Return of the pocket rocket! Kawasaki ZX-4RR screams to 15,000rpm on track | MCN Review

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

What should we group test the ZX4RR against? What would you like to see on the channel?

[@RobbieGarciakawasakininja650r]

Yamaha R7 and Ninja 400

[@babyfknblu]

against the final generation ZXR400, new gen CBR250RR, and the R7!

[@oliverpocket1540]

R7, RS660/RS457 and ZX6R

[@Terraceview]

RS660 mainly

[@GRAW247]

I would love to see the bike compared with the Yamaha R7 and Aprilia 660

[@kevinspalding5470]

Brilliant presentation .Glad to see 400 Fours back....hope others follow . Compared to twins the fours have so much more excitement to give imo cant beat them.

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Thanks a ton

[@mikiex]

I hope the other manufacturers follow Kawasaki, so glad to see 4 cylinders back!!

[@TheJoker-gg8hc]

Unfortunately, not gonna happen. They're going to continue down the path of cowardice.

[@darren1002]

I moved down from a 1000cc fireblade. Doesn't have the same power but i can ride the wheels off it in the streets and not hit breakneck speeds to lose my license, most fun I've had in years TBH

[@stephenalex4345]

How is the exhaust system on it mate? Does it sound good?

[@philipvermeulen9772]

Inderdaad, ik heb ook mijn CBR 1000RR ingeruild voor een ZX4RR . Waw, is de leukste fiets voor mij na 40 jaar motorijden.

[@Holdeenio]

Do you think this would be a good Sports bike option for a relatively new rider? I really like the look of this, but mindful I’m not the lightest guy so worried about the lack of torque getting annoying. I learned on a CB600F

[@rossswinton5061]

@@Holdeenio Did you get one? I'm a relatively new rider too and also thinking about getting one of these.

[@f3aok]

What a desirable little bike especially for young riders compared with all the twins around nowadays. More like the bikes i grew up with.

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

❤

[@kalnwi2023]

Not little in weight.

[@Jisei13]

Price point puts it out of reach for young riders

[@TheJoker-gg8hc]

​@@Jisei13 kawasaki wasted their money and our time.

[@1991julez]

Love the way it sings to the top but you’re left almost asking more because it can take it! Power to Kawasaki for keeping bikes like this alive!!

[@honeyforce996]

The coolest motorcycle of the last 5-10 years. I hope we get more high-end low-displacement bikes for the street

[@kalnwi2023]

too heavy

[@blablablabla4245]

I bought it. Its great. Haters Will hate… and never even try to ride it haha

[@Holdeenio]

@@blablablabla4245does it feel gutless around town? Do you think it’d be a good first sports bike for a new rider?

[@blablablabla4245]

@@Holdeenio bro. Just buy this bike. I have had 1000cc BMW and Z900 Kawa. But this is cheap and great fun to drive. And its not small. The look is great and the gears are sooooooooo easy to shift.

[@Terraceview]

Just to clear up some confusion in the comments section already; the 250cc 4 cyl Japanese bikes could rev to 19k, the 400's revved to about 14-15k (ZXR, VFR, GSXR, CBR FZR).

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

If I was younger recall my Honda RVF400 think it was NC35 back in the 90’s loved that bike.

[@lovingmylifeasIage6741]

I find it just fine around town. It provides me with a lot of pleasure out in the country, either slow or just blasting the curves. I can wind it out on the straight aways as fast as I want at least. I fill up the tank and empty it out. That's a great day of riding.

[@simonbodle]

My very first bike was a ZXR400, absolutely loved it and wish I still had it!

[@rogerkay8603]

Wish I'd kept my RZ250LC.....

[@Stator720]

There's dozens of us.. Nobody questioned if a 400 was 33hp restricted ;) It's only a 400!

[@ragerider6283]

Great review. Looks super fun. Would definitely have this over the 6R if I just wanted a fun weekend sports bike. It sounds like an F1 car at legal speeds. Less is more!

