Kawasaki Ninja 400 test

Menus

• A new little sports car accessible to A2 licenses
• Twin cylinder in-line, 399 cm3, 45 hp at 10,000 rpm, 38 Nm at 8,000 rpm, 168 kilos, from € 5,999
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• Engine and transmission
• In the city
• On motorways and main roads
• On departmental
• Part-cycle
• Brakes
• Comfort and duo
• Consumption & autonomy
• Conclusion

A new little sports car accessible to A2 licenses

Twin cylinder in-line, 399 cm3, 45 hp at 10,000 rpm, 38 Nm at 8,000 rpm, 168 kilos, from € 5,999

Because you have to build customer loyalty from birth, Kawasaki pays particular attention to A2 licenses with a complete range of seven models, the exhaustive and comparative presentation of which was given to you very recently at Le Repaire.. Within this range, therefore, two new products for 2018, including the sparkling little 400 Ninja which succeeds the 300 Ninja, itself taking over from the 250 Ninja..

Kawasaki Ninja 400 test, here in static

The spirit is the same: to offer a small sports car, but here small does not mean at a discount. In fact, both the look and the performance have been particularly well taken care of. With 45 horses (7 more than the 300) for 168 kilos (6 less than the 300), we see that the level of play goes up a notch. We had the chance to take the handlebars on a playground tailored to its size: the small Corsican roads in the vicinity of Ajaccio.

Discovery

It is excellent in more than one way, the promotional video of the Ninja 400: we see the two riders engaged in World Superbike, Tom Sykes and Johnny Rea, having their breakfast together (this one, it is very good, because in reality they hate each other) before going to pull the wad on the handlebars of two new 400 Ninja. This little touch of humor aside, seeing the two pilots in leather outfits and racing helmets on the handlebars of this motorcycle was not out of place: indeed, the 400 Ninja has, according to the time-honored formula, all of a big. Already, its size can make it pass easily for a 500 and in addition, its lines, in total affiliation with the Ninja range, with a pointed front and small "fins" on the rear seat shell, as on the H2. At the front, the double full LED optics give it a nice presence.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 test, left static

Large disc brake, complete dashboard with a rev counter in the central position: the 400 Ninja provides. Note that the black color is cheaper (5999 €), the green version "KRT" tested is worth 200 euros more. Note that a "Performance" version with an Akrapovic exhaust and a seat backrest is also available for a supplement of 750 euros..

Kawasaki Ninja 400 headlights

In the saddle

At 785mm high, the saddle is reasonably well placed to suit all riders. Even big stakes like me don’t feel too cramped, with the ability to move around a bit on the handlebars to negotiate turns in attack mode. The driving position is reasonably sporty, a bit on the front, but not excessively, although however more tilted than on a Ninja 650, for example..

Space on board the Kawasaki Ninja 400

The dashboard is complete with a large rev counter in the central position with the red zone at 12,000 rpm. On the right, an LCD screen gives the main information. There is also a fuel gauge. The engaged gear indicator is easy to read. Specialists will have noticed that it is in fact the same dashboard as that of the Ninja 650.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 speedometer

Engine and transmission

This engine is new and is not a rebored version of the previous 300. It thus develops 45 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 38 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. High values ​​which suggest sharp behavior. We will see this in the following paragraphs. Kawasaki has equipped this small bike with a six-speed gearbox, with an assisted clutch with an anti-dribble function, insisting on the little effort required at the lever. And that’s the case. Note the work done on the compactness of the engine, since this 400 weighs a kilo less than the fire block of the 250 Ninja.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 exhaust

In the city

Compact, light, not too radical in the driving position, the Ninja 400 is doing well in the urban test, especially as its engine is flexible and allows you to drive on boulevards in sixth at 50 km / h, legally. . Obviously, at this speed (a little over 3000 rpm), don’t expect fantastic revivals, but the machine is docile and that is the main point. The turning radius is very correct and you can even see it in the mirrors. It’s a palace, isn’t it? No, because the lock, we put it around the neck.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 road test

On motorways and main roads

Would it not be a fairly low bubble and which does not protect much, the Ninja 400, despite its small displacement, is doing very well on major axes. In particular because the driving position is not restrictive but also because its engine is really voluntary. The times are correct, already because, small displacement requires, it pulls short: count a good 5000 rpm at 90 km / h in sixth and nearly 8000 rpm at 130. Suddenly, we are quickly in revs where it tows. And if an overtaking is necessary, it suffices to enter two reports.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 test in Corsica

