Bang for the buck, this bike is one of the most competitive hands down. O-60 less than 5 seconds, abs, led, large brakes, handles fantastic. We picked one up, have no complaints. It puts a smile on our face every time we ride.
quickest (and fastest) A2 motorcycle, also because real power is higher than specs, kawasaki says 45hp but this bike was tested on dyno for 46 whell HP
They most definitely "lied" about the specs to fit into certain license categories and races around the world. If you live somewhere with cold weather, I wouldn't be surprised to see over 50 WHP
I started on a 650, then stepped up to a ninja ZX6R a couple years ago. I've never owned or ridden a small cc bike outside of dirt bikes but I got one of these last month to teach my lady so she can come riding with me. Man! This little bike is SO. MUCH. FUN. It feels awesome whipping through town, banging through gears and using ALL of the bikes' power band on public streets. It's like a comfortable super moto if I had to compare it to anything. The upright seating position means excellent balance and gives you a TON of confidence when cornering. Like I said, I bought it for my girlfriend, but you'd have a hard time prying ME off the bike, I've been taking it to work in the mornings, choosing this bike over my ninja 😅 Lots of aftermarket support out there for this little bike too; just about anything you can do to increase performance on a Ninja 400 you can do to this Z bike. I've thrown a couple of parts at her already like a tail tidy m, bar mirrors, and rad guard but I have more stuff on the way like the ECU flash and velocity stacks from Norton and a SC Project full exhaust system.
I'm 6'2 @ 260lbs, and it's got plenty of power to get moving and tall enough that it's quite comfortable. Brakes and suspension are comfortable, and seating position is very comfortable. I Only 2 complaints - 1. Bike is pretty light, so wind can hit you pretty hard (be careful on the highway) and 2. Get aftermarket bar end mirrors, the stock mirrors don't work at all (at least for me, I'm pretty wide shouldered)
Thank you for the review. I have just bought one and love it. Just got back to riding after a 20 year lay off while bringing up my daughter. I feel like a novice so this bike is prfect to regain the confidence I once had. It feels like a good choice as the bike I had before stopping was the Kawasaki ZXR400 but 20 years older I appreciate the more comfortable riding position and more padding in the seat.
Thanks so much for the height comparison. I’m 5”6 and just about to get my license. I haven’t had a chance to sit on any bikes yet so this gives me great knowledge in what seat heights I should be good with.
FYI, I just bought this bike a month and is awesome. And for fellow Vancouverite (or BC) the insurance cost for me (with class 5 license and full insurance discount) was $50/mo for ICBC and $250/yr for Beancon (3rd party stuff)
Great Review of the bike! Test ridden it myself for a couple of hours and I am left with the same thoughts, its an absolutely fantastic machine! I am on the lookout for a new bike as I had to sell my old one 2 years ago and I am actually thinking about picking the Z400 up! I am 27 years old and have over 80.000km of bike riding under my belt but I am a guy who follows the speed limit and just cruise around and the Z400 will do that just fine :) It being very similar to the Ninja 400 also opens up a lot of modding compatibility right from the start as all tail tidy's, exhausts, engine covers and so on will fit.
My only complaint so far about the z400 is the seat and tank. For longer rides, I find the boys get a little squeezed against the tank, and the seat is pretty firm. My next upgrade will be the taller seat to allow more room. Besides that, the motor is alot of fun, bike ha does nicely on the twisties. Oh yeah, a taller windscreen would be better too.
I've got just over 1,300 miles on mine and it is a Great Bike I'm going to put a Leo Vince lv-10 exhaust on it in the future. Kawasaki let's the good times Roll
I have a Z400 and really like it. I knew it was a small bike/small motor. Super light to throw into corners, easy to move around the garage, load into my truck, great brakes. Maintenance is easy. Puig makes a great windscreen for this and makes higher speed runs more enjoyable. I only wish it had about 10 more horsepower. Redline is 10,000 but I never rev that high. It does have power if you keep the revs up, but I just don't like revving motors higher than needed. Guess my next bike will just have to be a little bigger. Otherwise, zero complaints.
If you had another 10hp then you’d need another 10hp later on. It’s just how it works! Hehe. Glad you’re enjoying it, I really hope they put the 400cc engine in the Versys.
The naked riding position is so much more comfortable, and to be honest, the plastic on the small sportbikes dont really do much anyway. I'd own an fz03 already if they'd give it to us. That yamaha motor is a real gem, but i dont like sportbike style on small bikes. Looks like the z400 might be what i want for a commuter. I like the Honda styling and i don't even mind the 286cc motor too much, what i mind is that they made it TINY! Im not even a big guy, but seeing someone on the cb300r looks about the same as seeing someone on a Grom. Idk, I want to be on a motorcycle not a kids toy so that rules the honda out. I miss the good old days when you had more choices from 50cc to 750cc. Now a days most manufacturers are sticking to 1000+cc bikes that cost more than brand new cars. Props to kawasaki for always having the budget bike in mind.
i have a cb300r, looks great, good handling and quality, the engine is not as strong as competitors. and yes since im 183 cm the bike looks quite small when i ride, but except legs cramped like on a super sport motorcycle i fit quite good.
