Thanks to Rokform for supporting what we do and making a truly Yam proof phone mount. Check them out over at www.rokform.com/ and use the code YN25 for 25% off!
Seriously. The worst part is that so many of his videos are like this. Just to hit the 10 minute mark. Then the audacity to monetize the video AND have a paid sponsor at the beginning. Straight trash.
Finally got it right about my INCREDIBLE 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT edition with ABS, which runs practically telegraphically. Bought it at age 73 for my 74th birthdsy. I'm now 75 , and the Kawi still gives me kid giggles when I ride it..
How does it feel going down the highway at 70mph? What are the engine RPM's at 60mph and 70mph? Does it feel good going down the highway? How about in traffic, is it really nice in traffic? I'm thinking of buying an R3, or CBR 300 or a Kawasaki 400. Because honestly, the other bikes are UGLY AS SIN, and these smaller bikes capture the look of the 2002 sportbikes, which hit their peak in 2002.
I thought I gave my last bike away in my 50's.. wrong.. you just can't get them out of the blood.. I'm about 10 years behind you in age and concur.. I get the giggles too... and I didn't pay extra for them!! I just wanted something to hit the country winding roads and run for a burger.. a fine bike for both.
Michael D Good for you! Where I am I can ride 365 days a year, but the roads are boring - flat and pretty much straight, maybe that’s why I find myself doing a lot of circles, come to think of it ... ; )
The gearbox issues can be practically fixed by swapping out the clutch springs. Firsthand experience as someone who owned a 2018 N400 for 2 years. The issues are a result of a weak slipper clutch mechanism.
After a while of owning a Ninja4 and hanging around forums i came to the conclusion that people will upgrade the 400 and sell it off for the upgrade, but then about 2 months later they really want to ride their ninja again. Something about just cruising around town and having that good balance of torque and speed & being able to legally bang through all the gears is part of the Ninja4 experience. You dont buy these bikes because you want to go fast and keep up with leaders, you buy it because its a fun little bike to ride around town. (That and allllll the mods you can get on them now. One of the best bikes for modding in recent history IMO)
Agree. Heard a lot of people hate on ninja 400 but at the end of day u ain’t gonna ride 150mph all the time. Maybe once or 2 time in month it ain’t worth the money. I enjoy my baby 400 and have blast everywhere I go. I use it to go to work and school works fine for me. If I had chance to go back and pick a bike I buy same again and again it didn’t try to kill me like my boy ducati
A guy at my work regrets getting his. It’s his first bike but he says he doesn’t feel comfortable on the freeway. It bothers him cause the rpm’s are so high while cruising and he can’t zip by someone at light speed. I have the exact same bike as he does cept mine is very modded already. I let him ride it and he was like, that’s a way different bike. Stock they are fun but get some good mods, and it’s a blast all day long. I drive 35 minutes to work and back on the freeway every day. Now he wants to get a 700. 🧐Sounds intelligent to me. Heh. Some kids never learn patience. 1000 miles and they think they can ride perfectly. Oh well.
Vortek rear sets not Woodcraft. Also have the TST frame sliders and axel sliders. Lot done to it but to me is worth it. I plan on keeping this bike for a long time and taking to the track.
I was to until I bought the ninja 400 for my wife ! Best dam bike ever ! Needless to say I'm getting my own . My single Sr400 just doesn't even keep up lol
250 is fine it does everything you need it to at the fraction of the price of most motorcycles I’ve ridden one for 4 years now it’s nice being able to buy a year of insurance for what most people pay in a month
Maybe when you are older and mature you will see the value in the free information gifted to you. The history of a manufacturer tells the story of how the product you are interested in was created.
blows my mind. sure, you can ask for whatever you want, but who would give you 4k for a 5 years old 250/300 when you can get a brand new 400 for 5K. makes no sense
Thank you for the video! I appreciate and enjoyed the research you put into it. I just bought my 2020 Ninja 400 ABS and spent days researching it prior to buying it days later. I focused only on the Newest Ninja ( I wrote notes and had an excel sheet), but now you've provided me with more knowledge on the history of Ninjas I can share with others!!! Awesome information and hilarious delivery. I'm going to go ride now. I love my bike so much!
Many People are considering to buy this as a first bike. So he gives history about the previous models who lead to the current one. I think it's pretty good to know the history behind the vehicle and brand you're buying. He tells about the specs too.
I'm a crate builder so I test drive literally every new bike that's made minus Harley, Triumph, and Indian. That being said i'm a Yamaha enthusiast and a small CC entrepreneur since even on 300 CC bikes you can break every speed law in america quite easily. The 400 is nice, it's light agile and has more than enough pep for beginners but shifting is clunky and you have to be incredible used to it or accustomed to the way it shifts to ever find neutral without stopping. It feels generic between your legs and doesn't bolster confidence at speed the way the R3 or the CBR300R do either. I don't knock peoples interests especially when buying a vehicle where brand affiliation is a heavy influence but I can't say i'd recommend a Ninja 400 for "beginners." It's more for track day folk who want to be at the smaller CC class but want to dominate and be considered the fastest at the track with little to no investment in their bike rather than just flat out buying it. What do I know though i'm just some dude on the internet.
I totaly disagree that you think the Ninja 400 has a clunky gearbox. I literally never miss a gear it’s so light and clicks clearly into gear (atleast mine does). Also, if you stop and shift upwards from 1st, it literally cant go into 2nd. Im not biased at all because it’s def not a perfect street bike. Actually looking to get a naked but I think the shifting is really good for a beginner. The clutch is very light aswel.
@@E.F.CruzZzZzZz not a bad option honestly. I'm jealous Yamaha doesn't make a 500CC it's kind of the perfect start. You won't get bored in a year and it's super light and easy to manage. Price is my only issue there but if that's not a problem I'd say it's a really good option.
