Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1504322
RIDE REVIEW I 2023 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-4RR P96 past this marker way quicker than a 600. Get the engine spinning north of 9000 rpm, and that's where the fun is. You've got roughly 60 horsepower on tap in standard form (stick on a slip- on exhaust, and you'll easily crack 70 horsepower at the wheel). There're three riding modes, Sport, Road and Rain, and a manual Rider mode that allows you to program one of two power modes (Full and Low), plus the traction control level (1-3 plus Off) and the Kawasaki Quick Shift System (KQS) at your disposal. This is an excellent amount of tech for such a low-capacity machine, although given the price is just under $10K, you'd expect it so. But with 60 horsepower on tap, I doubt many people will ride in anything other than Full power mode, as Low makes the 400 feel like a 250. You can be pretty rough with the ZX-4RR—rip back through the six-speed gearbox at high rpm, and the slipper clutch takes care of most of the rear wheel chatter (it can't get rid of all of it)—it's a very well-rounded package that almost any rider of any skill level will enjoy. Although it was quick, I absolutely loved my time on the ZX-4RR. Hopefully, I'll get a spin on the race bike that Chuck Graves is building, and that I'm sure will start populating various club race grids around the country soon—although my big hope is Kawasaki puts together a one-make MotoAmerica series for these bikes. Imagine 25 of these charging into turn one at Road Atlanta! Given the price and the fact Kawa - saki's own Ninja 400 KRT is priced at almost half the MSRP at $5899, I don't think Kawasaki has totally cannibalized its own market with the ZX-4RR, and I'm sure, side by side, these bikes can live harmoniously. But, if I had the coin, I know where I'd be heading, if only to hear the scream of that four-cylinder at 15,000 rpm. CN 2023 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-4RR ($9699) ENGINE: Inline 4-cylinder VALVETRAIN: DOHC, 4-valve COOLING SYSTEM: Liquid DISPLACEMENT: 399cc BORE X STROKE: 57 x 39.1mm FUEL INJECTION: Electronic fuel injection system, 34mm throttle bodies, ride-by-wire throttle COMPRESSION RATIO: 12.6:1 EXHAUST: 4-2-1 TRANSMISSION: 6-speed CLUTCH: Hydraulically controlled slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch ELECTRONICS: Four Riding Modes, two Power Modes, ABS, Traction Control, Quickshifter, LED lighting, 4.3-in. TFT color display CHASSIS: Steel trellis FRONT SUSPENSION: 37mm Inverted SFF-BP Fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: Horizontal Back-link with BFRC-lite Shock with Piggyback Reservoir, fully adjustable FRONT BRAKE: Dual 290mm discs, radially mounted monobloc 4-piston calipers, ABS REAR BRAKE: 220mm disc, single-piston caliper, ABS FRONT TIRE: 120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE: 160/60 ZR17 RAKE: 23.5° TRAIL: 3.8 in. WHEELBASE: 54.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT: 31.5 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 3.96 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED): 414 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S