Ninja 400 for 2018?

[Southern scratcher]

Anyone else spot this recently?

http://www.motorcycle.com/features/oops-milwaukee-news-crew-outs-2018-kawasaki-ninja-400.html

:Punk:

[release_the_bees]

I saw it mentioned a few weeks ago in an Australian bike magazine and, as a small bike enthusiast, I'm waiting with interest for more details to be announced.

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[neil.]

Good to see, there has been an er4n and a 400 ninja available in some other markets for a while now.

[Southern scratcher]

Good to see, there has been an er4n and a 400 ninja available in some other markets for a while now.

Yeah but they were sleeved down 650's, poor PTW ratio. This new bike should be a 'built as' model.

[Scubbo]

cool hope it's light (wonder if it's a single?)

[Southern scratcher]

cool hope it's light (wonder if it's a single?)

Apparently it's a twin like the Ninja 300 is. Yeah a nice light 400 would be an awesome size machine. Should know when the motorcycle shows come round at the end of Oct. Waiting game.

[Ghost Lemur]

Apparently it's a twin like the Ninja 300 is. Yeah a nice light 400 would be an awesome size machine. Should know when the motorcycle shows come round at the end of Oct. Waiting game.Yeah. Only Honda are dumb enough to be doing singles in this space. I looked at the Honda 300, and quickly realised it was down to the kwaka and the Yamaha R3 (which I went with).

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[Southern scratcher]

Yeah. Only Honda are dumb enough to be doing singles in this space. I looked at the Honda 300, and quickly realised it was down to the kwaka and the Yamaha R3 (which I went with).

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I've not long sold my CBR300 (must change my profile!) it was an OK bike but way down on power compared to the other two esp when overtaking.
I'm pretty keen on getting a Kwaka next year but R3 is an option also. You happy with your purchase?

[Ghost Lemur]

I've not long sold my CBR300 (must change my profile!) it was an OK bike but way down on power compared to the other two esp when overtaking.
I'm pretty keen on getting a Kwaka next year but R3 is an option also. You happy with your purchase?Stoked with the R3. Haven't ridden the Kwaka so can't compare but the reviews I read about them, shoot outs etc, had them pretty close with only subtle wins and losses between the two. Personally I went with the R3 because the 17 in matte black looks sexy as fuck, has heaps of aftermarket parts and a Rossi rides a Yammy so it's got to make me a better rider. Haha

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[Delerium]

Yeah. Only Honda are dumb enough to be doing singles in this space. I looked at the Honda 300, and quickly realised it was down to the kwaka and the Yamaha R3 (which I went with).

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Exactly the same with me. honda being a single ruled that out. KTM too expensive. so R3 or ninja. Didnt like the ninjas, dash, so R3 it was.

[Luckylegs]

...KTM too expensive

And also a single...

[Southern scratcher]

Exactly the same with me. honda being a single ruled that out. KTM too expensive. so R3 or ninja. Didnt like the ninjas, dash, so R3 it was.

They've got cheaper. pretty much same price as R3 and Ninja now. Not that I want to buy one tho, not even a mother could love that beaky front fairing on the RC390.

[Southern scratcher]

Looking promising:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2017/october/kawasaki-ninja-400/

Top of my 2018 shopping list!
:Punk:

[Southern scratcher]

Can remove the question mark from the end of this threads title, here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=em-uploademail&v=w1yQ1dtu_Ho&app=desktop

[Scubbo]

some more info and photos here >> http://www.cyclenews.com/2017/10/article/2018-kawasaki-ninja-400-first-look/

[Southern scratcher]

some more info and photos here >> http://www.cyclenews.com/2017/10/article/2018-kawasaki-ninja-400-first-look/

I'm pretty keen on buying one of these. More power than my old CBR300 so I can pass people without my fingers crossed and my heart in my mouth! :shit:

Not so sure about that 'H2 styling' on the fairing though. Big question is when will it get to NZ (probably nearer winter!) and how many $$$

[Scubbo]

it's good they cut the weight down still porky but the price point should be inline with the duke 390 which they are trying to beat so be interesting to see when its in store -- so the ninja 300 no longer exists after this year by the looks

[Southern scratcher]

it's good they cut the weight down still porky but the price point should be inline with the duke 390 which they are trying to beat so be interesting to see when its in store -- so the ninja 300 no longer exists after this year by the looks

Nah it didnt meet Euro 4 compliance regs so had to go. The Ninja 400 is all new motor. I think that old 300 motor dated (partially anyways) way back to the GPX250 of the eighties that some of us old boys remember.

