Kawasaki Z400 motorcycle test

Menus

• Roadster with Sugomi sauce or decarenated sports car
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• Contact
• In the city
• On the highway
• On departmental
• Comfort / Duo
• Braking
• Consumption
• Convenient
• Conclusion
• Kawasaki Z400 video test

Roadster with Sugomi sauce or decarenated sports car

A2 licenses have the choice between large bridles, sometimes very badly bridled, and smaller ones, often lacking a trunk, especially in 400 cm3. This was also the case before at Kawasaki with the Z300 which returns with an additional 100 cm3 in its Z400 version, a roadster version of the sporty Ninja 400 that we had already tested last year.. So what does the Z400 give on a daily basis ?

Kawasaki Z400 under the cherry blossoms

Discovery

The Z400 is again a version of the Sugomi style so dear to Kawasaki. And in these categories of motorcycles, the look will be almost as important as the engine, the engine is not the ultimate weapon but rather a story of compromise. We could almost see a certain affiliation with a certain Z1000 from the very beginnings. For the rest, we find a Ninja 400 decarenated to the end of the rear end. Indeed, the Ninja 400 and the Z400, it’s a little green cap and green cap, if we forget the fairing and the speedometer. For the rest, cycle part, chassis and engine are identical. There is little that the position which changes noticeably for the pilot, with the choice between the handlebars bracelets of the Ninja and the wide handlebars of the Z. But when you put the two motorcycles side by side, the Ninja gives the impression of being bigger, even if only one kilo separates the two models. So, the choice between the Ninja and the Z, a simple matter of taste and look? Not only.

Kawasaki Z400 headlight

Kawasaki Z400 and Ninja 400 share the same engine with this in-line twin of exactly 399 cc, now delivering 45 hp at 10,000 rpm and 38 Nm at 8,000 rpm and therefore 7 more horsepower and 6 kilos less than the 300 ! Here, a weight / power ratio that has nothing to do with the old model.

Parallel twin-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, distribution by double overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder

In the saddle

With a saddle at 785 mm, small riders will be comfortable, aided by a featherweight of 167 kilos, all full. The full facts really change something, because the first impression on the handlebars is to have a super light machine. A lightness that can also be appreciated during handling when stationary, just to push the machine into the garage.

Rear light Kawasaki Z400

The position is natural, even if the bust tilts noticeably forward. At least we are not resting on the wrists like the Ninja. But especially the curve of the tank is ideal helped by the smoothness of the saddle. Result, the thighs perfectly enclose the tank for a really very pleasant overall position, among one of the most pleasant positions of current production. It seems excessive, but no, we do really well with the machine and nothing gets in the way.

Top view

Under the eyes, we find a counter identical to that of the 650, but not to that of the Ninja 400. It is specific, not really beautiful, especially with these 4 screws which would have deserved caps. But it is complete, including with the gear engaged indicator, the fuel gauge and the clock at the same time. For the rest, everything is perfectly readable, including under the sun.

Speedometer with gear engaged

The mirrors are not extraordinary, but they return a useful partial picture.

Contact

The small twin is snorting in a light growl, almost serious. First soft and the machine quietly winds up. The first remarkable thing is the smoothness of the gearbox. We touch the box and the reports happen by themselves. The clutch is flexible, easy and we forget the gearbox, especially since the engine is particularly flexible, even accepting to start again from 30 km / h on idle..

Of style

In the city

We could stay in town on the first report, this one cheerfully accepting 60 km / h, without even entering the red zone. On the other hand, we feel some vibrations around 5,000 rev / m which encourage passing the second, or even the third. In fact, you can even drive quietly in the last gear, without any jerk, as long as you are at least 40 km / h. You can drive at 30 km / h on the last report, but at 2,000 rpm, it still hits noticeably and you are not very far from the setting with your finger on the clutch handle.

The engine is extremely smooth and linear, with no particular revving, offering an unsurprising but smooth ride..