@@reillygardner273 Sweet!! I am gonna take my MSF in a week and I am excited about what is to come. I have practiced on a honda rebel and it is not bad but I am thinking about trying a sport bike. Would you recommend a ninja as a beginner bike?
I’m a beginner rider and just got my 2021 Ninja 400 ABS model and I can tell you if you’re a beginner rider trust me this bike has more then enough power to satisfy 😎
You missed the biggest flaw in the 2018-19 model. When they introduced the slipper assist clutch they used too light of springs which causes major slipping issues.
As a current 2018 N400 owner, I'll say that it has been a great bike if you want something that's cheap to operate but still want something fun to commute or tear up some back roads. The power may not give you that feeling that you're holding on for dear life but it's plenty enough for all riding conditions. Other issues that I've seen pretty common are the clutch wearing quickly or beginning to slip. Overall, I haven't had an issue with anything yet on mine. Definitely WANT another more powerful bike for some weekend rides but I don't NEED more power. I've also previous owned a CBR 1000RR so that may be where my need for more power stems from.
@@Jambuc829 IMHO, Ninja 400's are the perfect commuter/beginner sportbikes. It weighs the same as the R3 but makes more power and torque. The added torque and early/linear availability is really what makes it great. The slipper clutch and semi-upright seating position makes it just a darling in city riding (traffic, stop and go, etc.).
I just bought a 2020 Ninja 400 last month. I'm 38 and never been on a motorcycle. The last 2 weeks I've teaching myself in my neighborhood and an empty parking lot. Easiest thing I've ever done. Maybe the bike helped me get the confidence with how light and nimble it is or I'm just a fast learner. Either way, I'd recommend it. I'm 5'11" 185 lbs. It's comfortable to me, then again, I've never ridden other motorcycles.
I feel I'm in the midlife crisis at 26 years old. After the postpone of these classes (September) I'm going to go to 1 then get the 400. I'm excited. I got the money for all the gear on the wishlist now gotta save for the bike
Jonathan Circle 44, never had or ridden a bike. CBR300R would be my first choice for a one and done bike to never take on a freeway (because that bike is best for urban/in-town thrills, super economical). But I think I’m gonna get the Ninja400 because there’s room to grow, it’s more gentle for learning with more linear power delivery, tons of aftermarket support, and intuitive controls compared to R3, CBR300, etc. All at a reasonable price.
@@grumpysquid i just bought the bike (with a loan) yesterday 👍. I saved so much on gear and security also. Here's the plan: 1. Pay $500 for 4 months worth of payments for the bike 2. Use the 4 months to pay it off
Bought a ninja 400 and my first day ever riding was able to drive it home after an hour of learning. I love it so far, shoutout to you yammie for all the vids telling me how to ride!!!
@@chadillac171 it was a great bike for the season i had it put 4k miles on it was really good and forgiving when I got rowdy on it. My buddy rides it now (his first bike as well) and he loves it. It does start to feel weak after a season. No regrets tho! Getting a 636 soon
@@noahhouser4179 Nice! Thanks for the quick reply. Debating about buying new vs used. As I know I will drop it, but I think if I start on a 250 or 300 I will move past it fast. The 400 I am hoping will give me a little joy before moving to a 650 or 750.
3 years later and this is the first video of yours I’ve viewed. That intro explaining your channel aged SO well for me - explained it perfectly. Your vision came to fruition 👏
@@waitwha4761 great! Oil changes are easy, sitting at 7000 miles now. The rear tire somehow finds every nail in the road. I’ve had to change it three times so far. Other than that no problems!
I can guarantee with 100% certainty that 43 horsepower is enough horsepower for anyone. I rode an XS400 parallel twin Yamaha for my first bike, for 3 years. It had 28 horsepower, and actually was perfectly nice to drive. It was always really fun to drive in town and on the highway. It could go about 100mph. Parallel twin engines are so much more fun to rev than a single cylinder engine. There is no comparison. The twins actually have a top end rush, and get smoother as your rev them, because they are "self balancing" unlike single cylinder engines which require a large counterbalancer just to function. When one piston goes up, the other goes down. So as the revs increase, the engine smooths out. They still have vibes, but it's totally different than a terrible shaking single. Even when a single has a counterbalancer, it still sounds like it might blow up when you revv it up. Twins sound aggressive and good, and mean.
43 hp is enough for anyone? you must not know any real riders. 43 hp is adequate but not enough for everyone. Please do not speak for me and other riders without asking us first. It may be enough for you but far from it for a lot of real bike riders and racers. The guys at my local track love the 400 ninja but none are happy with the 43hp they are all modded to hell and want even more as it is a nice chassis and suspension package but 43hp is just a starting point to get the most out of the little ninja.
happy to say I just bought a 2023 ninja 400. I started out, yes started out with the FZR 600 in 1992. Less then a year after I bought it, it was stolen, and I haven't ridden since. So, I thought the Ninja 400 would be a great way to start riding again after 30 years. I was in the Army when my bike was stolen. 2 months before I shipped out to South Korea, so I had cancelled my insurance to be able to save up some money for my new wife and son before I left. Therefore, it wasn't covered when it was stolen. Anyway, I thought this would be a good way to start riding again. Thank you for the great videos. You helped to make a rider out of me once again.
I upgraded to a Ninja 400 after owning my 250 for a while. Beginner or not, the 400 is a freakin' blast in the city, in the twisties, and everything in between. I highly recommend it! I also have a video of me dropping it on my channel .. haha
Does it matter which Ninja 400 you get? Idk much about motorcycles but I currently have a 250 but want to upgrade and am not sure of if I'm quite ready for a ZX6R
I really love my ninja 250. Yes it screams and annoys the locals but it seems fast enough for me for now. Done 1500km in the 4 MO. Of riding season last fall. I can pass people no problem and great on gas though I need premium fuel. Maybe it lacks some torque going up big hills but I have done some doubling one day. The suspension isn't for two and I wouldn't recommend that.