[Southern scratcher]

Kawasaki NZ say first shipment should be here late January all going well. Available in KRT colors and all black.
pricing to be announced.
Top of my new bike for '18 list at this stage.

[Scubbo]

on the list too! hope its cheaper than a SV650 though or that'll be the summer toy ^_O

[Southern scratcher]

on the list too! hope its cheaper than a SV650 though or that'll be the summer toy ^_O

Yeah SV's are a good bike, nice V twin vibe. I race a gen 2 model. I would be keen on the SV as a road bike too if it had a fairing. Pretty cold a lot of the time of year down here in the south, good to have something to shelter behind a bit.
If you are after a LAMs bike then they are really good value at 10K. I would be going for the full power option tho which is 11K. I'm hoping the Ninja 400 will come in at $8,500, maybe 9K.
The lighter weight of the Ninja appeals too - 168kg wet verses 195/197kg with ABS

[release_the_bees]

168 kg is the same weight as the R3. If it handles as well as the R3, but has a bit more power throughout the rev range then it's bound to be a great bike to ride.

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[Southern scratcher]

168 kg is the same weight as the R3. If it handles as well as the R3, but has a bit more power throughout the rev range then it's bound to be a great bike to ride.

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It's a little heavier than my old CBR300 but has 14 more HP so it's a no brainier really. An aftermarket pipe and a lithium battery knocks about 6kg off a bike so that will be my plan.
I'm also hoping its a sweet handler. Apparently the front forks are a bit stiffer and sportier than the old ninja 300 items. The rear shock on the Ninja 650 released last year was rated as a bit average in some reviews so hopefully not the case with the 400.
They are listed on the Kawaski NZ website now but price is TBA. I prefer the metallic spark black:

http://www.kawasaki.co.nz/catalog/streetbikes/sports/EX400GJF/overview

[Scubbo]

coool --- I reckon this http://www.kawasaki.co.nz/catalog/streetbikes/sports/ZR900CJFB/specifications would be a nice replacement for the RF just need 15k :facepalm:

[Southern scratcher]

coool --- I reckon this http://www.kawasaki.co.nz/catalog/streetbikes/sports/ZR900CJFB/specifications would be a nice replacement for the RF just need 15k :facepalm:

The guy at Kawaskai NZ reckons the 400 will come in at under 9K if that's any more palatable for you! :D

[Scubbo]

have to say their 2018 lineup looking really great, sub 9k is sharp especially if its ABS standard being euro4

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm it does look great and would be so much fun with that weight and harder to instantly loose your license

[Southern scratcher]

have to say their 2018 lineup looking really great, sub 9k is sharp especially if its ABS standard being euro4

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm it does look great and would be so much fun with that weight and harder to instantly loose your license

Two very good points! I went down from a Ducati 750 to a CBR300 for that very reason. I think the Ninja will be a better compromise between the two tho, need to be able to overtake quickly and safely. Much more fun to ride a slower bike flat out then tool around on a big bike worrying about your licence.

[Scubbo]

like the look of the CBR250RR if that will ever come to NZ --- could be a good candidate to race in the H class ~ 250 production

https://www.cycleworld.com/sites/cycleworld.com/files/styles/1000_1x_/public/images/2016/07/honda-cbr250rr.jpg?itok=jUiOSnFt


super-high rez pic here (http://www.visordown.com/sites/default/files/article-images/8/85456.jpg)

[Southern scratcher]

like the look of the CBR250RR if that will ever come to NZ --- could be a good candidate to race in the H class ~ 250 production



My fave colour option on the RR:

333485

[Southern scratcher]

A look at the new 400 for those interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ91Zx465Eg

[Scubbo]

looks great, like the DRL leds in the front --- be nice to have a fang on one

[Southern scratcher]

looks great, like the DRL leds in the front --- be nice to have a fang on one

Yeah it does look pretty good, the sharks nose front on the fairing is still growing on me though. I'm probably not going to wait for a test ride and just order one as I dont want to miss any more of the summer riding season than I have to. No road bike in the shed at the mo.

[Southern scratcher]

I ordered one of these today through Winton Motorcycles in Southland. :wings:
New toy for 2'18 eh, gotta be good.
Also ordered the accessory Akrapovic slip on as I'm sure this thing will sound pretty muted and wheezy with all the Euro 4 emission crap on it. Plus pillion seat cowl as well, just so it looks better IMO.
Just gotta wait for the boat to get here from Thailand now, dealer reckons late Jan/early Feb.

