Kawasaki Ninja ZX4R Launch: What Makes It Special, Know Here

Kawasaki’s new 400cc sportbike brings so much new to the segment, but at a hefty price tag.

• Launched at Rs 8.49 lakh, the Ninja ZX-4R is even more expensive than the Kawasaki Versys 650. 
• The 399cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder engine generates 80hp of power and 39Nm of torque. 
• Built on a trellis frame, the bike comes with USD fork and mono-shock suspensions.

Launched at a steep price of Rs 8.49 lakh, Kawasaki Ninja ZX4R costs only Rs 71,000 less than Kawasaki’s Z900 street naked bike. Let’s find out if the Ninja ZX4R is worth its price. 

Sporty & Ergonomic Design

The Ninja ZX4R carries the kind of sporty look you’d expect from a Kawasaki, featuring a very familiar design style. It shares a lot of similarities with the Ninja 400, including the raised clip-on handlebars for a comfortable ride experience. The handlebar design allows you to make the most of the sportbike stance without compromising traffic comfort. 

Designed with inputs from the Kawasaki Racing Team’s (KRT) World Superbike Championship efforts, the bike is built on a high-tensile steel trellis frame with varying pipe diameter thicknesses. It features a high-tensile steel swingarm and a swingarm pivot section. 

Powerful Screamer Engine

The motorcycle boasts a 399cc, liquid-cooled, inline 4-cylinder engine with an oversquare bore and stroke of 57.0 x 39.2mm. It generates an impressive power output of up to 80 hp with ram air assistance and 77 hp without it. The engine is paired with a 6-speed transmission with slip-and-clutch.

The Redline stands at an astonishing 16,000 rpm, with the peak power output achieved at 14,500 rpm. The engine delivers a peak torque of 39 Nm at 13,000 rpm. While the torque output is the same as the recently launched KTM 390 Duke, the power figures put the Ninja ZX4R above most of the competition.

While the ram air duct keeps the engine supplied with cool, high-pressure air, a large radiator enhances cooling efficiency. A lightweight flywheel contributes to the quick-revving nature of the engine. Overall, the sophisticated and powerful engine doesn’t fail to live up to the expectations. 

Strong Underpinnings

As far as the bike’s hardware is concerned, the sturdy trellis frame and the powerful suspensions make for a smooth ride quality that complements the powerful performance. 

A 37mm inverted Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork – Big Piston) suspension with 4.7 inches of travel and adjustable preload has front suspension covered. The rear gets a fully adjustable horizontal back-link Showa BFRC (Balance Free Rear Cushion) Lite shock absorber, with 4.9 inches of travel.

The front wheel features twin 290mm discs for braking, while a single 220mm disk brake lies at the rear wheel. Dual-channel ABS comes as a standard feature with this bike. As for the tyre setup, the Ninja ZX4R has a 120/70-ZR17 front tire and a 160/60-ZR17 tyre at the rear. 

Feature-Loaded Up To The Brim 

Kawasaki Ninja ZX4R is an absolute treat for tech geeks seeking a bike loaded with modern features. In addition to notification alerts, the 4.3-inch Bluetooth-equipped colour TFT dash also offers turn-by-turn navigation assistance and smartphone connectivity via Kawasaki’s Rideology The App. 

You can switch to circuit mode for track riding or cycle through four different modes - Sport, Road, Rain and a customisable Rider mode. The last one enables you to make custom adjustments to the bike’s traction and power modes. 

The motorbike also features a ride-by-wire throttle for smoother acceleration, improved fuel efficiency, and to put you more in control of your ride. 

But Then, A Pricey Ride 

While the Kawasaki Ninja ZX4R definitely lives up to Kawasaki’s old glory, it comes with a steep price tag. With an introductory price of Rs 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the bike is pretty pricey. Besides being only Rs 71,000 cheaper than the much larger Kawasaki Z900, the new addition to Kawasaki’s line-up is also costlier than the Versys 650 adventure tourer. 

Kawasaki Ninja ZX4R has also been rolled out in two higher-spec variants - ZX-4R SE and ZX-4RR. However, the SE and RR models have not been launched in India, which means you can only get the base variant. 

Despite its hefty pricing, the new sportbike ultimately has a lot to offer, both in terms of performance and the overall ride experience. With its comprehensive suite of advanced electronics, the Ninja ZX4R really stands out from its competition in the middleweight class. Overall, it’s an attractive choice for those seeking a sophisticated and powerful sportbike under Rs 10 lakh.