[motorcycle.com] - 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Confirmed in VIN Submissions

Ninjette Newsbot · August 2nd, 2022, 12:11 PM

A new Vehicle Identification Number decoder released by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms that Kawasaki will be introducing a 399cc Inline-Four Ninja ZX-4R model for 2023. While the VIN decoder does not provide any clue to what the ZX-4R will look like, we expect it will be styled similar to the 249cc Ninja ZX-25R (pictured above) currently offered in Japan and other Asian markets.

We previously wrote about the existence of a ZX-4R a year ago, when we uncovered a Kawasaki patent for the fairing design that was adopted for the ZX-25R. The patent described how intakes built into the fairing would divert air towards the engine for additional cooling. While the design was used on the ZX-25R, the patent describes the invention as being “more preferably applied to a vehicle having four-cylinder 400 cc engine.”

The patent illustrations showed a fairing with an air intake resembling the design of the ZX-25R. The text of the patent, however, describes the intended use as being for a four-cylinder 400cc engine.

Thanks to the VIN decoder, we now know the ZX-4R not only exists, but that it will be offered in the U.S. for 2023. The 2023 Kawasaki VIN decoder was dated March 22 and was an update on a previous version published last December. The changes include the listings below for two models with the codes ZX400PP and a ZX400SP. Per Kawasaki’s model code structure, the ZX codes designate its high-performance sportbike models like the ZX-10R, ZX-6R, and Ninja H2. The 400 indicates an approximate engine displacement, with the letter following indicating a specific model variant. The “P” at the end, as per industry standard, represents the 2023 model year. The name “Ninja ZX-4R” doesn’t actually appear in the VIN decoder, but the engine code leaves little doubt to its commercial name.

The ZX400 is not to be confused with the Ninja 400, which is also included on the VIN decoder under its model codes EX400GP for the ABS version, and EX400HP for non-ABS. The full VIN decoder provides more specific details.

The last five columns in the VIN decoder indicate the engine displacement, number of strokes for the engine cycle, number of cylinders, the claimed engine output in kilowatts, and an embargo date.

It confirms the ZX400 models are powered by a four-stroke 399cc Inline-Four. The engine output remains “to be determined”, but we expect it will be a significant increase over the Ninja 400’s 36 kW (48 hp), which is just slightly more powerful than the ZX-25R which claims a peak output of 44 hp at 15,500 rpm.

We expect the ZX-4R will be offered with or without ABS. Beyond that, we expect a chassis similar to the ZX-25R, with a trellis frame and inverted fork. The ZX-25R makes use of just a single front disc brake, but it remains to be seen if the more powerful ZX-4R requires a second rotor.

Kawasaki announced a number of returning 2023 models today, but of its supersport models, only the ZX-6R has been confirmed thus far. We suspect the ZX-25R will be announced along with the Ninja ZX-10R.

Become a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here.

The post 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Confirmed in VIN Submissions appeared first on Motorcycle.com.

Click here for full story...

Alex · August 2nd, 2022, 04:05 PM

Boom! There it is.

geeker · August 2nd, 2022, 06:31 PM

I came here to post this! I don’t have room in my garage for a fourth bike, but I guess I better make room.

DannoXYZ · August 2nd, 2022, 07:00 PM

Woohoo!!!!! Hopefully it won't be porker like ZX25R...
Honda's CBR400R 2-cyl was disappointingly weak and heavy as well...

All the hot 400 bikes from late '80s came in at 390-410lbs wet with ~60 bhp.
Figured improvements in modern technology should at least match those.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/...fzr400-vfr400/
https://www.cycleworld.com/2015/09/2...eptember-1990/
https://www.visordown.com/features/t...cles-ever-made
https://www.visordown.com/reviews/us...ers-400cc-test
https://raresportbikesforsale.com/ba...wasaki-zxr400r

Actually been looking at Ninja 400 since that's hottest class @ ASMA roadracing. Maybe I'll buy VFR400R that my brother's been letting sit for way too long... hmm....

petrolhead · August 3rd, 2022, 08:24 AM

4 cylinder 400cc. Thats not the simplest, cheapest or lightest way to make 50-60 hp.