I rebuilt my credit for two to three years and researched which motorcycle I was going to buy when I fixed it. I watched many UA-cam videos log many hours doing so and narrowed it down to a few motorcycles. I ended up going with the Kawasaki z400 period and I would buy it again tomorrow over all of the rest of them. Adam Leo Vince exhaust to it. Make it a beast! It'll do anything you want it to do. If you are an experienced rider don't forget that it loves the high revs. It's pretty much the way I ride it. I may not get 35 40 mi to the gallon. LOL
When I traded in my Honda pcx 150 I was going to get the Honda crf250 but then I saw the Kawasaki z400 on the show room floor and I felt the bigger engine and the fact I was going to be on road only it was a Done deal after watching a few reviews of each Bike Kawasaki let the good times Roll
I bought mine like I said five months ago. You won't be disappointed. I researched for 2 years doing it. I'm quite happy with the choice I made. And I've been riding different styles of bikes all my life
There is a radiator protector from kawasaki! Along with a lot of other accessories for protecting parts of the bike while on the road :D They also have a kawasaki windscreen as well!
I bought this bike in Australia two weeks ago. I saw the windscreen and did not go for it as it is just a protection for the Speedo and will not deflect much wind for the rider. A great accessory the I bought, on top of the radiator protection grid, is the higher seat.
Imagine If Kawasaki makes this 400 as the 900rs in retro looks , and leaves the same low seat height. Perfect competitor for the honda 300r . They would sell like hot cakes.
Yes that is what we need. If they made a classic style 300-400 id buy it right now. I personally am not crazy about the new styling. These new sportbikes tend to look good for about 2-3 years before they look cheap and outdated. Where as classic kawis from the 70s are still the coolest.
Got one new in 2019. Now at 66,150 KM and 0 problem with the little bike. The most reliable bike I ever owned in 42 years of riding. I also have a 2010 Honda VFR1200F and a 2021 Suzuki SV650X and the Z400 is the one I use the most 🙂
@@leeridefar I did not use the VFR for the past 2 years but keep it for a good reason. I am only 3 years from retirement and I am planing a nice 4 or 5 weeks bike ride to celebrate . Free at last!
Your price references are interesting, being Canada. I'm in WA state sharing a border with Canada, and yet the Z400 is one of the cheaper options here in this class. The Duke 390, BMW G310, etc. are all more expensive. The GSX250 is not 1/2 the price here - it's about the same, although regularly on-sale because it is unpopular (too heavy and underpowered). In fact, the only thing I would consider that is about the same price is the Yamaha MT03. A Honda 300 might be about the same, but I've heard get rid of the Honda before you get over 10K miles as they have a big mechanical issue at that point. So basically, the Z400 is more powerful that most options here, yet cheaper. So for now, it's my #1 and the MT03 is #2 in my comparison shopping. Strangely, some of the more expensive options in this class get almost to the price of a CB500F, which would be tied for #3 with me, with of all things the Himalayan that is also a cheap option but gives me dual sport abilities. I really like the Versys X 300 in this category, but it is almost as expensive as a CB500X ?! The Versys 300 IS the same price as a new KLR650 and I understand the KLR is available in the US but not Europe, but still - odd they are the same price. Prices in the US are just weird.
Test rode one and loved the motor. Hated the high foot pegs. I had problems finding neutral constantly....Thinking of selling my heavy VFR and getting one of these - lighter is better when you get older.
Completely agree. I had a 2004 VFR for years. Now I have a 2018 Ducati Supersport S. Lighter, faster, and better in every way. But the Z400. If they put this motor in the versys, I’m a buyer.
I am amazed that people think they fit on a motorcycle based on a reviewer telling them their height. Height has nothing to do with it. It is a person's inseam. I am 5' 8" with a 28" inseam. You can have someone that is 5' 5" with a 30" inseam and they would fit better than I would on some bikes. Almost all reviewers mention height, very few mention inseam.
Wow. That seat release is fantastic, so advanced compared to the Ninja 300's. I was in the market for a completely different bike but the Z400 has me pretty excited.
I've been Riding my z400 for about 1,300 miles since 9 months ago and it is a great Bike all it needs is a Leo Vince lv-10 exhaust and some type of storage and your good to go
I bought the 2018 Ninja 400 and I really love it. I have owned 7 bikes in 43 years up to 1000cc. I put a Yoshimura Alpha slip on it and the Baby Ninja sounds pretty spunky! I do not like the looks of the Naked 400. The Ninja is one of the best looking bikes of any class in my opinion and was one of the bikes of the year. I am 5’11 and weigh 173 and this bike is more comfortable than my 2015 Honda VFR800.
Interesting you compare it to the newer vfr! I love that bike too. It’s hard to compare the two but give me a ninja 400 in a larger size and I’d be all over that one too. Thanks for commenting!