[@racersrush]

Cannot wait to ride it eventually. I dont think it has to be for young new riders only. I heard a lot of experienced track riders interested in it as a second bike for smaller tracks. Its nice how its better equipped than other low powered bikes that feel all a bit crap when you go from something bigger.

[@smaxfpv1337]

This bike will (continue to) sell like an absolute hot cake in japan. Which many don’t mention, this whole bike exists because of japan. Where there is a 400cc limit and you otherwise need another (really expensive extra) license, need to pay way more taxes, insurance, and most importantly more often and more expensive shaken (MOT). Also you need a different more expensive parking spot in Tokyo at least. The bike makes absolute perfect sense here.

[@neodurden6793]

So weird to have so many and greatest manufacturers of motorcycles and forbib your population to use it 😂

[@dsher503]

When shopping for a new bike I initially didn’t even know this bike existed. I’m a new rider and was torn between a Speed 400 that I knew I’d trade in within the year, and an RS660 which I think I’d love but is probably too much bike for a beginner. Then, I luckily heard about the ZX4RR and knew it was the perfect bike. 400cc with an engine that sounds as good as the R6s I lusted over growing up. I can easily see myself keeping this bike long term and once I’m comfortable, it will likely become a tool for learning on the track and eventually a Panigale V2 will be my street bike if things go well. Great video!

[@Showmetheevidence-]

I f*** love this class of bikes. Sure they aren’t that fast, but firstly for real roads - how fast can you actually go without getting in serious trouble!? And secondly, you can thrash these properly if you do go to track days etc at a fraction of the costs of the big bikes!

[@tHaH4x0r]

13:00 Agreed! And they can do it, during WSBK in '21 they had a beautiful ZX10R livery harking back the the ZXR750 which has a similar paint job to the 400.

[@joydrathasarkar2841]

That sound is just amazing, goose bumps. Sounds like a racer

[@Terraceview]

Good to hear! I still miss my NC30 after all the litre bikes etc it's an awesome class the 400cc pocket rockets!

[@laz1go286]

Fantastic review Michael! Thanks MCN! Also first time we can see you in a Shoei not an Arai..

[@ryanmichael7795]

Neevesy loves that rev limiter 🤣

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

🚀

[@andrewbozhozr]

... And slipper clutch is earning for living.

[@backho12]

If Neevesy loves it, I’m all in!

[@essexboydave]

Having had the KR1S and the ZXR400 (in a lovely candy red) back in the 90s and even though I’m knocking on the door of 50 and a little heavier than I should be I’m really excited about this bike and it’s the only new bike release for some years that I actually want to go buy new And it will look good parked up next to my ZX7R in the garage

[@MotoSensory]

Absolutely lovely bike. Having had the ZXR400 as a first bike since 18 years, it seemed so fitting to buy the ZX-4RR to join it. The 4RR has a much more forgiving rider triangle and is so easy and precise to ride. And of course awesom brakes by comparison. But the ZXR400 excells when pushing with its more commited seating position.

[@marcoluoma3770]

Thanks for a fun review. I don’t want one, but I’m glad bikes like this still exist.

[@SeekaX]

Not a fan of the subframe being welded to the frame. When you crash that thing at the track it's going to be a hefty repair bill.

[@backho12]

Agreed! Too bad it doesn’t have a proper aluminum frame with a bolt on subframe

[@muaythai1814]

What a bike, i ride a VFR 800 but this bike looks the business. Looking forward to test riding one at some stage. Great video.

[@lgrw660factory]

Would love one of these as my second bike, but it’s perhaps a bit too pricey. Still, as a former mid 90’s SuperSport 600 owner, it’s great to see a fun I4 for the kids.

[@sp00ky1969]

It’s a shame they couldn’t have made it a bit lighter. I rode all of the 400s back in the day and loved them - huge fun.

[@johnflavin1602]

Yeah, thought it would be lighter than 189kg. My Hornet 750 is only 190kg!

[@MillerMotoring]

Moore Mafia tunes one of these on YT.. Went from 56whp to 72whp!!

[@lamefart]

WTF🤯🤯🤯

[@jesus2400]

As always excellent review I have one in my garage currently can’t wait until the snow melts so I can take it on it’s voyage run.

