This is exactly what I was looking for as I am hesitant on which Z to get, details and explanation newbie-rider friendly, thank you 🙏🏾 given my many circumstances I got to consider, I guess the 400 will do 😊
I was totally sold on the Z400, but I ran into an unexpected issue: the front ferring where your leg goes isn't totally smooth, part of it juts out. I'm 6'3" and while riding I can get my leg in the right spot, but any attempt to shift gears brings my leg up and right into the ferring. Completely unrideable. This isn't the case on the 650, or on the Ninja.
Great comparison again👌 The quality of your VDOs is topnotch (and well above of literally all other youtubers presenting the bikes without actually riding them) Peter 👍
The Z400 in this video has a WAAAAAY BETTER color than the one released in my country. Really not a fan of a very prominent Green color compared to this one. The white one with some red strips can't compare here either
I get it if you want the TFT display, those are nice, but personally, I'd never NOT buy a bike just because it didn't have hazard lights. They're not used THAT often, and a single signal light can still get the attention of drivers. Don't get me wrong, my bike has them, and I use them, but it wouldn't be something that keeps me from buying an otherwise great bike.
Hi, very nice video! I have a Z400, which was an upgrade from my Yamaha Fazer 250 (here in Brazil motorcycles are quite expensive, and we most commonly see 150 and 160cc bikes, so anything beyond 250cc is no longer considered "entry level" hehe) and I'm considering to take another step up. Thanks for comparing these two zeds, I'm thinking if I should get another Z or maybe a Vulcan S, which I briefly rode once, but I also keep wondering about a Trident 660, a Honda CB650R or even coming back to Yamaha and going for MT-07...
Great video. I have a 2023 Green Z400 and am very happy with it. Absolutely great around the city due to how light and flickable it is but I also do a lot of freeway and country area trips and it handles on the freeway surprisingly good. I thought because it was light it wouldn't handle any wind but it does the job well. I also upgraded the front sprocket by 1 tooth which helps. Cheers from Australia.
I totaled my zx14 6 years ago and recently got back into riding and bought the z400. While the power is nowhere close it is still a very fun bike. If you are not afraid to let it scream you will go fast and the handling is effortless compared to larger bikes. Insurance is laughable for full coverage. Will it be my long-term bike...........hell no but for now it will do. If you think it's too slow for daily commuting, then you are driving too fast or are too lazy to shift through gears which is what you will be doing a lot of always trying to stay in the torque band.
BRO, Just now saw your videos, the Piaggio 3-wheel bike. Very interesting, as I always wanted something more than the standard motorcycle/scooter. And the Can-Ams and the Harleys are cost prohibitive for the shorter ride season here in northern Minnesota. Please keep updating as you can about these nifty 3-wheel machines. Subscribed to your Channel with that hope! THANK YOU!
I learned on a ninja 250 and an old 92 ninja 500. Both of these look like good upgrades from what i used to have. I think the 650 might be better for me because of the tech and power. I love the playful attitude of the smaller bikes not sure if the 650 gives up too much of that.
Great video. Thanks! Just picked up a very low mileage 2021 Z400. I cannot locate specs regarding stator/charging output. I want to add aux lights and know this would be great. Any thoughts?
I did driving test on z400, it's nice bike I'm 5ft 8 with few extra pounds and felt little cramped on z400 I'm thinking about z650 hoping there's more room..?
Hi there. My main question is how suitable are either of these bikes for in-city riding and especially when there is congested traffic. I live in a hot country with very bad traffic, so my Duke 390 keeps overheating. How would these bikes cope with that problem in the long term?
bike has a great cooling system, slightly different than normal cooling systems though. It only kicks in when it gets to higher temps, cools it down to normal and then slowly rises again. Ridden pretty hard on some warm days, never had any overheating issues.
