Ninja 400

eddiekay · June 12th, 2012, 07:37 PM

Any of you boys up north have anything to say about these. First hand experience ?

Jiggles · June 12th, 2012, 08:51 PM

It's the same as a Ninja 650, but with a smaller cc engine, same engine size though. Sounds cool to me

LoneRonin · June 12th, 2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

It's the same as a Ninja 650, but with a smaller cc engine, same engine size though. Sounds cool to me

what sounds so cool? an underpowered bike for its weight? They haven't updated the style to match the new 650r, so they're just rolling out the leftover bodies with Ninja 400r engines and decals..
This bike was supposedly introduced to primarily get around some crazy insurance we have especially for newer and young riders, 100cc-400cc get rated in the same category and the quotes are roughly within a couple hundred dollars.
I pay 2 grand for my 09 250. I'm single, 22, clean record and 4th year insured

Jiggles · June 12th, 2012, 09:05 PM

I'd imagine 400ccs is the perfect highway commuter. The 250 is doable and the 650 is overkill, 400 would give you that extra oomph you need with better fuel economy

bdavison · June 13th, 2012, 07:07 AM

It would if they didn't package it in a overweight pig bike....

Ptdoughnut · June 13th, 2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

I pay 2 grand for my 09 250. I'm single, 22, clean record and 4th year insured

Is that for just basic insurance or a package policy????

I pay $400 a year with a clean record

Jiggles · June 13th, 2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavison

It would if they didn't package it in a overweight pig bike....

Don't you ever talk about my girl like that! I will mess you up!

Stingray1000 · June 13th, 2012, 09:30 AM

I want one!

cbdallas · June 13th, 2012, 10:36 AM

I'm seeing grumbling about Kawasaki using the same frame for a smaller engine, but if you think about it, car manufacturers do it every day. Lexus IS350 & IS250 for example. It's not that they're lazy or stupid....they're just leveraging assets to keep the company profitable.

I say you Canadians are lucky to even have a 400. We've got a HUGE unfilled gap between the 250 & 650 here.

NJ Ninjette · June 13th, 2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingray1000

I want one!

I kind of do too actually, I find strangely intriguing…

Boom King · June 13th, 2012, 07:02 PM

Not as common around here as the 250R or 650R. I've probably seen the 400R once or twice on the road. The main criticism of it is that sometimes you can step up to the 650 for less than $1000 more at the dealer. That price gap gets even smaller when you compare them used. This comparison only applies for the 650 pre 2012 model. Of course not everyone has a need or want to step up to a 600 or 650 cc bike. If you fit into that category, the 400R really seems to offer value and insurance savings.

I don't have first hand experience but I've never read or heard of a bad overall review from the press or owners. There's a good owner review here and a couple of other posts from owners in the same thread. One rider reported fuel economy in the same range as his 250R.

LoneRonin · June 14th, 2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

I'd imagine 400ccs is the perfect highway commuter. The 250 is doable and the 650 is overkill, 400 would give you that extra oomph you need with better fuel economy

riding isn't just about highway commuting...a 70hp bike weighing 450lbs is not overkill, and the fuel savings are negligible when you're revving the **** out of it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ptdoughnut

Is that for just basic insurance or a package policy????

I pay $400 a year with a clean record

Its for full coverage for the bike only. I'm in the "Metropolitan Toronto Area", which is possibly the worst rated area in the worst province as far as motor vehicle insurance in Canada is concerned...

Jiggles · June 14th, 2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

riding isn't just about highway commuting...a 70hp bike weighing 450lbs is not overkill, and the fuel savings are negligible when you're revving the **** out of it

The 650 is faster than virtually every other car on the freeway. A mustang GT tried to race me and he got raped. Maybe a corvette would fair better but my point was a 400 would likely be the perfect highway commuter.

Boom King · June 14th, 2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

I pay 2 grand for my 09 250. I'm single, 22, clean record and 4th year insured

Who's your insurance company?

LoneRonin · June 14th, 2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boom King

Who's your insurance company?

