Kawasaki Z400 ABS Road Test

[@Jodyrides]

I have done 14 changes to my Z 400. I put a set of real horns on which required wiring in a horn relay to get full power to the horns straight from the battery through number 12 wire. I added a taller windshield I added foam grips I added a twist assist simple cruise control that you put around the twist grip and you can ease your grip on the handlebars by just using the heel of your hand on long interstate rides to work the throttle I added spacers under the handle bar perch to raise the handlebars up to inches. That also moved the mirrors up to inches and I have a better view of what’s behind me through these mirrors I installed Honda VF for 800 foot pegs with rubber tops on them to reduce vibration/buzz through the foot pegs I added a sheepskin seat cover which is cool on a hot day and warm on cool days .. I also added some exercise padding from cut out to fit over the existing seat under the sheepskin and it moved me up about an inch which gave my legs more room I added a Hepco and Becker custom fit rack which plugs into the passenger seat slot and removes with a key in a second. I added a 30 L trunk to the Pepco backer rack that comes off with a key. No extra brackets or tubing. The Hecho Becker rack comes off with a key, the new trunk comes off with a key, I can remove both within 10 seconds I removed the little flap under the passenger seat which gave me a lot of room to store things like cargo net, tire plug kit, inflation electric pump in I get a flat, a couple tiedown straps, all stored in the body work under the passenger seat. I added a tank bag I added lift spools to the swingarm, this makes it much easier to lube and adjust the chain.. One thing I changed that I did not like and I reverted back to stock was, I went to a 15 tooth countershaft sprocket. Two bad things happened… The engine seemed like it was laboring even though I was not letting the RPMs drop below four or 5000 RPMs when making it go up slight hills..About 30 miles after changing the countershaft sprocket, my gear position indicator stopped working and my check engine light came on. After much trial and error and disconnecting batteries and going to the Internet. I discovered that, somehow the ABS detected that the transmission shaft were spinning at a rate different from what the rear wheel should be spinning at.. The computer saw that something was different when I changed that countershaft sprocket, and it made the check engine light came on and stopped the deer position indicator from working… to correct this disconnecting the battery did not work the way it will in a car sometimes. The fix is, go back to the 14 tooth sprocket.. start the bike and let it idle for 30 seconds. Then take the bike for a 10 minute ride reaching 25 miles an hour. shut the bike off, and repeat that same ritual, 30 seconds of idle, ride for 10 minutes, shut off, start the bike, idle for 30 seconds, ride for 10 minutes, shut off. The next time you start the bike the check engine light will be gone and the gear indicator will work. I did not like how the bike felt with the larger sprocket. It seem to vibrate more, the engine was not as happy, there was more vibration in the foot pegs. I don’t know if this is because the stock 14 tooth sprocket has a rubber damper close to the teeth to absorb the impacts of chain meshing , but the 14 tooth sprocket makes the machine operate much smoother. There in mind, I was not lugging the engine with the 15.. I am getting around 82 miles per gallon on every tank of gas. Not city driving, but mostly back roads. This is a pleasure bike, not a commuter. now that I have a trunk, a tank bag, under seat storage is a little larger, rubber top to foot pegs, higher handlebars, a slightly taller windshield, I can say that this machine is capable of doing 400 mile days. I had a Honda GL 1800 Goldwing, A Moto Guzzi norge, and a Honda pacific coast which was my commuter bike for 24 years. When I retired, I sold the gold wing and the Norge and the Pacific coast. And I bought the Z 400. The first thing I missed was a larger faring and the saddlebags which I have always had for the past 30 years at least. But with the trunk and the tank bag and the taller windshield. The Z 400 can do everything I want. I like it

[@brianwiseman9518]

A reviewer failing to mention their height is probably the most common and ridiculous oversight of these video reviews. It means EVERYTHING

[@joshuawilson2362]

Can you have a passenger ride with you?

[@KIKE8743]

@@joshuawilson2362 I was thinking the same

[@robertsalyers1351]

I'm 5-9 been Riding 20 plus years and I Love the Kawasaki z400

[@demon817]

I'm 5'10 and have a bunch of big bikes, and live in a twisty heaven, I thinking about this bike with the proper mods and tires which is really cheep to do, I pushing 50+ hp and unlike my big bikes which I have to get on and off the gas in a lot of twisties all the time I can just keep it open it up and push it hard and have a great gas sipping commuter bike also.

[@benjaminminty9602]

60 yrs old and been riding since I was a kid. Just got a Z400. I love it and it’s great all around bike. I only ride on the highway if I have to. Very fun bike for the back roads.

[@robertsalyers1351]

@@benjaminminty9602 I traded mine in on a New Suzuki Burgman 400

[@danwhite5339]

Haha. 6'5" rider. This is a bike for someone 5'7" like many of us who have trouble finding bikes with low enough seats to ride. In fact, the low seat height is a critical spec. I love this bike. I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam and 32" sleeve length. This bike was made for me.

