2019 Z400 Review - The best learners bike? - Kawasaki
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- Is this Kawasaki Z400 the ultimate learners bike?
I picked up the 2019 Kawasaki Z400 from Penrith Motorcycle Centre for the review, and had the opportunity to ride up into the Blue Mountains to give it a good test. Travelling both on Freeway roads as well as windy roads too.
This might very well be the best choice for many learner riders, as it's super light weight, very quick if needed, and the ergonomics are perfect for learning.
To top this off Penrith Motorcycle Centre is offering insanely good prices on both this and the Ninja 400. Contact them here at
139 Blaikie Road, Penrith NSW 2750
Call (02) 4721 4439
www.penrithmotorcycles.com.au/
Specs below:
Model Z400 (ER400DKF)
Engine Type Parallel twin, liquid cooled,
Displacement 399 cm³
Bore x Stroke 70.0 x 51.8 mm
Compression Ratio 11.5:1
Valve System DOHC 8 valve
Fuel System Fuel Injection 32 mm x 2 Keihin
Ignition Digital Advance
Starting Electric
Transmission 6-speed with Positive Neutral finder
Suspension - front 41 mm telescopic fork
Suspension - rear Bottom-Link UNI-TRAK with 5-way adjustable preload.
Wheel travel - f/r 120 mm / 130 mm
Ground Clearance 140 mm
Brakes - front Single semi-floating 310 mm petal disc, Single Balanced Actuation Dual Piston Caliper with ABS
Brakes - rear Single 220 mm petal disc with twin piston caliper with ABS
Wheel Size Front/Rear 3.00-17.0 / 4.00-17.0
Tyre Size Front/Rear 110/70-17 54H / 150/70-17 66S
L x W x H 1,990 x 800 x 1,055 mm
Wheelbase 1,370 mm
Seat height 785 mm
Fuel capacity 14.0 litres
Curb Mass 167 kg
Max Power 33.4 kW @ 10,000 rpm
Max Torque 38 N.m @ 8,000 rpm
Colour/s Candy Lime Green with Metallic Spark Black or Candy Cardinal Red with Metallic Flat Spark Black
Warranty 24 Months Unlimited Kilometres
#z400 #kawasaki #lamsapproved
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Would you like to ride this on your learners permit?
Iv'e had my z 400 for only a few days and my first impression was it's like riding a mountain bike with a motor. Coming from bikes that were 800-900 lbs this bike really gets me back to enjoying riding again. I'm still in the break in phase and I can't wait to really wring it out! It's a great commuter bike for me. I guess if I had to do a ton of 70mph commuting I would probably look at the z650 but for me it's perfect. Kawasaki really made me look at this segment all over again because I never thought I would get a bike this small but it does every thing I need it to.
UPDATE: even if I had a lot of higher speed commutes I still would use the z-400. It goes more than fast enough!
Thanks for the vid, was considering a couple of bikes for my first but I think you just sold me on this one. It's so affordable as well
Interesting! I had a new Z650 to review this week (video going live on Monday) and felt the same about that. Great allround bike, more comfy than expected, and super easy to ride too 👍
G'day mate, I look forward to seeing it. I have watch your vids.
great review!
A really well done quick review. Very helpful!
Thanks Kraken
I bought this as my first bike. I can not be any happier. With no real basis for comparison (its my first bike) I can say I was riding confidently in less than a week. The clutch is super smooth and it shifts smooth. The gear shift indicator and positive neutral (I think it's called this) made for easy stops and starts with no doubt what gear I was starting in. The riding position is great for me as is the foot peg position. My wife's Honda Rebel with its forward foot controls leave me a bit unbalanced. (We bought motorcycles together to learn)
I have about 180 miles (bought it with 1 mile on the ODO) so far and am happily buzzing around town, thru traffic, construction with no issues.
My ONLY gripe is the seat position. Not the drivers seat, but the passenger "seat". I am 5'10" but have a bad back. Kicking my leg up high enough is really difficult to mount at times. Getting off is equally as challenging, but that is most likely due to my back issues and not the bikes. On good days I have little to no issues. on bad days I have to hike my leg up with one hand and put it over the seat and slide over the seat until I an on it.
Glad you like it. Im contemplating the Z900 at the moment
I like this look and price of this bike, gonna test drive one this week in Chonburi, Thailand. Thanks for the review.
All the best, I hope you enjoy it. What part of Thailand
Great video 👍
Its a great bike and i like the style dude
Good vid mate. I am like you. I would love this bike to have been available when I was learning. My first "road bike" was a GSX250. Cant remember the year ( I think it was 78 or 79). It was OK, but nothing enthralling.