I believe as long as you have the Cat on you do not need a re-mapping. That goes for the baffle. Now a full exhaust system I would do the proper research. All these guys want to sell power commanders and Dyno tunes, and none of it is cheap! I have a SC Project Conic Can on my VFR but no full system yet as it is under the Honda Extended Warranty. No mapping changes either. Cheers!
@@dalesharpy9197 Thanks for the info! The Yoshimura website states that the max HP and torque is achieved by running the Alpha with the sound baffle installed. I'm thinking that's because it produces very close to the same back pressure as the stock exhaust and when the baffle is removed, the back pressure is lowered but the fuel mapping remains stock. Thanks for the reply!
Good luck! I love Australia. Spent four months there over two trips. Including track days at Phillip Island and SMSP. Made videos of those too. Ride safe and don’t get caught speeding. Your speeding laws are insane.
I like the looks and comfort of the CB300R better but the engine of the z400 is substantially more powerful. You can’t go wrong with either bikes. Compromise? The CB650R 😎
Did you find that your knee hit that little sharp corner of the fairing? I'm 6'2" and love this bike, I just don't know if I'd get sick of my knee hitting a sharp edge
Nice comprehensive review. I finally got a chance to ride the bike and it's the best value on the market at the moment. Only negative for me was the forward canted slant of the seat. I I'm an experienced rider but I might add this to my garage. It's inexpensive, low weight and I can see having loads of fun wringing the neck out of the throttle.
I haven't had a bike in 20 years . Last bike was an 83 Kawasaki GPZ 750.I am considering this bike. I have sat on one but not ridden I too am concerned about the forward canted seat. I wonder if there is an after market seat that might change that slant. I looked on corbin's website and it looks like their seat too would have a slant.
I'm glad you're tall I am 6 / 3 and love this bike. How close is your right foot to the exhaust and do you think changing the seat might help a little bit for us taller guys?
The foot on the exhaust is something that will always happen unless you go aftermarket. The seat is awful for longer rides. It’s a narrow bike so narrow seat. A custom made one that’s wider would be a big improvement.
Since you campared this bike a few times with the cb300r, I'm asking your opinion on what motorcycle you'd suggest for me since I'm going to buy my first motorcycle very soon and these 2 I like the most.
Whatever you can get the better deal on or if you really want the extra power then the z400. You can’t go wrong with either of the bikes you’re choosing.
Hi I just picked up the same bike today and I too am 5’5 and almost flat foot it with just my sneakers . Will def be able to flat foot it with my riding boots . Good luck
Man I really like your videos and how you get up close with all the bikes! Between the cb 300r and this one, which would you choose for your first bike? Im planning to purchase my first one in January and I’d appreciate your input. Thanks
Lee RideFar thanks a lot for the reply! Officially subscribed. That totally makes sense...I’m very torn between both so I’ll go with the best deal. Last question: How does the CBR do at ~80mph?
You’ll be near the redline but it’s just fine to ride there for long periods of time. It is a naked bike so expect to be beaten by the wind. If they have a small windscreen available for it. Buy it.
If you can find a used one with less than 5,000 miles or kilometres. But that one. It’ll have the first service done already. Then it’s gas, insurance and goooooo. But check and see what a new one costs ‘out the door’. Some winter deals are good too.
@Jun Wan. This is the best first bike out there right now. Lots of room to grow as well so don’t get rid of it quickly. Take it to the track and work with the safety riders. You’ll learn a lot, easily.
@@leeridefar Thank you! I'm an experienced rider but getting old. I am seriously considering a Z400. Lightweight bikes handle great, don't need gobs of power to be quick and are tons of fun! Again, excellent review. You kept things on point with very relevant information. Thumbs up!
I seen your cbr300 video then I went looking for prices on them .. cbr300 cost more than any 2 Kawasaki 400’s !!!..... By $300 bucks with less cc’s WTH
I agree but this style is getting tired. Something new would look good. If not round then what the KTM 390 Duke has on it. Something Kawasaki hasn’t done yet.
Lee RideFar basically every damn Japanese manufacturer didn’t done anything about this manga style design. At least the 650 looks nice and the headlight its a more roundish were on the 400 is more similar to the z900. Same goes with there firing intervals on the engine, on yamaha woke up for a second and made a nice sounding parallel twin , I’m referring to the mt07.
I didn’t ride it in the video. Making good video while riding is tough. There are much more people doing that than me. I’ll keep it up close and personal for now.
We’re the minority of riders. Tall guys on sport bikes. Most tall guys tend to go cruiser or adventure. I am sure more would ride upright sport bikes if they made them bigger but I’m not sure the numbers would justify it. I would love to put this engine in the versys 300 (or 650) and get a full suspension kit installed too. That’s my current dream project.