[@void9938]

lol fr, i'm 5'5" and i'm struggling to find something and the z400 has been the only one i'm thinking will work for me as a new rider

[@chizorama]

Thanks for that, I share the same build & am considering pick up one of these.

[@joecamel6835]

shrimp

[@A_Dirrty_Bird]

When discussing fit and ergonomics you mention being about the same size multiple times without telling us your height. Would have been useful info

[@zacharyhazard6646]

OKay, you're both the same height..how tall are you? Thanks

[@wanderlpnw]

Yeah, agree. I'm 6'5" it's cramped but Kawi makes a tall seat which adds 1".

[@larryborn1082]

Had mine for a couple of weeks now......here it is with a Leo Vince LV 10. I LOVE IT!! @

[@1990-t1j]

Prefer it to the Ninja. Who needs a fairing on a little bike?

[@BF703]

1990 your mammy

[@weasel7317]

I have a 2019 Z400, he is right about the mirrors.

[@scootermacarthy5990]

Easy remedy. Go to Amazon and get an extender kit. They're just a 2 inch piece of aluminum (black) with two holes, comes with a screw for each mirror. Unscrew the mirror, screw these on the handlebars, screw in the mirrors and you're done. The threads are the same for each side, no left threads here. You will gain about a couple inches outward and they work nicely. You can even wear a jacket and see around it to the lights behind you. These also raise the mirrors up a little too, maybe half inch. Costs about $12.00 USD. Easy to install, took 15 minutes or so. The hardest part to do was unscrewing the mirrors from the bike!

[@KIKE8743]

of all of those comments, does anyone knows if you can have a passenger?

[@arking7886]

Are you 5-11 ? Is it comfortable for someone like 5-11 ?

[@user-jr1cs6ob3m]

To bad the header pipe stick out as it does. What happened to the old days when they were chrome double walled. Any how 60hp 250 4 cylinder is coming. Hope it comes to Canada. 18,000 rpm screamer, Yahoo

[@Lumalee-]

?

[@Truetoo102]

Is that a big dude or small size bike.

[@tenzATL]

Small bike, I'm 5.11 and i have an inch or so crotch clearance when I stand up straight.

[@vanlarson9213]

It's not 42 hp, Kawasaki Z400 is 48 hp for those want to know'

[@LaputanMachad]

Is that at the wheel?

[@vanlarson9213]

@@LaputanMachad yes, watch any dyno runs.

[@sbkpeace.24]

Depends on the country its sold in, I believe

[@joecamel6835]

@@sbkpeace.24 45 max in UK

[@mrgjr8758]

Motocyle experience look like you don’t have enough experience doing motorcycle reviews by not mentioning rider height.

[@florme6494]

To me, the ninja 400 looks best in its class. The z400 looks average at best... but as an owner of a ninja 400 I know this little Z bike would be so much fun.

[@robertsalyers1351]

It's so comfortable and easy to Ride...I looked at the Ninja 400 But at 50 years old I picked the Kawasaki z400

[@scootermacarthy5990]

Ergonomics could be better. If you have any shoulder problems this bike will apply pressure when you are in position to ride. The Honda CB300F is MUCH better for your shoulders and wrists. You can sit up much straighter. I have one of each so I can compare. Also I didn't really have too much of a problem with the leg position but the seat feels like it slants forward and you could slide when you go to stop if you sit back a little. Have to anchor against the tank. Enthusiasts say this is a sport bike so the seat is meant to give that position. The CB300 is much better; seat is wider and you don't slip around on it. The Z400 looks like a very aggressive bike though. Very noticeable too. Also this could use handlebar risers that go up and towards the rider an inch or so. Also needed are extenders for the mirrors so you can see behind you.

[@iMotoTactic00L]

I’ll go for z650 instead.

[@ridehead8771]

Mt 07?

[@thomasmacgruber6701]

Z900 why play with the little stuff, just ride it on low power if you are beginner.

[@joecamel6835]

@@thomasmacgruber6701 MT- 10

[@torreypires6192]

He gotta be like 6’3 he makes the bike look small

[@frankducett9]

A road test... without even getting on it.

[@bfarm44]

Didn’t care for the ergonomics, that exhaust can is 100% place by a guy with no right foot and the seat drives your nuts into the tank. Yamahas MT03 is a better deal

[@labasrytas2876]

at least one man tells the truth - not advert- completely agree - kawasaki seating position (z400, z650, z750) makes you slide to the tank!!!! way uncomfortable! especially when you break. yamahas mt 03, 07, 09 way much better seating comfort and ergonomics. also i found rear brakes on z650 too numb.... stay away fom kawas- go for yamas

[@vanlarson9213]

Yamaha isn't even close, I own a 2020 Kawasaki Z400

[@labasrytas2876]

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