Yeah, buddy! I started on my dad's Iron 883 and, while I liked it, it wasn't really the thing for me, and I didn't really enjoy highway riding with it over 65mph. I got a squeaky clean new '20 Ninja400 and I love that thing. It maneuvers really well, comparatively, and I use it as my daily to get to and from work.
I've experienced all the problems you mentioned on my 2014 300. The problem with the clutch being pressed and then the bike turning off can be fixed by tweaking the idle. You will idle a slightly higher rpm but at least it won't turn off in the middle of riding on the freeway lol
I have a 2023 Ninja 400, its my first bike and the one thing my friend with a 2013 Ninja 300 commented on was how much better/smoother the shifting was on the 23 model. It's a fantastic machine that really feels fun because of how high you rev the engine. Awesome beginner bike. I was on the fence about starting with something bigger as I was worried I'd rapidly outgrow. But you wont outgrow this bike anytime soon. It's an absolute blast in the twisties and more than enough to land you a triple digit speeding ticket on the highway. I HIGHLY recommend buying a lightly used one though. Saves you thousands of dollars and gives you a nearly new bike.
lets not forget the early 80-90s ninjas were not bullet proof. They also had " ECM failures" that would cause the bike to randomly shut off after a bit. since the bike controlled electronic spark timing. as well as the gearbox issues.
I own a 2020 Ninja400 KRT edition. It’s a little beast! And yeah it’s appearance makes people think it’s the Ninja 650. I totally recommend this bike!!
Fun fact: Japanese Motorcycle License is divided into 4 classes which is 50 CC and Below 51 - 125 CC 126 - 400 CC Anything beyond 400 CC Hence the existence of Yamaha V50, Honda Monkey Yamaha Y125Zr, Honda Grom Yamaha FZR400RR, Honda CBR400RR
I bought an elusive 2011 Ninja 400R (EX400) that wasn't sold in the US from what I can tell. Apparently otherwise it's essentially a EX650, just with smaller bore. Have loved riding it as my first bike!
I spent two months researching and mulling it over and I got the 2021 650 Ninja and I think it is the perfect bike and I have owned 72 motorcycles in my career.
I have a 2011 Honda CBR600 F as first bike, it can do everyting. Nice looks, nice sound and very nice handeling as well. I think i would grow out of the Ninja 400 much quicker. Stay safe :D greets from the Netherlands
Yammie - "Created a new category." VFR/RVF400 (NC**) - "are we a joke to you?" (much better, yet much older bikes) Never mind the CBR400 and Gixer 400 etc
You’ll get bored of anything under a liter bike as a starter bike. I personally would go with a busa. Although you would need to make sure to turbo it so you don’t get tired of it.
I have a 2019 ninja 400 and it's a great bike. Lightweight, handles great and it's quick. Not fast but easily gets out of its own way. I've had a few false neutrals but they're few and far between. As for getting in gear issues, when it happens going into first the dash shows the -- flashing. Just keep the clutch in and rock the bike. Pops in every time
I ride a ninja 400 2018. Just got out of my msf course too. It tends to lock up gears every blue moon, but it does happen. You just let the clutch off a bit and it'll catch it just fine.
I own a Ninja 400 2018 model, I regretted my purchase because it felt boring to ride. I even tried to sell it after one year. But now, when i hop on it without any expectations, and just squeeze the shit out of it without a thought, then it's fun. Feels like a youngster race bike on steroids.
My 2018 n400 averages 56mpg city or highway with taller sprockets installed. Still love riding it. After just two years, the engine needed torn down to replace a cheap rubber o-ring that is sandwiched between the crankcase and cylinder jug. Be sure to check that front crankcase seam, right behind the exhaust extractors for coolant traces.
Just bought a 2020 Ninja 400 ABS KRT over the weekend as my first bike. Of course I don't have the experience to say that I bought the absolute best bike in this class, but on my way home I knew that I made the right decision. Put almost 150 miles on it over 2 days, and I'm having an absolute blast. Even while trying to keep it below 6k rpm for the break-in period it's plenty fast. Of course I'm comparing this to no other bikes as well as my Subaru BRZ which is slow for a sportscar, but I'm a beginner and don't need to be going 150+ mph or pulling 10 second 1/4 miles.
It's fun. I'm a new rider and the 400 is perfect for fun rides and commuting. I live in 🇲🇹 Europe so bigger cc engines cannot fulfil their potential, although I've spotted a beautiful zx-10 R recently and started dreaming about the zx-6R because I can dream.
Good stuff Yammie! I've got around 3k miles on my 400 and the only issue i have experienced occasionally is the inability to engage 1st gear from a stop. I've seen a bunch of hit or miss suggested solutions on the internet and UA-cam, but the only one I've found that remedies this 100% of the time is to just slowly let the clutch lever out until 1st gear engages, then I'm off and running. Doesn't happen often... in a year of ownership it's maybe happened 5 times. Anyway, thought I'd share this.
I’m not a bike enthusiast. I’m literally a coaster enthusiast. First of all, hi. Second of all, motorcycles are fast and stuff. They should like beauties.
I'm also disappointed he didn't mention the 2018 ninja 300 (the one I bought) which solves most of these problems and they even lowered the price point (in India at least)
When papa yam reads my brain my first time viewing this video... When I rewatch only to find out I did in fact see the SV650 everywhere after ninja 400 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I like my 400, bought mine in 2018. I use it to commute in the summer. Get about 48 mpg in city, 56+ with highway. Insurance is $40 a month. It's very easy to ride, definitely good as a beginner bike.
My first bike is the Ninja 400 (KRT colours), been riding for 6 months now so don’t have any input to compare it to other beginner bikes but lemme tell you I’ve racked up about 3500kms on it (brand new) and I LOVE it, no problems so far!
