Kawasaki Ninja 400 Review - Six Month Motorcycle Test
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- čas přidán 27. 02. 2019
- Kawasaki's Ninja 400 has been well received, posting strong sales in the Australian market, where the LAMS category continues to be a strong performer - an excellent sign of the health of motorcycling, but one that could always be better!
So how does the Ninja 400 stack up against the competition and what does it provide new riders? Here's my thoughts after spending six months with this particular machine and getting to know the bike very well.
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Kris, thank you for this awesome review!
I'm getting mine Ninja 400 2020 next month. So excited !
Nice stuff, you'll love it!
Do like it.. I just got mine last week
I get mine tomorrow. Looking forward to cruising around on this thing.
Good review. Thanks! We have looked at most of the LAMS options for my girlfriend, this really ticks ALL of the boxes, such a fantastic package from Kawasaki!
It's a great machine, if you've got any specific questions let me know and Sam or I can answer them, as she's very happy with the Ninja as a first proper bike (after the scooter).
Thanks for the reply, I actually do have a quick question. Would you recommend fitting a power Commander? We have installed a Akropovic slip on, might go the full system with a race air filter as well. I have a 2019 Ninja 1000 and want to go the full exhaust system but can not find a power Commander for it, my local bike shop is finding great difficulty as well with all the contacts and reps they use. Please let me know your thoughts, thanks in advance👍
@@Maggieismydog I'd definitely recommend going with a Power Commander or similar if you're doing the full exhaust and performance air filter, and see how the autotune works if you opt for that setup, or find a good dyno shop who'll do a proper tune for you. Reflashing the ECU used to be possible with some software (although whether dynos were happy to do it due to the risks of bricking the ECU did vary) but as the technology on these bikes have increased, that's increasingly not an option.
Looking at the Power Commander website I can't see the Ninja 1000 listed as having a PC available past 2013, so that may be why they are struggling to source one. Apparently a few years ago the Z1000 still worked for the Ninja 1000 models according to Power Commander, however that was around 2015. You could try reaching out to Power Commander to see if they have a model they recommend that is compatible, it sounded like back then they couldn't get the new models to develop the PC for them.
Looking at some of the other options Bazzaz and the Rapid Bike module, it looks like both only support up to 2016 as well. It's a bit of a hard one!
Moto Journo Kris, thanks a lot for getting back to me and answering my questions. I’ll have to do a lot more research. Also just picked up a near new 2016 Vulcan 900 Custom so will be doing a few things in that while I get the ninja sorted lol. Thanks again and ride safe!
@@Maggieismydog Very nice, at least you've got the Vulcan to keep you on the road in the meantime! Glad to help!
Great review and informative. Thank you! I have a 400 and I love it
Thanks! They're a great bike, aren't they!
@@MotoJournoKris yes very lightweight and the seat is comfortable. I am planning to make some additions to mine ( tail tidy, exhaust and frame sliders ) super excited
@@Healthygyal They made a big difference on ours, looks cleaner, sounds better and some extra protection never hurts!
Nothing wrong with the audio!
Thanks
Currently looking at the 2021 model of this bike. What exactly are the service intervals for it within Australia as I have come across conflicting information online.
The yamaha and hondas seem to get really long stints between services especially in regards to valve checks/adjustments.
Looking through the service manual I've got for the 2018, after the 1000 km service, it's every 12,000 km for most general stuff including oil. Valve clearance checks for US/CA models is 24k, but 42k (km) for other regions.
Replacing coolant, water hose and o-ring is 36k, and rubber components in the brake master-cylinder and caliper are every 48k. Air filter every 18k. Brake fluid 24k.
From what I understand it should be the same to the 2020, not sure about the 21-22 however.
Nice video. I really like that bike.
Thanks! It's a great little machine.
Lovely bike
I have a 400 KRT and totally love it It’s faster and easier to handle than my Triumph 650 cc T120. Think you nailed it when you said you can’t take it legally to max power so why would you want bigger, just think power to weight ratio. Oh great review 🥷🥷
Thanks! It really is a great amount of performance, especially considering the light weight. The T120 would be great for a more relaxed mood though, I rode one of the modern ones a few years ago and it was a great thing.
@@MotoJournoKris my T120 was a 1959 model 😂😂 and it had the brake and gear selector switched, no electric start, drum brakes a proper British bike with kickstart. I can’t remember what I did 0 to 60 but my 400 KRT is about 4.4 seconds against 3.6 for the 650 KRT regarding top speed 130 mph against 120mph for the 400.
@@Cookie69697 Very nice, a proper old school Triumph!
