Kawasaki has reintroduced two popular models for model year 2023: the Z400 and Ninja 400, the green team believes to be the perfect introduction to the Kawasaki lineup for beginners or experienced riders looking for pure riding pleasure.
We had expected that Kawasaki was planning something with the Z400 and Ninja 400, after a new price list was sent out as a result of the forced price increase, where both models excelled in the absence. While the demand for light A2 engines is growing considerably.
When asked, Kawasaki turned around the hot mess, but it could be concluded from the beams that it would be put back on the market this year. To be honest, we had envisioned something different.
Where we secretly expected that Kawasaki would have taken the 400 platform to an even higher level, Kawasaki has done exactly what reintroducing the definition means: putting both models back on the market.
And so the 2023 Z400 and Ninja 400 are exactly the same as the 2021 version in terms of specifications. The same 399cc parallel twin with slip-assist clutch, good for a top power of 45 hp, 37 Nm of torque and extremely favorable consumption. The only difference is in the environmental requirements, the block now meets Euro5, without this being at the expense of the power.
Aha… so that must be the reason why both models were quietly removed from the list this year.
Although we had secretly hoped that Kawasaki would have tickled the block, we are somehow not surprised that it was not done, in previous tests we had already concluded that it is actually a damn fine block. Otherwise, read here again the comparison between the Z400 and the KTM 390 Duke, or the track and street test at Motorland Aragon of the Ninja 400.
Both models owe these nice steering characteristics to the truss tubular frame, which was designed with the same software specially developed for the H2. So it’s no surprise that the frame looks a lot like the Z H2. With a seat height of 785 mm, both models are very accessible and for those who want to adjust the seat there is Kawasaki’s unique ERGO-fit optional seat.
The short 1,370mm wheelbase combined with a long swingarm, 24.75° head tube angle and just 92mm of trail resulted in sharp handling (again, check the previous testing), the 41mm telescope and 310mm brake disc in the front emphasize once again that there are two adult motorcycles here, but in the featherweight category: the Z400 weighs 167 kilos, the Ninja brings 1 kilo more on the scale. Roadworthy…
With its sharp Sugomi styling, the Z400 is instantly recognizable as a member of the Z family, alongside the Z125, Z650 and Z900. The Ninja 400, in turn, is instantly recognizable as a member of the Ninja family, alongside the Ninja 125, Ninja 650, and Ninja ZX-10R and RR. And the World Championship Supersport 300 proved that it is a damn good bike, where the bike took home the world title 4 years in a row.
The 2023 Z400 and Ninja 400 will be available from August this year at Kawasaki dealers in Candy Lime Green & Pearl Robotic White (Z400) and Lime Green (KRT Edition) & Metallic Carbon Gray (Ninja 400). It is not yet known how much they will cost.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.