The ninja 400 is the best beginner bike, super Lightweight, so easy to maneuver and turn, I was so scared to ride it but I mean its soooooooo forgiving, and have a really good amount of power
Started on a Ninja 400. Can confirm, great bike overall. I will say, I certainly have hit the false neutral between 5th and 6th a fair share of times and it scares the hell out of me everytime. Other than that is is a spectacular bike and has really easy maintenance too!
False neutral? I just got a 2018 Ninja 400 as my first bike and I think I might have had this same issue. When I switched from 5 to 6 the rpms went all the way to 10000 and sounded like hell.
just bought my 2022 400 and it’s been a blast so far after about an hour of stalling it before taking off i got the hang of it and cruised around town a bit the next day. need some advice on upshifting smoothly and cornering but yea for a first bike i’d say i’m very happy with the decision so far!
Thanks to Rokform for supporting what we do and making a truly Yam proof phone mount. Check them out over at www.rokform.com/ and use the code YN25 for 25% off!
Yam i live in sweden is kawasaki ninja 125 good as a a1 bike or should i get gsxr suzuki 125
You should check out the ninja zx25r. It's a possible candidate for new beginner bike with sweet 4cyl sound
Is it just me or this guy alot of familiar.......
Maybe like Lazlo radio host on grand theft auto?
U forgot about how kawasaki skipped the 500cc class after 2009 now it goes from the 400 to the 600 i have a 2008 ninja 500r love it
Wasn't the bike from Top Gun a 750 Turbo? My first bike, that's why I'm pretty sure. The gpz 900 looked like it minus the turbo.
Come here to watch ninja 400 but listened Kawasaki history for 8mins
Bro I was gonna say the same thing. What a waste of time
Seriously. The worst part is that so many of his videos are like this. Just to hit the 10 minute mark. Then the audacity to monetize the video AND have a paid sponsor at the beginning. Straight trash.
I feel u 😂😭😭😭
Until i read this comment i gave this mofa a pass got lost in the bs... I want my 8 minutes back
Its always fine to get some info ...whats the point of watching bike videos and not learning some stuff on the side ...? We bike smarter cause of him
“I talk about motorcycles and ball shavers on the internet”...Accurate.
The only two things you need
Play to your strengths. 😁
Finally got it right about my INCREDIBLE 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT edition with ABS, which runs practically telegraphically. Bought it at age 73 for my 74th birthdsy. I'm now 75 , and the Kawi still gives me kid giggles when I ride it..
How does it feel going down the highway at 70mph? What are the engine RPM's at 60mph and 70mph? Does it feel good going down the highway? How about in traffic, is it really nice in traffic? I'm thinking of buying an R3, or CBR 300 or a Kawasaki 400. Because honestly, the other bikes are UGLY AS SIN, and these smaller bikes capture the look of the 2002 sportbikes, which hit their peak in 2002.
@@Ritalie i ride in 5th at 70 just for a bit of extra torque whenever im riding. in 6th it runs about every 10 mph is 1k rpms
I thought I gave my last bike away in my 50's.. wrong.. you just can't get them out of the blood.. I'm about 10 years behind you in age and concur.. I get the giggles too... and I didn't pay extra for them!! I just wanted something to hit the country winding roads and run for a burger.. a fine bike for both.
Michael D Good for you! Where I am I can ride 365 days a year, but the roads are boring - flat and pretty much straight, maybe that’s why I find myself doing a lot of circles, come to think of it ...
; )
Ritalie
Couldn’t say, as I always go UP the highway, and never look back ; )
The gearbox issues can be practically fixed by swapping out the clutch springs. Firsthand experience as someone who owned a 2018 N400 for 2 years. The issues are a result of a weak slipper clutch mechanism.
Pin this
@@drnapalm7605 he didnt
Thank you for this info it is extremely helpful
Wonder if they fixed the issue with the newer ones
After a while of owning a Ninja4 and hanging around forums i came to the conclusion that people will upgrade the 400 and sell it off for the upgrade, but then about 2 months later they really want to ride their ninja again. Something about just cruising around town and having that good balance of torque and speed & being able to legally bang through all the gears is part of the Ninja4 experience. You dont buy these bikes because you want to go fast and keep up with leaders, you buy it because its a fun little bike to ride around town. (That and allllll the mods you can get on them now. One of the best bikes for modding in recent history IMO)
Agree. Heard a lot of people hate on ninja 400 but at the end of day u ain’t gonna ride 150mph all the time. Maybe once or 2 time in month it ain’t worth the money. I enjoy my baby 400 and have blast everywhere I go. I use it to go to work and school works fine for me. If I had chance to go back and pick a bike I buy same again and again it didn’t try to kill me like my boy ducati
A guy at my work regrets getting his. It’s his first bike but he says he doesn’t feel comfortable on the freeway. It bothers him cause the rpm’s are so high while cruising and he can’t zip by someone at light speed. I have the exact same bike as he does cept mine is very modded already. I let him ride it and he was like, that’s a way different bike. Stock they are fun but get some good mods, and it’s a blast all day long. I drive 35 minutes to work and back on the freeway every day. Now he wants to get a 700. 🧐Sounds intelligent to me. Heh. Some kids never learn patience. 1000 miles and they think they can ride perfectly. Oh well.
@@JeremyDN that ninja 400 will save his ass unlike a 600+! lol
@@JeremyDN what mods did u do
Vortek rear sets not Woodcraft. Also have the TST frame sliders and axel sliders. Lot done to it but to me is worth it. I plan on keeping this bike for a long time and taking to the track.
Well that settles it. Yammie hates Ninja's.
Ofc. Coming from a yamaha fan boy
@@GameMasterAddict235 I'm a yamaha fan boy, but I'll get the ninja 400 because I can't afford the mt07 🤭🤭
I was to until I bought the ninja 400 for my wife ! Best dam bike ever ! Needless to say I'm getting my own . My single Sr400 just doesn't even keep up lol
Yammie :is the ninja 400 good for highway
Me : *nervously laughing in ninja 250*
😆
Me: *Laughs in 125*
Cries in *70*
250 is fine it does everything you need it to at the fraction of the price of most motorcycles I’ve ridden one for 4 years now it’s nice being able to buy a year of insurance for what most people pay in a month
Laughs in 800cc
This didn't answer any of my questions about the bike. I wanted to know about the bike, not a history lesson.
