Great review Chris. I pick up mine next week. I’m 5’4” and 73 years old and been waiting for something like this for years. I didn’t think anyone would make a quality small bike again. I’ve got a mint nc35 and don’t like putting too many miles on it. These come with 4 year warranty so can thrash it as much as I like. ⭐️

@simonrenshall

7 ай бұрын

I had the same thoughts, I'm 50 now so can remember the 400's of the day, i've thought about getting one for a while but they're all 30+ years old and mostly tatty. When kawaski announced this, i put a deposit down straight away. Had it few weeks now and I love it, running it in torture though as you will find out, 4000 rpm for the first 150 miles....

@ianhughesroyalenfield

7 ай бұрын

Great review. I am really hoping Kawasaki bring a roadster version using this engine (I can’t ride prone since being knocked off my bike in 1982), as in over 45 years of riding, the bike I had the most fun on, was a Honda CB400 Superfour.

@ManAndMachine23

7 ай бұрын

You’re 73 and you’re worried about miles on a street bike? YOLO

@thecamdenyard

7 ай бұрын

@@ManAndMachine23kinda like saving your girlfriend for the next guy 🤔

@blipco5

7 ай бұрын

reggale, come back to this post and let us know how it is once you buy one. 👍

Open letter to all other reviewers: This is how you do it. Focus on the emotion. Focus on how the bike makes you feel. Address the historical context of the new bike. And start off with a bold, sincere claim.

@thegamingshatt4758

7 ай бұрын

Americans just don't get the appeal of a small cc screamer and Americans are what a lot of people watch, which is a shame because I would love for the big 4 to bring back all their small cc screamers

@MJT-DA

6 ай бұрын

@@thegamingshatt4758 Americans didn't just ruin smaller cc bikes but also smaller cars too. Remember when you could get a 4 cylinder screaming Toyota that didn't weight over 2000lbs? Everything needs to be big and you can never use the power of any of these vehicles today. (Yes I know the GR86 exist but it's still heavy)

@thegamingshatt4758

6 ай бұрын

@@MJT-DA yeah ikr but it's definitely a mindset thing not a size of country thing because I'm an Aussie, pretty big country with long highways and a lot of us still love our sporty lightweight things

@hokogan

5 ай бұрын

@@thegamingshatt4758 Hey now, not *all* Americans. 😂

@A-FrameWedge

2 ай бұрын

@@thegamingshatt4758 It wasn’t just the U.S. Europeans preferred the 600’s and up, it was a small percentage of you who would pay roughly the same amount for a smaller cc bike. The MFG’s cater to your stupid A2 regulations for bikes, you are the one’s that ruined small fun 4 cylinder bikes and we Americans have to suffer for your bowing down to the EU.

Props to KAWASAKI! What a machine. Love it

@kalnwi2023

7 ай бұрын

It's too powerful for you.

@FullThrottleRacing535

7 ай бұрын

@@kalnwi2023 lol what?

@sergio_81

7 ай бұрын

You are drunk, shut up@@kalnwi2023

So glad Kawasaki still thinks outside the box with their lineup!!! The H2, W800, and the ZX4RR… Hopefully in the not to distant future there will be a 400RS with this engine 👍 And introduce a refresh of the ZX4RR with a twin spar aluminum frame w/ detachable rear subframe and fully adjustable suspension… I can dream right 🎉😎

@w00ey21

7 ай бұрын

400rs sounds mint

@JTACTR

7 ай бұрын

400RS👍

@thecamdenyard

7 ай бұрын

Ya I think I speak for everybody when I say… we don’t need or want another small displacement single or twin… there is a plethora to choose from already 🤣

@topibundar9554

6 ай бұрын

Kawasaki is always outside the box not like honda today

@thecamdenyard

6 ай бұрын

@@topibundar9554Kawasaki Motors is more of a side job/hustle for Kawasaki Heavy Industries… they make their real money in aerospace,rail, industrial,offshore etc. So lucky for us they can make unique/crazy bikes for us if they “feel” like it 😎

I can't afford a modern bike so I modified a 2003 Kawasaki GPZ500S. It makes 68hp and weighs 177kg, has uprated springs and rear shock. It's my everything bike, and delights on the roads for all the reasons Chris stated, and is a lot of fun on track as well. Riding a quick agile (but not very powerful) bike has really helped me focus on improving my skills without fear of being pinged off.