Hey man, Just got me a 2023 KRT, i was wondering, is that a rack u got on the back of the bike? For helmets and other stuff? Can u please share where u got that?
Nice, congrats!!! The 2023 looks wicked in the KRT colours. That's a Ventura rack, so the L-brackets are model specific to the Ninja 400, but the rack itself and all the luggage options are universal across all their systems. The EVO systems run a flat rack and the EVO-22 fits a helmet perfectly. There's also larger bags, and you can run an adapter for a top case too.
Would you recommend this or the r3
For a first bike
I would prefer handling over horse power
The Ninja 400 is a great handler, but the suspension is not quite as sporty as the Yamaha R3, I think it's pretty even between the two bikes overall from an objective perspective each have their strengths, even though I own the Ninja 400.
9:35 Your right about not many on the 2nd hand market even in Sydney as of March 2020. Hence a brand new one in the garage. O:)
Nice stuff! What colour did you go with?
@@MotoJournoKris Hi Kris, its a black. I bought it for my 18 year old step daughter who just got got her L's. When she decided she wanted to get a motocycle I decided to have a self induced mid life crises, so at 55 me and a mate are doing our RMS Pre Learner course at HARTS at St Ives next week. Sydney roads are about to have 2 old hoons added to its already crazy traffic .. .O;) ..I took it for a couple of laps in our apartment car park. Its a large area, got to 15km/h and 2nd gear... woo hoo!! My step daughter dropped it on her turn but no damage, thank God. I mean thank you Oggy Knobs . Your vids and that fact you own a Ninja 40 has given me comfort it was a good purchase. I have subscribed, looking forward to a more of a hometown perspective. Cheers... Michael
@@nichaeloz That's awesome to hear! I actually did my pre-learner course there as well, quite a few years ago now. The Oggy Knobbs are a wise investment, makes those beginner spills much less of a concern. Riding is definitely addictive, hopefully see you out there on two wheels, have fun!
Sir, am new to riding as a 5.5 short can i ride this bike & can my foot reach on the ground?
At 5.5 you'll probably want to sit on the bike and check it out yourself. I've talked to some shorter riders around 5.5 to 5.6 who've been able to, while for others they really struggle, as they have shorter legs. But it's certainly one of the lower options before you get into cruisers!
Great video mate. Would you recommend this bike as my first ride ? I have experience riding scooters but never drove a bike like this . Thank you. Cheers 👌🏼
Definitely, I ride the Ninja 400 most days when I've got the chance, as it's a nice light machine, with plenty of power and the light clutch makes riding in traffic easy. You'll definitely notice a bit of a difference coming from a scooter with how the weight is carried, but I think you'll find it a great option after the scooter.
My wife rode a 250cc scooter and she learnt to ride a motorcycle with clutch and gears on the Ninja 400 and was really happy with how easy it was to learn on. It's a sportier machine, with the fairings, but still relatively upright, which makes for better comfort (except the seat, which is a bit hard), while brakes and suspension are really solid.
It's hard giving up the scooter because if you're in really terrible traffic the automatic gearbox and ease of handling in the city is hard to beat, but if you're thinking of a motorcycle this is one I'd highly recommend checking out, as it's still easy to ride in those conditions and plenty more fun everywhere else.
Moto Journo Kris thank you very much for your response. I’ll definitely check it out at the dealer store.
I’ll get some lessons before buying it to make sure I can handle this great bike .
Keep it up and I like your videos mate .
All the best and I’ll let you know when I buy my new ride . Cheers 👌
@@paulohernandez5140 Happy to help, if you've got any other questions ask away.
I have one and it's awesome!
I have a 2007 Kawasaki 650R Ninja with 3,850 miles and in mint condition. I like the Ninja 400, but I'm unsure if I want to go down in horsepower and torque?
Hey William, like I mentioned in your comment on my other video, that's a challenging choice. Each of the options have their own areas where they'll outshine the other, so the kind of riding you'll be doing is a big part of it, and what motivates you to ride. The right bike should make going out for every ride fun. For a lot of new riders going to something with more power and torque can add to the excitement, but plenty of more experienced riders go the opposite way, to something smaller that suits just what they need.
They have the same top speed. The 650 is just torqier a little
hey can ask hows the vibration on high rpms is it manageable?
I don't find them noticeable to be honest, so I wouldn't consider them an issue.
planning to buy one maybe next month :)
@@TheFrenchXC It's an awesome motorcycle, you'll love it!
@@MotoJournoKris hey have you tried yamaha r3 2019?
@@TheFrenchXC Yep, you can check out my comparison vid here - czcams.com/video/WPTladm1Dwo/video.html
There's also a standalone R3 video on my channel too. If you've got any questions though, just ask.