Nope... In my experience it's easier to learn on a less powerful bike. Keep in mind the Z650 will smoke most cars on the road for speed. I have the Z900RS, and while that bike is easy to ride for a 900, it's still extremely powerful. You're talking supercar levels of acceleration at the slight twist of your wrist, with tiny contact patches between the tire and the road. If you want to have fun, and become a skilled rider, that's not the bike to learn on. Others will disagree, but ask any rider training instructor, or anyone who is REALLY skilled in their riding, and they'll tell you that the Z900 isn't where you should start. Keep in mind the value you lose in starting on a less powerful bike and selling it, is less of a loss than crashing a more powerful bike and having insurance rates that will be sky high for a long time.
@@PeterLoweOne great perspective. This is how I accepted that I would lose some money on my brand new Versys X 300, look at it like a training cost. I even probably overpaid because I went to the closest dealer so I had the shortest ride back home.
Trust me don’t get caught up with motor displacement, the Z 650 has plenty of go. The 650 compared to the 900 is cheaper to insure and plenty easy to ride it to its potential when you reach yours.
@@PeterLoweOne nice point of view but what if you have been riding for more than 5 years on a lower displacement bike like 100-200cc .what is your point of view on this?
foot resting on heat shield on n400/z400 is annoying. not a deal breaker but main reason for me to replace with after market. too bad kawi doesn't rework exhaust to eliminate this issue.
peter i have one more question for a 2023 z650 i was looking at videos on how to adjust the chain on mine and this guy is saying you only need to have the bike on the kickstand for all adjustments. I would think youd have to lift the rear wheel off the ground so the axel can slide back but am i wrong?
I assume that you're correct, but honestly, I don't do the maintenance of my own bike because I have access to some great technicians here. I'll have to double check. Send me an email to remind me of this question and I'll get back to you. peter(at) peterlowe (dot) one
I am 6'1 and to be honest, the z650 is probably too small or not the most comfortable. But! With a bigger 'windshield ' you can really help a lot. The wind won't take your head off quickly. However I loved that bike and planning to buy the same one again
I don't have someone who is 5 feet, but I know someone who is about 5 feet and they bought a Ninja 400 with a lowering kit and they like it a lot. The bike would probably fit you, but you'd have to be confident about being a shorter rider.
I am a female rider and I am 5-2. I just bought the z400. Although this is my 3rd bike, and I’ve been riding for 20 years. I can ride either bike the 650 or 400. But the 650 I am on my tippy toes. The 400 , my heels are off the ground even in boots. I chose the 400 because I like how light and nibble it is. If you are not a confident rider, I suggest you learn how to move your bike around when you are not seated on it. There are some great videos of how to back a bike without being seated on it. Or to move it to a more desirable location to mount it and ride out. You may benefit from the lowering kit suggested on the 400. And if you haven’t already, take all the motorcycle safety courses you can. They will build your confidence. My first 2 bikes were lowered. But this one is perfect for me without lowering. The light weight feel also allows for easier manual movement of the bike. Get riding!
That's a personal question. The 650 is a little bit more roomy, it has a bit more torque that is noticeable. But honestly, it's not any more fun. Both are probably equal in that department.
@@PeterLoweOne if there was only a 1k usd difference between the z500 se and the z650, which would you go for? I'm finding that everyone is saying the z650 but I think I really liked the z500 se
Not that I can tell. As far as I can tell from every source of information, and from my own examination of these bikes, they are mechanically identical. There are so.e practical differences between the two. I cover those in this video. th-cam.com/video/YcqUQD8r5m0/w-d-xo.html
I am coming from a Ninja cycle and chose the Z model this time. I loved the Ninja. But as I age, I want to sit more upright. This Z is more of what I’d call a motor touring style similar to the MT line from Yamaha. I almost bought the MT 03. But this Is way better for the money!
Sure! I've seen plenty of people start on the 650's. The question for a new rider is do you want to spend extra money on the bike and insurance for more speed. To me neither bike is more fun than the other so sometimes it makes sense to start with the 400. Other times it makes sense to start with the 650.
