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• Sporty kawa for beginners
• Seat position, seat height, motor
• Braking power and consumption
• Conclusion, price, colors
• Technical data Kawasaki Ninja 400

Arturo Rivas

29 photos

Arturo Rivas

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Kawasaki has redesigned the entry-level ninja. The twin’s cubic capacity and power increased, which is now surrounded by a tubular space frame. Much effort.

Arturo Rivas

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The LC display including the rev counter is also available on the Ninja 650. It offers a lot of information that can only be called up via the push buttons on the instrument.

Arturo Rivas

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New 5-spoke rims adorn the 400 ninja.

Arturo Rivas

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The flap in the rear divides the luggage compartment.

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The exhaust looks similar to the 300. But he is now sitting further back and up.

Arturo Rivas

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According to Kawasaki, the seat is more upholstered and cut narrower with the same seat height (785 mm).

Arturo Rivas

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Almost 35 percent more displacement. So it is hardly surprising that the curves of the 400 ninja are always significantly higher than those of the 300.

Arturo Rivas

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Pleasing: With the more power, the new Ninja noticeably gains in everyday practicality, does not always have to cheer in order to make good progress. If necessary, she’s happy to do it.

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A steel bridge frame spanned the engine of the Ninja 300. Without Euro 4, 2016 was over. Last price: 5,495 euros.

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Kawasaki Ninja 400 (2018).

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Kawasaki Ninja 400.

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Kawasaki Ninja 400.

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Kawasaki Ninja 400.

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Kawasaki Ninja 400.

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Kawasaki Ninja 400.

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Kawasaki Ninja 400.

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Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Driving report Kawasaki Ninja 400

Sporty kawa for beginners

With the Kawasaki Ninja 400, the Greens are introducing a new model that is ideal for owners of the A2 driver’s license. Our biggest test editor Jens (2 meters) drove it.

The new Kawasaki Ninja 400 was developed from scratch and replaces the Kawasaki Ninja 300 in the model range, which is no longer offered due to the Euro 4 standard. The new Ninja 400 is ideal for owners of the A2 driver’s license, the newly developed two-cylinder has 399 cm³ and should produce 45 hp at 10,000 rpm. Ready to drive, it should weigh 170 kilograms, i.e. six kilograms lighter than its predecessor. The main reason for the weight loss is a new steel space frame, which takes the two-cylinder as a load-bearing element.

Seat position, seat height, motor

Gathered, but very comfortable, you sit on the new Kawasaki Ninja 400. Those with short legs will also be pleased with the padding, which is 30 millimeters narrower, which makes safe contact with the ground easier. Everyone shows thumbs up when assessing the narrow knee joint.

The clutch of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 also ensures a grin on your face. Although neither the brake lever nor its counterpart on the left side is adjustable, the operating forces for interrupting the power transmission are exemplary. One finger is enough for actuation and dosing. Thanks to fewer clutch discs and their smaller diameter (shrunk from 139 to 125 mm), it is also more compact.

As before, late brakes are allowed to step down the gears briskly before the next bend – the anti-hopping clutch prevents the rear wheel from stamping. Whereby the Kawasaki Ninja 400 with the more displacement and performance is very open to the topic of everyday life. Of course she can still cheer. If necessary, the limiter only stops shortly after the 12,000 mark. What is more impressive, however, is that she no longer necessarily has to give the screaming neck in order to make good progress. Thanks to the increase in displacement, an intake in a downdraft arrangement and the larger airbox, the Twin develops enough power at the bottom to swim properly in traffic. From 3,000 rpm it starts cleanly in all gears, does not jerk even when the throttle grip is opened abruptly and swings up to a clear increase in performance compared to the 300 series up to mid-speed: the Ninja 400 then delivers up to ten hp more.

Braking power and consumption

From 6,000 rpm, the right feel-good area of ​​the in-line two-man follows, because despite improved everyday virtues, the engine still exudes sporty zest for action. Just as the low-frequency vibrations increase from this speed and develop into high-frequency ones after 10,000 tours, the vigor of the 400 increases. Surprisingly briskly, he marches ahead, with a five-digit zest for life, he even leaves cars on the right uphill. However: If you squeeze the Kawasaki Ninja 400 to the limit, you will only reap more vibrations in addition to decreasing dynamics – despite the balance shaft. Better to switch gear at 10,500 rpm at the latest. That works safely and reliably.

When braking, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 does not show itself quite as well. The double-piston floating caliper at the front with a single 310 disc provides an adequate deceleration that is sufficient to make a quick dash with the handy Ninja 400. But the hand strength is too high for the very sporty enthusiasm, the effect remains a little too dull. Good, however: The Nissin ABS prevents overbraking, keeps the Ninja on course when decelerating at the limit.

Nevertheless, a break is now due. Kawasaki swears stone and leg that the seat is padded almost twice as thick as the counterpart of the 300 ninja, but the butt is already hurting after 130 kilometers. Which is also due to the clumsily appealing shock absorber, which is clearly less sensitive than the new 41 fork. Let’s use the break and top up the 400 with fuel. She allowed herself 5.15 liters. Makes an average of 3.9 liters per 100 kilometers. The comparison test in MOTORRAD issue 10/2018, from April 27, 2018 at the kiosk, clarifies where it stands in comparison to the competition.

Conclusion, price, colors

So it stays with the short conclusion: The 400 ninja from Kawasaki has developed from teen to twentieth and is a very hot topic for A2 athlete fans. They still have to somehow raise 5,995 euros. Grandma, grandpa, vacation job? It’s worth it – the 400 ninja is worth it.

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is available in two colors: Lime green / Ebony (KRT Edition) and Metallic Spark Black.

Technical data Kawasaki Ninja 400

Kawasaki Ninja 400

Engine: Liquid-cooled four-stroke in-line twin cylinder, 399 cm³, bore x stroke 70 x 51.8 mm, compression 11.5: 1, max. Power 45 HP at 10,000 / min, max. Torque 38 Nm at 8,000 / min, 6-speed gearbox , O-ring chain, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch

Chassis, wheels, brakes: Trellis frame made of high-strength steel, 41 mm telescopic fork at the front, 310 mm single petal brake disc with double piston floating caliper at the front, 220 mm single petal brake disc at the rear, 110/70 R 17 tires at the front, 150/60 R 17 rear tires

Measurements and weight: Length x width x height 1,990 x 710 x 1,120 mm, wheelbase 1,405 mm, ground clearance 140 mm, seat height 785 mm, tank capacity 14 liters, weight (ready to drive) 168 kilograms

Colours: Lime green / Ebony (KRT Edition) and Metallic Spark Black

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