Kwak’s new thrasher’s delight
Dig out the sliders, squeeze back into those leathers – Kawasaki have reintroduced a howling supersport 400
Nothing caused as much excited jabbering in the Bike office this month as the new ZX-4R. Yes, a pukka four-cylinder lightweight sportsbike. Small, delicate and with screaming power, it promises a giddy return to the shrieking head-down 1990s when bikes such as the Honda VFR400R, Yamaha FZR400RR and Kwak’s own ZXR400 sliced up roundabouts. Seems there’s more than a little ZXR in the new Ninja. Obviously the 399cc, 16-valve engine is ‘newly developed’, but at 57 x 39.1mm its dimensions are rather similar to the 398cc motor (57 x 39mm) seen in the original ZX-4 in Japan in 1988 (which evolved into the ZXR400). This is no bad thing. The previous engine is known for its reliability, and Kwak have form reviving ‘old’ engines. Their current twin-cylinder Ninja 400 can be traced back to the mid-80s GPX250, yet it's been the bike to beat in World Supersport 300. And the ZX-4R is fit. Kawasaki Europe tell us it revs to beyond 15,000rpm, and images on the Kawasaki USA website show a 16,000rpm redline. With ram-air, they claim this intoxicating thrasher’s delight will have 79bhp. That’s a huge 20bhp hike over the old ZXR400 and almost 35bhp more than a Ninja 400.
This rowdy motor is housed in a steel trellis frame based on the 250cc four-cylinder ZX-25R sold overseas. Geometry is very racy (1380mm wheelbase, 23.5˚ rake, 97mm rail), and Showa suspension includes separate-function big-piston forks. All-up weight is 188kg. There are four power modes and traction control, plus a TFT dash with phone connectivity. In addition, there’s also a ZX-4RR with a posh rear shock similar to the ZX-10R’S, a two-way quickshifter and front preload adjustment. And there’s an SE too, with a USB socket, smoked screen and the preload tweakability.
No price yet, but the ZX-4RR will be $9699 in the USA. That’s around £8000. However, a ZX-10R is the same in dollars as pounds (just over £17k), so the ZX-4R may well be nearer £10k – and so edging into Aprilia RS660 territory. It will be here in autumn, just in time for some sunset roundabout surfing.
‘Here in autumn, in time for sunset roundabout surfing’