Kawasaki introduces 2 new 400s at the Bangkok motor show.

[roo860]

Double post

Edited March 23, 2023 by roo860

[digbeth]

Apart from the engine sounds, I doubt I'll be able to appreciate or enjoy the difference the 4cylinder 400 over the less expensive 650, definitely not on the roads of Thailand

[OneMoreFarang]

4 minutes ago, digbeth said:

Apart from the engine sounds, I doubt I'll be able to appreciate or enjoy the difference the 4cylinder 400 over the less expensive 650, definitely not on the roads of Thailand

This little screamer has to be ridden in high RPM all the time because at lower RPM it has no power.

And that feels very different from riding a bike with similar power at lower RPM.

It's a different style of riding. It's up to the rider and maybe their mood at that day, which they prefer.

With my VFR400 it was "necessary" to ride always >= 6000 RPM to have some power. It was similar to 2-stroke bikes in the power delivery. 

[eisfeld]

2 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And that feels very different from riding a bike with similar power at lower RPM.

Yup but I bet most people would prefer the high torque variant over the high revving one. I'd appreciate the bike for what it is and surely would have fun riding it on the odd weekend. But I wouldn't want it as a daily.

[Issanman]

15 hours ago, sniggie said:

I don't like seeing Kawasaki and 400 in the same sentence. For a moment I think that they are bringing back the KH. Then I come to my senses.

My brother on his KH400

 

[Damrongsak]

10 hours ago, eisfeld said:

320k THB is not cheap but 40k for green color? <deleted>? ... 

--------------------------------------------------------------

That's for the higher-grade Ninja ZX-4R SE which includes dual-direction Kawasaki Quick Shifter, USB outlet (ZX-4R SE only), and front fork with adjustable spring preload. Not sure if the traction control and riding modes are included in both models.

[Henryford]

I had a Kawasaki inline 4 400 cc bike back in 1983. Love the small 4s

[In the jungle]

13 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Lot of weight for a small bike always Kawasaki's kinda not care thing but nice Kawasaki red line sound I would like though. ????

It's heavier than my NC30 and that is thirty years old and used to be criticised back in the day for being a bit porky.

 

75 bhp does compensate though if that figure is genuine.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, In the jungle said:

It's heavier than my NC30 and that is thirty years old and used to be criticised back in the day for being a bit porky.

 

75 bhp does compensate though if that figure is genuine.

The NC30 had about 60HP, 30 years later they should be able to produce 25% more power. 

[In the jungle]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

The NC30 had about 60HP, 30 years later they should be able to produce 25% more power. 

I agree.

[Kwasaki]

2 hours ago, In the jungle said:

It's heavier than my NC30 and that is thirty years old and used to be criticised back in the day for being a bit porky.

 

75 bhp does compensate though if that figure is genuine.

I talk in terms of the iconic NC30 in the same way about my Blade the words from a top engineer unlike bikes of today it doesn't have anything on it other than what 's needed a true riders bike. 

[In the jungle]

7 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

I talk in terms of the iconic NC30 in the same way about my Blade the words from a top engineer unlike bikes of today it doesn't have anything on it other than what 's needed a true riders bike. 

I love mine.

 

The only things that are a pain are doing a carb strip and clean because it is a pig trying to refit them into the inlet rubbers given that it is a 90 degree V engine.

 

Shimming the valves are also a pain if you drop a shim down the cam gear tunnel and it ends up in the sump.  Don't ask me how I know that!

[Kwasaki]

14 minutes ago, In the jungle said:

I love mine.

 

The only things that are a pain are doing a carb strip and clean because it is a pig trying to refit them into the inlet rubbers given that it is a 90 degree V engine.

 

Shimming the valves are also a pain if you drop a shim down the cam gear tunnel and it ends up in the sump.  Don't ask me how I know that!

Magnet to add to toolbox. ????????

 

Yes the V is very complex one of the reasons they went in-line 4 for most road bikes.

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Instead of starting a new thread, maybe some riders here have experience with maintenance cost of new sport bikes in Thailand.

 

When I had my VFR400, from about 2003 for maybe 10 years, I had a Thai shop/technician who was specialized on that bike. When I visited him, I paid mostly maybe 2000B for one "visit".