I know, tons of blah, blah blah
Maybe when you are older and mature you will see the value in the free information gifted to you. The history of a manufacturer tells the story of how the product you are interested in was created.
@@RF3seeker whatever the fuck that means
@@brokatron 🤣
@@RF3seeker 100% agree
Who would ever thought that someone can make so much motorcycle content.
Anyone's first motorbike ever shouldn't be anything bigger than 150cc. Then the second bike can be anything after they have all the riding skill.
“Ninja 250 on craigslist for $1000” where?? Cause all the used 250’s I’ve seen on Craigslist have been like 4K and I can’t understand why
blows my mind. sure, you can ask for whatever you want, but who would give you 4k for a 5 years old 250/300 when you can get a brand new 400 for 5K. makes no sense
Cameron Smith probably just supply and demand.
Covid premium prices for everything, wait or buy new
Love spending my time watching a video about Kawasaki history and specs on the 250 what a great ninja 400 video
I’m deadass less than a minute in, know nothing about this channel, and I love this guy. If this is representative at all of the content I’m all in! 😂
Thank you for the video! I appreciate and enjoyed the research you put into it. I just bought my 2020 Ninja 400 ABS and spent days researching it prior to buying it days later. I focused only on the Newest Ninja ( I wrote notes and had an excel sheet), but now you've provided me with more knowledge on the history of Ninjas I can share with others!!! Awesome information and hilarious delivery. I'm going to go ride now. I love my bike so much!
Been a month, still happy with your purchase? Going to buy a 2020 soon as well
Beginner rider here, picked up my Ninja 400 about a month ago, and I love it. This a was a good history lesson on the Ninja line! Thank you!
Many People are considering to buy this as a first bike. So he gives history about the previous models who lead to the current one. I think it's pretty good to know the history behind the vehicle and brand you're buying. He tells about the specs too.
I'm a crate builder so I test drive literally every new bike that's made minus Harley, Triumph, and Indian. That being said i'm a Yamaha enthusiast and a small CC entrepreneur since even on 300 CC bikes you can break every speed law in america quite easily. The 400 is nice, it's light agile and has more than enough pep for beginners but shifting is clunky and you have to be incredible used to it or accustomed to the way it shifts to ever find neutral without stopping. It feels generic between your legs and doesn't bolster confidence at speed the way the R3 or the CBR300R do either. I don't knock peoples interests especially when buying a vehicle where brand affiliation is a heavy influence but I can't say i'd recommend a Ninja 400 for "beginners." It's more for track day folk who want to be at the smaller CC class but want to dominate and be considered the fastest at the track with little to no investment in their bike rather than just flat out buying it. What do I know though i'm just some dude on the internet.
What do you think of the CBR500R as a beginner's bike?
Wish we got the ZX25R.
I totaly disagree that you think the Ninja 400 has a clunky gearbox. I literally never miss a gear it’s so light and clicks clearly into gear (atleast mine does). Also, if you stop and shift upwards from 1st, it literally cant go into 2nd. Im not biased at all because it’s def not a perfect street bike. Actually looking to get a naked but I think the shifting is really good for a beginner. The clutch is very light aswel.
What's a good alternative?
@@E.F.CruzZzZzZz not a bad option honestly. I'm jealous Yamaha doesn't make a 500CC it's kind of the perfect start. You won't get bored in a year and it's super light and easy to manage. Price is my only issue there but if that's not a problem I'd say it's a really good option.
I would not mind a 300 or 400 to commute on and leave the 1400cc for weekends.
They are dirt cheap in gas, insurance,and everything else.
I ride my ninja 400 every day. Almost at 7,000 miles
That’s what I’m thinking. I have a touring bike but this could be a fun gym and backroad to work bike lol
@@reillygardner273 what year is your ninja?
@@isaacd.380 2019. I also own a 94 zx9r
@@reillygardner273 Sweet!! I am gonna take my MSF in a week and I am excited about what is to come. I have practiced on a honda rebel and it is not bad but I am thinking about trying a sport bike. Would you recommend a ninja as a beginner bike?
I listened to the whole history of Kawasaki with 0-60 and quarter mile times.. and the only one left out being the 400 I came here to hear about..😂😂
I’m a beginner rider and just got my 2021 Ninja 400 ABS model and I can tell you if you’re a beginner rider trust me this bike has more then enough power to satisfy 😎
i just bought mine today :) im soooo excited.
You missed the biggest flaw in the 2018-19 model. When they introduced the slipper assist clutch they used too light of springs which causes major slipping issues.
As a current 2018 N400 owner, I'll say that it has been a great bike if you want something that's cheap to operate but still want something fun to commute or tear up some back roads. The power may not give you that feeling that you're holding on for dear life but it's plenty enough for all riding conditions. Other issues that I've seen pretty common are the clutch wearing quickly or beginning to slip. Overall, I haven't had an issue with anything yet on mine. Definitely WANT another more powerful bike for some weekend rides but I don't NEED more power. I've also previous owned a CBR 1000RR so that may be where my need for more power stems from.
Literally just got off my ninja 400.
What year? I have the 2020 KRT edition.
Great little bikes!!
How is it?
@@Jambuc829 IMHO, Ninja 400's are the perfect commuter/beginner sportbikes. It weighs the same as the R3 but makes more power and torque. The added torque and early/linear availability is really what makes it great. The slipper clutch and semi-upright seating position makes it just a darling in city riding (traffic, stop and go, etc.).
