VOLUME ISSUE JULY , P89
OUT TO
THE TRACK
FOR THE
NATIONAL
LAUNCH
O
ur location for the track
test of the 2023 Kawa-
saki ZX-4RR was Thunderhill
in Northern California. And
it was the longer three-mile
east track, so there was
plenty of time to turn the
screws on this little 400.
At 6'1" and 180 pounds,
I felt immediately comfort-
able on the ZX-4RR. The
bike did not have an overly
aggressive riding posi-
tion—the stock handlebar,
seat, and foot position were
comfy, and I didn't feel like I
was on a small bike.
The slim tank led to good
control and helped the rider
in the tucked position. Ka-
wasaki utilized feedback di-
rectly from their KRT efforts
in WorldSBK to construct
the chassis, and the result
was an outstanding balance
that helped keep the bike
planted.
Starting up the ZX-4RR
for the first time, it has that
sweet Kawasaki whirring
sound that would be famil-
iar to anyone who's ridden
a ZX-10R in the last 10 years.
The all-new 4.3-inch TFT
color dash is easy to navi-
gate through the bar con-
trols where you can select
between the three pre-set
riding modes of Sport, Road
of Rain, plus one of two
power modes of Full or Low,
to help manage throttle
response, and you also
have three traction control
modes, plus that up and
down quickshifter.
Heading out to the track
for the first time, the base
setting for the suspension
felt good. I didn't change
any settings in either my
first or second session,
although this can easily be
The racetrack is where this
bike is most comfortable.
Up and down quickshifter is
standard on the ZX-4RR.
