July 13th, 2017, 02:08 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
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Ninja 400 Caught on Tape!
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...-in-milwaukee/
http://www.motorcycle.com/features/o...ninja-400.html Kawasaki was filming a new commercial in Milwaukee, and a zoomed photo reveals that they were riding.... a Ninja 400. Likely closer to a scaled up 300 - a parallel twin - and not the sleeved down 650 that is seen abroad. |
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July 13th, 2017, 03:18 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org sage
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Not too happy about it becoming a 400. They already screwed up a perfectly good 250 racing class with the 300. Just when people accept the 300, they pull this. More engine size with more cost = no net gain. Would have been much happier with a 300 that has nice adjustable USD forks.
Japan needs to realize that the ultralights need standardization in the same way 600's and 1000's do.
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July 13th, 2017, 04:56 PM | #3 |
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sweet. 400 cubes is a happy middle ground. make it look like a proper supersport, none of this snout nose silliness like the 650 and 1000. And make it a proper full size bike so I don't feel like I'm cramped up on a toy. But keep it a twin and make it a revver so it's still light and fun and usable.
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July 13th, 2017, 05:29 PM | #4 | |
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July 13th, 2017, 05:35 PM | #5 |
CCS Amateur #501
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Heh heh heh everyone who just built up R3s for the track are gonna pout a bit
Heck it could end up being a worthless track turd like the honda 500. We'll just have to wait a bit and see. |
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July 14th, 2017, 06:54 AM | #6 |
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July 15th, 2017, 02:04 PM | #7 |
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According to Wiki the 400R (sleeved down 650) came out in 2011 so it would probably be due for a refresh anyway. I'm hoping it's replacement is the scaled up 300 as you suggested. Another 10hp, some better suspension and no extra weight would make a great track bike. The only bike I would want more in this class would be if they started making modern versions of the FZR400, VFR400 or ZXR400
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July 15th, 2017, 05:55 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
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Kawasaki will more than likely just use an existing 400cc engine from the Ninja 400.
http://www.kawasaki-motors.com/mc/lineup/ninja400/ Kawasaki Ninja 400 399cc Parallel Twin Bore: 68.4mm Stroke: 54.3mm Compression Ratio: 11:1 Power: 32kW (43hp) @9,500rpm Torque: 44Nm (32.45lb-ft) @7,500rpm |
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July 15th, 2017, 05:58 PM | #9 | |
ninjette.org member
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Quote:
In USA/Canada, people like big engines. The vast majority of people will get bored of mere 250cc engine in 1-2 weeks. KTM RC390 is RC125 with big engine. Yamaha R3 is R25/R15/R125 overseas. Same as CBR300R, which is 250. When Suzuki introduced GSXR250 couple months ago in USA/Canada, the first complaints were "what was Suzuki thinking? How are they gonna compete with 300cc motorcycles?" |
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July 15th, 2017, 07:33 PM | #10 |
dirty boy
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Here we go again, big ol displacement one up each other circle jerk.
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July 15th, 2017, 07:38 PM | #11 |
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Makes me glad I still have my old 250.
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July 15th, 2017, 11:18 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org member
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LOL This is great!
Kawasaki too a risk and started its own 300cc market. Inevitably all the competitors started making 300cc bikes.. Yamaha R3, KTM RC390, Honda CBR300R, BMW G310R, etc.. So now Kawasaki will create its own 400cc market. We're gonna see Yamaha YZF-R4, Honda CBR400R, KTM RC400, BMW G400R, etc. |
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July 16th, 2017, 04:56 AM | #13 |
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Sounds like follow the leader.
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July 16th, 2017, 06:01 AM | #14 |
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So... just spitballing here:
The 400 is going to have to be uniquely different from the 650, right? Otherwise it would take sales from the 650. So does this mean they'll can the 650? or will the 400 be a ripper? or will they can the 300? Or will they have a 300, 400, and 650 all in the same lineup? There's a lot of ways they could go with this, and each option has some reason that makes it not make sense. I'm hoping they keep the existing 300 to keep the entry rider and ninjette racing class. Keep the 650 as the middleweight sensible bike. Then make the 400 engine a high strung, high revving ripper (go ahead and base it off the sleeved down 650 engine, but up the compression and put in hot cams and a high flowing head and a high flow intake) and make the chassis (with budget parts to keep cost down) the geometry of a proper supersport. Aggressive, tight, and snappy, but smaller engine that can still be wound out on real roads. That way the 300 is entry sport and the 650 is middleweight sport, while the 400 becomes entry level for the ZX line. For once, I'd be okay if they did their typical cheapo suspension in this scenario. Would that make sense? Maybe. But it's still too many bikes in the lineup and I bet it's just a pipe dream on my part. I'm guessing they'll end up using this bike to replace either the 300 or the 650 and make it an EX rather than making it the entry ZX. |
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July 16th, 2017, 01:39 PM | #15 |
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Not true... I've seen plenty of huge things I didn't want much to do with; fun to play with and look at but no good for actual um nvm
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July 16th, 2017, 02:31 PM | #16 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: what
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Quote:
The Ninja 650 just came out, brand new for 2017...and do you think they're gonna replace it for Ninja 400? If anything, they will kill the 300 and replace it with 400. |
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July 16th, 2017, 02:47 PM | #17 | |
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July 16th, 2017, 02:51 PM | #18 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: what
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Quote:
The 2018 Ninja 400 will definitely be lighter than the 448 lb bike (2016 Ninja 400) that you're talking about. With 400cc 43hp engine, it will be more than enough to carry a 2018 Ninja 400. I doubt Kawasaki will develop a brand new engine from scratch just for that 2018 Ninja 400 especially if it doesn't need extra hp, in a entry level category where they're targeting price conscious buyers. |
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July 16th, 2017, 03:05 PM | #19 | ||
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Quote:
Like I said: Quote:
You might think my pipe dream is ridiculous and you're probably right that they'll make it the 300 replacement, but there's at least some logic behind my thought process. I'm hoping for a proper light weight entry super sport; don't prematurely kill my dreams, mang! Sidenote: if all they do is use the existing sleeved-down 650 engine... imagine the relative ease of bumping up the horsepower. |
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July 24th, 2017, 11:39 AM | #20 |
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While I don't see Kawasaki making a new engine for a 400cc sport bike, you guys could be overlooking an engine option that is available to Kawasaki.
