[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Kawasaki has taken the covers off the all new Z400 ABS at EICMA 2018. Essentially the naked sibling of the Ninja 400, the Z will rival the KTM Duke 390 in international markets.

Z400 features similar Sugomi styling as seen in the other supernakeds in the Kawasaki range. The Sugomi design elements provide a crouching stance, low-positioned head, and upswept tail to give the Z400 motorcycle a silhouette that is instantly recognizable as a Kawasaki supernaked.

A sculpted upswept tail cowl and LED taillight design completes the sleek rear end.

The Z400 features a relatively upright riding position, wide handlebar, and a more sporty yet forward footpeg position that allow the rider to control the bike while also offering rider comfort.

The bike uses a lightweight trellis frame, and the whole machine weighs in at a light 167kg. Seat height is at 785mm, ground clearance is at 145mm and wheelbase is at 1,370 mm.

The bike features a 41mm telescopic fork upfront with a Bottom-Link Uni-Trak, gas-charged rear shock with adjustable preload. Braking duties are handled by 310 mm petal discs at the front and a 220 mm petal disc at the rear.

Z400 is powered by a 399cc, Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Parallel Twin engine producing 45ps@10000rpm and 38Nm@8000rpm. Power is transmitted through a 6 speed gearbox with the help of a slip and assist clutch.

Kawasaki is expected to launch the bike in India next year, but the pricing remains to be seen, going by the premium pricing of the N400!

[Shumi_21]

I feel pretty "Meh" about the Z400 in the Indian context.

The motorcycle itself is phenomenal as is the Ninja 400. The Z would be an even better commuter due to its lack of fairing and lesser weight. But everything else (read pricing, service and overall sales experience) is inversely proportional to how awesome Kawasaki's motorcycles are. Hence, I for one am not holding my breath for this one.

[Sheel]

I must say, it looks better than the Z-650 but going by how the Ninja 400 is priced in India, the Z-650 would score.

I just have to see how does the 40mm of wheelbase difference and 23 kilograms of weight difference play in the dynamics of motorcycle and how fast are they both. For sure the 650 would be faster but agility, nimbleness and other attributes would be something to watch out for.

[nkrishnap]

The biggest challenge for KTM would be pricing it here in India if it wants to compete with Duke 390.

Pricing of the Ninja 400 is a disaster, hope they keep this in mind when pricing the Z400.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Z400 action video -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvcNarv7DQs

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Walkaround video from EICMA 2018 -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8hgZqD9UXY

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

The biggest challenge for KTM would be pricing it here in India if it wants to compete with Duke 390.

Pricing of the Ninja 400 is a disaster, hope they keep this in mind when pricing the Z400.

You mean biggest challenge for Kawasaki?

Z400 will be absurdly priced too. Kawasaki just wont care.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

NEW Kawasaki Z400 2019 | Full Specs | Official Studio Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9vy9m8UM_A

[payeng]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

You mean biggest challenge for Kawasaki?

Z400 will be absurdly priced too. Kawasaki just wont care.

Forget Pricing, biggest challenge for Kawasaki are the insignificant sales numbers of the Z250 / Z650 as compared to the "Faired" variants i.e. the Ninja 250/300 and the Ninja 650.

Clearly not a very encouraging trend / history so far.

Looks like the Naked variant has to be priced at least Rs. 1 Lakh lesser than its "Faired" variant to entice customers.

[timuseravan]

One thing I don't understand is why are bike makers going out of their way to make pillion seat as uncomfortable as possible? I can atleast understand on sports bike but why even on normal standard/naked bikes?
The pillion seat on my D390 is bad enough but this is just ludicrous.

[deepfreak15]

Originally Posted by timuseravan

One thing I don't understand is why are bike makers going out of their way to make pillion seat as uncomfortable as possible?

2-Up riding is never comfortable for the rider let alone the pillion unless you are on a full blown cruiser. So I guess the manufacturer(s) have pillion comfort way down at the bottom of their priority list.

[timuseravan]

Originally Posted by deepfreak15

2-Up riding is never comfortable for the rider let alone the pillion unless you are on a full blown cruiser.

Maybe you just have never ridden the right bikes then.

To give my own example, Karizma and Classic 500 were no worse (or better) with pillion.
And the Classic 500 was very comfortable for pillion as well.

Originally Posted by deepfreak15

So I guess the manufacturer(s) have pillion comfort way down at the bottom of their priority list.

There is a difference between having low priority and going out of the way to make it bad.

Check out the pillion seat on this 2017 Ninja


with this early 2000s Ninja

[deepfreak15]

Originally Posted by timuseravan

Maybe you just have never ridden the right bikes then.

I should have clarified initially that comfort is highly subjective. That said, everyone has a different riding style and I like to move around a lot on turns and curves and stand on the pegs at the sight of bad roads or speed breakers. So 2-Up will never work for me unless I'm on a laid back cruiser or I have a highly skilled pillion rider(yes a pillion needs skill not to upset the COG of the bike and not to upset the aerodynamics of the bike especially on highways)
Just because a pillion seat looks broad and flat it does not mean it's comfortable. It could be too soft and so broad the pillions thighs are flayed out. So looking at the picture of a seat and calling it uncomfortable seems a bit biased but maybe with your years of riding various motorcycles you can tell (I envy that skill).
In my opinion most international street bikes (naked/faired) are designed to have fun as a rider and not for commuting 2-Up, unlike the Splendors/Passions/Karizmas that are designed with carrying a saree clad pillion in mind. But that again is my opinion and you are most welcome to disagree.
PS: The right position for the pillion on a sporty bike(You can tell with the position of the pillion pegs) is to sit up close and tight with the rider and hands on the fuel tank.

[timuseravan]

Originally Posted by deepfreak15

Just because a pillion seat looks broad and flat it does not mean it's comfortable. It could be too soft and so broad the pillions thighs are flayed out. So looking at the picture of a seat and calling it uncomfortable seems a bit biased but maybe with your years of riding various motorcycles you can tell (I envy that skill).

Nice snark but you are still not getting the point! (or are you being purposely obtuse?)

Do you really think that the tiny bit of "rexine" that passes for a seat on the 2017 model is better than than the actual seat on the early 2000s model?
If so clearly there is nothing more to be said. You are most welcome to your opinion.

[v12]

Originally Posted by timuseravan

One thing I don't understand is why are bike makers going out of their way to make pillion seat as uncomfortable as possible? I can atleast understand on sports bike but why even on normal standard/naked bikes?
The pillion seat on my D390 is bad enough but this is just ludicrous.

Agree with you Timesuseravan, compared to the motorcycle available a decade ago - the new ones have an almost non-exiating seat. Take the example of the older Ninja 650 and the ER6N to the current Ninja 650 and the Z650 and you will know what I am talking about. The seat is small plus the grabrails are as useful as a hole in a submarine. Your hands start getting numb if you hold them for a long time.

While I do agree size and comfort is each ones perspective - but the fact is that the seat size and comfort has reduced considerably. It all started with the Duke's - post which many Indian motorcycles started following suit. I hate sitting on the rear of my brother's Duke - it's really pathetic.