At some stage I thought about buying a 600cc bike from him and he told me spare part would be a lot more expensive for that bike.

 

Now if I would buy the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R new from Kawasaki, what kind of cost should I expect for service? And how are costs for minor repairs like if the bike would fall down and maybe a mirror and some plastic is damaged? 

I am interested in cost for original Kawasaki service and parts, not some street corner shop.

 

Any experience or cost compared to other bikes? 

[London Lowf]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

The NC30 had about 60HP, 30 years later they should be able to produce 25% more power. 

Yes, but all of those 400s (and the 250 2-strokes) at the end of the last century were resticted by the Japanese licencing laws in both power and top speed - they all had 60bhp and a 180kph ceiling. The top speed was generally an easy work around on the speedometer but the power restriction was because of the specification of the cams, ignition, fuelling etc. and not, as many thought at the time, a crude restrictor plate. I had my RVF rejetted and set up on a rolling road and it only got up to 65bhp IIRC but I think that there were cams etc. available for those that raced them.

 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, London Lowf said:

Yes, but all of those 400s (and the 250 2-strokes) at the end of the last century were resticted by the Japanese licencing laws in both power and top speed - they all had 60bhp and a 180kph ceiling. The top speed was generally an easy work around on the speedometer but the power restriction was because of the specification of the cams, ignition, fuelling etc. and not, as many thought at the time, a crude restrictor plate. I had my RVF rejetted and set up on a rolling road and it only got up to 65bhp IIRC but I think that there were cams etc. available for those that raced them.

 

Personally I was happy with stock power of under 60HP for the NC30. I never had the feeling that that thing didn't have enough power. But then, I never rode regularly a bike with a lot more power, so I don't know if more power would be (a lot) more fun.

[eisfeld]

8 hours ago, Damrongsak said:

--------------------------------------------------------------

That's for the higher-grade Ninja ZX-4R SE which includes dual-direction Kawasaki Quick Shifter, USB outlet (ZX-4R SE only), and front fork with adjustable spring preload. Not sure if the traction control and riding modes are included in both models.

Thanks for the clarification, the page made it look like it's just for the color. Seems like the base model has the riding modes and traction control. The SE gets the quickshifter and preload adjustment for forks. I'd definitely would want the QS but just preload adjustment on the forks doesn't really tickle me.

 

And then there is this:

Quote

In the rear, a monoshock comes with preload-adjustment only, compared to the American market model which gets. Showa BFRC Lite monoshock featuring full adjustability.

I hate it when they release inferior versions in Thailand.

 

Source: https://paultan.org/2023/03/23/2023-kawasaki-zx-4r-gets-bangkok-motor-show-reveal-priced-at-rm41500-in-thailand-rm46700-for-se/

[OneMoreFarang]

32 minutes ago, eisfeld said:

Quote

In the rear, a monoshock comes with preload-adjustment only, compared to the American market model which gets. Showa BFRC Lite monoshock featuring full adjustability.

I hate it when they release inferior versions in Thailand.

Maybe in America they need more adjustment for bigger riders. ???? 

 

[ozimoron]

21 hours ago, London Lowf said:

From memory the 500 was far more popular as it was manageable - apparently, the 750 was suicidal.

 

(My 250 twin had identical styling to this photo - just a different colour.)

It was. I rode one in 1974. Unbelievable acceleration but cornered worse than a harley. 

 

I'm going to the Bangkok motor show next week. 

Edited March 24, 2023 by ozimoron

[Kwasaki]

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Instead of starting a new thread, maybe some riders here have experience with maintenance cost of new sport bikes in Thailand.

 

When I had my VFR400, from about 2003 for maybe 10 years, I had a Thai shop/technician who was specialized on that bike. When I visited him, I paid mostly maybe 2000B for one "visit".

At some stage I thought about buying a 600cc bike from him and he told me spare part would be a lot more expensive for that bike.

 

Now if I would buy the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R new from Kawasaki, what kind of cost should I expect for service? And how are costs for minor repairs like if the bike would fall down and maybe a mirror and some plastic is damaged? 

I am interested in cost for original Kawasaki service and parts, not some street corner shop.

 

Any experience or cost compared to other bikes? 

With my Versys 650 although cheap from a falangie point of view Kawasaki dealership were cheap with labour but there's oils,  fluids and filters were expensive. 