DannoXYZ · August 4th, 2022, 02:20 AM

well.. G-force got ~90bhp from their VFR400R

https://mngforce.typepad.com/nc450vd...come-page.html

They were racing with AFM over 10-yrs before me, but people were still talking about their bikes when I started racing...

CZroe · August 4th, 2022, 10:03 AM

Gotta wonder why they are waiting to announce this. Maybe they have another ace in their sleeve. The VIN decoder mentions two variants which some suggest will be ABS and non-ABS. Am I wrong to expect ABS to be standard by now? Could this be a bigger difference?

When petrolhead said “not the simplest, cheapest or lightest way to make 50-60 hp” my thoughts immediately went to “maybe they are making more.”

Kawasaki didn’t develop the world’s smallest supercharger just for the H2, and it’s something they have that the competition still doesn’t have. What if they do something insane and make a supercharged ZX4R to replace the ZX6R? Supposedly they are dropping the ZX-6R in a lot of places and this would really fill that hole.

petrolhead · August 4th, 2022, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

Gotta wonder why they are waiting to announce this. Maybe they have another ace in their sleeve. The VIN decoder mentions two variants which some suggest will be ABS and non-ABS. Am I wrong to expect ABS to be standard by now? Could this be a bigger difference?

When petrolhead said “not the simplest, cheapest or lightest way to make 50-60 hp” my thoughts immediately went to “maybe they are making more.”

Kawasaki didn’t develop the world’s smallest supercharger just for the H2, and it’s something they have that the competition still doesn’t have. What if they do something insane and make a supercharged ZX4R to replace the ZX6R? Supposedly they are dropping the ZX-6R in a lot of places and this would really fill that hole.

Don't mind me. I'm limited in my thinking when it comes to motor vehicles. Motorcycle at it's best is designed to a certain design targets. Cost, simplicity, weight, target horsepower.
4 cyl 400cc is not the optimal configuration for any power figure. You can easily make a 100 hp with 2 cylinders and meet emissions.

DannoXYZ · August 4th, 2022, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrolhead

Don't mind me. I'm limited in my thinking when it comes to motor vehicles. Motorcycle at it's best is designed to a certain design targets. Cost, simplicity, weight, target horsepower.
4 cyl 400cc is not the optimal configuration for any power figure. You can easily make a 100 hp with 2 cylinders and meet emissions.

Yeah major manufacturers have so many constraints on their designs. I want 2-stroke turbo!!! ... and 150bhp!!!

petrolhead · August 5th, 2022, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ

Yeah major manufacturers have so many constraints on their designs. I want 2-stroke turbo!!! ... and 150bhp!!!

My ability to put the power down to tarmac is very limited. I'm always more concerned about the power delivery than peak numbers. I can get more real world speed with practising my driving/riding technique than adding power.

CaliGrrl · August 5th, 2022, 01:39 AM

Exciting news! I had hopes for the 4-cyl/250cc but this sounds like it would work well. Waiting and hoping it's good.

Sirref · August 5th, 2022, 04:32 PM

Definitely excited for this one, I’m imagining it’ll make more than 60hp. Having a proper supersport package with lightweight displacement will be awesome.

DannoXYZ · August 5th, 2022, 11:04 PM

My hope is 65-70bhp in 380-lbs wet package... might be optimistic though...

Last 400 supersport U.S. got was 1988-1991 FZR400

64bhp
410lbs wet-weight
0-60mph in 3.7s
1/4-mile 12.43sec. @103.57mph
130mph top-speed

Quite bit faster than Ninja 400 currently dominating this class. Hopefully Kawasaki can out-do a 30-yr old bike.

petrolhead · August 6th, 2022, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ

My hope is 65-70bhp in 380-lbs wet package... might be optimistic though...

Last 400 supersport U.S. got was 1988-1991 FZR400

64bhp
410lbs wet-weight
0-60mph in 3.7s
1/4-mile 12.43sec. @103.57mph
130mph top-speed

Quite bit faster than Ninja 400 currently dominating this class. Hopefully Kawasaki can out-do a 30-yr old bike.

