This is my experience with the Kawasaki ninja zx4r so far, I hope it gets better. It shouldnt stop anyone from buying the bike, it's great. TikTok-Kamscorner5
Honestly this sounds like either rider error or adjustment error. You might want to look into properly adjusting your clutch cable and ensure the shift linkage is set up properly. If you don't have them properly dialed in, it can cause issues in shifting.
Shifting better at lower rpm then higher rpm does sound clutch related to me. Could be the clutches themself or cable adjustment. Let us know if you get it figured out
It's not a rider error, I have the same issue, the bike just wont shift, it has scared the shit out me on the highway, I was stuck at 2nd gear and it wouldn't go up. has happened to me a few times
Hi, random scroller here. First off, they shouldn't be charging you anything to look at your shifting issue, it would be covered under warranty. Also, be careful when taking mod parts on and off because even seeing evidence of it can void your warranty. Without being present, and just spit balling, it could be shift linkage or even burrs on the gears. Either way, it's not normal and a quick shifter won't fix that. Take it to the dealership and make them fix it before the warranty is up. Hope it works out.
I’m gonna assume you meant you shifted at 1200, not 12,000. 1200 is too low. Take it higher in the rev range or it’s gonna be clunky for sure. Transmissions smooth out a lot after about 2000 miles or so. Adjust the clutch cable, shift lever, lube everything up and do oil changes. Fill the oil to middle of range lines. Filling the oil to the top line makes it harder to shift.
Sad to hear that. I have a ZX4-RR and it's just almost perfect. I sometimes get "neutral-ed" when shifting from 1st to 2nd on hard acceleration (using the QS). But other than that, it's really smooth and nice.
@kamscorner9766 I have a zx4rr, it already has a quickshifter. The gear seems to get stuck, even while quickshifting, and doesn't seem to budge even when I use the clutch. Something is odd.
I have zx4r but i have added the quick shifter, i am surprised you have so many issues. My gear box has been very smooth with the only issue I get is going from 1st to 2nd, which seems to only like to be done at high revs.
@@kamscorner9766 you should look to adjust your clutch imo, my experience with dealers would not let me rule out that your bikes clutch is not fully setup causing your issues maybe ?
My bike does that to this is how harleys shift there clunky and have a heavy shifts so i guess i did not notice it till you mentioned it have had to many bikes so thats how i would compare it but its a non issue for me .
your bike should have auto up quickshifter on the single r no? for me on double rr you just hold select on right hand and down arrow for it to turn on. the FTECU one lets you add quickshift down on the single r tho but it may need to be tuned to enable the down option.
@@kamscorner9766 u can adjust at the end of the cable also ... maybe it will help fully opening the clutch.. maybe not but its would be an easy fix... that's a new bike..its shame for Kawasaki that we are having this conversation .. hahahahaha
i have a '93 Yamaha xj600.. it upshifts like it has a quick shifter.. no clutch needed, i just release the throttle and put a bit up pressure on the lever and it shifts .. just saying.. ahahahah
As far as the power goes, I'm assuming it's the same setup as the 4RR released last year. They had to seriously detune it and put a choked-out exhaust to get it to a legal sound level in the USA. If you throw a pipe on (sounds like you might have one already) and get it tuned you should see a pretty huge power bump. But at the end of the day it's a small displacement 4 cylinder, so it will probably never have the torquey pull you get from bigger bikes. Still looks fun as hell, hope you get your issues ironed out. Shifter should be a warranty fix
I spoke to a tuner and he has gotten them safely to 85 hp, with just an exhaust. It sucks that they restricted the bike so much. Stock I believe it has 58 hp on dyno
@@kamscorner9766 yeah its literally just detuned at the top end. Even on stock exhaust you'll notice at like ~14,000 RPM's it just kinda stops pulling, when realistically that should be when the bike is pulling hardest
I have a 23 4RR with 12k on it. USA version. The shifting can be clunky. All the reviewers say so but it shouldn’t be as difficult as you describe. I only use the quick shifter and honestly, you should have gotten it when you bought it. You will not gain power from the plugs getting changed. They just don’t want the bike shutting off on you while riding.
I didn’t know they made a zx4r!!?? My buddy has the ZX4RR and it was super slow…. Had all the fancy stuff on it. Maybe the single R doesn’t have the quick shifter…. Maybe that’s what’s going on.
sorry left a long list below. should give some ideas and good info............. Don't rush getting a 1000 yet, the power is great but gets boring surprisingly quickly. Persist with the 400, once fixed the present bullshit should fade into memory after some fun care free reliable miles.
