new ninja

[RustyRD]

NICE,         I have always been a big KAWI fan. I have thought about that bike a lot . How does the power feel to you , with in stock form?

[m in sc]

im still in break in but its good.  like said I rode Matt's which was already broken in an wailed on it.  its really good. also, its very comfortable for a sport bike.

[RustyRD]

Dealer here has one for 9699.00  I want to go trade for one..
I am having severe wrist problems at the moment and it makes me more practical. Boo Boo

[RDryan]

Have you tried the ABS? Seems like another neat feature. I never ridden Tail of the Dragon but I imagine that would be a great bike for it.

I must say I find it interesting and somewhat polarizing that the dry weight is over 400 pounds but I totally get it. There's a lot packed into a little package and if it's balanced well with a nimble feeling then that weight will vanish with momentum. Just interesting. Upon saying that I wonder what exactly a creme de la creme no expense spared race prepped version weighs? 

[m in sc]

tried the abs? no. ive actuated abs on other bikes,  its not fun. I also have so many old bikes i do not rely on it. that being said , yeah its relatively heavy for a 400cc. can you feel it in corners? not really.  owning the lightweight at 234-236 lbs i can say, sometimes you can go too far.

my tzr is about perfect weight wise at around 308 lbs. to me. enough to keep it planted.  light enough to be quick.

the performance overall is very good but it's def different. its very stable and has a bunch of good tech, which is nice. IMHO getting the extra hp on a re flash will put it where it was designed to be.    matt had his up there last year. yeah it was great up there.  I may bring the 400 this year , but prob not to the 2t meet.maybe later in the year. already plan on the t500 and the cb1100. maybe the LS2

[RDryan]

Ahhh, very interesting. I was curious as to how this compares to the lightweight. That is an awesome bike,like the total opposite of the ninja,lol.

[m in sc]

when I rode matts the 1st time I met him out and rode the tzr. I literally jumped off that, didn't even pull my helmet and jumped on his 400. literally back to back.  my impression was , to him, 'its a modern version of 'that' and pointed to my tzr .

[RDryan]

I just noticed the new Bimota KB399. It uses the ZX4rr's engine and various bits but not as affordable.

[m in sc]

and frame. IMHO the weakest design characteristic on the 400 is the steel frame. this really needs to be in delta box aluminum frame.

[RDryan]

Oh yeah that is right, I did post this a bit prematurely. What a bummer they didn't work their Bimota magic on that. I saw that they did redo the frame on their liter bike model with the Zx10r engine but that's like 40k for that bike.

[RDnuTZ]

isn't the (supposed) advantage of the trellis frame it has superior strength and less weight than standard single or double downtube mild steel frames from the past? I personally don't like it as a featured design element (like KTM and others) but beyond the visual I know nothing about strength vs. weight and handling. Maybe it's just cheaper to build than building AL spar frame that attracts the factory bean counters...

[m in sc]

trellis frames are strong but rely on the motor as a stressed member. yes, they work exceptionally well. the only real downside to a steel frame is weight. 

[busa1300]

The steel frame I'm sure costs less to make, and I'm guessing at some point they will make some form of naked/standard version of the 4cyl 400. Using an aluminum beam frame would be hard to make the bike fit more categories other than full sport.
Honda has done the same with their 4cyl 400, using a steel frame where they can make a sporty looking bike, and a standard looking bike with just different bodywork.
Not like the late 80's early 90's where the JDM 4cyl 400cc bikes were fighting on the track as miniature super bikes.
Biggest advantage of the new bike is, you can go to the dealership and get whatever you need, without searching throughout the world for that one particular part.

[m in sc]

not my dealership they are fucking idiots.       but i get your point. also a big reason i avoid exotics, i don't need or want that headache.
that being said, i think its just how kawasaki does it w the steel frame. the h2s have steel frames as well.  i mean, they work. might be a cost thing, not sure.

this motor isn't a typical 400 though thats for damn sure.  they have been around since 2023, this platform. i don't think it will be used elsewhere like the 400 twins were as a corporate platform as much, maybe a retro? but otherwise not sure. .

[JKV45]

I have to admit I'm an aluminum frame snob, but in reality - it's not always the best choice.

Ducati and KTM have both done very well at the track with steel frames. Many top rides have said they prefer the feel and flex of a steel frame better than an aluminum one.

The Ninja 400/4 is a neat little bike.  Great size.  I've done a few parts for a customer with one, and was lucky enough to get a good look at it.

I wish there was a big push, and brutal competition, for sport bikes in that size like there was at one time elsewhere in the world (not here).

Back in the day, the FZR400 was THE bike to have at the track.  Perfect balance of power and handling on a smaller track.