For those interested there is a new forum for this bike at http://www.ninja400riders.com/

333665

[release_the_bees]

I ordered one of these today through Winton Motorcycles in Southland. :wings:
New toy for 2'18 eh, gotta be good.
Also ordered the accessory Akrapovic slip on as I'm sure this thing will sound pretty muted and wheezy with all the Euro 4 emission crap on it. Plus pillion seat cowl as well, just so it looks better IMO.
Just gotta wait for the boat to get here from Thailand now, dealer reckons late Jan/early Feb.

For those interested there is a new forum for this bike at http://www.ninja400riders.com/

333665Nice one. I'm very envious!

Out of interest, have they announced the RRP officially yet? The website says that it's still to be announced.

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[Southern scratcher]

Nice one. I'm very envious!

Out of interest, have they announced the RRP officially yet? The website says that it's still to be announced.

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Yeah i think it would be in Kawasaki NZ's interest to get the pricing sorted if they want folk to place orders. I was holding off because of this but when i saw in the States that it came in at the same price as the old Ninja 300 I was less bothered. My dealer said the word from HQ here was that it should come in at "under 9K".
Ive ordered the Spark Metallic black.
You can check out all the colour options here in this thread if interested: http://www.ninja400riders.com/forum/14-kawasaki-ninja-400-pictures/797-colour-options.html#post6293

But at this stage we will be only getting the black and KRT options here in NZ. Shame, I really like the blue option.

[Scubbo]

nice one! i'm stilll torn, theres a nice FZ1 is on tardme for ~9k with only 3xKm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[R650R]

Pity they don't just re release these..... memories......

[Southern scratcher]

Pity they don't just re release these..... memories......

Yeah the 400 fours of the late eighties/early nineties were a hoot alright. I sold my GSXR400 earlier this year but would like to get another or a 250 four cyl screamer at some stage in the future when funds and garage space permit.

Gotta embrace the new parallel twin 300/400's as they all we got now and they're getting faster. Cheaper as well which is a bonus. They will never sound as good as four tho. :mellow:

The new Ninja 400 is about 15 HP down on the ZXR and about 20Kph slower but a little lighter wet weight. 168kg.
Saw this clip on U tube today: Go to 3.30min mark for top speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlrCNMmaW-M

[Daffyd]

I ordered one of these today through Winton Motorcycles in Southland. :wings:
New toy for 2'18 eh, gotta be good.
Also ordered the accessory Akrapovic slip on as I'm sure this thing will sound pretty muted and wheezy with all the Euro 4 emission crap on it. Plus pillion seat cowl as well, just so it looks better IMO.
Just gotta wait for the boat to get here from Thailand now, dealer reckons late Jan/early Feb.

For those interested there is a new forum for this bike at http://www.ninja400riders.com/

333665

How long have Winton Motorcycles been selling Kwaka's? When I was living in Winton 6 years ago they only sold Suzukis.

[Daffyd]

Yeah the 400 fours of the late eighties/early nineties were a hoot alright.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlrCNMmaW-M

There are a lot of 4 cyl 400's on the 2nd hand market here. Mainly Hondas. They call them 'Super Fours'.

[Southern scratcher]

How long have Winton Motorcycles been selling Kwaka's? When I was living in Winton 6 years ago they only sold Suzukis.

They still sell Suzukis but opened a second shop about six weeks ago down the bottom (Invercargill) end of town.
They just got chook chasers in the show room at this stage but gonna see how it goes and may get into the road side of things too. Can still order road bikes through them though. Found them really good to deal with so far.
3 bike shops in a town of Wintons size not bad eh!

[Daffyd]

They still sell Suzukis but opened a second shop about six weeks ago down the bottom (Invercargill) end of town.
They just got chook chasers in the show room at this stage but gonna see how it goes and may get into the road side of things too. Can still order road bikes through them though. Found them really good to deal with so far.
3 bike shops in a town of Wintons size not bad eh!

Yes, I dealt with them while I was living in Winton; found them very good to deal with. Before they moved into the middle of Winton they were in what is now, (or was when I was there), the Stihl Shop. Very nearly bought a Boulevard from them.