I didn’t know they made a zx4r!!?? My buddy has the ZX4RR and it was super slow…. Had all the fancy stuff on it. Maybe the single R doesn’t have the quick shifter…. Maybe that’s what’s going on. Just throw a quick shifter on it. Can’t remember how much but it’s not too expensive and super easy to install
new bikes, cars come with defects its part of life when a new model. I've flashed the bike and it will not void the warranty in terms of the recalls. In your down shift issue. the spark plug will fix it.
Very true but 3 recalls and the bike was delivered in August last year, it’s a bit excessive. That’s good to know because I thought it would void the warranty and I wouldn’t be able to get the recalls fixed.
If they are charging you while under under waranty then they are dishonest. A n honest fair bike mehcanic can do a quick run around the block in ten minutes. He will be able to gauge if there is an issue as he has experience with other bikes. If your not happy find another kawasaki dealer and suggest to the shop who sold you the bike you will bill them for the inconvienience. Notify them first you are unhappy by email and that their service is not as expected.If you bought it with finance then they are by extension devaluing the bike they partly own, and they are likely if asked politely to conact the shop, same with credit card. If you have changed the angle of your gear shifter then try putting it back as new, and anything else attatched to this system no longer standard. Check where your cable attatches to the engine. You should be able to adjust the clutch lever bite point further out. Might be worth checking if the cluch cabe housing has become trapped ( it may feel rough or sluggish as it is released), or if you jetwash, the chemicles used may have corroded the inner line and damaged the inner lining. All japenese clutches tend to run smooth for years. Maybe try a forum and meet up with another 400 rider to compare. As for recalls ,do not be worried about these. all the japanese four ,and europeans do these discretely often during your bike service. This is so nervous customers do not become spooked and disheatened with their pride and joy. We did these on many, many bikes that continued to do very high milages, gsxr1000s, pan europeans ( 9 recalls in one hit!) even smaller bikes that have remained reliable. I would be surprised if kawasaki had dropped the ball, of all the manufacturers at the time they did by a considerable marging the least recalls. Least kawasaki, then Yamaha, then suzuki and most often Honda. Quite rare for one of these to make an unrelaible bike.. sorry for thesis. hope it helps. iss the 400's...they were effing hilarious
My advice, don't get the tune unless you plan on keeping the bike and doing a few more upgrades, along with taking the bike to the track! If not, you will definitely void the warranty! People (especially younger new riders ) don't know the history of Kawasaki the company and the history of smaller cc track bikes ) ..they were very popular in the 70s and 80s. This bike is essentially a replica that can go on the track & street! Not really meant to compete with the 600 & 700 middleweight class. Currently it competes with no other company, so it's more of a novelty now. That may change if the other manufacturers make 400cc bikes! In order to do do that, you have to change the sprockets, exhaust, suspension, ECU tune, and tires. If not, get a middleweight.
I go back and forth on the tune but I see where your coming from, most likely I’d do it after my warrenty period in August. I love this bike because of the in line 4, I don’t have space for multiple bikes and my car so idk if I can keep it long term but hopefully I can turn it into a track biel
Honestly this sounds like either rider error or adjustment error. You might want to look into properly adjusting your clutch cable and ensure the shift linkage is set up properly. If you don't have them properly dialed in, it can cause issues in shifting.
My buddy is going to do it for me, and I’m not the best rider but I promise it’s not me lol
Shifting better at lower rpm then higher rpm does sound clutch related to me. Could be the clutches themself or cable adjustment. Let us know if you get it figured out
It's not a rider error, I have the same issue, the bike just wont shift, it has scared the shit out me on the highway, I was stuck at 2nd gear and it wouldn't go up. has happened to me a few times
Hi, random scroller here. First off, they shouldn't be charging you anything to look at your shifting issue, it would be covered under warranty. Also, be careful when taking mod parts on and off because even seeing evidence of it can void your warranty. Without being present, and just spit balling, it could be shift linkage or even burrs on the gears. Either way, it's not normal and a quick shifter won't fix that. Take it to the dealership and make them fix it before the warranty is up. Hope it works out.
I’m assuming that’s the issue, and yea all parts will be stock when I bring it in
I’m gonna assume you meant you shifted at 1200, not 12,000. 1200 is too low. Take it higher in the rev range or it’s gonna be clunky for sure. Transmissions smooth out a lot after about 2000 miles or so. Adjust the clutch cable, shift lever, lube everything up and do oil changes. Fill the oil to middle of range lines. Filling the oil to the top line makes it harder to shift.
Yea I meant 12,000 rpm
I feel the same on my 2024 Ninja 500, I hope they sort it out after first service. All the best buddy!