On departmental

The first quality of this bike is its lightness, with a precise front axle that quickly builds confidence. Suddenly, no effort is required at a walking pace and this is essential for a machine supposed to be suitable for beginners. Then, quickly put in confidence, we start to raise the pace a little and we discover with undisguised joy that the front axle is precise and communicative, which quickly helps to gain confidence. And suddenly, we enter curves with great enthusiasm, we round off our trajectories well with precision and the novice rider, on his handlebars, will feel his first real sporting emotions, because the feeling is better and more enjoyable than on a Ninja 650, for example, by the driving position and the lightness.

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 on small roads and in bends

Engine side, obviously, if you want to move forward, you have to whip it. But you can already wind up properly on your handlebars without having to be around the red zone all the time. If the dynamism is actually present in a range between 8 and 12,000 rpm, you can already wind efficiently and without dragging yourself while driving between 6 and 9,000 rpm. On the small Corsican roads, by pulling the plug with the Z and Ninja 650 A2, the Ninja 400 was not released and made up again its delay entering the turn. And with it, we take care of our piloting, we refine our trajectories, we work on our breathing, in short, we have fun! Like what, if no truth is universal, this Ninja 400 proves that a small vigorous does not demerit compared to a big lazy one. With her, we exploit all our potential and it’s gratifying.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 curve test

Part-cycle

The chassis is completely new and like on the H2, consists of a front section in tubular trellis, which the complete fairing prevents us from seeing. In fact, the engine is load-bearing and the swing arm is directly anchored on it. The fork went from 37 mm on the 300 to 41 mm and it debates on 120 mm, ten less than the rear shock. The wheels come from the Ninja 650. By fitting 110/70 x 17 in front and 150/60 x 17 behind, the Ninja 400 preserves agility on small roads..

Kawasaki Ninja 400 front brake

Brakes

The front disc has grown by 20 mm (to 310 mm) now; moreover, it comes directly from a ZZR 1400, but unlike the big one, it is only clamped by a 2-piston caliper. Two pistons also at the rear, but a 220 mm disc. The ABS cannot be disconnected and is not too sensitive. Braking, without having an exceptional bite, is good and in line with the performance of the machine. And it is well dosed, which is also essential for a motorcycle supposed to be suitable for beginners..

Comfort and duo

We quickly discover that the saddle is a little firm and that behind it, it will be necessary to be flexible and in love to withstand the treatment for a long time. That said, for having made a duo on a Ninja 250 (I had lost a tidbit with a colleague and we had to go bring it back), it should be less worse.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 engine

Consumption & autonomy

With fourteen liters in the tank and an average consumption of 5.5 l / 100 on the on-board computer during our test, admittedly very winding and driven drum beating, it should therefore be very easily possible to do less and achieve complete more than 300 kilometers with a full tank. We remind you of the presence of a fuel gauge and an autonomy indicator on the dashboard.

Conclusion

It is very successful, this little Ninja 400, because in addition to being soft enough to suit the beginner A2 license which will also experience its first sporting emotions thanks to its sparkling engine, its lightness and its driving precision, it is just as capable of giving a smile to the seasoned tester, who makes him spit out all his potential and who discovers a healthy and well-born machine. Not too sharp, versatile enough, it only sins with a little firm comfort. But when you’re young, you don’t stop at this kind of frightfully petty-bourgeois detail. If its price is in the average of the market (a KTM RC 390 is at 5,999 euros and a Yamaha R3 at 5,799 euros), the Ninja 650 is still profiled at only 1,500 euros more. Admittedly, it is well restrained in its A2 version, but the 400 Ninja is more sparkling to drive..

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 on small roads and in bends

Strong points

• Nice look
• Equipment (complete dashboard, LED lights)
• Sparkling and powerful engine
• Front axle that gives you confidence
• Correct braking
• Accessible A2 license
• Perfect for initiation into the joys of sporty driving !

Weak points

• Spartan duo
• Saddle a little firm
• Only 1500 euros difference with a Ninja 650
• Bubble that protects little

Datasheet

Test conditions

• Itinerary: a short day out on the small Corsican roads under the guidance of the excellent Bruno Langlois
• Motorcycle mileage: 800 km
• Problem encountered: none

Competition: Honda CBR 500, KTM RC 390, Yamaha R3

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