On the highway

The Z400 rushes onto the highway without thinking about it … so much does it purr at 110 km / h at 6,000 rpm and is still only at 8,000 rpm at 140 km / h, far from the zone red at 12,000 rpm. The pickups are good, without being violent and the handling is excellent. Like any good self-respecting roadster, there is no wind protection, but the small original deflector is enough to significantly deflect the wind at the front. And if it is necessary to overtake, there is still some under the handle, even if it means going down one or two reports.

Kawasaki Z400 on departmental

On departmental

Light, as we have said. A pleasant driving position, as has been said. An engine that operates over a wide rev range, as has been said. The Z400 is a little squaring the circle and it works, even more for young people allowed. You feel good and confident on the bike for all the aspects already mentioned and as the engine is not explosive either, you do not have the impression of having to constantly dose to get by. And then, this cycle part … lightly pressing on the front, the front axle is very precise and contributes to this overall confidence building. Even the arsouilles are possible, even if it is then necessary to seek the best in the turns, without ever any particular elastic effect and which can be destabilizing for the young driver..

Motorway test

Comfort / Duo

Kawasaki is a sporty brand, a rule that historically determines the comfort of the brand’s machines, with little difference between the Ninja and the Z400. It’s pretty firm. And when the road is a bit bumpy, we jump a little in the saddle. Counterpart of this firmness, the bike remains a rail when the road deteriorates including when you are on the corner.

For the duo, no, the machine is not really made for the duo, or then requires a big dose of love! In fact, the position identical to that of the Ninja is that of a sportswoman. The passenger is perched high, so much so that it is necessary to use the footrests to climb behind. Advantage, the view of the passenger is then breathtaking and he would almost forget that he is sitting on a jump seat.

Saddle а 785 mm

Braking

With a huge 310mm disc up front, it looks like it brakes very hard, like a sports car. But there are only two pistons. Suddenly, it brakes, but we do not do trapper braking with it. In fact, it is consistent with the power of the machine, no more and no less. It’s effective but without excessive bite, despite a pretty good feeling. In short, it is the ideal braking for an A2 license, so as not to surprise him and thus avoid putting too much power in the rain in particular. In any case, the ABS takes care of the grain and relatively sensitive to the rear, only asking to start on a support of the rear brake.

Single 310 mm petal disc. Caliper with double parallel pistons. ABS Nissin

Consumption

The Z400 is capable of instantaneous consumption of going below 2 liters per hundred. And even at a stabilized speed of 90 km / h, its consumption stabilizes at 4 liters per hundred, which can be its consumption if you drive cool. But it still encourages you to play a little bit with the selector to extract the substantive marrow. And if the meter displays a proud 358 km of autonomy shortly after filling it, we will rather be around 300 km of autonomy with the 14-liter tank and a consumption closer to 4.7 liters in a slightly muscular drive and 4.5. in dynamic city driving. So, we put the machine in reserve at 245 km.

14 liter tank and consumption between 4 and 5 liters / 100 km

Convenient

If motorcycles of this displacement were practical, it would be known. We are no exception to the rule here, but we will still manage to accommodate a small disk unit under the saddle, or even the compulsory vest. But when both are inserted, the saddle will bulge out anyway.

On the other hand, there are pretty hooks on the sides, very practical for stowing a bag on the end of the saddle..

Conclusion

The Kawasaki Z400 is an excellent machine, ideal for a young license, or even a takeover of the motorcycle for an old license. Light, balanced, efficient, easy, it will also delight women of small stature who do not want to be afraid but who feel the energy greater than a 400 without wanting a machine that is certainly more powerful but also heavier, especially in low speed maneuvers. At 5,599 euros, the Z400 is 1,500 euros cheaper than the brand’s 650 and just 200 euros more than a CB300 but with much better fishing. And she has enough to accompany the biker for at least two years, if not more.

Strong points

• engine (availability range)
• box
• braking
• train before

Weak points

• comfort

Kawasaki Z400 technical sheet

Test conditions

• Itinerary: small varied roads + interurban highways with a bit of town
• Motorcycle mileage: 300 km

Kawasaki Z400 video test

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