Liked and Subbed because this is by FAR the absolute best comparison guy to turn to imo anyhow. Exactly what i was looking for, not having a dealer with both bikes closer to where I live. The worst thing looking at the Z400 (as is the case with the CB500F/R's and the likes is that goddamn ugly exhaust Can! The Z650's underslung is much cooler and practical. Put that same style can on the 400 and I know where my money would be going!
That's hard for me to predict. I find if you go on a few forums for these bikes, you'll get a range of what people are actually getting. Your weight and driving style will determine a lot when it comes to fuel efficiency.
It's the same display that used to be used on bikes like the Z900. It's not my favourite, and it's interesting because the Ninja 400 has a traditional tach that, to my eyes, looks better. Between the two bikes in this video, I think you can see how the Z650 justifies it's higher price.
When you give weights, can you also give a metric weight, you know kilograms the measurements used in the civilised world😉 You talk litres and cc’s so why not keg’s, don’t mind if you give both to cater for your older US and Myanmar fans😂
Civilized folks convert pounds into kg within a split second by dividing the number of pounds by 2 and deducting 10% off of the result 😁 I'm wondering, why you didn't mentioned the cms/inches mix, though 😁
That's fair, but in Canada, we often mix things. I film in Canada, and that's my primary audience. We do almost everything in metric, but we tend to talk about our own height and weight in feet and pounds. So in Canada, for the most part, people talk about the weight of a motorcycle in pounds. I can try to say both, but I'm already trying to memorize a lot each video. So when in doubt, remember that all the specs can be found on your local Kawasaki website. In Canada, specs can be found at www.kawasaki.ca
@@kwakithailand possibly because I’m the same height as Peter and relate what he says and to how he sits immediately 😁 I’m also old enough to convert imperial to metric but I know the next generations struggle especially with lbs to kgs and I shared a couple of his videos with my kids. I only struggle with predictive text calling kgs kegs😏😛
@@iainsmith2434 Kegs sounds good 🤣🤣 In UK (Parts of it anyway) kegs has 2 meanings. One is the most obvious Barrel used in the maturing and delivery of said alcoholic beverages. The other means a pair of trousers viz: "Look o'er there. Has he got his kegs on!" 😂 it's actually kecks but sounds like kegs
Ah. Americans can be so cute. You might be in America, but I filmed these bikes in Canada. The bikes are Canadian spec, I'm Canadian.... Soooo.. "This" isn't America, and I'm using the proper terminology. 🙄
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This is exactly what I was looking for as I am hesitant on which Z to get, details and explanation newbie-rider friendly, thank you 🙏🏾 given my many circumstances I got to consider, I guess the 400 will do 😊
Thanks for watching. It's nice to hear from people who find these videos helpful!
I ride a Z900, and my buddy rides a Z400. He has enough power to keep up with me on the highway and on the twisties.
Thanks for all the great information about both bikes just got the KAWASAKI 400Z naked and absolutely loving much fun I have on it.
That's awesome! Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
I was totally sold on the Z400, but I ran into an unexpected issue: the front ferring where your leg goes isn't totally smooth, part of it juts out. I'm 6'3" and while riding I can get my leg in the right spot, but any attempt to shift gears brings my leg up and right into the ferring. Completely unrideable. This isn't the case on the 650, or on the Ninja.
You know you can adjust shift levers right ?
Sometimes being tall isn’t comfortable. Im pretty short person z400 looks big on me😂
I’m 6’4” and have ZERO issues. Find it very comfortable from shifting to ergo’s.
Great comparison again👌
The quality of your VDOs is topnotch (and well above of literally all other youtubers presenting the bikes without actually riding them) Peter 👍
I appreciate your support. Thank you.
@@PeterLoweOne honor where honor's due 🤝
Keep up God's good work, Peter 👍
The Z400 in this video has a WAAAAAY BETTER color than the one released in my country. Really not a fan of a very prominent Green color compared to this one. The white one with some red strips can't compare here either
dang if the new model Z400 has updated TFT display and Hazard lights I might consider buying the Z400
I get it if you want the TFT display, those are nice, but personally, I'd never NOT buy a bike just because it didn't have hazard lights. They're not used THAT often, and a single signal light can still get the attention of drivers. Don't get me wrong, my bike has them, and I use them, but it wouldn't be something that keeps me from buying an otherwise great bike.
