Motorcycle specifications KawasakiNinja 400 2023 Ninja Kid II

butwhat happened to the 400 Ninja? Kawa's young sportswoman, a native A2 licensee, disappeared from the radar after the 2020 season. Where did it leave its footpegs in the meantime? That's none of our business..... But on the way back, she stopped off at the "engine conformity" workshop to treat herself to a Euro5 badge. Thus revised, the 4-cents can return to the European market.

With the same look. This Ninja receives no touch-ups, apart from updated color schemes. Engine recalibration has made it cleaner, without affecting its maximum power of 45 hp. Only torque is reduced, by just 0.1 mkg. Fans of "sporty firsts" will be delighted to find this big, fun and easy shrew, with its taut, attractive design. The Ninja should be in stores in September 2022, vintage 2023.

The Ninja low-size has asserted itself over time. A long way from the puny Ninja 250 R, grandmother of the current 400. It was in 2018 that the latter settled in, with enough to place it in a category in need of recognition (even if the WSPP 300 inflames riders). Kawasaki had designed a new engine for it with as much care as for its larger-displacement mills. A great deal of work was done on the air intake. An optimized flow and a high-volume airbox (5.8 L) make it easy to rev. The left and right intake cones are of different heights to contribute to a smoother engine response and to attenuate torque dips.

in addition, the machine is equipped with the Assist & Slipper dual-cam assisted clutch to soften the clutch grip and avoid rear-wheel lock-up in the event of a violent downshift. Overall, the engine has been designed to be as compact as possible, so that its weight and overall dimensions are almost identical to those of its predecessor, the Ninja 300cm3.

other solutions have also helped to reduce the bike's weight (lighter frame and swingarm, forged camshafts, compact clutch, less fluid carried, lighter exhaust). The Ninja 400 claims 168 kg. Among the welcome little extras is the patented system that places the fan behind the radiator, allowing hot air to be evacuated away from the rider, thus avoiding big hot flushes in traffic jams. The other advantage is that it uses fewer insulating parts, saving precious grams.

its tubular trellis frame is partly inspired by that of the Ninja H2, to ensure good rigidity without weighing the machine down. Another similarity with the H2 is that the swingarm is directly connected to the engine, which therefore plays an essential role in the bike's rigidity. This makes for a long swingarm, while retaining a reduced wheelbase of 1,370 mm for improved handling and stability. As for the peripherals, the 41 mm telescopic fork has been stiffened and the rake angle closed, which should improve precision compared to the Ninja 300. For the rear suspension, the Ninja retains a preload-adjustable monoshock.
Wheels: 5-spoke star wheels similar to those on the Ninja 650. The rear gum is 150 mm, rather wide for its power level.
For braking, the front is slowed by a 310 mm semi-floating petal disc, bitten by a two-piston caliper. Rear braking is entrusted to a 220mm petal disc and a two-piston caliper. All with conventional ABS.

The riding position is sporty but not radical. The 785mm seat height and slim front end allow smaller riders to put their feet down with ease. The design has also evolved. Inspired by the ZX 10-R, it also includes nods to the H2, Kawa's sportbike benchmark. The Ninja 400's design has aplomb. In profile, the front end is determined, with a more upright nose and a frank look. The connection with the H2 is underlined by the two small spoilers under each headlight. The same applies to the rear seat. All front and rear lighting is full LED.

The instrumentation, too, has all the bells and whistles! This Ninja 400 benefits from the old Ninja 650's dashboard, with its needle-type rev counter framed on the left by a bar of indicator lights and on the right by a large multi-function LCD screen. The gear indicator is still there, and only the shift-light has been removed. No TFT yet, but that will come one day. Although the fuel tank holds just 14 liters, the machine's range is estimated at 350 km.
As you can see, this little bike has everything you need to enjoy the twists and turns of our small country roads, without risking losing your license in the slightest straight line..

M.B - Manufacturer's photos