[@GreenDragon636]

I just put a down payment on a ZX-4RR 40th anniversary with the retro 90's paint. Funny how you mention that you would buy a retro colored ZX-4RR at around 13:00. So are you buying one now that the retro color is available? From what I am hearing from dealers the retro ZX-4RR 40th is going to be very limited production.

[@mathias6423]

Haha that is exactly what I thought and wrote a comment about earlier as well, lets see if Neeves really "put his name down for one" :D Did you get your bike yet ? If so how do you like it ? I was kind of amazed when I first saw this bike being revealed, "over 70 horsepower on a 400cc bike?!?!" I said to myself, "how does Kawasaki do it ?" That is really amazing specs for a 400cc bike. I understand that they are trying to keep the price down on it, but 189kg / 416lbs on a 400cc sportbike I think is a bit too much, the ninja 400 as an example is like 166kg/366lbs that would have suited this bike much better and would made it have really impressive power 2 weight ratio on track. Anyways, cool that Kawy made this bike, I have never ridden a motorcycle at 15 000 revs before I just have to try this bike :D

[@A-FrameWedge]

The Graves Zx-4rr weighs 341 pounds vs 416 for stock, Bitubo gas pressurized forks, Bitubo shock, all titanium full exhaust, ECU reflash and DNA air filter giving 80 hp vs 60 for stock, plus a bunch of other items. It seems like Spain gets the full power stock x-4rr with 76 hp, 79 with ram air.

[@rereichel]

Having had a fine career around Honda motorcycles, I have to say that today, Kawasaki has it going on. Great review.

[@Thegreat772]

It's amazing actually they've brought these back 🎉

[@jordanjoestar8839]

@5:12, I consider myself a fairly competent rider on my GSXR750 but the way you just enter that corner that hot and casually fly around it really puts what the ZX4RR is capable of into perspective. Even at just over 400lbs, the GSXR would really be on its edge trying to take that. Inertia is an unavoidable rule of physics and the light weight shows. This bike rips on corners unlike any 400 I've seen! Also, your exceptional riding skill, nonetheless!

[@nicksokolis6343]

Light weight is king. Problem is that is isn't lightweight for a 400 at 189kg. That's as much as a MT09 weighs and considerable more than a ST 675

[@craigsanders6925]

@@nicksokolis6343 Yep, my ZXR400sp racebike was 100 lbs lighter with a stock tank and stock wheels. 72 Hp with a mild build.

[@GRAW247]

Could also do a ZX-4RR vs superbikes (600cc) on a track day to see how competitive they can be. I'm sure it'd be closer than most think depending on the track

[@vigilant.]

You miss the engine braking in zx4rr for sure

[@KapitanPisoar1]

Not even close I reckon...

[@benjy288]

A good rider would be way faster on a 600

[@KapitanPisoar1]

@@benjy288 Even a bad rider would be faster on 600...

[@PEZ1514]

No it wont. Suspension and brakes are incomparable

[@YangCalgary]

Old school: you have to work hard to have fun. Not sure the young guys will appreciate that. Thanks for the review!

[@simonrenshall]

I can't wait, I've got one on order, not had anything less than 1000cc for twenty five years, and I want something to thrash without going to jail! I'm just waiting for the UK launch date, it's well past september...

[@floofiegaming8596]

Did you get it?

[@MrBrimsy]

Awesome review Neevesy looking forward to seeing these new zx4rr in the flesh and seeing the general publics response and comments on the coming months. Keep it up

[@GRAW247]

So excited for this bike! Would also be interesting to comapare witht he Ninja 400 Twin. The UK bikes are far more capable than any other tests or comparison of the US bikes with that extra power 💪 🇬🇧 Incomparible 👍 More comparisons please 🙏

[@MyNameishidden-l2f]

such a fantastic review Neevesy.. this bike is ripe for tuning and may be custom made alumunium or carbon fibre chassis and bodywork...one of the greatest bikes of the last 10 years

[@marty1780]

I love the idea of this. It takes me back to my first bike, a Yamaha FZR-250 that revved to 18,000 RPM. Bit disappointing that this bike doesn't have an alloy frame, but maybe with some more attention and sales in this segment they can start to up the performance. Still, it looks like one hell of a road bike.