Rather than use a sleeved down 650, What if the Ninja 400 uses the KX450F dirt bike engine? That's a light weight liquid cooled 54 HP (at the rear wheel) single cylinder engine. Drop that in the Ninja 300 chassis with some upgraded suspension and brakes and you would have a fun little bike. Last futzed with by VaFish; July 25th, 2017 at 09:51 AM. |
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July 24th, 2017, 02:27 PM | #21 | |
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July 28th, 2017, 11:31 AM | #22 |
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And VisorDown thinks it might say 420, not 400.
http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...0%93-or-it-420 Maybe it really is a 450 not a 420? |
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July 28th, 2017, 11:57 AM | #23 | |
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Quote:
426 or 436 sounds better... |
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July 28th, 2017, 07:41 PM | #24 |
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July 29th, 2017, 12:57 AM | #25 |
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You guys are missing the facts of the WORLD, which is normal for USA ��
The 2007 250 was just an update. Then European learner laws changed to being power output based rather than CC, so Kawasaki scaled up the 250 to 300, to meet that power limit, as all bigger bikes make way to much power & the 250 was a ways off. In much of the rest of the world it's still sold as a 250. USA got the 300 because they have no laws around 250's. In Japan they have a 400cc limit class, so you often see sleeved down or bored out versions of other bikes. Companies often film adverts in other countries for effect & never sell that model in the country where the filming took place ! You may be the victims of this, as it could be a Japan only model, but US influence sells well in Japan, so they might have filmed it in US for effect. You may or may not see the 400, only time will tell. |
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July 29th, 2017, 04:42 AM | #26 | |
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You're right, but you're still a downer. |
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July 29th, 2017, 07:01 AM | #27 |
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July 29th, 2017, 12:17 PM | #28 |
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July 31st, 2017, 09:00 AM | #29 |
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Inline 6. Flat 6.
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July 31st, 2017, 09:12 AM | #30 |
ᗧ•••ᗣ•ᗣᗣ•••ᗣ
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It all started with:
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July 31st, 2017, 03:39 PM | #31 | |
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Quote:
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July 31st, 2017, 06:39 PM | #32 |
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August 4th, 2017, 09:42 AM | #33 |
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Its going to be a Ninja650 with gastric bypass
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August 6th, 2017, 08:18 AM | #34 |
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August 23rd, 2017, 09:22 PM | #35 |
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I was talking to a dealership today and he said we should know details very very soon. : )
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August 24th, 2017, 09:15 AM | #36 |
Nooblet
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My 2fiddy kept me happy for 5 years I still love the engine in it. Feels like I'm riding everywhere at 300mph when I'm barely braking the speed limit
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August 24th, 2017, 01:37 PM | #37 |
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August 25th, 2017, 09:36 PM | #38 |
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Bigger isn't always better. Like many I'd prefer to see a more refined 300 (or even stepping back to a 250 with FI...not that it would happen in the US).
Generally I'd just like to see consistency for more than 4 or 5 years. Makes it easier to form racing classes/leagues around a displacement. That and it means there will be more bikes on the used market which fit that class. And on a final note, I hate to see the demise of affordable, entry level bikes. Motorcycling is on the decline in the US as it is. Making new bikes more expensive means it's less and less accessible, especially to young riders. IMO the sooner they can start the more likely they are to become enthusiasts. I see far too many people who talk about it, but find it expensive and end up waiting until they are 35 to start. They buy a bike, ride it a few times and family life, understandably, means the bike sits. They never become as ingrained in the sport as a 21 year old who has few responsibilities besides themselves can.
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August 26th, 2017, 06:09 PM | #39 | |
ninjette.org member
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Quote:
Small displacement motorcycles are available in Asia and Europe (as you probably know already) but if any of these bikes come to the US, they won't sell simply because the engine is too small. Honda CBR150RR Kawsaki Ninja 150RR Yamaha YZF-R15 Suzuki GSX-150R KTM RC125 Sym Wolf 125 Hyosung GT125R |
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August 26th, 2017, 07:49 PM | #40 |
The Violet Vixen
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I sort of see your point but the Grom and Z125 seem to be doing okay -- I own a Z125 myself. Can't speak for the rest of the country but the real "issue" I have is if you live in a region where highways are required to get somewhere that's where it becomes problematic - they're either literally illegal (for many highways the law requires over 150ccs) or they're at redline and still slower than traffic. I love my 125 but I could never use it as a primary.
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