Surely they can out do anything from the past. The bikes are designed for your everyday Joe and Janet. Small bike is a high volume model. So if 1% of buyers find some aspect of the bike too extreme, you lose 10000 sales. If you're aiming to sell a million units. Modern gadgets add weight, emissions kill the power. The engine has to be made very, very cheaply.
The kind of sub 400cc bike I'd like to see has a very limited market. I'd want a twin with 90° crank, short enough stroke that it can rev past 14000. Closest ratios in the box imaginable.

CZroe · September 6th, 2022, 09:25 AM

The fact that they still haven’t revealed the 2023 ZX-25R points to them hiding that it gets the same refreshed styling rumored for the ZX-4R. That would be a ZX-10R-style chin on the upper cowling.

It’s pretty clear that they are largely the same bike and, if anything, the ZX-4R will even weigh a bit more than the ZX-25R (larger exhaust, dual front brake rotors, etc). Sorry, Danno.

It’s more than enough to keep me happy though.

August 2nd, 2022, 12:11 PM	#1
Ninjette Newsbot All the news that's fit to excerpt Name: newsie Location: who knows? Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): only digital replicas Posts: Too much.	[motorcycle.com] - 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Confirmed in VIN Submissions A new Vehicle Identification Number decoder released by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms that Kawasaki will be introducing a 399cc Inline-Four Ninja ZX-4R model for 2023. While the VIN decoder does not provide any clue to what the ZX-4R will look like, we expect it will be styled similar to the 249cc Ninja ZX-25R (pictured above) currently offered in Japan and other Asian markets. We previously wrote about the existence of a ZX-4R a year ago, when we uncovered a Kawasaki patent for the fairing design that was adopted for the ZX-25R. The patent described how intakes built into the fairing would divert air towards the engine for additional cooling. While the design was used on the ZX-25R, the patent describes the invention as being “more preferably applied to a vehicle having four-cylinder 400 cc engine.” The patent illustrations showed a fairing with an air intake resembling the design of the ZX-25R. The text of the patent, however, describes the intended use as being for a four-cylinder 400cc engine. Thanks to the VIN decoder, we now know the ZX-4R not only exists, but that it will be offered in the U.S. for 2023. The 2023 Kawasaki VIN decoder was dated March 22 and was an update on a previous version published last December. The changes include the listings below for two models with the codes ZX400PP and a ZX400SP. Per Kawasaki’s model code structure, the ZX codes designate its high-performance sportbike models like the ZX-10R, ZX-6R, and Ninja H2. The 400 indicates an approximate engine displacement, with the letter following indicating a specific model variant. The “P” at the end, as per industry standard, represents the 2023 model year. The name “Ninja ZX-4R” doesn’t actually appear in the VIN decoder, but the engine code leaves little doubt to its commercial name. The ZX400 is not to be confused with the Ninja 400, which is also included on the VIN decoder under its model codes EX400GP for the ABS version, and EX400HP for non-ABS. The full VIN decoder provides more specific details. The last five columns in the VIN decoder indicate the engine displacement, number of strokes for the engine cycle, number of cylinders, the claimed engine output in kilowatts, and an embargo date. It confirms the ZX400 models are powered by a four-stroke 399cc Inline-Four. The engine output remains “to be determined”, but we expect it will be a significant increase over the Ninja 400’s 36 kW (48 hp), which is just slightly more powerful than the ZX-25R which claims a peak output of 44 hp at 15,500 rpm. We expect the ZX-4R will be offered with or without ABS. Beyond that, we expect a chassis similar to the ZX-25R, with a trellis frame and inverted fork. The ZX-25R makes use of just a single front disc brake, but it remains to be seen if the more powerful ZX-4R requires a second rotor. Kawasaki announced a number of returning 2023 models today, but of its supersport models, only the ZX-6R has been confirmed thus far. We suspect the ZX-25R will be announced along with the Ninja ZX-10R. Become a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here. The post 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Confirmed in VIN Submissions appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Click here for full story... __________________________________________________ I'm a bot. I don't need no stinkin' signature...

August 2nd, 2022, 04:05 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE, '15 CRF110F, '13 TT-R50E Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Boom! There it is. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 5th, 2022, 04:32 PM	#12
Sirref Private Joker Name: Ben Location: Towson, MD Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '14	Definitely excited for this one, I’m imagining it’ll make more than 60hp. Having a proper supersport package with lightweight displacement will be awesome. __________________________________________________ I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[motorcycle.com] - Evidence Suggests New Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Z650 for 2023	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	July 18th, 2022 10:50 AM
[motorcycle.com] - 2023 BMW G 310 RR Sportbike Confirmed	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	June 10th, 2022 11:03 AM
[RideApart] - 2022 Toronto Motorcycle Film Festival Is Now Accepting Submissions	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	May 3rd, 2022 11:11 AM
[motogp.com] - Michelin confirmed as MotoGP™ tyre supplier until 2023	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	October 20th, 2017 08:21 PM
[motogp.com] - Michelin confirmed as MotoGP™ tyre supplier until 2023	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	October 20th, 2017 07:50 PM

August 2nd, 2022, 06:31 PM	#3
geeker ninjette.org guru Name: Richie Location: Arkansas Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda CRF300L Rally, 2015 Ninja ZX6R 636, 2014 Ninja 1000, 2013 Ninja 300 (sold), 2011 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 479	I came here to post this! I don’t have room in my garage for a fourth bike, but I guess I better make room.

August 2nd, 2022, 07:00 PM	#4
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	Woohoo!!!!! Hopefully it won't be porker like ZX25R... Honda's CBR400R 2-cyl was disappointingly weak and heavy as well... All the hot 400 bikes from late '80s came in at 390-410lbs wet with ~60 bhp. Figured improvements in modern technology should at least match those. https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/...fzr400-vfr400/ https://www.cycleworld.com/2015/09/2...eptember-1990/ https://www.visordown.com/features/t...cles-ever-made https://www.visordown.com/reviews/us...ers-400cc-test https://raresportbikesforsale.com/ba...wasaki-zxr400r Actually been looking at Ninja 400 since that's hottest class @ ASMA roadracing. Maybe I'll buy VFR400R that my brother's been letting sit for way too long... hmm....

August 3rd, 2022, 08:24 AM	#5
petrolhead ninjette.org member Name: Jarno Location: Finland Join Date: Aug 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 118	4 cylinder 400cc. Thats not the simplest, cheapest or lightest way to make 50-60 hp.

August 4th, 2022, 02:20 AM	#6
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	well.. G-force got ~90bhp from their VFR400R https://mngforce.typepad.com/nc450vd...come-page.html They were racing with AFM over 10-yrs before me, but people were still talking about their bikes when I started racing...

August 4th, 2022, 10:03 AM	#7
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Gotta wonder why they are waiting to announce this. Maybe they have another ace in their sleeve. The VIN decoder mentions two variants which some suggest will be ABS and non-ABS. Am I wrong to expect ABS to be standard by now? Could this be a bigger difference? When petrolhead said “not the simplest, cheapest or lightest way to make 50-60 hp” my thoughts immediately went to “maybe they are making more.” Kawasaki didn’t develop the world’s smallest supercharger just for the H2, and it’s something they have that the competition still doesn’t have. What if they do something insane and make a supercharged ZX4R to replace the ZX6R? Supposedly they are dropping the ZX-6R in a lot of places and this would really fill that hole.

August 5th, 2022, 01:39 AM	#11
CaliGrrl ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kerry Location: Ventura, CA Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16	Exciting news! I had hopes for the 4-cyl/250cc but this sounds like it would work well. Waiting and hoping it's good.

August 5th, 2022, 11:04 PM	#13
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	My hope is 65-70bhp in 380-lbs wet package... might be optimistic though... Last 400 supersport U.S. got was 1988-1991 FZR400 64bhp 410lbs wet-weight 0-60mph in 3.7s 1/4-mile 12.43sec. @103.57mph 130mph top-speed Quite bit faster than Ninja 400 currently dominating this class. Hopefully Kawasaki can out-do a 30-yr old bike.

September 6th, 2022, 09:25 AM	#15
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	The fact that they still haven’t revealed the 2023 ZX-25R points to them hiding that it gets the same refreshed styling rumored for the ZX-4R. That would be a ZX-10R-style chin on the upper cowling. It’s pretty clear that they are largely the same bike and, if anything, the ZX-4R will even weigh a bit more than the ZX-25R (larger exhaust, dual front brake rotors, etc). Sorry, Danno. It’s more than enough to keep me happy though.