Jevco

Boom King · June 14th, 2012, 07:42 PM

Have you checked State Farm? Generally speaking, they are usually the cheapest for younger riders and small displacement bikes.

Harr1s · June 15th, 2012, 06:20 PM

Really liked the idea behind the 400 when I first saw it: The tech of the 650s without the corresponding engine size, ideal for city commuting which is what I do pretty much all of the time.

I'm Fred · June 16th, 2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

The 650 is faster than virtually every other car on the freeway. A mustang GT tried to race me and he got raped. Maybe a corvette would fair better but my point was a 400 would likely be the perfect highway commuter.

When you raced the mustang were you on a 650 or on a 400?

BTW first post, finally created an account to post instead of lurking

Jiggles · June 16th, 2012, 10:07 AM

650

bdavison · June 16th, 2012, 10:39 AM

When the 250R will keep up with the 400....get the one that's lighter.

They didn't stick a smaller engine in a frame, they just took a 650, and pulled half of its power out of the bike by sleeving the engine down to a 400 and pwned it off to anyone that doesn't know better. Shame on kawasaki for even putting that thing on the market.

No thanks. To be honest, anyone that falls for that 400 POS got raped by kawasaki.

June 12th, 2012, 07:37 PM	#1
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	Ninja 400 Any of you boys up north have anything to say about these. First hand experience ?

June 12th, 2012, 08:51 PM	#2
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	It's the same as a Ninja 650, but with a smaller cc engine, same engine size though. Sounds cool to me __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

June 12th, 2012, 09:05 PM	#4
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	I'd imagine 400ccs is the perfect highway commuter. The 250 is doable and the 650 is overkill, 400 would give you that extra oomph you need with better fuel economy __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

June 13th, 2012, 09:30 AM	#8
Stingray1000 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jon Location: Newark, De Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	I want one! __________________________________________________ http://www.facebook.com/groups/DeMdNjPagrouprides/ I live my life a quarter mile at a time! Who is affraid of the big bad jiggles???? LOL

June 16th, 2012, 10:07 AM	#19
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	650 __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

June 13th, 2012, 07:07 AM	#5
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	It would if they didn't package it in a overweight pig bike....

June 13th, 2012, 10:36 AM	#9
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	I'm seeing grumbling about Kawasaki using the same frame for a smaller engine, but if you think about it, car manufacturers do it every day. Lexus IS350 & IS250 for example. It's not that they're lazy or stupid....they're just leveraging assets to keep the company profitable. I say you Canadians are lucky to even have a 400. We've got a HUGE unfilled gap between the 250 & 650 here.

June 13th, 2012, 07:02 PM	#11
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Not as common around here as the 250R or 650R. I've probably seen the 400R once or twice on the road. The main criticism of it is that sometimes you can step up to the 650 for less than $1000 more at the dealer. That price gap gets even smaller when you compare them used. This comparison only applies for the 650 pre 2012 model. Of course not everyone has a need or want to step up to a 600 or 650 cc bike. If you fit into that category, the 400R really seems to offer value and insurance savings. I don't have first hand experience but I've never read or heard of a bad overall review from the press or owners. There's a good owner review here and a couple of other posts from owners in the same thread. One rider reported fuel economy in the same range as his 250R.

June 14th, 2012, 07:42 PM	#16
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Have you checked State Farm? Generally speaking, they are usually the cheapest for younger riders and small displacement bikes.

June 15th, 2012, 06:20 PM	#17
Harr1s ninjette.org newbie Name: Harris Location: Sacramento Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250r Posts: 9	Really liked the idea behind the 400 when I first saw it: The tech of the 650s without the corresponding engine size, ideal for city commuting which is what I do pretty much all of the time.

June 16th, 2012, 10:39 AM	#20
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	When the 250R will keep up with the 400....get the one that's lighter. They didn't stick a smaller engine in a frame, they just took a 650, and pulled half of its power out of the bike by sleeving the engine down to a 400 and pwned it off to anyone that doesn't know better. Shame on kawasaki for even putting that thing on the market. No thanks. To be honest, anyone that falls for that 400 POS got raped by kawasaki.

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