Hi, very nice video! I have a Z400, which was an upgrade from my Yamaha Fazer 250 (here in Brazil motorcycles are quite expensive, and we most commonly see 150 and 160cc bikes, so anything beyond 250cc is no longer considered "entry level" hehe) and I'm considering to take another step up. Thanks for comparing these two zeds, I'm thinking if I should get another Z or maybe a Vulcan S, which I briefly rode once, but I also keep wondering about a Trident 660, a Honda CB650R or even coming back to Yamaha and going for MT-07...
Great video. I have a 2023 Green Z400 and am very happy with it. Absolutely great around the city due to how light and flickable it is but I also do a lot of freeway and country area trips and it handles on the freeway surprisingly good. I thought because it was light it wouldn't handle any wind but it does the job well. I also upgraded the front sprocket by 1 tooth which helps. Cheers from Australia.
Thanks for sharing! Great to have viewers from all around the world!
I totaled my zx14 6 years ago and recently got back into riding and bought the z400. While the power is nowhere close it is still a very fun bike. If you are not afraid to let it scream you will go fast and the handling is effortless compared to larger bikes. Insurance is laughable for full coverage. Will it be my long-term bike...........hell no but for now it will do. If you think it's too slow for daily commuting, then you are driving too fast or are too lazy to shift through gears which is what you will be doing a lot of always trying to stay in the torque band.
Nice content as always, I hope you also make comparisons for z650 and the versys650. Thank you
BRO, Just now saw your videos, the Piaggio 3-wheel bike. Very interesting, as I always wanted something more than the standard motorcycle/scooter. And the Can-Ams and the Harleys are cost prohibitive for the shorter ride season here in northern Minnesota. Please keep updating as you can about these nifty 3-wheel machines. Subscribed to your Channel with that hope! THANK YOU!
I learned on a ninja 250 and an old 92 ninja 500. Both of these look like good upgrades from what i used to have. I think the 650 might be better for me because of the tech and power. I love the playful attitude of the smaller bikes not sure if the 650 gives up too much of that.
The 650 sounds like a great option, and don't sleep on the new Ninja 500 that will be released very soon!
Great video. Thanks! Just picked up a very low mileage 2021 Z400. I cannot locate specs regarding stator/charging output. I want to add aux lights and know this would be great. Any thoughts?
Great thorough review, thanks!! 👍🏼😎😀
Thanks for watching!
I did driving test on z400, it's nice bike I'm 5ft 8 with few extra pounds and felt little cramped on z400 I'm thinking about z650 hoping there's more room..?
The Z650 does have more room. It's worth a look for sure!
Nice job .well done.
Thanks for watching!
Hi there. My main question is how suitable are either of these bikes for in-city riding and especially when there is congested traffic. I live in a hot country with very bad traffic, so my Duke 390 keeps overheating. How would these bikes cope with that problem in the long term?
bike has a great cooling system, slightly different than normal cooling systems though. It only kicks in when it gets to higher temps, cools it down to normal and then slowly rises again. Ridden pretty hard on some warm days, never had any overheating issues.
Are the crankcases interchangeable?
No. They’re not.
As a new rider would it be better to spend the extra 2000 for the z900 instead of the 650 so I don't have to upgrade?
Nope... In my experience it's easier to learn on a less powerful bike. Keep in mind the Z650 will smoke most cars on the road for speed. I have the Z900RS, and while that bike is easy to ride for a 900, it's still extremely powerful. You're talking supercar levels of acceleration at the slight twist of your wrist, with tiny contact patches between the tire and the road. If you want to have fun, and become a skilled rider, that's not the bike to learn on. Others will disagree, but ask any rider training instructor, or anyone who is REALLY skilled in their riding, and they'll tell you that the Z900 isn't where you should start. Keep in mind the value you lose in starting on a less powerful bike and selling it, is less of a loss than crashing a more powerful bike and having insurance rates that will be sky high for a long time.