 

So I ended up doing my own services mainly because of the distance to a dealership.

The only thing I took it too a Kawasaki dealership for was to get the computer stuff checked out,  that cost 200 baht a time. 

[JeffersLos]

So it's smaller, less powerful, and more expensive than the tried and tested Honda inline four 650?

[Kwasaki]

11 minutes ago, JeffersLos said:

So it's smaller, less powerful, and more expensive than the tried and tested Honda inline four 650?

Good looking bike and Enthusiastic bike luvers will go for it. 

[In the jungle]

1 hour ago, JeffersLos said:

So it's smaller, less powerful, and more expensive than the tried and tested Honda inline four 650?

Yes but the Honda 650 is pretty heavy and was never designed as a sports bike.  It is a good all rounder, good value for money and has other Honda virtues but it is not really a competitor for the Kawasaki four pot.

[Kwasaki]

7 minutes ago, In the jungle said:

Yes but the Honda 650 is pretty heavy and was never designed as a sports bike.  It is a good all rounder, good value for money and has other Honda virtues but it is not really a competitor for the Kawasaki four pot.

Yeah many people that use to be bikers have left TV it doesn't seem to have many big bike luvers on here a only softy pussy bathtub scoot owners. ????????????????????????

Edited March 24, 2023 by Kwasaki

[ozimoron]

6 minutes ago, In the jungle said:

Yes but the Honda 650 is pretty heavy and was never designed as a sports bike.  It is a good all rounder, good value for money and has other Honda virtues but it is not really a competitor for the Kawasaki four pot.

Ever since the Kwaka Z1 creamed the 750 hog I've always been a Kawasaki fan. After Ducati of course. 

 

My old Ducati. Excuse my sense of humour.

[In the jungle]

12 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Ever since the Kwaka Z1 creamed the 750 hog I've always been a Kawasaki fan. After Ducati of course. 

 

My old Ducati. Excuse my sense of humour.

I used to have a bevel drive 900ss back in the 1970s and 80s. 

 

It was a beast of a thing.  Excellent brakes and handling.  Loud enough to wake the dead. 

 

Not so fond of the fact that the rear alloy wheel broke up while I was riding it.

 

It's still alive on the UK DVLA website.  VBW570T. 

 

Almost forgot.  The kickstart broke while I was touring in the south of France.  No electric start.  Such fun bump starting a 900cc V twin in the summer heat in one piece leathers.

Edited March 24, 2023 by In the jungle

[ozimoron]

1 minute ago, In the jungle said:

I used to have a bevel drive 900ss back in the 1970s and 80s. 

 

It was a beast of a thing.  Excellent brakes and handling.  Loud enough to wake the dead. 

 

Not so fond of the fact that the rear alloy wheel broke up while I was riding it.

 

It's still alive on the UK DVLA website.  VBW570T. 

Yeah the previous wheel before mine had that issue. Yours must have been 1980's as 900 ss had spoked wheels until 1979 at least. The bike above cost me AUD $2600 brand new in 1979.

[In the jungle]

2 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Yeah the previous wheel before mine had that issue. Yours must have been 1980's as 900 ss had spoked wheels until 1979 at least. The bike above cost me AUD $2600 brand new in 1979.

I can remember I sold mine for 1600 Pounds with a failed big end; to a specialist and I disclosed the failure.

 

As a UK "T" registration it would have been 1979/80.  I think the wheels were Campagnolo or possibly Speedline.  Do you know?

 

 

[ozimoron]

2 minutes ago, In the jungle said:

I can remember I sold mine for 1600 Pounds with a failed big end; to a specialist and I disclosed the failure.

 

As a UK "T" registration it would have been 1979/80.  I think the wheels were Campagnolo or possibly Speedline.  Do you know?

 

 

The faulty wheels were Campagnolo. 

[London Lowf]

2 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

So it's smaller, less powerful, and more expensive than the tried and tested Honda inline four 650?

When I bought my brand new grey import RVF400 in 1999 I paid GBP6,200. Next to it in the dealer's (Boxhill Motorcycles) I noticed a grey import Fireblade (900 in those days) in the iconic urban tiger colour scheme at GBP6,300 - I didn't hesitate  to buy the 400.