Those were the days........38 years ago. I am now lucky enough to own 2 bikes, a CBR1100xx Blackbird and an NC750x for work. I am contemplating changing the CBR for the Z900s. Just got to convince the missus. She loves the Blackbird with a passion.
Keep the reviews coming.
Thanks Luke, ohhh that's a tough call moving the Blackbird along. To be honest I think they are a future collectable. My mate has got one and will never sell it. But the update would be great
im following nc700/750 bikes, it look to be a very good bike for home-work
Love my 2020...
Nice review mate, I really hope Malaysia's kawasaki bring this bike a.s.a.p
Thank you, yes a great little bike for many occasions.
If I consider getting one I’ll definitely get a custom exhaust.
Very nice review. I am 188cm and 110kg. I wonder if I fit ....
Thinking of getting back on a bike. Had the UJMs of the 70s back in the day. Dreaming of the Z900rs as I had the Z1000 but don't want to be one of those middle aged guys that kill themselves within a week reliving their glory days....
This bike reminds me of the GS400 suzuki two banger that I drove in New Zealand visiting my parents back in 1988-they had one. All the bike you needed on NZ roads pretty much like this one but I was young and silly and that little gem was not manly enuff .....
I reckon you'll fit just fine. I think it's a versatile bike.
@@ThrottleDownunder thx. I'm gonna have to try it out
How is it for us taller riders?(6'2") cramped?
H i i, m a 67 year old biker , had them all ,500,600 750 900 1200. and to be honest i now have a z 300. Its probably the best one of the lot. Do you really need any machine that can do more than 115mph and get you to 60 in under 6 seconds . This really does look nice but i would not swap for my 300
G'day Philip, it's always great we when find our perfect bike, and as we get older we certainly care less about speed and power
Kawasaki when this things going to launch in asia India?
Anyway piss taking aside I enjoyed watching your review. Not sure about your licensing structure over there though. Reds, greens p plates etc
A learner driver must wear a Yellow L Plate on the vehicle, one they go on to a Probationary License the wear a Red P plate, as they get more experience they wear a Green P plate before going onto a full license.
Going for my learners in 2 weeks, and getting the Z400
You will love it. Stay safe and be careful
I gonna do the same
Not in the UK it aint but does make a good commuter bike or more once one as acquired the minimum A2 licence :)
Was that Penrith motorcycle centre ? Not sure if you mentioned them !!! 😂
Haha true, but they are kind enough to support my channel so I ensure I support them in return.
I remember you didn't like the gs500f too well for a learner.
👍
Fair comment mate, can they deliver to the UK ? 😀
Haha you can only ask
I'm waiting for a fuel injected, 6 spd, 400 dual sport from Kawasaki. Any news?
I haven't heard at all but if I do I'll certainly let you know
They need to put this engine in the versys x.
@@paintup46 that would be a great combination for sure
Z400 and ninja 400 are awesome bike, but their display gauge is still dated, come on kawasaki time to upgrade, your higher cc are already tft display, what is the point for not doing the same w/ the lower cc?
G'day Gil, i agree but I guess it comes down to the mighty dollar. The learner legal versions need to be affordable
No vibrations on the mirrors?
None that I noticed
It doesn't look like you have any room between your groin and the tank, I would hate to have to stop quickly.
True, but you really sit down in the bike rather than on it. Pretty comfortable.
Yup, the man bits are up and close to the tank.
I keep hearing learner legal. So you can ride this with L plates where you are? Exhaust a little quiet, it's called Euro 5. I can't wait tell they start issuing large fines for people that think more noise is an upgrade!
That tail peace needs a date with an angle grinder 😂 i think it would look so much better with the lights and plate tucked up under the brake light or something .Exhaust good god who ever designed it should get a slap of it across the head it just seems out of place .
Agreed totally haha
Its like a mud guard that's why bikes have rear fenders that stick far back and low. It helps a lot of you ride when it rains.
Yes it looks ugly and i have fender delete on my bike. But you lose that mud guard feature.
Imo better to leave it on you spend most of your time riding and not looking at the back. The front is what's important.
Does this bike have a gear shift indicator?
Hi Gena, I can't remember im sorry
It does. Digital screen will show your gear positions
Good review but you over do the "beginner bike" label. Consider the pound/hp ratio. The 400 is a serious motorcycle.