@Jrdnxy

2 ай бұрын

Loved my Gpz. Thrashed the legs off it what a great first big bike it was

I'll be turning 60 in December. Planning on picking up a 2024 ZX-4RR in the 40th anniversary Livery in the spring. Love the sound of a high revving inline 4 cylinder. Unfortunately in North America we get a neutered version with only 50 horsepower. Have to flash the ecu for the full 78hp.

"Not some rattly parallel twin single cylinder thing..." haha love it mate. So true

I've had mine for 2 months and love every minute of it! It puts a smile on my face every day I ride it!

As anticipated a fantastic video, Chris you touched on all the points that make the Kawasaki ZXRR so exciting. A screaming rev happy in-line four cylinder. Chris thank you for putting a smile on my face today.

The mark of a good review - I've no real interest in the bike but I watched this all the way through (and enjoyed it!) just for Chris's comments and to see him wringing it's neck. Can't wait to see Chris on the new Hypermotard 698 😋

I have this bike and I too think it's tremendous. Here's something to think about: My insurance counts this and the regular, 2 cyl 400 as the same thing, so its very cheap to insure. A new zx6r here is 11x as much to insure as this. Eleven times. An order of magnitude, and one to grow on. So every two and a half years, you could buy the bike again in just premiums, with a zx6r. And my lifetime mpg is in the 50s. 100% accurate video.

@SkankHunt42O

4 ай бұрын

American insurance?

@BEEBEE58679

2 ай бұрын

Who is your insurance company???? And, is it here in the ISA ??? Thanks

@BEEBEE58679

2 ай бұрын

Correction: "USA"

@joek81981

2 ай бұрын

@@BEEBEE58679 Yes, usa. Its with Flow. It came down to the city I live in, really, as to why it cost so much for a 600+. People steal stuff here and crash it. It'd be almost fine if they returned it unharmed, maybe topped up the tank, but they always wreck em.

I'm so glad kawi made this, if not id probably still not own a bike. I've wanted a sport bike forever but once i was in a position to buy one, no one made a small I4 anymore. 600 to racy 1000 way to fast and I'd never get to hear it. I couldn't buy the ZX4 fast enuf. i actually bought mine on the way from the factory to the dealer sight unseen. they had it listed but it hadn't showed up yet. 3 people called trying to buy it when i was there signing the paper work. Do you want the soul of a super bike but not the crazy speed, ZX4, want the scream of a inline 4 but dont want to have to go to the track or jail to hear it, ZX4. i hope this thing starts a trend.

Kawasaki are my favourite manufacturer. They do things very differently. Noone else has in their lineup three supercharged bikes, a proper 400 sports bike (and not a parralel twin facsimile) and a proper 600 (636). Respect, it's like it's just a fun game for them.

My ex girlfriend had an NC30. It was great fun. Handled superbly, looked great & plenty quick enough on country roads.

@jonathanwardle2052

4 ай бұрын

What about the bike ? 😅

6:19 "Thrash the living daylights out of it...." is the feeling making this pocket rocket a desirable companion on daily roads.

What a fun review Chris. Love it. If I had room for two bikes I would definitely try one of these out for a second bike. Agree totally on big bikes, you can't safely and legally ride them hard. I had a CBR500R which I could push really hard down winding roads. It was very soft though.. Cool!!

I love it. My dream bike. I had Kawasaki zxr 400 1992 for 8 years. Good old days.

surprisingly decent highway wind deflection! after my test ride i decided i'm making space for one.

This is my favorite ZX4 review. You *get* this bike, and I can hear the glee in your voice.

I rode an r6 and 200cc bikes. 200 bikes are much fun in Twisties and nimble. Sometimes speed doesn't get me smiling. But the twisties put a smile on my face and how light the bike and nimble. I love hearing the bike screams around corner

Great review and awesome bike. I just got my A2 licence and it's a bummer that 4rr doesnt have a 35kW version, but i am getting one as soon as i can. I am having a blast on my duke 390 and could never ride a bike that goes over a country road speed limit in 1st gear. As youve said, It's so much fun and rewarding working for that 80-100kph.