@@PeterLoweOne great perspective. This is how I accepted that I would lose some money on my brand new Versys X 300, look at it like a training cost. I even probably overpaid because I went to the closest dealer so I had the shortest ride back home.
Trust me don’t get caught up with motor displacement, the Z 650 has plenty of go. The 650 compared to the 900 is cheaper to insure and plenty easy to ride it to its potential when you reach yours.
@@PeterLoweOne nice point of view but what if you have been riding for more than 5 years on a lower displacement bike like 100-200cc .what is your point of view on this?
As a beginner myself, (rode 150cc scoot/naked). I was already intimidated when I tried z650rs. Can't imagine using z900.
I love my z650
foot resting on heat shield on n400/z400 is annoying. not a deal breaker but main reason for me to replace with after market. too bad kawi doesn't rework exhaust to eliminate this issue.
Excelent review, thx.
Can you switch the km/h to mph on the TFT display ?
Yes. We have it set to km/h because these are Canadian bikes.
Z400 is a better buy. Even after you outgrow it, it's a great second bike for city dashes.
Yeah. I have a hard time saying anything bad about a Ninja 400 or Z400 but I love small displacement fun bikes.
Wish they stayed with the 650 green, don't really care for the other.
peter i have one more question for a 2023 z650 i was looking at videos on how to adjust the chain on mine and this guy is saying you only need to have the bike on the kickstand for all adjustments. I would think youd have to lift the rear wheel off the ground so the axel can slide back but am i wrong?
I assume that you're correct, but honestly, I don't do the maintenance of my own bike because I have access to some great technicians here. I'll have to double check. Send me an email to remind me of this question and I'll get back to you. peter(at) peterlowe (dot) one
Would like to see someone who is 5 foot flat on both as some people are say there great for short riders.
I am 6'1 and to be honest, the z650 is probably too small or not the most comfortable. But! With a bigger 'windshield ' you can really help a lot. The wind won't take your head off quickly. However I loved that bike and planning to buy the same one again
I don't have someone who is 5 feet, but I know someone who is about 5 feet and they bought a Ninja 400 with a lowering kit and they like it a lot. The bike would probably fit you, but you'd have to be confident about being a shorter rider.
I am a female rider and I am 5-2. I just bought the z400. Although this is my 3rd bike, and I’ve been riding for 20 years. I can ride either bike the 650 or 400. But the 650 I am on my tippy toes. The 400 , my heels are off the ground even in boots. I chose the 400 because I like how light and nibble it is. If you are not a confident rider, I suggest you learn how to move your bike around when you are not seated on it. There are some great videos of how to back a bike without being seated on it. Or to move it to a more desirable location to mount it and ride out. You may benefit from the lowering kit suggested on the 400. And if you haven’t already, take all the motorcycle safety courses you can. They will build your confidence. My first 2 bikes were lowered. But this one is perfect for me without lowering. The light weight feel also allows for easier manual movement of the bike. Get riding!
@@flyingsteel You're a female rider called Mike?
Is if with upgrading from the z500 to the z650
That's a personal question. The 650 is a little bit more roomy, it has a bit more torque that is noticeable. But honestly, it's not any more fun. Both are probably equal in that department.
@@PeterLoweOne thank you. That helps
@@PeterLoweOne if there was only a 1k usd difference between the z500 se and the z650, which would you go for?
I'm finding that everyone is saying the z650 but I think I really liked the z500 se
Is there a mechanical difference between the z400 and ninja 400? I'm thinking more on the suspension and tuning
Not that I can tell. As far as I can tell from every source of information, and from my own examination of these bikes, they are mechanically identical. There are so.e practical differences between the two. I cover those in this video. th-cam.com/video/YcqUQD8r5m0/w-d-xo.html
I am coming from a Ninja cycle and chose the Z model this time. I loved the Ninja. But as I age, I want to sit more upright. This Z is more of what I’d call a motor touring style similar to the MT line from Yamaha. I almost bought the MT 03. But this Is way better for the money!