@@isaacgandalf umm what about the 300 ninja is that good for a beginner bike
I just bought a 2020 Ninja 400 last month. I'm 38 and never been on a motorcycle. The last 2 weeks I've teaching myself in my neighborhood and an empty parking lot. Easiest thing I've ever done. Maybe the bike helped me get the confidence with how light and nimble it is or I'm just a fast learner. Either way, I'd recommend it. I'm 5'11" 185 lbs. It's comfortable to me, then again, I've never ridden other motorcycles.
I’m in the same boat, same height & weight, except I’m 37 & bought a 2016 CBR300R. Dat Mid-life crisis life bruh. 👍👍
I feel I'm in the midlife crisis at 26 years old. After the postpone of these classes (September) I'm going to go to 1 then get the 400. I'm excited. I got the money for all the gear on the wishlist now gotta save for the bike
Jonathan Circle 44, never had or ridden a bike. CBR300R would be my first choice for a one and done bike to never take on a freeway (because that bike is best for urban/in-town thrills, super economical). But I think I’m gonna get the Ninja400 because there’s room to grow, it’s more gentle for learning with more linear power delivery, tons of aftermarket support, and intuitive controls compared to R3, CBR300, etc. All at a reasonable price.
Yah-Will-Do-It that’s smart budgeting. Good job on financial discipline!!
@@grumpysquid i just bought the bike (with a loan) yesterday 👍. I saved so much on gear and security also. Here's the plan:
1. Pay $500 for 4 months worth of payments for the bike
2. Use the 4 months to pay it off
Bought a ninja 400 and my first day ever riding was able to drive it home after an hour of learning. I love it so far, shoutout to you yammie for all the vids telling me how to ride!!!
It's a great bike in my opinion I reccomend strong!
Hey, I know this is a year later! Do you still have the bike? Any regrets not getting something 600cc and up?
@@chadillac171 it was a great bike for the season i had it put 4k miles on it was really good and forgiving when I got rowdy on it. My buddy rides it now (his first bike as well) and he loves it. It does start to feel weak after a season. No regrets tho! Getting a 636 soon
@@noahhouser4179 Nice! Thanks for the quick reply. Debating about buying new vs used. As I know I will drop it, but I think if I start on a 250 or 300 I will move past it fast. The 400 I am hoping will give me a little joy before moving to a 650 or 750.
@@chadillac171 if you're looking and can afford the extra price start on a 650
3 years later and this is the first video of yours I’ve viewed. That intro explaining your channel aged SO well for me - explained it perfectly. Your vision came to fruition 👏
I have a Ninja 400 since February and it’s great :) already put 2000 miles on her.
How's it keeping up?
@@waitwha4761 great! Oil changes are easy, sitting at 7000 miles now. The rear tire somehow finds every nail in the road. I’ve had to change it three times so far. Other than that no problems!
@@mrsamot4677 Sounds awesome! I'm thinking of buying one myself. Stay safe out there!
get a Y2K: all Turbo, no Busa
No busa? Sorry friend, but that's a dealbreaker
au contraire, it's like having a busa all made of turbo, a meta-busa if you will
I can guarantee with 100% certainty that 43 horsepower is enough horsepower for anyone. I rode an XS400 parallel twin Yamaha for my first bike, for 3 years. It had 28 horsepower, and actually was perfectly nice to drive. It was always really fun to drive in town and on the highway. It could go about 100mph. Parallel twin engines are so much more fun to rev than a single cylinder engine. There is no comparison. The twins actually have a top end rush, and get smoother as your rev them, because they are "self balancing" unlike single cylinder engines which require a large counterbalancer just to function. When one piston goes up, the other goes down. So as the revs increase, the engine smooths out. They still have vibes, but it's totally different than a terrible shaking single. Even when a single has a counterbalancer, it still sounds like it might blow up when you revv it up. Twins sound aggressive and good, and mean.
43 hp is enough for anyone? you must not know any real riders. 43 hp is adequate but not enough for everyone. Please do not speak for me and other riders without asking us first. It may be enough for you but far from it for a lot of real bike riders and racers. The guys at my local track love the 400 ninja but none are happy with the 43hp they are all modded to hell and want even more as it is a nice chassis and suspension package but 43hp is just a starting point to get the most out of the little ninja.
happy to say I just bought a 2023 ninja 400. I started out, yes started out with the FZR 600 in 1992. Less then a year after I bought it, it was stolen, and I haven't ridden since. So, I thought the Ninja 400 would be a great way to start riding again after 30 years. I was in the Army when my bike was stolen. 2 months before I shipped out to South Korea, so I had cancelled my insurance to be able to save up some money for my new wife and son before I left. Therefore, it wasn't covered when it was stolen. Anyway, I thought this would be a good way to start riding again. Thank you for the great videos. You helped to make a rider out of me once again.
Why do I hate your videos, but still continue to watch them?
Cos you're a bender
Jake Harvey thanks for sorting out my confusion
@@SuperKx85dude no worries pal, happens to the best of us
If Yamaha ever made a 399cc sport, The Ninja 400 and RC390 would be forgotten.
Facts
I'm hoping they do. Problem is the price. It'll cost more
I upgraded to a Ninja 400 after owning my 250 for a while. Beginner or not, the 400 is a freakin' blast in the city, in the twisties, and everything in between. I highly recommend it! I also have a video of me dropping it on my channel .. haha
Does it matter which Ninja 400 you get? Idk much about motorcycles but I currently have a 250 but want to upgrade and am not sure of if I'm quite ready for a ZX6R
I really love my ninja 250. Yes it screams and annoys the locals but it seems fast enough for me for now. Done 1500km in the 4 MO. Of riding season last fall. I can pass people no problem and great on gas though I need premium fuel. Maybe it lacks some torque going up big hills but I have done some doubling one day. The suspension isn't for two and I wouldn't recommend that.
Needed this! Planning on buying the 2020 Ninja 400
I'm going for the 2021 kawasaki ninja 400 with abs
Once I turn 21 I’m buying this baby immediately. Thanks for the funny and knowledge packed content yammie
You 21 yet lmao
21 yet?