Sports bikes are meant to go fast, not accommodate tall frames. Especially on a bike that would be considered a beginner bike. Try a Yamaha Mt-07 or something, there is bound to be something that works for you. Your comment also reeks of ignorance, average height in Japan is 5'7 and Amercia it is 5'9... Not that huge of a difference btw this coming from a fellow American. 😘
@@solar8600 Have some respect yourself. Lead by example, smelly person. "...not accommodate tall frames." Really? How about the Vmax, the Hayabusa, the ZX-14R, the xDiavel, older machines like the CBR1100XX, ZX-11, GPz1100, ZZR1200, and more? These are all large sportsbikes that can do anywhere from 150 to 200 mph. It seems fast to me.
@@exothermal.sprocket Bro you called me a smelly person, than said lead by example... Hypocrisy at its finest. Also I agree that there are a ton of sports bikes that do accommodate large frames, but that is not what they are built to do. They are built to go fast and many have the side affect of going fast. Smelly person.
I agree. I hate this shape of headlight. Here is why motorcycle manufacturers use them so much. The Asian market loves it. Their numbers are far greater than North America so we have to live with it.
I appreciate seeing how riders with different heights fit on the bike.
yes that's very important not all are tall
Agreed it’s a really important thing for people that can’t go to the dealer and sit on the bikes
Bang for the buck, this bike is one of the most competitive hands down. O-60 less than 5 seconds, abs, led, large brakes, handles fantastic. We picked one up, have no complaints. It puts a smile on our face every time we ride.
quickest (and fastest) A2 motorcycle, also because real power is higher than specs, kawasaki says 45hp but this bike was tested on dyno for 46 whell HP
They most definitely "lied" about the specs to fit into certain license categories and races around the world. If you live somewhere with cold weather, I wouldn't be surprised to see over 50 WHP
I started on a 650, then stepped up to a ninja ZX6R a couple years ago. I've never owned or ridden a small cc bike outside of dirt bikes but I got one of these last month to teach my lady so she can come riding with me. Man! This little bike is SO. MUCH. FUN. It feels awesome whipping through town, banging through gears and using ALL of the bikes' power band on public streets. It's like a comfortable super moto if I had to compare it to anything. The upright seating position means excellent balance and gives you a TON of confidence when cornering. Like I said, I bought it for my girlfriend, but you'd have a hard time prying ME off the bike, I've been taking it to work in the mornings, choosing this bike over my ninja 😅
Lots of aftermarket support out there for this little bike too; just about anything you can do to increase performance on a Ninja 400 you can do to this Z bike. I've thrown a couple of parts at her already like a tail tidy m, bar mirrors, and rad guard but I have more stuff on the way like the ECU flash and velocity stacks from Norton and a SC Project full exhaust system.
I wish all reviewer‘s would put different models on the bike with a Sideview. Excellent technique!
I'm 6'2 @ 260lbs, and it's got plenty of power to get moving and tall enough that it's quite comfortable. Brakes and suspension are comfortable, and seating position is very comfortable. I
Only 2 complaints - 1. Bike is pretty light, so wind can hit you pretty hard (be careful on the highway) and 2. Get aftermarket bar end mirrors, the stock mirrors don't work at all (at least for me, I'm pretty wide shouldered)
I have been interested in the Z400. Your review was the only one that showed under the seat and up close on the motor. Great review.
That’s exactly why I do that. Most reviews don’t get close enough.
i'm 5'3 and been looking for my first bike that fits me. thanks for the height reference.
Thank you for the review. I have just bought one and love it. Just got back to riding after a 20 year lay off while bringing up my daughter. I feel like a novice so this bike is prfect to regain the confidence I once had. It feels like a good choice as the bike I had before stopping was the Kawasaki ZXR400 but 20 years older I appreciate the more comfortable riding position and more padding in the seat.
Great to see comparison of different sized riders. As a 5'3"returning rider this was most helpful.
Thanks so much for the height comparison. I’m 5”6 and just about to get my license. I haven’t had a chance to sit on any bikes yet so this gives me great knowledge in what seat heights I should be good with.
Finally a comprehensive review from a decent guy on this bike...thank you brother.
FYI, I just bought this bike a month and is awesome. And for fellow Vancouverite (or BC) the insurance cost for me (with class 5 license and full insurance discount) was $50/mo for ICBC and $250/yr for Beancon (3rd party stuff)
I just picked up a white 2019. I still love it. And yes super cheap to insure!
Finally a reviewer with heiht comparison kuddos
Serious review, great comments, balanced opinion, simple edit. No comedy, tons of useful informations. Keep up oh canada
thanks for showing the ergonomics aspect of the bike!
If anyway is wondering I’m in my late 30’s and with a clean driving record it’s $220US per years to insure with full coverage through Allstate.
That’s a great deal. 1/4 the cost to insure a z400 in Canada.
Thank you for this! I'm 5'2 i appreciate the seat test
I just got this(2019) last week with only 200 miles on the clock ⏰!!!! I scored!
Total score!