Hopefully we don’t have any problems going forward
Sad to hear that. I have a ZX4-RR and it's just almost perfect. I sometimes get "neutral-ed" when shifting from 1st to 2nd on hard acceleration (using the QS). But other than that, it's really smooth and nice.
Thanks bro and I do get « neutral-ed » now since I started having issues, but thank god it’s under warranty.
that's just part of kawasakis, courtesy of the positive neutral assist
I face the same issue from 2nd to 3rd, has scared the shit out of me a few times, once the bike heats up the gear gets clunky.
Are you considering getting the quick shifter apparently it’s better, but I’m not sure if you have the R like me or the RR
@kamscorner9766 I have a zx4rr, it already has a quickshifter. The gear seems to get stuck, even while quickshifting, and doesn't seem to budge even when I use the clutch. Something is odd.
So I guess me adding the quick shift won’t fix that issue
would lemons law work? If its more than 3 repairs you should be able to just return the bike and get your money back right?
I wouldn’t want to lemon it, and I don’t think we have that in Ontario. I’m hoping after these fixes I won’t have anymore issues
I have zx4r but i have added the quick shifter, i am surprised you have so many issues. My gear box has been very smooth with the only issue I get is going from 1st to 2nd, which seems to only like to be done at high revs.
Yea first to second is an issue with everyone riding a zx4
@@kamscorner9766 you should look to adjust your clutch imo, my experience with dealers would not let me rule out that your bikes clutch is not fully setup causing your issues maybe ?
@@ironzombi a friend of mine is going to look at it , he said it could be the issue and he’s good with bikes
My bike does that to this is how harleys shift there clunky and have a heavy shifts so i guess i did not notice it till you mentioned it have had to many bikes so thats how i would compare it but its a non issue for me .
Yea apparently it’s common for Kawasaki bikes but I had no idea
your bike should have auto up quickshifter on the single r no? for me on double rr you just hold select on right hand and down arrow for it to turn on. the FTECU one lets you add quickshift down on the single r tho but it may need to be tuned to enable the down option.
I asked the dealer and they said the single doesn’t have it. It sucks not to have not I love rev matching without i, so I can’t complain
@@kamscorner9766 maybe just the canadian ones dont i guess? have you tried holding the two buttons to see if it turns anything on?
3:32
maybe the clutch needs a littne adjustment..try tightening the clutch cable
Possibly
@@kamscorner9766 u can adjust at the end of the cable also ... maybe it will help fully opening the clutch.. maybe not but its would be an easy fix... that's a new bike..its shame for Kawasaki that we are having this conversation .. hahahahaha
i have a '93 Yamaha xj600.. it upshifts like it has a quick shifter.. no clutch needed, i just release the throttle and put a bit up pressure on the lever and it shifts .. just saying.. ahahahah
As far as the power goes, I'm assuming it's the same setup as the 4RR released last year. They had to seriously detune it and put a choked-out exhaust to get it to a legal sound level in the USA. If you throw a pipe on (sounds like you might have one already) and get it tuned you should see a pretty huge power bump. But at the end of the day it's a small displacement 4 cylinder, so it will probably never have the torquey pull you get from bigger bikes. Still looks fun as hell, hope you get your issues ironed out. Shifter should be a warranty fix
I spoke to a tuner and he has gotten them safely to 85 hp, with just an exhaust. It sucks that they restricted the bike so much. Stock I believe it has 58 hp on dyno
@@kamscorner9766 yeah its literally just detuned at the top end. Even on stock exhaust you'll notice at like ~14,000 RPM's it just kinda stops pulling, when realistically that should be when the bike is pulling hardest
Yea I’m excited for the tune😁
I have a 23 4RR with 12k on it. USA version. The shifting can be clunky. All the reviewers say so but it shouldn’t be as difficult as you describe. I only use the quick shifter and honestly, you should have gotten it when you bought it. You will not gain power from the plugs getting changed. They just don’t want the bike shutting off on you while riding.
The single R doesn’t come with the quick shifter I have to add it after. I’ve heard that it’s normal which makes me feel a lot better
I didn’t know they made a zx4r!!?? My buddy has the ZX4RR and it was super slow…. Had all the fancy stuff on it. Maybe the single R doesn’t have the quick shifter…. Maybe that’s what’s going on.
Yea we don’t have the quick shifter on the R but it’s a couple grand cheaper. I also know guys with the RR and they have issues with the quick shifter
Is your bike KRT model .it will not avoid your warranty
I have the single R so no krt
I heard it doesn’t but the dealer doesn’t give me a straight answer
sorry left a long list below. should give some ideas and good info............. Don't rush getting a 1000 yet, the power is great but gets boring surprisingly quickly. Persist with the 400, once fixed the present bullshit should fade into memory after some fun care free reliable miles.