21 yet?
Why exactly 21?
I’m actually about to buy one and this vid came just in time.
I've had one for just over a year now and i love it
I just bought one over the weekend. So much fun
I actually didn't ride it yet 😍 bought it a few days ago
Just hope your clutch doesn’t give out within 1000 miles... i’ve had 2 clutches replaced on mine..... within 3k miles....
Why buy one when you can just loot one 🤷♂️
Already purchased the Ninja 400 2021 KRT - ready to start practicing in October.
I can't wait to get mine... If my class wasn't postponed. Damn Dinkelburg!
:)
Same here in Alabama
@@sambeezy007 yeah hopefully we'll be riding soon!
I have the abs model and I love it
That damn dinkelberrrg. Love the reference XD
“Why isn’t the ninja 400 your favorite?”
Him: *BÜSÅ*
Yeah, buddy! I started on my dad's Iron 883 and, while I liked it, it wasn't really the thing for me, and I didn't really enjoy highway riding with it over 65mph. I got a squeaky clean new '20 Ninja400 and I love that thing. It maneuvers really well, comparatively, and I use it as my daily to get to and from work.
Ninja 400 living in yammies head rent free
I've experienced all the problems you mentioned on my 2014 300. The problem with the clutch being pressed and then the bike turning off can be fixed by tweaking the idle. You will idle a slightly higher rpm but at least it won't turn off in the middle of riding on the freeway lol
Yo papa noob your videos are great 👍👍🤘🤘
Love your videos papa yam
I love my 2020 Ninja 400. It’s great for getting around between work and uni.
How much you got it for bro coz I was looking to get my first bike and I was wondering which one to get the 300 or 400 kawasaki
Thank you for making videos you inspired me to get my first bike
I have a 2023 Ninja 400, its my first bike and the one thing my friend with a 2013 Ninja 300 commented on was how much better/smoother the shifting was on the 23 model. It's a fantastic machine that really feels fun because of how high you rev the engine. Awesome beginner bike. I was on the fence about starting with something bigger as I was worried I'd rapidly outgrow. But you wont outgrow this bike anytime soon. It's an absolute blast in the twisties and more than enough to land you a triple digit speeding ticket on the highway. I HIGHLY recommend buying a lightly used one though. Saves you thousands of dollars and gives you a nearly new bike.
Nvm. I feel like I’ve outgrown the bike and am currently shopping for 600s 😂
Xd i was gonna mition that 😂@@NSDG813
Me sitting in my driving school, our teacher asks us which bike we want, one dude says a ninja.
Me: 👀
Scuffles waffles I mean id you want a fz07 which you may want watching this channel your option isnt much better xd
Add an M4 Pipe and get the ECU zapped (Yes, it can be done) and the EX 400 will pull 50 HP.
Ninja 400 is my first bike. Great ride, highly recommend
lets not forget the early 80-90s ninjas were not bullet proof. They also had " ECM failures" that would cause the bike to randomly shut off after a bit. since the bike controlled electronic spark timing. as well as the gearbox issues.
Thanks for sharing this valuable information. 👍🏼👍🏼
New favorite channel
I own a 2020 Ninja400 KRT edition. It’s a little beast! And yeah it’s appearance makes people think it’s the Ninja 650. I totally recommend this bike!!
All true and well explained 👏 thanks buddy 👍
Fun fact:
Japanese Motorcycle License is divided into 4 classes which is
50 CC and Below
51 - 125 CC
126 - 400 CC
Anything beyond 400 CC
Hence the existence of
Yamaha V50, Honda Monkey
Yamaha Y125Zr, Honda Grom
Yamaha FZR400RR, Honda CBR400RR
For the first time seeing this channel and you made a subscriber 😊
I bought an elusive 2011 Ninja 400R (EX400) that wasn't sold in the US from what I can tell. Apparently otherwise it's essentially a EX650, just with smaller bore. Have loved riding it as my first bike!
Thanks for the great review! Super helpful!
got the 400 just about a year ago, just did the spiegler brake line kit. what a difference! wish i did that sooner.
I spent two months researching and mulling it over and I got the 2021 650 Ninja and I think it is the perfect bike and I have owned 72 motorcycles in my career.
I loved my 2006 ninja 250. I’m looking at the 400 now. Thanks!
I have a 2011 Honda CBR600 F as first bike, it can do everyting. Nice looks, nice sound and very nice handeling as well. I think i would grow out of the Ninja 400 much quicker.
Stay safe :D greets from the Netherlands
@@ElCoco1984 not with a full black widow system 🙃 can't even drive off without waking up the neighbours
Thank u for making this video
Yammie - "Created a new category."
VFR/RVF400 (NC**) - "are we a joke to you?" (much better, yet much older bikes)
Never mind the CBR400 and Gixer 400 etc
this is a literal “So you want” episode from Fitment Industries
And it’s perfect just for motorcycles😁
You’ll get bored of anything under a liter bike as a starter bike. I personally would go with a busa. Although you would need to make sure to turbo it so you don’t get tired of it.
Best way to get rid of my doomer life forever
I have a 2019 ninja 400 and it's a great bike. Lightweight, handles great and it's quick. Not fast but easily gets out of its own way. I've had a few false neutrals but they're few and far between. As for getting in gear issues, when it happens going into first the dash shows the -- flashing. Just keep the clutch in and rock the bike. Pops in every time
I had false neutral with my Z400 at the beginning . At 26,000 KM , I can't remember the last one . I love the little thing 😊👌
Our boy yammie is more enthusiastic on kawasakis flaws. Lol
Love your videos,
Gotta love the redundant history lessons and paid plugs to hit that sweet 10 minute mark!
So annoying, this guy sucks.
Man, if only they made cases for pixels.
Also, picked up a z400 rather than a Ninja. Very excited to start riding.