Can i still have the z650 as a beginner?
Sure! I've seen plenty of people start on the 650's. The question for a new rider is do you want to spend extra money on the bike and insurance for more speed. To me neither bike is more fun than the other so sometimes it makes sense to start with the 400. Other times it makes sense to start with the 650.
Z400 👍
Z400 should be fitted with a full system SC project and replace the 650 exhaust system with the z400
Liked and Subbed because this is by FAR the absolute best comparison guy to turn to imo anyhow. Exactly what i was looking for, not having a dealer with both bikes closer to where I live. The worst thing looking at the Z400 (as is the case with the CB500F/R's and the likes is that goddamn ugly exhaust Can!
The Z650's underslung is much cooler and practical. Put that same style can on the 400 and I know where my money would be going!
I appreciate the kind words and the subscription! Thanks!
What’s the gas mileage between the two
That's hard for me to predict. I find if you go on a few forums for these bikes, you'll get a range of what people are actually getting. Your weight and driving style will determine a lot when it comes to fuel efficiency.
@@PeterLoweOne thx appreciate it went looking a lot on different websites but couldn’t find any but I’ll keep looking
Hi
650 is premium and manly 😏.
the ugly display on z400 is a big downside
It's the same display that used to be used on bikes like the Z900. It's not my favourite, and it's interesting because the Ninja 400 has a traditional tach that, to my eyes, looks better. Between the two bikes in this video, I think you can see how the Z650 justifies it's higher price.
@@PeterLoweOne That TFT is real smart. Another big plus as well as the underslung exhaust!
I like it.
Sitting on it is not comfortable. The Mt 03 is feels better
Interesting. I find it works for me. I'll be reviewing the MT-03 very soon! Feel free to subscribe!
1st
When you give weights, can you also give a metric weight, you know kilograms the measurements used in the civilised world😉 You talk litres and cc’s so why not keg’s, don’t mind if you give both to cater for your older US and Myanmar fans😂
Civilized folks convert pounds into kg within a split second by dividing the number of pounds by 2 and deducting 10% off of the result 😁
I'm wondering, why you didn't mentioned the cms/inches mix, though 😁
That's fair, but in Canada, we often mix things. I film in Canada, and that's my primary audience. We do almost everything in metric, but we tend to talk about our own height and weight in feet and pounds. So in Canada, for the most part, people talk about the weight of a motorcycle in pounds. I can try to say both, but I'm already trying to memorize a lot each video. So when in doubt, remember that all the specs can be found on your local Kawasaki website. In Canada, specs can be found at www.kawasaki.ca
@@kwakithailand possibly because I’m the same height as Peter and relate what he says and to how he sits immediately 😁 I’m also old enough to convert imperial to metric but I know the next generations struggle especially with lbs to kgs and I shared a couple of his videos with my kids. I only struggle with predictive text calling kgs kegs😏😛
@@iainsmith2434 Kegs sounds good 🤣🤣 In UK (Parts of it anyway) kegs has 2 meanings. One is the most obvious Barrel used in the maturing and delivery of said alcoholic beverages. The other means a pair of trousers viz: "Look o'er there. Has he got his kegs on!" 😂 it's actually kecks but sounds like kegs
Kilometers per hour? This is America. Use the proper terminology.
Ah. Americans can be so cute. You might be in America, but I filmed these bikes in Canada. The bikes are Canadian spec, I'm Canadian.... Soooo.. "This" isn't America, and I'm using the proper terminology. 🙄
@PeterLoweOne No. This is America. Use the proper vernacular. I've commented this on 20 different of your videos. When will you learn???
@@CaptainPantys Oh man... I literally can't stop laughing right now. 🤣
@@PeterLoweOne Welcome to America.
@@CaptainPantys 🤣🤣🤣🇨🇦