I agree totally, but in Australia the Learner Legal bike market is big business. And this is one of the better learner legal bikes on the market
Sat on it today and I can't believe how light it is compared to my Cb500f which is 20kgs heavier, I felt the weight straight away and I'm now thinking of trading in my Cb for this one. Will have to book for a test ride ASAP to find out, wish me luck lol
I tell people it's like riding a mountain bike with a great motor
That's pretty true
Is it a racey cross country ,enduro or trail mtb riding position
Im in the young generation ..and really hate that transformers style. No doubt tough that it rides very well.
Yes I agree it's not for everyone, what style do you like
I love the looks of the z900rs, a good blend of retro and modern, and it looks like a motorcycle not like a damn robot. I wish they produce a z400rs , i’m sure they will sell good.
@@ripmax333 my thoughts exactly. I love the Z900RS, one of my favorite bikes
Totally agree I’ve been leaning more towards the cb300r for the same reason with that round led headlight👌🏼
Great review shame about the yank regarding zed, only the yanks say zee ....
Haha thanks mate
How tall are you bro?
177cm tall.
5'9" for the imperial measurement.
Anyone knows the top speed?
Probably within 10 mph of the ninja 400 given it's the exact same engine just tuned alittle differently.
Why do they call the Z models "zed"?
Z is "zed" in Australia & Britain
@@andyk4676so in GB and Australia, the letter "Z" is pronounced "zed" instead of "zee"? Ok. I learned something new today. Thanks!
@@paypatay1 yep that's right mate
Pronounced zed in Canada as well.Very weird hearing it pronounced zee.
learner legal approved, what the hell does that mean?
In Australia we have certain lower powered bikes that are learner legal, being that if you are a learner rider, you cannot ride anything that's not approved as a Learner bike
that's crazy, so if you want to start riding a motorcycle down under, to make the government happy you have to go out and invest a lot of money to buy some gutless piece of shit that you aren't going to enjoy riding or ever want to keep just to earn the right to go out and spend more money to buy something that you actually do want, phucken governments......
@@quadflopper1012 yep but in 1 state after you turn 19 you can ride whatever you want
I wouldn't speed down Blakie Road the HWY Patrol love hiding out down there.
G'day Chris, thanks for the advice, yes I didn't realise until I was editing that I may have been a little quick.
Your camera angle was completely wrong. You might as well of been stood up in the back of a pick up truck taking about a bike.
You don’t want to say the price on camera because “ It’s a pretty wicked price!” and we should call that dealership to ask them the price? Lol I think you meant we should call the dealership so they can try to sell us a bike and get our information so they can get paperwork started to make it easier to rope us into a purchase with them. It’s a bit insulting that you believe any of the viewers would be stupid enough to buy that BS. Hell if you had just come out and said it instead of trying to sneak in the sales pitch I’d have respected that
Not true mate. I only recommend dealers that are completely above board. I can understand your scepticism however
"Naked" bike.
Tip: Talk a little less at times so the microphone can pick up the sound of the engine. Example: th-cam.com/video/Rz2pHceGYoY/w-d-xo.html
Learn to ride. The way you coast through corners is bad.
Why do you guys keep calling it the Zed 400??? It’s called the Z400!!! No ed in there!!!
It might be a shock to you, but there is a huge world out there outside of the USA, and we all pronounce things differently.
You should check It out, it'll blow your mind
Not only That, get ready for the "heich 400" instead of "eich 400" lol
1st thumbs down -= 5 seconds in (facepalm). "zed 400"..There is NO " ed" attached to the last letter of the English alphabet. STOP pronouncing it wrong. " zE". It's not rocket science. I get it. You brits and canadians are ate up with the 2nd season kid's show power rangers villain from the 90's. That doesn't mean ya have to incorrectly pronounce that letter. It's ONE letter...not three in one.
"zE four hundred". HOw difficult is that? A five year old could pronounce it correctly.
2nd thumbs down = choosing to record AND upload in shitty 25fps. It's 2019, not 2009. Get with the times already. 25fps on a MOTION-content involved deal like test riding motorcycles is asinine. It cheapens the visual content and it's just plain lagging looking. 60fps is smooth and realistic and HAS BEEN affordable for more than 3 years easily.
Thanks for your useless comment... firstly I'm in Australia on the other side of the world to England and Canada, so Zed is how many of us say Z. Secondly due to being in Australia we operate on the PAL system so it 25 and 50fps. Thirdly crawl back under the troll rock you came out of, this is a hobby, not a business, you don't have to watch it.
I say z... no (z)ed or (z)e involved...
@BGS Member thanks for your support. Sadly it is the downside to social media, but luckily there are more good people than bad. All the best. Rob.
Imagine being this much of an idiot.
Imagine thumbs downing a video because of pronunciation 🤦🏽♀️