New Kawasaki Ninja 400

[HadesOmega]

Took one out for a demo ride it's a nice bike. It's definitely top of its class. Good ergos, decent power, great handling.

 

[Distrophe]

Would anyone choose a 400 over a '18 650 or '17 636 if moto price & INS isn't an issue?
Found a 0 mile '17 636 for $8K. $9K OTD I hope. This might be my big spend for this decade.
50% down would make payments very nice

I don't have one.. yet
I ridden one on the track via Feel like a Pro. Man it was a blast! It was mostly stock but had no issues keeping pace in B.
Also test rode one and took a city ride. Great little bike!

So jelly. I wish I could test one out. Might get one instead of a '17 6R.

.....As for this 400 be a budget motorbike, gut feeling says it’ll be close to $7K OTD.
You can buy an umolested ‘03 954 or a brand new Nighthawk 250 for $4K.
Perhaps we diverge a bit on the meaning of budget, but the cost-conscious motorcyclist has loads of options below $7K. IMHO, YMMV and that good stuff.

Yep, Ninja 400 is $5K+ fees. Decisions, decisions. I'm used to a 220LB, 45+ HP 2stroke (dirt bike) but IDK.

 

[Junkie]

the 400 is lighter and has significantly friendlier ergos for the street.

the 636 has far more power, better suspension and brakes, etc

 

[Manimal]

I don't have one.. yet

I ridden one on the track via Feel like a Pro. Man it was a blast! It was mostly stock but had no issues keeping pace in B.

ditto (@Laguna)

I Plan doing it again. I'm really attached to my SE 300 (non-ABS) Ninja. May be a couple years before I get the 400 ..... Out-of-the Box, it's a nice lil' bike!

 

[Slow Goat]

The 400 IS a nice bike. But the 650 Ninja offers roughly 60% more HP and is just 11% heavier, more front brakes and bigger tire profiles. Yet little love.

 

[SFMCjohn]

Kawasaki ... making great
motorcycles since forever,
whether we want them or not ... arty

 

[Junkie]

The 400 IS a nice bike. But the 650 Ninja offers roughly 60% more HP and is just 11% heavier, more front brakes and bigger tire profiles. Yet little love.

is the power difference that big? I'm seeing more like 40% more when I google dyno results

 

[J-Boat]

The 400 IS a nice bike. But the 650 Ninja offers roughly 60% more HP and is just 11% heavier, more front brakes and bigger tire profiles. Yet little love.

There’s also quite a big difference in price. It’s more of an entry level vs. intermediate level comparison...

 

[Manimal]

is the power difference that big? I'm seeing more like 40% more when I google dyno results

My Oldest has a 16 Ninja 650r. Oh yeah, there is a difference - 0 - 100mph

 

[cfives]

Anyone here have one of these yet?...

I bought one recently, and am very happy with it so far. I have put around 1500 miles on it, using it for commuting and recreational sport riding. I am impressed with it's handling, fuel consumption, and budget price.

My only complaints so far are that it seems unnecessary wide. It is not a katana, but the fairing seems surprising fat, and the mirrors are not ideal for lane splitting. I was also surprised at how unsettled the front end became after hitting a tar snake at a moderate pace in a corner, but only because of how well the bike handled previously.

 

[planegray]

Only one front rotor?

jeeez, why you always gotta be a "brakes are half empty" kinda guy

 

[Distrophe]

......
My only complaints so far are that it seems unnecessarily wide.....

Something as skinny as a dirtbike with that engine would be awesome. ....Z400 or KLX400R ??? I do like the NInja fairing though.
Could be about 330 LB's because the '18 klx250 is 304 LB's w/ fuel.

 

[cfives]

Something as skinny as a dirtbike with that engine would be awesome. ....Z400 or KLX400R ??? ...

For clarity, I was just noting my surprise that the EX400 was noticeably wider than my 2000 SV650 that it replaced. I assume that it is mostly due to the aerodynamics of the fairing to increase fuel efficiency, but it did strike me as fairly odd.

 

[HadesOmega]

Something as skinny as a dirtbike with that engine would be awesome. ....Z400 or KLX400R ??? I do like the NInja fairing though.
Could be about 330 LB's because the '18 klx250 is 304 LB's w/ fuel.

We may get a Versys X400 in the future watch out for that one.

 

[J-Boat]

Picking up my new Ninja 400 tomorrow. I’ve decided on the non abs model in blue...

This will be my first new bike purchase since 2008 (Husky 610SM). I know it will be a big step down from my current steed (1997 CBR1100XX). But I’m looking for a nice little canyon carver/commuter that I can still have fun on and get good gas mileage....

Every review I’ve read so far has been positive...

 

[Holeshot]

Good move on skipping the ABS...

 

[J-Boat]

Good move on skipping the ABS...

I can see how it would be a good feature for new riders, but I’ve been riding since 1991 and I prefer to have full control on when my brakes lock up. I intend to take it to the track and see what it can do. Eventually I’ll do Brake and suspension upgrades...but I hear it’s a decent package right out of the box...

 

[mrzuzzo]

I don't think the Ninja is a "step down". In terms of power yes, but not in terms of enjoyment.

I have a literbike too but really enjoy riding the Ninja 300. It's just a different weapon for a different purpose. The 400 should be a blast. Congratulations!

 

[Siris]

I rode the Ninja 400 for a track day weekend. Awesome bike! So light, nimble, and fun!

 

[1footdown]

For clarity, I was just noting my surprise that the EX400 was noticeably wider than my 2000 SV650 that it replaced. I assume that it is mostly due to the aerodynamics of the fairing to increase fuel efficiency, but it did strike me as fairly odd.

i think its wider because the engine is wider (parallel twin vs. v-twin). the handlebars should be about the same width though