bubble on freeways - it's too small for that. The half-sport, half-roadster stance makes long trips a pleasure, and even after 700 km, you won't get off the Ninja 400 completely broken in 2 and aching. Even at high engine speeds, the Ninja 400 won't pull on your arms like other larger-displacement bikes.a true beginner's machine, it's designed to give you confidence on the road or track, and will enable you to learn the right reflexes during the 2 years required before moving on to something heavier and stronger.

well, that's not all, but maybe we'll just start it up and go for a ride! So, helmet on, we start up the Ninja and it's disappointment with the noise of the original pot. Parked next to my biker buddies with 900s and 1000s, for the first time I feel like I'm riding a moped. The noise is so low that when riding alongside them, you can't even hear the 400 anymore.... What a shame! Apparently Kawasaki has already solved the problem, since an Akrapovic titanium muffler is available as an option. Let's hope it sings better than the Ninja 400's original muffler!

so here we are, on the roads and freeways of France, heading for Barcelona at the start of the summer season. Nearly 800 km to go, and having done it before, I tell myself that it's going to be a complicated day, and that a trip to the pool at the finish will be a sweet reward. In the end, the km passed and I went from one surprise to another! First of all, in terms of fuel consumption, on average I would fill up once, whereas my friends would have to fill up twice. With the 14L tank full, the trip computer announces 377 km of range! LOL!!! At first you think it's a joke, but in the end....... you easily reach 320km without forcing yourself, before having to go back to the petrol station. This handy on-board computer calculates consumption in real time and estimates the available range. The reserve is indicated by a flashing "petrol" symbol, and below 30 km of range, you'll need to get to a petrol station as soon as possible, as the computer can't help you! Another driving aid, an "ECO" symbol, is displayed when the gear engaged according to speed allows optimum fuel consumption. Strangely enough, it took me a few tries to figure out exactly what it meant - at first I thought it was a Celtic symbol, but then I saw "ECO". The large analog tachometer is surrounded by warning lights on the left, while on the right is the gear indicator and LCD display.

like all motor vehicles, range will depend on driving style. High revs are necessary for good acceleration - the supple engine revs up quickly; however, below 6,000 rpm, don't expect the twin to lift your heart. At around 7,000 rpm, you'll feel the engine take off, but you won't be able to stop it, the sound will change and become more acute, a few slight vibrations will appear, but nothing unpleasant: the bike takes off, ready to continue on its merry way. Once in its high rev range, the mill offers a sympathetic, almost joyful response, ideal for those new to the category who prefer to dominate power rather than the other way round.

during this long trip, our 4-wheeled friends allowed me, despite themselves, to test another Ninja 400 option: ABS braking, which is super efficient! Surprising at first, because it slams underfoot. We use it sparingly, preferring the classic and effective front brake, but in the end we can't do without it! It's reassuring and lets you brake hard without locking the rear wheel and flying into the scenery. Beware, however, of using it on white stripes, which will cause you to chase the rear wheel under heavy braking. Another really useful option is the Assist & Slipper assisted anti-dribble clutch lever. For me, the girl with small hands who's always got a sore left hand at the end of the day, this is an absolute dream, and I want it on my bike! You have to admit it's quite surprising at first, and you think the clutch has picked up and you're not going to get very far, but then........ no!!! The handle is soft, just like it was originally :-), so you can play with the gears as you drive without getting a sore hand at the end of the day. This handle also has the magical power to prevent the rear wheel from locking up during an ambitious downshift. I absolutely wanted to test this power, and before doing so, I placed 5 candles in my nearest cathedral.drale nearest my home, recited 10 prayers to the benevolent biker and crossed my fingers as hard as I could. So I stalled at 100 kph in 4th gear, then shifted into second and let go of the clutch, preparing to fly into the surrounding fields, but O Joy, O Joy: I stayed on the bike. It was on the second attempt that I noticed that the on-board computer took a few seconds to integrate the requested information, and that only then did the gear engage, letting the engine express itself strongly. The rear wheel doesn't lock and the rider stays on the bike: magic!

of course, you can't do 800 km without riding at night! When you're riding with mecha freaks who bring out the tool kit at every stop, the journey time is how to say...... lengthened :-). But in the end, the LED lights open up the road perfectly, and get us to our destination without a hitch. The only downside is that the LCD display's backlighting is too weak. Another negative element discovered in city traffic is the mirrors, which are slightly larger than the handles. This means you can easily hit a car's rear-view mirror, even though the handles are easy to reach: compass in the eye mandatory. The last detail is the kickstand, which has no small metal extension to help lower it. You'll have to reach way back for the kickstand to lower it; admittedly, a bit of a kick to take.

all in all, this bike is really what I would have liked to have for my first ride, whether on the road or the track: light and ultra-handy, I've dropped off friends far more experienced than me on a mountain pass thanks to its maneuverability and featherweight. The hairpin bends that are the terror of beginners are easily mastered, and this Ninja 400 will surely enable all beginners to gain confidence on our roads, now limited to 80 km/h.

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