I’m gonna be looking at buying a 2020 z400 soon. Is it torquey enough down low?
Owen Monast torquey isn’t really a word I’d use to describe any small displacement P-Twin lol. Even the 650
Got a Z400 last year . 10 1/2 months after , I got 26,000 KM on it . Run perfect .
@@owenmonast9582 The engine got plenty of power starting at 4000 RPM . I usually Ride between 5000 and 7000 ( The sweet spot ! 😁)
I ride a ninja 400 2018. Just got out of my msf course too. It tends to lock up gears every blue moon, but it does happen. You just let the clutch off a bit and it'll catch it just fine.
Never saw that GPZ 250 back in the 90's.
I had an '83 GPZ 305 though while all my boys were riding MB5's & XL100's.
I own a Ninja 400 2018 model, I regretted my purchase because it felt boring to ride.
I even tried to sell it after one year.
But now, when i hop on it without any expectations, and just squeeze the shit out of it without a thought, then it's fun.
Feels like a youngster race bike on steroids.
To be honest, Kawasaki 400 was my ideal bike for years. I never have one nor sport bike riding experience. I still like this bike.
Still a proud owner of a secondhand sub 100 mile 2015 Ninja 300 SE. Got the best deal as I picked up mine a day after it hit the used showroom floor.
Smiles per gallon... Love it!
My 2018 n400 averages 56mpg city or highway with taller sprockets installed. Still love riding it. After just two years, the engine needed torn down to replace a cheap rubber o-ring that is sandwiched between the crankcase and cylinder jug. Be sure to check that front crankcase seam, right behind the exhaust extractors for coolant traces.
This is awesome 😂
I’m not here for a history lesson
Just bought a 2020 Ninja 400 ABS KRT over the weekend as my first bike. Of course I don't have the experience to say that I bought the absolute best bike in this class, but on my way home I knew that I made the right decision. Put almost 150 miles on it over 2 days, and I'm having an absolute blast. Even while trying to keep it below 6k rpm for the break-in period it's plenty fast. Of course I'm comparing this to no other bikes as well as my Subaru BRZ which is slow for a sportscar, but I'm a beginner and don't need to be going 150+ mph or pulling 10 second 1/4 miles.
😄😄😄😄 everytime i come up with an idea for a video yammie makes it. Forgot a new ninja 400 and buy a old school 90s bike 😎🤘🏍
It's fun. I'm a new rider and the 400 is perfect for fun rides and commuting. I live in 🇲🇹 Europe so bigger cc engines cannot fulfil their potential, although I've spotted a beautiful zx-10 R recently and started dreaming about the zx-6R because I can dream.
What flag is that
FACT! This was another great video!
Good stuff Yammie! I've got around 3k miles on my 400 and the only issue i have experienced occasionally is the inability to engage 1st gear from a stop. I've seen a bunch of hit or miss suggested solutions on the internet and UA-cam, but the only one I've found that remedies this 100% of the time is to just slowly let the clutch lever out until 1st gear engages, then I'm off and running. Doesn't happen often... in a year of ownership it's maybe happened 5 times. Anyway, thought I'd share this.
I’m not a bike enthusiast. I’m literally a coaster enthusiast. First of all, hi. Second of all, motorcycles are fast and stuff. They should like beauties.
I'm kind of disappointed he didn't talk about the 650 afterwards.
I'm also disappointed he didn't mention the 2018 ninja 300 (the one I bought) which solves most of these problems and they even lowered the price point (in India at least)
When papa yam reads my brain my first time viewing this video...
When I rewatch only to find out I did in fact see the SV650 everywhere after ninja 400 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
i didnt know i was in a museum
Just bought a 2000 CBR 600 f4 for my first bike. Gotta say its the damn best decision of my life 😌
I've had my 2019 Ninja 400 for about 1400 miles now - no issues so far. I'm interested in the next class up though, maybe even a Zx6r.
get that zx6r no question about it ! i got it for my first bike and man oh man !
Unless you’re doing track, I’d personally stick with a 400. It’s more than enough for the road.
I like my 400, bought mine in 2018. I use it to commute in the summer. Get about 48 mpg in city, 56+ with highway. Insurance is $40 a month. It's very easy to ride, definitely good as a beginner bike.
How old are you for that cheap of an insurance
@@najib1479 Mine is $145 a year.
fast forward to 6:45 to get to ninja 400 orrr what you came here for... and like the comment if you hate wasting time, encyclopedias, and history
My first bike is the Ninja 400 (KRT colours), been riding for 6 months now so don’t have any input to compare it to other beginner bikes but lemme tell you I’ve racked up about 3500kms on it (brand new) and I LOVE it, no problems so far!
Ahh yes the ninja 400 the one that won’t break the bank as much as other Displacements as a beginner
The ninja 400 is the best beginner bike, super Lightweight, so easy to maneuver and turn, I was so scared to ride it but I mean its soooooooo forgiving, and have a really good amount of power
Started on a Ninja 400. Can confirm, great bike overall. I will say, I certainly have hit the false neutral between 5th and 6th a fair share of times and it scares the hell out of me everytime. Other than that is is a spectacular bike and has really easy maintenance too!
i have also hit false neutral between 5th and 6th with mine
It’s the 5th in general ! Some good ol lubing usually solves it for me
False neutral? I just got a 2018 Ninja 400 as my first bike and I think I might have had this same issue. When I switched from 5 to 6 the rpms went all the way to 10000 and sounded like hell.
@@jamesremley3874 that's a false neutral.
Ben May can you go to neutral from any gear? I thought you have to go down sequential to go neutral? Sorry never ridden a motorcycle..
just bought my 2022 400 and it’s been a blast so far after about an hour of stalling it before taking off i got the hang of it and cruised around town a bit the next day. need some advice on upshifting smoothly and cornering but yea for a first bike i’d say i’m very happy with the decision so far!