Kawasaki ZX-4R

[Bigjawa]

Dunno what it's like now, but 35 years ago TZs were cheaper to run than proddie bikes if you were a crasher.

TZs cost thousands to run. So many engine builds.

The money with the production stuff was spent before you raced, plenty of people spent serious money making sure their "equal" engine was just that little bit more equal then everyone elses.

[Yorick]

Dunno what it's like now, but 35 years ago TZs were cheaper to run than proddie bikes if you were a crasher.

TZs cost thousands to run. So many engine builds.

The money with the production stuff was spent before you raced, plenty of people spent serious money making sure their "equal" engine was just that little bit more equal then everyone elses.

We all knew the illegal mods. Weren't too expensive. Hard part was hiding them.

[ChrisW]

Fairly positive review (it's a launch review!) from Sñr. Neeves:

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

My mate got his one on Monday, I went over and had a look at it today, it's a lovely bike, riding position is nothing like the 90s 400s, this is more like a CBR600 riding position.

[ChrisW]

And one from Chris Northover..

[Skub]

190kgs,that's only 10kgs lighter than my Z1000,which is no lightweight. From memory the 2004 ZX10R was less than 190kgs.

Is this the best Kawasaki can do for a little 400 twenty years later?

[Yorick]

190kgs,that's only 10kgs lighter than my Z1000,which is no lightweight. From memory the 2004 ZX10R was less than 190kgs.

Is this the best Kawasaki can do for a little 400 twenty years later?

The 70s CB400/4 was lighter than this 400.

[A_morti]

The 70s CB400/4 was lighter than this 400.

No, it wasn't. It was (depending who you believe) *probably* 178kg dry or 202kg wet.

Weights of bikes were historically stated as dry weights. They didn't have fuel in the tank, oil in the engine, fluid in the forks, brake fluid, or acid in the battery, if one was even fitted.

On the outside chance you can find a quoted wet weight, it'll be with just enough fuel to get you around the corner... or a gallon, or half full, there's rarely any way to know.

Weights these days are quoted as ready to ride, with a full tank of fuel. "Curb weight". So that 189kg which Kawasaki quotes includes 15 litres (nearly 11kg) of fuel, a sump full of oil, plus coolant, etc. It's under 175kg dry for sure. Not significantly lighter than the 70s bike, no... but then that didn't have to drag around ABS, EFI, a catalyst, a radiator, etc. and only had 37hp.

[Couchy]

190kgs,that's only 10kgs lighter than my Z1000,which is no lightweight. From memory the 2004 ZX10R was less than 190kgs.

Is this the best Kawasaki can do for a little 400 twenty years later?

The 70s CB400/4 was lighter than this 400.

185kg apparently and no idea how much fuel is in one at that, just moving one of the sidestand also shows a lot of that weight is high up. This new one once the ABS, CAT and a few other bits are junked it'll be 170kg ish which these days is a light bike........till we get on

Appears cycleworld in USA have started modifying one and it's down at 155kg in race trim

[ChrisW]

Called in at a dealer and had a look at one of these this morning. Couldn't have a go, the demo bike won't be available until early spring so had to make do with having a sit on it.

It's a very nice looking thing. Doesn't feel particularly small at all & the riding position's really very comfortable.

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[Yorick]

Just curious. What's the price compared to the ZX6R?

[ChrisW]

£8½ for the 400. There's a couple of grand difference.

[Bigjawa]

£8½ for the 400. There's a couple of grand difference.

The only way I'd pay that sort of money for a 400 was if it had "RVF" written on it.

I know of a low miles NC35 that can be bought for 6500.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

My mate has one, so I've had a really good look at one, it's definitely not budget, at £8K it's a bit of a bargain