Great Review of the bike! Test ridden it myself for a couple of hours and I am left with the same thoughts, its an absolutely fantastic machine! I am on the lookout for a new bike as I had to sell my old one 2 years ago and I am actually thinking about picking the Z400 up! I am 27 years old and have over 80.000km of bike riding under my belt but I am a guy who follows the speed limit and just cruise around and the Z400 will do that just fine :) It being very similar to the Ninja 400 also opens up a lot of modding compatibility right from the start as all tail tidy's, exhausts, engine covers and so on will fit.
If they put this engine in the Versys I am a buyer!
@@leeridefar That would be awesome! The low down torque of the 400 would be super nice in a Versys, lets hope that 2020 brings a Versys 400 :)
My only complaint so far about the z400 is the seat and tank. For longer rides, I find the boys get a little squeezed against the tank, and the seat is pretty firm. My next upgrade will be the taller seat to allow more room. Besides that, the motor is alot of fun, bike ha does nicely on the twisties. Oh yeah, a taller windscreen would be better too.
I've got just over 1,300 miles on mine and it is a Great Bike I'm going to put a Leo Vince lv-10 exhaust on it in the future. Kawasaki let's the good times Roll
I have a Z400 and really like it. I knew it was a small bike/small motor. Super light to throw into corners, easy to move around the garage, load into my truck, great brakes. Maintenance is easy. Puig makes a great windscreen for this and makes higher speed runs more enjoyable. I only wish it had about 10 more horsepower. Redline is 10,000 but I never rev that high. It does have power if you keep the revs up, but I just don't like revving motors higher than needed. Guess my next bike will just have to be a little bigger. Otherwise, zero complaints.
If you had another 10hp then you’d need another 10hp later on. It’s just how it works! Hehe. Glad you’re enjoying it, I really hope they put the 400cc engine in the Versys.
@@leeridefar "If you had another 10hp then you’d need another 10hp..." Truest words written. :)
The naked riding position is so much more comfortable, and to be honest, the plastic on the small sportbikes dont really do much anyway. I'd own an fz03 already if they'd give it to us. That yamaha motor is a real gem, but i dont like sportbike style on small bikes. Looks like the z400 might be what i want for a commuter. I like the Honda styling and i don't even mind the 286cc motor too much, what i mind is that they made it TINY! Im not even a big guy, but seeing someone on the cb300r looks about the same as seeing someone on a Grom. Idk, I want to be on a motorcycle not a kids toy so that rules the honda out. I miss the good old days when you had more choices from 50cc to 750cc. Now a days most manufacturers are sticking to 1000+cc bikes that cost more than brand new cars. Props to kawasaki for always having the budget bike in mind.
Yamaha is always late to trends of the MC world.
i have a cb300r, looks great, good handling and quality, the engine is not as strong as competitors.
and yes since im 183 cm the bike looks quite small when i ride, but except legs cramped like on a super sport motorcycle i fit quite good.
I rebuilt my credit for two to three years and researched which motorcycle I was going to buy when I fixed it. I watched many UA-cam videos log many hours doing so and narrowed it down to a few motorcycles. I ended up going with the Kawasaki z400 period and I would buy it again tomorrow over all of the rest of them. Adam Leo Vince exhaust to it. Make it a beast! It'll do anything you want it to do. If you are an experienced rider don't forget that it loves the high revs. It's pretty much the way I ride it. I may not get 35 40 mi to the gallon. LOL
LEE, Thank you for the great review. This is one that I have been looking at along with the MT 03 and The Rebel 500.
When I traded in my Honda pcx 150 I was going to get the Honda crf250 but then I saw the Kawasaki z400 on the show room floor and I felt the bigger engine and the fact I was going to be on road only it was a Done deal after watching a few reviews of each Bike Kawasaki let the good times Roll
Thanks for the detailed review. Throughly enjoyed every bit. Keep it up. Also I am leaning towards buying the bike this week.
You will not be disappointed! The only thing that could be better would the Honda cb650R but cost and insurance would be more.
I bought mine like I said five months ago. You won't be disappointed. I researched for 2 years doing it. I'm quite happy with the choice I made. And I've been riding different styles of bikes all my life
That bike looks good. Courteney is a good rider, she was awesome on our road ride. Lee your a great teacher.
Thanks Travis! I hope the warm nice weather returns quickly for us. Hope you’re well and maybe even riding on those rare nice days we get right now.
There is a radiator protector from kawasaki! Along with a lot of other accessories for protecting parts of the bike while on the road :D They also have a kawasaki windscreen as well!
do you have that windscreen? I'm wondering how good it is... pretty sure the one I saw said it's a meter cover
I bought this bike in Australia two weeks ago. I saw the windscreen and did not go for it as it is just a protection for the Speedo and will not deflect much wind for the rider.
A great accessory the I bought, on top of the radiator protection grid, is the higher seat.
I love everything about it but the headlight
Yes. It is an old style that needs an update.
Imagine If Kawasaki makes this 400 as the 900rs in retro looks , and leaves the same low seat height. Perfect competitor for the honda 300r . They would sell like hot cakes.