[Southern scratcher]

Yes, I dealt with them while I was living in Winton; found them very good to deal with. Before they moved into the middle of Winton they were in what is now, (or was when I was there), the Stihl Shop. Very nearly bought a Boulevard from them.

Kawasaki arm now back in the Stihl shop, must've retained ownership.

[Daffyd]

Kawasaki arm now back in the Stihl shop, must've retained ownership.

I wondered about that...

[Southern scratcher]

Kawasaki NZ now have the pricing up on their website for this bike. Fair chop to them, they have kept the price down to same level as the 2017 model Ninja 300.
$8K for the black one and $8.5K for the green KRT special edition model. Both have ABS.
I heard mid Feb before bikes in dealer show rooms here but don't nail me to the wall on it. :rockon:

http://www.kawasaki.co.nz/catalog/streetbikes/sports/EX400GJFA/overview

[Scubbo]

good price! should give ktm a run for their money

[Scubbo]

up on trademe now https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1517065782.htm?rsqid=5fbc0aaa30304ed9ad05a0c7d0b2f 808 :niceone:

[Southern scratcher]

up on trademe now https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1517065782.htm?rsqid=5fbc0aaa30304ed9ad05a0c7d0b2f 808 :niceone:

Good to see. I still think an extra $500 is too much for some green paint a bit of rim tape though.
Fair play to Shaw Motorcycles for offering the free on-road costs. Might have to mention that to my dealer! :D

[Scubbo]

the regular one in yellow looks pretty flash

https://cdp.azureedge.net/products/USA/KA/2018/MC/SPORT/NINJA_400_ABS/50/PEARL_SOLAR_YELLOW_-_PEARL_STORM_GRAY_-_EBONY/2000000005.jpg

[Southern scratcher]

the regular one in yellow looks pretty flash



Yeah I like that too, pity we only get the black and KRT option here. The candy plasma blue that Canada gets is my fave tho. Will see if I can find a pic and work out how to upload on this site!

[Southern scratcher]

Candy plasma blue Ninja 400

https://pictures.dealer.com/n/niagararacecraftersvirgiltc/0141/6c7dd30bf9faeff847157f7aa1b6480ax.jpg?impolicy=res ize&w=650

[Southern scratcher]

Collected the new steed today. Very happy with it, similar weight to my old CBR300 but loads more go. Needs a bit more time to loosen up but I cruised home from Invercargill at 140kph most of way and it lapped it up no worries.
Very stable in the strong winds yet turns in nicely too. Quite a short wheel base (1370mm) and 24.7 deg steering rake so very 'flickable' through the twisties. Big grin factor.

Sounds dreadful in standard form though, stock muffler must go!
Front brake could do with a bit more bite too, will try a bleed first before I fit braided lines and sintered pads.

On the whole though very good buying at 8K, can whole heartedly recommend.

Was going to attach a photo but I'm not sure how you create an URL for a photo you have down loaded onto your computer from your phone or camera?

[BuzzardNZ]

Keen to hear how it goes as I'm considering downsizing and that bike would be my pick.

Only problem I have with them is that I've heard that they're not Japanese made.

[Southern scratcher]

Keen to hear how it goes as I'm considering downsizing and that bike would be my pick.

Only problem I have with them is that I've heard that they're not Japanese made.

I wouldn't be worried about that, shed loads of bikes inc most of the Triumphs are made in Thailand now.
This is my third brand new Thai made bike and I've been happy with the quality of all of them. Panel fit and paint etc all spot on. It's the Chinese made stuff I'd be more wary of!

[Daffyd]

I wouldn't be worried about that, shed loads of bikes inc most of the Triumphs are made in Thailand now.
This is my third brand new Thai made bike and I've been happy with the quality of all of them. Panel fit and paint etc all spot on. It's the Chinese made stuff I'd be more wary of!

I wouldn't worry about that either. KTM have recently opened a SOTA factory just up the road from me in Laguna., building RC200/390 and Dukes. Word is they're every bit as good as the Austrian versions.

I had a look at one, a 390 Duke, a week or two back and was very impressed!

[Scubbo]

probably because the dukes and rc390's made in india even today still shit gaskets and overheat like crazy

[Southern scratcher]

probably because the dukes and rc390's made in india even today still shit gaskets and overheat like crazy

Interesting too that Honda started off making their CBR250R's in both India and Thailand but now only Thailand. I've traveled in both countries, Thailand is a lot more organised!
I'm really happy with the quality of my Thai made Ninja 400. Can't fault it.