[@cableguy130]

I'm really looking forward to riding one of these. A ZX4RR makes sense on most of these tight roads. I love my liter bikes but certain tracks and certain roads this is going to be a lot of fun.

[@Jodyrides]

A friend of mine paid someone to bring in a new Kawasaki 250four-cylinder from Japan back in 1990 or 91. Four-cylinder, full fairing, 19,000 RPM. He still has the motorcycle here in 2023. we went out on two of his bikes, one day, this, 250 Kawasaki, water, cooled, four-cylinder, and one of his Yamaha 400/4 cylinders.. We took them on some back roads into Ohio through basically farmland roads. Both of us were X roadracer’s… So we could process information traveling at higher speeds like braking points.. after about an hour of flogging, these two machines, which was great fun, he asked me which one I liked better. I told him I like the Yamaha better, because I thought I had more power. He said, of course, it has more power, it’s a 400, the Kawasaki is a250. I did not know that until he told me that. But both of the machines were very close in Performance, the Yamaha head more low end 0:15 grunt..

[@ninja1970fin]

Good review! Thanks

[@uksurfer2505]

Nice review ❤❤

[@NurburgringBikerBlog]

Great video Michael as always, looks like a good fun Bike for a fair budget, I've seen some people's comments saying it's too expensive and I'm like it's absolutely priced spot on...

[@mathias6423]

I think they did a 40th Anniversary color option for this bike recently, so maybe Neeves bought one of those ? :)

[@brettrussell6207]

Man I hope this encourages other manufacturers to follow suit. Love to see a modern gsxr400, and cbr, etc etc. loved those 90’s 400’s

[@everss02]

went to a trackday last weekend, brough my ninja 650 and cbr1000rr, the cbr didn't run due to a bad fuel controller, had a fricking blast on the 650, learned to shift and use all the gears.

[@babyfknblu]

been waiting for this piece since i ordered one a year ago!

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Hope it was worth the wait!

[@NFStheStig]

3:28 that's not actually correct. The rear shock is PDS and not linkage one like on the ZX10R.

[@rogerkay8603]

I'm a simple man, it's Neevesy, i like. Have to go some to get close to the FZR400RR-SP but nice one Kawasaki.

[@minzfast]

I have the ZX25-RR that is shown in this video (now road registered), and its a great, fun bike to ride. So this can only be a little bit more fun to ride, with the extra power. Get the exhaust swapped out for a full system and an decent air filter, and youll be hearing those rev's for miles around. And its nice theybe based the bike around the 250, be easier for me to get some spares too. Would love to see you test them both together with some of the bikes from the late 80's early 90's like the original ZXR250/400/ CBR / FZR etc.

[@Derpderpson123]

I need this to accompany my CB-1

[@Pillokun]

I owned an nc35 which was imported from UK to SWE and the 55 bhp it was dynoed at the back wheel felt more than plenty on the road. As fast as an 200hp car. And the 201kph was plenty as well. All I wished that it would be lighter and smaller as it was a pig compared to my ss600 bikes like d675 and zx636 from 05. If this had a proper alu frame I would be all over it but this is too low budget/ entry level for that price.

[@tedsantiago4505]

litre and 600's are cool. but for 99 percent of us human beings who rarely, if ever, go to track days this 400 is much more usable. this awsome bike here is my new dream bike. used to be an RSV4. while it would be nice to have an RSV4, ill only ever get to use so little of its full potential while this, I can def use a lot more it. def will get one soon!

[@KindofSavagegaming]

great review two thumbs ups

[@teamtempest844]

💚 ...let the good times roll.

[@GRAW247]

Looking forwards to the review on the website and in the MCN Newspaper. Also would be interested to see the road test video. Hopefully all in the works 🤞

[@mickj493]

That change in the (induction?) sound when he cracks the throttle open makes my hair stand up 😁

[@davidbarton7463]

Recently refurbished my CBR400RR (NC29} and have had one of the best summers riding it, with todays tyres these pocket rockets are awesome. No TC or ABS on mine though, so that begs the question, which one Neevesy would go for if mine was on sale for about 5K?