Agreed!
Yes that is what we need. If they made a classic style 300-400 id buy it right now. I personally am not crazy about the new styling. These new sportbikes tend to look good for about 2-3 years before they look cheap and outdated. Where as classic kawis from the 70s are still the coolest.
I'm 5'-9" and it fits me great Flat foot with bent knees
Got one new in 2019.
Now at 66,150 KM and 0 problem with the little bike.
The most reliable bike I ever owned in 42 years of riding.
I also have a 2010 Honda VFR1200F and a 2021 Suzuki SV650X and the Z400 is the one I use the most 🙂
That is a nice trio of bikes you have there. You have it all figured out!
@@leeridefar I did not use the VFR for the past 2 years but keep it for a good reason.
I am only 3 years from retirement and I am planing a nice 4 or 5 weeks bike ride to celebrate .
Free at last!
Your price references are interesting, being Canada. I'm in WA state sharing a border with Canada, and yet the Z400 is one of the cheaper options here in this class. The Duke 390, BMW G310, etc. are all more expensive. The GSX250 is not 1/2 the price here - it's about the same, although regularly on-sale because it is unpopular (too heavy and underpowered). In fact, the only thing I would consider that is about the same price is the Yamaha MT03. A Honda 300 might be about the same, but I've heard get rid of the Honda before you get over 10K miles as they have a big mechanical issue at that point. So basically, the Z400 is more powerful that most options here, yet cheaper. So for now, it's my #1 and the MT03 is #2 in my comparison shopping. Strangely, some of the more expensive options in this class get almost to the price of a CB500F, which would be tied for #3 with me, with of all things the Himalayan that is also a cheap option but gives me dual sport abilities. I really like the Versys X 300 in this category, but it is almost as expensive as a CB500X ?! The Versys 300 IS the same price as a new KLR650 and I understand the KLR is available in the US but not Europe, but still - odd they are the same price. Prices in the US are just weird.
This is a good summary to show that it can easily become a gong show buying a motorcycle. Which ever is the most reliable and cheapest, go for it.
Perfect for me im 5'10 just saving 💰💰 for this bike
very good review .. have one and a very good machine and comfortable to ride
Nice bike.. hello bikers from Malaysia 🇲🇾
Great video, thanks!
Test rode one and loved the motor. Hated the high foot pegs. I had problems finding neutral constantly....Thinking of selling my heavy VFR and getting one of these - lighter is better when you get older.
Completely agree. I had a 2004 VFR for years. Now I have a 2018 Ducati Supersport S. Lighter, faster, and better in every way. But the Z400. If they put this motor in the versys, I’m a buyer.
@@leeridefar YES - the Versys 300 chassis would be perfect!
I have no issues finding neutral on Z400. It has a positive neutral finder. Maybe you need to have it checked.
You have to go down to 1st gear then stop and then shift into neutral finds it every time
Could you relocate the foot pegs?
I am amazed that people think they fit on a motorcycle based on a reviewer telling them their height. Height has nothing to do with it. It is a person's inseam. I am 5' 8" with a 28" inseam. You can have someone that is 5' 5" with a 30" inseam and they would fit better than I would on some bikes. Almost all reviewers mention height, very few mention inseam.
You are absolutely right
Nice review man, I'm surprised u measured in kilometers!!
I’m up here in Canada but I should do both measurements. Next video for sure.
This bike is so comfortable and sporty What ! How is that possible? Ask Kawasaki
great review 💯
Wow. That seat release is fantastic, so advanced compared to the Ninja 300's. I was in the market for a completely different bike but the Z400 has me pretty excited.
It’s nice little touches that make this great bike, fantastic.
I've been Riding my z400 for about 1,300 miles since 9 months ago and it is a great Bike all it needs is a Leo Vince lv-10 exhaust and some type of storage and your good to go
Nice review. I really like the red Z400s. Great review!
Great bike .. seating height is perfect all motorcycle should have similar seating height to accommodate short rider
Good review. I think I’ll get one of these and throw on a windscreen and top box.
For commuting it would be perfect
I bought the 2018 Ninja 400 and I really love it. I have owned 7 bikes in 43 years up to 1000cc. I put a Yoshimura Alpha slip on it and the Baby Ninja sounds pretty spunky!
I do not like the looks of the Naked 400. The Ninja is one of the best looking bikes of any class in my opinion and was one of the bikes of the year.
I am 5’11 and weigh 173 and this bike is more comfortable than my 2015 Honda VFR800.
Interesting you compare it to the newer vfr! I love that bike too. It’s hard to compare the two but give me a ninja 400 in a larger size and I’d be all over that one too.
Thanks for commenting!
Dale, Are you running the Yoshi Alpha with the sound baffle installed? If not did you have to remap the fueling?
I believe as long as you have the Cat on you do not need a re-mapping. That goes for the baffle. Now a full exhaust system I would do the proper research. All these guys want to sell power commanders and Dyno tunes, and none of it is cheap!