That’s what I’m hoping for, I just want a tune and I think the bike is perfect
I didn’t know they made a zx4r!!?? My buddy has the ZX4RR and it was super slow…. Had all the fancy stuff on it. Maybe the single R doesn’t have the quick shifter…. Maybe that’s what’s going on. Just throw a quick shifter on it. Can’t remember how much but it’s not too expensive and super easy to install
zx4r SE owner here from Singapore.
@@kylemadigan403twin 💪🏾
Ill probably get the quick shifter next season, but I might also get the Yamaha R9
@@kamscorner9766 when’s that come out?🤔 idk tho I rode a mt09 and wasn’t super super impressed…
new bikes, cars come with defects its part of life when a new model. I've flashed the bike and it will not void the warranty in terms of the recalls. In your down shift issue. the spark plug will fix it.
Very true but 3 recalls and the bike was delivered in August last year, it’s a bit excessive. That’s good to know because I thought it would void the warranty and I wouldn’t be able to get the recalls fixed.
Do you mind me asking what bike you have?
@@kamscorner9766 the 2023 ZX4RR
Oh ok that’s more reassuring, I plan on upgrading tires then getting the tune , I hate the stick tires
@@kamscorner9766 for the tune id go to 2WDW the tune is great almost doubles the power
Is your bike KRT model
does it look like the krt model gang?
Recalls are annoying
If they are charging you while under under waranty then they are dishonest. A n honest fair bike mehcanic can do a quick run around the block in ten minutes. He will be able to gauge if there is an issue as he has experience with other bikes. If your not happy find another kawasaki dealer and suggest to the shop who sold you the bike you will bill them for the inconvienience. Notify them first you are unhappy by email and that their service is not as expected.If you bought it with finance then they are by extension devaluing the bike they partly own, and they are likely if asked politely to conact the shop, same with credit card.
If you have changed the angle of your gear shifter then try putting it back as new, and anything else attatched to this system no longer standard. Check where your cable attatches to the engine. You should be able to adjust the clutch lever bite point further out. Might be worth checking if the cluch cabe housing has become trapped ( it may feel rough or sluggish as it is released), or if you jetwash, the chemicles used may have corroded the inner line and damaged the inner lining.
All japenese clutches tend to run smooth for years. Maybe try a forum and meet up with another 400 rider to compare.
As for recalls ,do not be worried about these. all the japanese four ,and europeans do these discretely often during your bike service. This is so nervous customers do not become spooked and disheatened with their pride and joy. We did these on many, many bikes that continued to do very high milages, gsxr1000s, pan europeans ( 9 recalls in one hit!) even smaller bikes that have remained reliable.
I would be surprised if kawasaki had dropped the ball, of all the manufacturers at the time they did by a considerable marging the least recalls. Least kawasaki, then Yamaha, then suzuki and most often Honda. Quite rare for one of these to make an unrelaible bike..
sorry for thesis. hope it helps. iss the 400's...they were effing hilarious
I think I’ll look for another shop, I love Kawi as a brand and the reliability, if I have a euro bike it would be a lot worse lol.
My advice, don't get the tune unless you plan on keeping the bike and doing a few more upgrades, along with taking the bike to the track! If not, you will definitely void the warranty! People (especially younger new riders ) don't know the history of Kawasaki the company and the history of smaller cc track bikes ) ..they were very popular in the 70s and 80s. This bike is essentially a replica that can go on the track & street! Not really meant to compete with the 600 & 700 middleweight class. Currently it competes with no other company, so it's more of a novelty now. That may change if the other manufacturers make 400cc bikes! In order to do do that, you have to change the sprockets, exhaust, suspension, ECU tune, and tires. If not, get a middleweight.
I go back and forth on the tune but I see where your coming from, most likely I’d do it after my warrenty period in August. I love this bike because of the in line 4, I don’t have space for multiple bikes and my car so idk if I can keep it long term but hopefully I can turn it into a track biel
the bike is made to be revved out and put out 80hp, us bikes are limited. why not get the full bike you paid for
@@noeserd ..and then you have to ask yourself: get a base ZX4r for $8500 or a ZX4rr that's just 9Lbs lighter and less than $2500, than a ZX6r 🤔
@@PopsRacer61 Its never about the power or speed, revving a small bike has a special place
@@noeserd ...I been riding, racing, and repairing bikes since 1985... you singin' to the choir my friend
It’s interesting hearing someone say they want more power after buying a 400cc bike. It’s basically a step up from a Honda grom
😂