I'm the same height as you, I think you sold me on this bike, I was considering the ZX6-R. There's a company in the U.S. that turns 400's into race bikes
The ZX-6R is a lot more track orientated out of the box, but you can certainly give the Ninja 400 the same treatment, and it's a great fun machine.
@@MotoJournoKris I may get both :o)
@@gummybear41283 Always the answer with bikes, if you can't decide!
@@MotoJournoKris that's right mate ;o)
Have you had the chance to test the 2019 CBR500R? Would it be better suited for Sydney roads?
I tested the CBR500R a number of years ago, so not the 2019 unfortunately, but I think it still stacks up well against the Ninja 400. Benefits for the CBR500R to me are the more upright seating position and riding ergonomics if that's what you're after, while still offering a similar level of performance to the Ninja 400. 2019 updates did drop those 'bars a little for a more aggressive ride however and the styling is great, with the shock updated as well, along with a slipper clutch being added. They would be pretty evenly matched in a lot of areas from memory, but the Ninja 400 is lighter and offers more of that 'boy-racer' feel.
Thanks but I was asking specifically about the 2019 because they changed a number of things like the handlebar position and the suspension. It is still more an F than a R but probably the suspension is softer than the ninja 400.
How tall are you ? The bike seems to small for your length.
I'm 180cm, longer legs, shorter torso. It's very comfortable/roomy on board, where the Z400 in comparison feels a lot more compact.
Slipper clutches are really good for beginners, safer, but it has flaws due to the cam action principles it works on, clutch bit point is super narrow and clutch kick in is very snappy and abrupt , hard to modulate
Really, I've never really noticed that as a significant problem, but it's hard to make a direct comparison unless you're fitting one and seeing a before and after I guess!
@@MotoJournoKris yeah I've ridden alot of bike with and without ofc different models so not apples to apples, but the general feel of clutch bite and how fast it bites is different regular vs slipper, it's bites faster after a certain point cause the cam action actually helps the clutch bite harder and better, but that just means it also ramps up faster too, if you've taken one apart you'll see how the clutch basket with the cam claws work in reverse to enable slipping and also it works too in forward, this is why you will notice bikes with slipper clutches are alot lighter at the hand lever due to the fact they use lower pressure springs, for example the new z400 and ninja 400 had issues with the clutches being soo light and the fact that they had some issues because they didn't machine enough play into the clutch packs leading to early clutch wear out, I believe the latest ones they fixed it, there are some aftermarket parts that do fix that issue
What is your height? Is it comfortable for 6ft tall rider? Esp. During long rides.
I'm 180cm, so 5'9 and find the overall ergonomics good for a few hours in the saddle for the style of bike - obviously not touring bike comfortable but good, however the seat is very hard.
@@MotoJournoKris 180cm is 5’ 11”. Don’t short change yourself!
@@SWTrailsAndWheels I always get confused with the conversion!
Hi any ideas of sleek pannier for ninja 400
There's the Ventura Bonneville panniers that I've been considering but they are a soft pannier, so it depends what you're after. Shad also do quality panniers, but I don't have any experience with them on the Ninja 400. I've seen them on the G 310 R and they were ideal, but also on the larger side.
I believe there's also a Givi universal pannier mount system that should suit with some work, alongside some of their panniers.
Any need to use fender elimination?
@@adivanpersie89 The Ventura rack I've got uses two of the fender mounting points, but can be run with or without a fender eliminator, I'm running on at the moment with no issues. It basically uses a cross-bar bolted into two of the mounting points closest to the engine that hold the stock plate holder.
Thanks for the quick reply, im planning to modify this bike for touring, would it be comfortable to ride on long journey using stock seat and windscreen?
@@adivanpersie89 Happy to help! The stock seat is quite hard, I'd definitely get an aftermarket option if you're doing long distances, or something like an Air-Hawk which straps over the seat. There's a bit of protection from the screen, but it'll depend on how tall you are and how much you tuck in. If I was touring a lot, I'd consider a taller screen, but it wouldn't be a priority. The seat I'd definitely do as the first modification.
Should i get a ninja 400 or 650 ?
Having tested both I'd probably opt for the 400, as it feels a little more rev happy and sporty to me, as well as coming in a bit more affordable. But if you're thinking more long term and maybe not upgrading for quite a while the 650 might be more attractive.
Have you tried the Z400?
Yep, I've got a video up on the Z400 as well:
czcams.com/video/KzjE86ygl_8/video.html
As well as a comparison video between the Ninja 400 and Z400.
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