I have a SC Project Conic Can on my VFR but no full system yet as it is under the Honda Extended Warranty. No mapping changes either.
Cheers!
@@dalesharpy9197 Thanks for the info! The Yoshimura website states that the max HP and torque is achieved by running the Alpha with the sound baffle installed. I'm thinking that's because it produces very close to the same back pressure as the stock exhaust and when the baffle is removed, the back pressure is lowered but the fuel mapping remains stock. Thanks for the reply!
Price is a little more on the US then you quoted
Great review, very detailed! Thank you, subscribed.
Nice video mate. Good channel I’m trying to do the same in Sydney Australia. I just subscribed keep it going. 🙏🙏👌
Good luck! I love Australia. Spent four months there over two trips. Including track days at Phillip Island and SMSP. Made videos of those too. Ride safe and don’t get caught speeding. Your speeding laws are insane.
Great vid, would love your take and comparo with cb300r. Thanks for sharing.
I like the looks and comfort of the CB300R better but the engine of the z400 is substantially more powerful. You can’t go wrong with either bikes. Compromise? The CB650R 😎
Did you find that your knee hit that little sharp corner of the fairing? I'm 6'2" and love this bike, I just don't know if I'd get sick of my knee hitting a sharp edge
Yes I know what you’re taking about. I don’t find it to be a problem when I ride. Especially leather motorcycle pants.
Thanks for canadian review.
How does the torque and power feels like, in lower revs? Can one drift this z400 in 1 ,2 gear? Tnx
No idea about drifting but I’m sure if you get a crappy old tire and over inflate it, it’ll drift
@@leeridefar thanks
Nice review sir.. How about the throttle response in all rev range? Is it accurate and smooth?
Nice comprehensive review. I finally got a chance to ride the bike and it's the best value on the market at the moment. Only negative for me was the forward canted slant of the seat. I
I'm an experienced rider but I might add this to my garage. It's inexpensive, low weight and I can see having loads of fun wringing the neck out of the throttle.
I haven't had a bike in 20 years . Last bike was an 83 Kawasaki GPZ 750.I am considering this bike. I have sat on one but not ridden I too am concerned about the forward canted seat. I wonder if there is an after market seat that might change that slant. I looked on corbin's website and it looks like their seat too would have a slant.
I'm glad you're tall I am 6 / 3 and love this bike. How close is your right foot to the exhaust and do you think changing the seat might help a little bit for us taller guys?
The foot on the exhaust is something that will always happen unless you go aftermarket.
The seat is awful for longer rides. It’s a narrow bike so narrow seat. A custom made one that’s wider would be a big improvement.
@@leeridefar thank you for the info it's greatly appreciated
Since you campared this bike a few times with the cb300r, I'm asking your opinion on what motorcycle you'd suggest for me since I'm going to buy my first motorcycle very soon and these 2 I like the most.
Whatever you can get the better deal on or if you really want the extra power then the z400. You can’t go wrong with either of the bikes you’re choosing.
Im 5'5 sir..is it okay and comfortable to me what do you think?.thanks for your vlog
Yes. The women in the video is shorter than you and she rides a z400
Hi I just picked up the same bike today and I too am 5’5 and almost flat foot it with just my sneakers . Will def be able to flat foot it with my riding boots . Good luck
Man I really like your videos and how you get up close with all the bikes! Between the cb 300r and this one, which would you choose for your first bike? Im planning to purchase my first one in January and I’d appreciate your input. Thanks
Tough call. The z400 will have most power but I love the looks the CB300R a lot better. Whatever you can get the best deal on and go for it.
Lee RideFar thanks a lot for the reply! Officially subscribed. That totally makes sense...I’m very torn between both so I’ll go with the best deal. Last question: How does the CBR do at ~80mph?
You’ll be near the redline but it’s just fine to ride there for long periods of time. It is a naked bike so expect to be beaten by the wind. If they have a small windscreen available for it. Buy it.
Would u recommend me to buy it new or used? Im a new rider and i want to buy the z400 as my first bike.
If you can find a used one with less than 5,000 miles or kilometres. But that one. It’ll have the first service done already. Then it’s gas, insurance and goooooo.
But check and see what a new one costs ‘out the door’. Some winter deals are good too.
Would you reccomend this bike, my local dealer has a deal for 3,399 US.
That’s a great deal. Do it. Dollar for dollar that’s great value with performance.
@@leeridefar Thanks, it's my first bike and I'm trying to get as much info as I can.
@Jun Wan. This is the best first bike out there right now. Lots of room to grow as well so don’t get rid of it quickly. Take it to the track and work with the safety riders. You’ll learn a lot, easily.
I paid $4,500 plus tax & fees $4,800 out the door for mine in Ashland, Kentucky
Yes, grab it ...mine is a 2019 z400
Hello
What did you do to address clutch slipping issue??
Lee RideFar: Excellent review! You said you were 6'2" but what is your inseam measurement?