[@gordonborsboom7460]

Group test? Yamaha R7 vs RS 457 vs the Ninja. Maybe a Chinese competitor thrown in. Definitely include one of the original 400 cc bikes from “back in the day” I’m assuming someone would lend you one also

[@TheStumpyFingers]

I think that 400 to 600cc is the ideal size for the U.K. roads

[@ridingdriving]

nice....a bike that is not 200 horse power make perfect sense on a winding road

[@israeleugenegillette]

Please pay attention! I respect your opinion. I have made the last two Daytona 200s on my Ducati V2, but I can't seem to get a start number for the Manx GP, where I completed the Newcomer training in 2019 (may get an ultralightweight nod for 2024). The question is, are you faster on the 90s zxr400s or the new zx400rr?

[@hooah1986]

6:18 is the sound of my people ❤

[@ayushchaturvedi2611]

Really nice video!!..but how does this compare with the Z900 as both having an inline four and the Z having 50 odd Horses more? Also in India both the bikes are priced the same..

[@Oilyhands749]

Still the best bike reviewer by a 1000 rpm 👌

[@czierwo]

Gotta borrow my friend's 4RR for a rip. Lovely machine!

[@CrisURace]

No adjustable fork at that price range? Ninja 400had a joke of a fork, absolute terror on the track. This should have full adjustability.. esp for the money they ask.

[@Fee.1]

Would you say swapping this motor into an old ZXR400R is the ultimate 400 or is there a downside to doing that

[@minesadab]

If it's even worth doing. Depends how accurate those manufacturer power figures are. You could get 70BHP+ out of the ZXR with a bit of tuning.

[@OmegaxPrime]

Wow same peak hp as my old vfr 700 with less weight and a warranty. This looks like it’ll be an absolute riot to ride hard.

[@andrewford80]

I might be a bit heavy for a bike like this nowadays but i think this is kind of the perfect bike for a normal human. The old zxr was so hot. Agree it looks way better, but the new one isnt hideous.

[@SephiMasamune]

About the ZXR400 colors not being used on the ZX-4RR, look at what they just announced for the 40th Anniversary editions coming out in 2024. :-) Already put an order out for mine, gonna look great between the ZXR750 and ZXR400 in the garage!

[@dannyferguson9415]

I love my FZR400. Nothing beats a little in-line four on a twisty back road.

[@piggymito]

Sounds more like the spiritual successor to the rs250 that the rs660 should've been to me. No tourqe and all revs, sign be up, it'll be a blast without getting gripped by the police.

[@astrostrotch]

I can't get past the steel frame on a bike like this, but then I'm old and remember the exotica from the '90s and 2000s

[@Yamakawamoto]

That's our bike!

[@craiglydon8840]

Hi. Looks fun. When you goin to test ride the new 2024 zx636r ?

[@juancarlosrodriguez8381]

Wow!! If Neevesy said is more fun to drive than the 600's and 1000's I'll take his word for it. I want one.

[@TacticalxRecon]

I'm looking at buying a bike for track days. Would this be a better option than the 2013 ZX6R? This bike is costing about 10.2K euros while a used 2013 ZX6R costs about 8K 😅😅

[@moorepower13]

Easy test for this customer is if they ask can it make more power(through mods), then it is not the right bike for them. What it comes with is what cha get and you as a rider have to bing the skills to make it faster. Well done Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

[@stevenkenny2885]

Lovely bike 😊

[@saadnan_slash]

Kawasaki ZX series are all track focused. Great machine 👍

[@jkarra2334]

still ride my 1999 ZXR400...had many other big bikes but that Kawa ZXR400 with stainless exhaust, tuned carbs,öhlins front and back and steering damp will stay in my carage as long as it just moves.and it moves...😊 not an single newer 1 or 2pot bike has come even close the fun factor these "older" 4inline bikes have, maybe my old TZR250 which i was stupid enough to sell some 25 years ago....

