There is a gaping hole in performance between the learner "sports bikes" of today and the 600 supersport class. It makes sense to fill this gap with a bike that is an easier transition for novices and for older riders who find the power of the modern supersport and sports bikes all a bit daunting.
Im a big fan of this ZX4r.... supposedly putting out 75-100hp and weighing in at around 160-170kg with a high redline.... sounds good to me... But... how much will it be $$$$ ????
Very exciting, and it's coming to U.S.!!! I've seen mentions of 70bhp. Looks like steel frame... Hopefully not disappointing weight like ZX-25R @ 180kg. That just killed it for me to replace my 135kg Ninja 250 race-bike. Makes Ninja 400 with same power @ 165kg so much faster and more nimble. Would bump me up to different class, so I stayed @ 250. This ZX-4R opens up whole lot of new opportunities.
Well, it dropped this morning! Curb Weight 414.5 lb/187.7872 $1k less than the zx6. So on the fence about this one (mostly the cost vs 600)
Well darn it!! So disappointing again! Was hoping for sub-400lb wet-weight at least! Then again, couldn't expect it to match ZXR400 with alloy frame and without catalytics and tonne of modern electronics. I'll stick with my CBR600RR for track I guess. It's 375-lbs with 1-gal in tank.
https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/01/2023-kawasaki-ninja-zx-4rr-first-look-review/ https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-news/kawasaki-zx-4rr-krt-edition-coming-to-usa-2023/ Looking forward to impartial 3rd-party review..
Once it is released the aftermarket folks will start bringing out 'go faster' bits. I'm sure an ECU Flash will unearth a few more ponies. There are a few companies that do them for the Ninja 400, so I'm sure they will do one for the ZX4RR. If they can get 65bhp out of a Ninja 400, then you'd think 80bhp from the ZX4RR isn't too much to ask for. https://tinyurl.com/3wexpr9v https://tinyurl.com/3cw24w47
Well then, getting 80bhp out of it will be a lot easier. It will be interesting to see just how much that engine has left in it. It's disappointing that given modern design/build techniques, metallurgy, EFI and ECU units, that the ZX25R is so relatively low on power. If the 1988 Japanese engineers could get 45bhp from a 250/4 you'd expect at least 55-60bhp from the ZX25R.
It would be interesting if someone did the equivalent of what Marx Boxer did with the 20th Anniversary of the R1 - he put the 2018 engine into the 1998 chassis. https://amcn.com.au/editorial/the-ultimate-r1-tribute-could-be/ The same exercise on a say 1993 ZXR400 chassis with the new ZX4R engine and bits could yield an interesting result - keep the ZXR400 looks with the new ZOOM
If I could find a zxr400 chassis I could afford, and find someone that would let me strip their enough to take the measurements, I'd rather just ride the new zx4
Yeah that's a tall order, Mark Boxer somehow managed to get given a 2018 R1 gratis, I think it was from Yamaha Japan because the head Honchos from Japan came to be photographed with the bike, they were suitably impressed. Quite the feat of diplomacy to achieve that. I've seen the R1 in person when Boxer came to my mates place down the road with it, it looked grouse. It does make me wonder if Kawasaki would be interested in a 30th Anniversary version along the same lines, fun to think about...
I chose my GSXR750 2022 based on weight. 168kg dry.... with titanium zaust and lithium battery im prob down to 160kg dry and 132.5hp.... I looked at the ZX6... very nice... all that electronics adds weight I am still obsessed with the 4 cylinder 400cc if the weight can be bought down under 160kg wet or a super charged FZR250r making say 60hp..... would be perfect
The upcoming ZX-4RR is 188KG wet. A lot of that will be exhaust due to emissions. It has a steel frame, too.