32cm
@@leeridefar Thank you! I'm an experienced rider but getting old. I am seriously considering a Z400. Lightweight bikes handle great, don't need gobs of power to be quick and are tons of fun! Again, excellent review. You kept things on point with very relevant information. Thumbs up!
@Redrum I got a little laugh out of that too.
The lack of fairings makes the z 400 have much more difficulty accelerating than ninja 400?
Not at all. Aerodynamics of fairings really
Only matter past much higher speeds
My z400 gets up and Moves no problem
Great video. Balanced, clever, respectful, none of that petrol head BS. Thank you.
That’s my goal. Thanks for the compliment Jerome.
Hope they launch z400 in aisa India
Im 5'8 if i want somebody around the height of 5'5 to be in the back seat would it be comfortable?
Yes it would be fine.
Big guys on little bikes.
Looks hilarious.
How does it look like when a friend behind ?. I like long trips with somebody behind, so can you tell me that ?. Thanks so much for replying 💓
If the rider is small and the friend is small it will be good. Still lots of power for two people.
@@leeridefar thank you
I seen your cbr300 video then I went looking for prices on them ..
cbr300 cost more than any 2 Kawasaki 400’s !!!..... By $300 bucks with less cc’s WTH
is this a good beginner's bike?
A great beginners bike with room to grow. It is still pretty fast too so careful with your speed.
Linda máquina 👏👏👏🏍️🏍️🏍️
Rider size
I’m 189cm
Is that a 5-speed one down 4 up
1 down 5 up. 6 gear.
@@leeridefar awesome. I got a 125 z Pro can't wait to get my 400
Ride a EX500/500 Ninja then compare old to new bikes
No seat pad whatsoever/slipper clutch! We're not all gay boys!
I have. The difference is incredible in what is really a short amount of time. Night and day.
Well it's not a retro bike so why would they design it like one. A round headlight would look stupid on this. Just doesn't go.
I agree but this style is getting tired. Something new would look good. If not round then what the KTM 390 Duke has on it. Something Kawasaki hasn’t done yet.
Lee RideFar basically every damn Japanese manufacturer didn’t done anything about this manga style design. At least the 650 looks nice and the headlight its a more roundish were on the 400 is more similar to the z900. Same goes with there firing intervals on the engine, on yamaha woke up for a second and made a nice sounding parallel twin , I’m referring to the mt07.
You know what? Do better for 4600 bucks new. Then talk. I'm gonna park this right next to 85 600r and enjoy
But but but you didnt ride it? Waaa? (damn happy i skipped to the end ;-)
I didn’t ride it in the video. Making good video while riding is tough. There are much more people doing that than me. I’ll keep it up close and personal for now.
Be nice if the Japanese understood how big Americans are. The older one gets, the more the knees will feel the fold. I'm also 6-2.
We’re the minority of riders. Tall guys on sport bikes. Most tall guys tend to go cruiser or adventure. I am sure more would ride upright sport bikes if they made them bigger but I’m not sure the numbers would justify it. I would love to put this engine in the versys 300 (or 650) and get a full suspension kit installed too. That’s my current dream project.
Sports bikes are meant to go fast, not accommodate tall frames. Especially on a bike that would be considered a beginner bike. Try a Yamaha Mt-07 or something, there is bound to be something that works for you.
Your comment also reeks of ignorance, average height in Japan is 5'7 and Amercia it is 5'9... Not that huge of a difference btw this coming from a fellow American. 😘
@@solar8600 Have some respect yourself. Lead by example, smelly person.
"...not accommodate tall frames." Really? How about the Vmax, the Hayabusa, the ZX-14R, the xDiavel, older machines like the CBR1100XX, ZX-11, GPz1100, ZZR1200, and more? These are all large sportsbikes that can do anywhere from 150 to 200 mph. It seems fast to me.
@@exothermal.sprocket Bro you called me a smelly person, than said lead by example... Hypocrisy at its finest. Also I agree that there are a ton of sports bikes that do accommodate large frames, but that is not what they are built to do. They are built to go fast and many have the side affect of going fast. Smelly person.
@@solar8600 "Your comment also reeks of ignorance"
top speed 190 km/hr? no way
It will take awhile to get there but I did 190kmh on the track and the end of the straight.
@@leeridefar Ah okey, I was thinking more of 170 km/hr for top speed but glad to know it can go faster, Im about to buy a 2019 pre owned
You won’t regret it! It’ll be faster than most cars (0-60kmh in 5 seconds). Enjoy how easy it is to ride and respect the power. Ride safe.
Can it take 2up 410lb?
That would be near max weight for it. It’s possible.
Robots in disguise
This bike is nice, but this guy is too bias toward the bike
Because it is a damn good bike
Bike headlights are ugly. Everything else is perfect naked. It's styling is the worst part
I agree. I hate this shape of headlight. Here is why motorcycle manufacturers use them so much. The Asian market loves it. Their numbers are far greater than North America so we have to live with it.