[@MillerMotoring]

Sounds like these will be popular race bikes next year.. better get your deposits in folks!

[@massimonegrini9598]

welldone Kawasaki, hope other manifacturers will follow this triend!

[@abracing199]

Not trying to be negative but why are we impressed by the 15k limiter when 600s have been doing that for years?

[@WaydUncaged]

Cause the other 400’s only rev to 12. Is this a real question?

[@CurtisBrandt]

Yeah I think it’s that we haven’t seen a 400 like this in awhile. In reality, they were arguably more advanced than this bike back in the 80s. But anyway this is certainly the coolest 400 in awhile.

[@ndperson1]

I ride a mt 09, but the little 4s always appealed to me as I liked 600 super sports that I had and had modern small parallel twins, but wish I could try a 400 4 cylinder

[@Bunter1815]

Would love track day operators to make groups by capacity. Trouble is there would be too few ín the smaller capacity groups.

[@kj385]

Now they have the 40th anniversary vintage colors. Put me over the top had to get one myself.

[@Its_PieRat]

I would go out and buy one if it wasnt green, but so good to see the small displacement 4's returning to the market, hopefully will make honda and yamaha bring something along to compete with it

[@humandroid53]

Yes, Kawasaki are a bit stuck on green. I owned two Kawasaki 2 strokes back in the day. They were both blue.

[@Its_PieRat]

@@humandroid53 they offer other colours in asia but not available over here

[@ADSCoachSimonB2112]

I have started to see a lot of people riding them. Not I might throw up another rider option people who haven’t had the financials to get a big spots bike, this ticks all the boxes has all the fun and excitement of say a sports bike without the huge price and insurance, wife approved, the last few people I talked to were in their 30-40s returning to riding now the kids are in school dropping the 2nd car for a pocket rocket

[@jasonkeating9958]

These are seriously limited from the factory but there plenty of flashes out and upgrades, Even at this early stage a 50% power increase is in the ballpark if you spend a bit more cash

[@bergerniklas6647]

It is only restricted in the US of A and Canada, in Europe and Asia it has 77 HP

[@DragonNova]

So cool to see, I'm tempted 😁

[@tomnorris1734]

I'd like to see it tested up against 90s / early 00s 600cc suoersports bikes.

[@tomnorris1734]

On road, and on track.

[@benjy288]

I would rather see it compared to the original zxr400

[@Grahamvfr]

It would be mullered in my opinion, 29 ft lb or torque!!!!!

[@matteobagni8072]

For 2k more the Aprilia rs660 has 100 hp (23 hp more than this) and weighs 20kg less. This looks like an expensive toy.

[@_TrueDesire_]

insurance is on a whole different level. As a 36 year old the Aprilia is €2000 per year for me compared to €850 for the Ninja 400 RR.

[@matteobagni8072]

@@_TrueDesire_ That's agreat point. I didn't take that into account because I can't afford either of them. I was trying to point out that at that pricetag (it's not really cheap) they are in the range of some serious machines like the rs660 or the Triumph Street Triple 765 R or again the KTM Duke 790 and so on.

[@splodge57]

Dealers are selling the RS660 for £8995. For only £295 more than the ZX4r I'd go for the Aprilia.

[@svracing3]

Aprilia is 170kg dry zx 4rr is 188 fully fuelled

[@_TrueDesire_]

@@svracing3 that is dry weight, wet weight is 183 kg. edit: youtube marked your comment as a reply to me which is why I replied 😅

[@K113-A]

Kawasaki has gone insane, this and the Ninja 7 HEV.

[@coldhart79]

I am from Singapore. Our motorcycle license are grouped under 3 categories. class 2B(200cc &below), class 2A(400cc & below) & then the class 2(unlimited cc). I have only the class 2A, current ride is a scooter from Yamaha Xmax 300cc which produces 28hp. Its a good ride for urban riding, even at expressway which highest top speed in the entire country is 90km/h. So the Xmax is pretty good but this ZX4RR caught my eyes which i am eligible to ride one legally. 🤔Should i change my Yamaha Xmax 300cc to this?🤔