Feeling the love for small bikes. I have the most fun on my Honda grom, the feeling of thrashing a little bike everywhere is hilarious

Fantastic riding. I would love to daily a 250cc 4t, for the same reasons you mentioned, hearing those tiny cilinders reving up to ~15000rpm while going at reasonable speeds is the perfect combination for someone who wants to enjoy a proper racing bike in the streets. Sadly those are almost imposible to find here in Spain for a decent price and parts are also scarce. At the end I ride a Yamaha fz6-s, but in orden to hear those cylinders scream you're going 100km/h... In first.

A great review and an awesome bike. Hoping to pick one up soon!

Have the ZXR400 since 18 years and it was my first bike. Down paid the ZX-4RR well before it came out or the price was even fixed. Zero regrets, a lot of the ZXR400 DNA but much less demanding and easier to ride quickly. Love 'em both!

I would love one of these, definitely on the list. Awesome bike.

I had a Aprillia rs 250 absolute fun just like in this vid. Love these small screamers, o was I young again.

I've too large a frame, but watching Chris having a jolly good time will suffice. 😁

Nice riding! Use to have an CB400 loved it. This is fantastic!

Amazing review thank you so much. I agree 100% with you, it's so good that Kawasaki made this bike I also missed small 4 cylinder inline engine. Beautiful sound, its Mazda mx5 in the bike world.

good review! I put my money down as soon as it was announced and collected it at the end of october (september would have been nice!) The weather has been crappy since. Dying to thrash it but currently running it in. Your video made me want to THRASH it though!

Surely what we need next is a ZX-4RR-SP with all the top spec suspension and electronic gizmos in a true 90's style 😂

@aluisious

7 ай бұрын

Still pointless without an aluminum frame. This is too heavy.

@sugarrfree

7 ай бұрын

Theres a guy in america he tune the engine and puts loads of quality parts on it, the bikes a beast

@sugarrfree

7 ай бұрын

@@aluisiousi know, was expecting to be around 160kg

@iamoperator

7 ай бұрын

This already has top grade tech. Up/Down quickshifter with auto-blip, traction control modes, full digital display, road/track modes.

@alrightdave6135

6 ай бұрын

@@aluisiouscost

Great option. If I hadn’t bought a bike this summer I’d be in the market for this. I ended up with a 660cc Aprilia twin but I would definitely have been perfectly happy with a 400cc inline 4. Loved my 1996 FZR600 back in the day.

@tangyian

7 ай бұрын

How’s the Aprilia? I’m considering an RS660, coming from a Kawi z400.

@claesnorell8702

7 ай бұрын

@@tangyian I got a new 2022 Tuono 660 Factory and I absolutely love it. I haven’t ridden the RS660.

just went and looked at one a couple days ago definitely the little bike I'm looking to get, been riding a z125 for over a year! :)

It would be nice if other manufacturers got on board. On the little 4 stroke screamers that feel/sound like you are doing 160kmh and you look down and see 100kmh that is what makes sense:(having fun, releasing stressors and not necessary breaking the law while giving road bike beginners especially those who already know how to ride a motorbike a platform for the street). Yamaha give me a baby crossplane, Honda a baby V5( Honda, trust me on that one), Suzuki can do. Nice video and good review

I fully understand the comment about the quick shifter and it being annoying on a trackday against litre bikes. I fitted 1 to my GSX-R 125 which meant could push harder on the twisties, throttle on the stop and being able to change my mid corner whilst fully on gas, at least let me keep up with bigger bikes in the bends. Was fun seeing riders turn round to see if I was still there 😂 Then to be smoked on the straights but catch them up again through the next bend. On a 600 now and apart from straight line speed, so far I'd say I had more fun on the 125.

That 40th ninja edition is pretty sweet!

Great review as always Chris. At 6'4", it's just a bit too cramped for me.

I think it’s great to have a proper 400 screamer back available to have to keep them on the boil like a 250 stroker to get the best out of it is awesome

I used to have a zxr 400 20 years ago used it as a daily didn’t have a car loved the thing!

What you have described here is how I view my F800GT, you have to work for the fun but doing so is part of the fun. The bike gets better the higher the revs climb.

Great review! I hope kawasaki does a naked version of this bike. I have a small bore inline four shaped hole in my heart since i sold my 90' cb1!

Selling my ZX10 for the 2024 ZX6R 636, the 10 is just mental and more than i need. Not ready for a 400 cc bike yet but this is a great option if i ever get there.

It always has and always will be far more fun riding a slower bike as fast as IT will go than riding a faster bike as fast as YOU can go. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.

My first road bike was an NC30, nothing ever came close again. Will give this one a go.

Haven’t had an interest in super sports for many years, but this looks like a lot of fun and is a damn sexy looking bike..

I love it ❤

I think Chris could sell snow to the Eskimo's. Great review.

When I see, Chris, I watch right away

I like smaller displacement engines for similar reasons. Yet, I'd rather a small displacement engine tuned for torque, makes a pretty rad sound, than an engine that needs 15,000 rpm to make some horsepower but doesn't really produce torque numbers that are satisfying. But that's just me and my engine preferences.

400 was my first four-stroke. Grey import NC30 baby! Always fancied a blue hoover pipe Kwack, but Honda made the gems back in the day!

@barrymccloskey

6 ай бұрын

Great review by the way! Cheers!

One of the best bikes ever ridden was a race prepped cbr400rr so much fun on the road , the standard roadbike was so asthmatic in comparison

👏🏼 Kawasaki. Im sure they'd do the "Performance" variation etc eventually.

Best bike reviewer

There is not a better handling bike the 400.s are unreal beautiful engineering

those wheelies!!! I just purchased the ZX4R and omg fantastic little screamer

@Jaatsoldier

4 ай бұрын

Did you buy the zx4r or the rr version?

@cdc72311

2 ай бұрын

@@Jaatsoldier the zx4r they didn’t have the RR in black. I don’t like the KRT edition.

@Jaatsoldier

2 ай бұрын

@@cdc72311 great. I've also booked the zx4r in black. What aftermarket do you plan to add on yours? What about quicksifter?

Spot on comment on trackdays.... Transponders\timing by group 🙂

Very much looking to test ride one myself

I've ridden all the fast bikes, and I also can enjoy the smaller stuff as well, because you just don't have to take it too seriously. I've done twisties with a 650 burgman executive scooter and laughed my ass off, because you'd never really think you could have fun on a bus except you can - you just have to want to. I remember that big scooter thing had a turbo mode and gears and everything, and it all just felt so overcomplicated that I could not do anything but laugh. Those are the times you remember, not really the hundreds of times you did 150mph down a straight. I've seen some people do lots of mods to that zx-4rr to make it a proper track tool, so it is definitely possible to make it do a lot more.

Best reviewer in the game

"sell your 200 horsepower Superbike. Go buy one of these"--- what an opening!!!

Got my license today, and this will be my first bike, and im not sure if i even want to upgrade in the future, everyone i follow and saw said that this bike is the most fun they ever had. and tbh i rather drive a small bike to the fullest instead of a fast bike just 20%. nice video 👍

@drsrsv8884

7 ай бұрын

bro, don't think of a fast bike if you are a beginner. Buy this and ride it for a couple years, then buy something faster

@tbn.z900

7 ай бұрын

@@drsrsv8884 that’s what I just said 🤷🏼‍♂️😅 even even if I would, our driving school is different than the American for example. I drove the z900 in driving school

@someguyontheinternet7165

7 ай бұрын

From someone with time on bikes of all sizes, big sport bikes are something every rider should experience but they aren’t worth buying. They’re intoxicating fun initially, but once you get use to the acceleration they lose their charm. You’re practically idling everywhere. Traffic always feels in the way. They’re only fun on the street if you’re putting your license at risk.

Excellent work! Where are these roads?

Hope this bike is first of many to come

This bike has been very successful in the US so far. It's kind of difficult to find one of these in stock at any dealership, at least in my area. They sell almost immediately as they hit the sales floor. I hope Kawasaki sets the standard with this bike so that other manufacturers will follow behind in the near future. It would be awesome to have 400 and 500cc bikes with inline 4 engines. For those who haven't ridden a ZX4RR yet, it's nothing at all like the Ninja 400. It's definitely a solid middle ground between a Ninja 650 and ZX6R...

I had a 250RR in Japan about 35 years ago. I loved that bike. Been waiting for many years for another small displacement RR to come to the U.S. market. I currently have. 2020 Z900 and love that bike as well. Insurance on the little 400RR where I live is crazy expensive; not worth it. I am 54, perfect driving record, good driver discount, Motor Cycle Safety course, motorcycle endorsement and it would cost me $3,200/year. WTF! My z900 only runs me $800/year. That’s too bad the 400RR is way too expensive to insure in California.

Hope they use this engine block for a retro design👍 Z400RS-R perhaps?

I’m 58 and I just got 2024 390 duke. It’s not my 2007 ktm super duke but I think I can ride more aggressive on the 390 on the twisty back roads. The quick shifter is a nice feature, but not necessary. It’s really half the price of a 1000cc bike and all the add ons and upgrades are cheaper then the 1000cc bikes

A huge drawback for track days is that it doesn't have a replaceable subframe.

So Chris, for everyday on the road use, is it the Kawasaki or the Yamaha R7 that you would choose? 🤔

5:07 exactly!

I do like it as a good useable and engaging bike. It's 80% there. It would be nice to see a decent looking frame even the old 125 2 strokes had what appeared to be a better looking frame/swingarm. My money (and the extra £1800) would go on a CBR600RR though.

Im impressed, i have 3 litre bikes. The riding position looks a bit tortuous. But love that wail... i have a 98 ZX-9R and the air box roar is something to behold. And an MT-10 nuff said. A good bike must have a definitive character and this has. I also have a TL1000S and again its its own machine. Its all about how it makes you feel. That chemistry is why we embrace, and sometimes disregard the risks and danger.

@malcolmwhite6588

6 ай бұрын

Well I bet your “3 Litres bikes” are bloody heavy though!😂

@malcolmwhite6588

6 ай бұрын

Also, in your comment about the chemistry is why we embrace and just dis regard the danger is what’s left me at 60 with no money lost a whole bunch of houses, oh and an ex-wife

@pitchforkpeasant6219

4 ай бұрын

@@malcolmwhite6588but was it fun? Because if so id think it was worth it

@malcolmwhite6588

4 ай бұрын

@@pitchforkpeasant6219 let’s cheer me up some more LOL I mean yes it was fun but also plenty of stress but can’t change the past LOL

@puffybodie5282

3 ай бұрын

@@malcolmwhite6588ZX-9R is just 13kg heavier ;-) That thing is purely mental thx to its power to weight ratio. But basically impossible to use these days in traffic because of radars and amount of cops

Ya that was called an rd350lc 40 years ago! Damn I'm old.

what do you think is better // this bike or that zx7rr you test rode ??? which do you think is better track bike

How am I now supposed to wait until spring to test ride (and if it isn't too cramped for me) buy this thing???

One of the best thing ive ever ridden on the road is a bold statement Chris

@Terraceview

7 ай бұрын

Well he does say that a lot.

Come to my home track in Ireland, Mondello (I'm an instructor here), and genuinely - power/CC won't make a difference. It is such a technical track, that a well ridden 400/600 will embarrass many a Superbike in the advanced group (and which I can testify to tearing my wee CBR400 against R1's, Blades and 1098's back in the day, where they may want to give me the finger on the straights....... but I'd just overtake them 3 corners later!! 🤣)

Good video. Nearly gave up watching before it started as the adverts at the start were so long 😕….but glad I persevered! 👍

@BikeWorldTVshow

7 ай бұрын

Out of our control, it seems that KZread are pushing ads more now. Glad you stuck around though.

@exothermal.sprocket

7 ай бұрын

There's free software you can patch into your browser that takes care of all that garbage.

@ENLSN77

7 ай бұрын

Agreed. In the last week or so the ads have become almost unbearable. Starting to watch less KZread.

@phillipartweger9547

7 ай бұрын

@@ENLSN77broke down and tried premium and boy what a difference.. never going back

@exothermal.sprocket

7 ай бұрын

@@phillipartweger9547 Waste of money. I would tell you guys here what to install but KZread would censor my comment. It's a browser plugin that bl0ck$ the rotten mess and makes viewing like it should be. But there may be a backslash to the channel's monetization if enough people do that.

shame they didn't use the zx10 face as it's also a 4 cylender and their 400's look is the same as most of their range.

I must admit I quite like the idea of giving up my 04 zx10r for something like this, with the roads they are now the plod and dash cams on the lookout to fucku a smaller bike seems the way to go

Man these are going to be so expensive in my country for a 400CC bike. Whenever it comes. They just released the ZX-25RR. The price is not far off from the new CFMOTO 800nk.

This is brilliant! I really hope this takes off and in turn prompts the other 3 Japanese companies to throw in their hats once again, just like they did 30 odd years' ago. A low capacity bike with clip-on's, sports fairing, single front disc, etc and possessing a single or twin cylinder engine, no matter how nice to ride, just isn't the same as a screaming inline-4. This is what the Japanese are so good at. Bring it on. 😊

I own a few bikes including a ktm rc390 and man is it fun. But sometimes it's a little too slow. especially on the bigger racetracks it feels like you're full throttle for half a lap. This zx4rr is exactly what I need. Small and lightweight, 70hp and high revving. Can't wait to testride one of these next spring!

@sugarrfree

7 ай бұрын

Not really a light weight, i think zx6r is better option and weights the same

Whith small bikes that can rev high you dont need to ride fast to feel fast and the sound is still grate Its fun ag

I had an old model one 15 years ago , and it was too small for me. I’m willing to try again 😂

@tvdinner325

7 ай бұрын

We shrink as we age.

@goldilocks913

7 ай бұрын

@@tvdinner325 sold!😂

I want one. Got to save up a bit longer!!! 😢

Stock tires? Or.. ? Thanks 💚

I want one of these, but Kawasaki doesn’t seem to be bringing them into my country 😢 Upside is I’ll get an 890 duke instead 😂

I had a '99 ducati 750 supersport from new, first one with the fuel injection if i remember rightly, no cats, Remus brand pipes, would bang on the down-rev so loud it would set off car alarms. It had about 70 odd HP, was as slow as a bastard on the straights, mates on japanese 600s would walk away from me. But, when it came to corners, I ate them alive. Theres something for being fearless winding open the throttle and knowing you're perfectly safe, made me a much better corner rider.

Got to ask, where were you filming? When I’m not on track I enjoy a spot of cycling n those roads look great 😁

@BikeWorldTVshow

6 ай бұрын

Most of the time we're in mid-Wales, with amazing roads.

Ok so I know this will never be a highway cruiser, but I’m curious how bad it is. I had a Honda CB-1 (400cc i4) for a minute, and it was a blast on city streets and backroads. But when I needed to hop on the highway to get home quickly- it was absolutely terrible!!! Just screaming. So much high frequency buzzing in the bars and pegs and the aftermarket exhaust was obnoxious humming along at constant speed.

man this makes me want to learn how to ride

for the price, would it be better to just get a zx6r though?

Chris please do a review of the new 2024 Duke 390

Just bought an original zxr400 it baffled me why they stopped making the 400.s cost was a issue but they are the best handling bikes fast do it all 400.s are the bizz

2 track days per set of tyres?! I was thinking 10+. I get several full days out of a set on a GSXR1000K5 (and no I’m not going really slow - mid to front of intermediate group at least, depending on the track). It must be traction control enabling people to burn through their tyres this quickly right? I’ve never had it so I’m not sure.

Smaller bikes are more fun. Had a kawa 300 and would love getting the reaction from the group when we stoppen and they said, damn this little bike has power. It can keep up! And then if i let them ride it they came back with "how the fuck do you manage to keep up?!" Just a general sporty group ride made me learn to brake later to catch up, while having the same or higher corner speed to catch up. Best improvement i did to follow better was better brakes. Every ride was getting everything out of the bike. As a new rider i did not see how good this helped me. But now when i ride my 600 i must say i miss that little 300... But not on track tho. It anoyed the shit out of me to get overtaken on a straight by a 600/1000 only to go slower through a corner because the rider was not on my level. Going on a faster bike made me jump up 2 lvl's in a year just because i gained 6 seconds on a lap..

@drsrsv8884

7 ай бұрын

Meh, faster bikes are better. Just have to be talented

Fabulous review again Chris....reckon you'll sell a few off the back of this ....maybe Kawasaki will sort you out with one to do some racing ? A 400 would cost the same as a supersport 600 to make if both had ally frames, quality suspension etc....that's why this bike has a steel frame and more basic suspension - gives it a decent price 👍

I want one.