Motorcycle specifications KawasakiZ 400 2023 The cane in A2.

Kawasaki's Z400 is a bit like Honda's CB500: a machine that's almost perfectly positioned in the A2 segment, with a playful frame and easy access. But it lacks the displacement that is so shunned in our part of the world.
Is that why the manufacturer withdrew it from the catalog after 2020? Who knows? Kawa is giving it another chance by reintroducing it to the market with the 2023 model (available from September 2022).

Not much has changed. The colors, the prices, and above all the engine expiry. The 399 cm3 twin-cylinder has undergone the necessary refinements to pass Euro5. It only suffers the loss of 0.1 mkg. Apart from that, the bike has been renewed in all its attributes. It can therefore resume its role as a young Z, worthy descendant of the Z 300.

Or rather, as the naked version of the Ninja 400. Strip it of its cladding and you'll find everything the little sports bike had to offer. The technical choice is simple, straightforward and no-nonsense. It's all there for you to enjoy, right up to the limits imposed by your "youth" license.
Powered by its twin, the Z produces 45 hp at 10,000 rpm. That's 6 hp more than the 300. Torque is the big winner, with more than 1 mkg added.
No surprises or disappointments to be expected on the performance front: the roadster weighs just one kilogram less than the sports car. Only the top speed will have to be revised downwards, as the absence of protection acts as an aerodynamic brake.

Even before it got to grips with the other roadsters in its sector, the 400 made a name for itself in the Z family. It's got the name, it's got the style. The rear end features a taillight modelled on that of the ZX-10R. It's a pity that the clamshell has disappeared; the 300 did a better job of hiding what you didn't want to see.

Kawasaki has worked hard enough to make us forget where it came from. With its silhouette, of course, and with the welcome on board. A handlebar replaces the two straps and should offer a more relaxed riding position, although the Ninja's is already very comfortable. The speedometer is almost identical to that of the old 650 / 900. Reasonable seat height at 785 mm, 167 kilos ready to ride, overall finesse, ultra-smooth clutch, the medium Z presents a good welcome. Medium-sized? Yes, we can no longer say small since the 125 joined the catalog. Hmmm, we'd have liked a 12V socket or at least a USB port. Most buyers will always have a phone to charge or an mp3 to plug in.

We'll be expecting everyday versatility from this machine, and a dynamic that's both light and reassuring. The chassis is designed with this in mind. The tubular steel frame is anchored to the motor, with a simple layout that's sufficient for the expected performance. There's no need to be overzealous when it comes to braking, with one disc per wheel - 310 mm at the front and 220 at the rear, each clamped by a 2-piston caliper. These values are the same caliber as on the Ninja, but a clear increase since the Z 300, which was equipped with a 290 mm front disc and a 37 mm diameter fork. The 400's fork is 41 mm.

Kawasaki has completed the Z family from start to finish. Well, almost. We wouldn't be against a Z 1300 descendant. For the time being, one of the priorities is to make the 300 / 400 category more attractive. The obligatory A2 is helping in this task, while the Z 400 roadster is working hard to carve out a place for itself. Derived from the Ninja, more powerful and accomplished than the ex-Z-300, it is also one of the most generously powered, even sniffing out the CB 500. Nothing is certain in this category, but the machine will benefit from the Z spirit and image. A significant asset in the balance.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos