The Kawasaki Ninja 400 was re-launched in India after a two-year hiatus. In its latest avatar, the Japanese supersport received a couple of tweaks while retaining the majority of bits from its older version. But what exactly does the 2023 model have to offer? Is its high asking price justified? Or are you better off with the KTM RC 390 or TVS Apache RR 310? Let’s find out the answers to all these questions.
One of the highlights of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is its road presence. The ZX-10 R-inspired bodywork comes with sharp cuts and creases all over. The split LED headlights contribute to the visual mass of the bike and make it look fast even when static.
Its supersport styling could leave you second-guessing whether the Ninja 400 is comfortable for riding over long distances. But mind you, it's more of a sports tourer than an out-and-out track bike. So, there’s enough room for the rider to move around whenever needed and even tuck-in if the opportunity presents itself.
During our test, we rode the Ninja for almost 200km at a stretch, and surprisingly, the seat proved to be comfortable, thanks to its adequate cushioning. But the same cannot be said for the pillion seat. Meanwhile, flat-footing on the Ninja 400 with your arms stretched to the handlebar is a breeze.
Now, moving on to its performance, the 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 400 draws power from a 399cc parallel-twin motor and its output is rated at 44.7bhp and 37Nm. That’s almost 4bhp less than before. However, the motor is extremely tractable and shows no signs of hesitation even when ridden in the sixth gear at speeds as low as 32kmph.
It picks up speed in a similar fashion, smoothly and with vigour. The engine revs as high as 12,000rpm with a speedometer-indicated top speed of 185kmph. Even when closer to the redline, the Ninja 400 rides effortlessly, just the way you’d expect a Japanese engine to do.
The overall build quality of the 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 400 is spot on. The panel fitment, plastic quality, switchgear placement/feel, and paint quality are premium.
Kawasaki has equipped the bike with a front petal disc and a conventional unit at the rear. The lever feedback and the initial bite have room for improvement, but the stopping power is what you’d expect. Even though it comes with ABS, experienced riders may not necessarily find the need to bank on it.
If you want to know more about the Kawasaki Ninja 400, we recommend you read out the comprehensive review here. It covers all aspects – from its features to the handling and fuel efficiency. Moreover, it even tells you if it's worth spending Rs. 6 lakh on the bike.
