NEW 2023 Kawasaki ZX-4R Four-Cylinder!
Kawasaki have just announced a new four-cylinder 399 cc supersport family, that will sit above the ZX-25R four-cylinder and arrive in Australia from the third quarter of 2023, with pricing to be confirmed.
![Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4R-ZX400P-1-1024x564.jpg)
The Ninja ZX-4R adds a new 399cc liquid-cooled DOHC in-line four-cylinder engine to a ZX-25R inspired chassis, with a Ninja ZX-4R SE and Ninja ZX-4RR version also to be available. Just the Ninja ZX-4R and ZX-4RR variants will be coming to Australia at this stage, neither of which will be LAMS compliant.
![The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR offers a higher spec option](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-6-1024x646.jpg)
Kawasaki are promising the kind of kit you’d expect from their Ninja ZX family, keeping in mind the popular more basic beginner Ninja 400, is actually an EX400, not a ‘real’ Ninja ZX, which no doubt works to it’s benefit for new riders, both on the road and at the wallet.
![The heart of the new ZX-4R is a four-cylinder DOHC 399 cc producing up to 80 hp](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-9-781x1024.jpg)
Obviously the Ninja ZX-4R will demand a much higher premium than the learner friendly Ninja 400. The ZX-25R has previously not imported to Australia due to prohibitively high pricing. In comparison the Ninja ZX-4R has been confirmed, no doubt due to the impressive performance figures.
![Specifications are closer to the ZX-6R and ZX-10R than the Ninja 400](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-24-1024x638.jpg)
This does mean a higher standard of specification closer to the ZX-10R or ZX-6R, with high end brakes, suspension and electronics kit.
Starting at the engine, it’s been revealed the ZX-4R is capable of producing 57 kW or 77 hp, which bumps up to 59 kW/80 hp with the  Ram Air system pressurised. The engine will also rev past 15,000 rpm and runs a slipper clutch, ensuring that appreciators of the four-cylinder class will get the true supersport experience.
![The ZX-4R will rev past 15,000 rpm and deliver good low to mid-range torque according to Kawasaki](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-10-1024x781.jpg)
Kawasaki do note that low to mid-range torque should be ‘significant’, probably to address concerns about a peaky nature and power delivery.
![Showa provide the forks, which offer preload adjustment on the ZX-4RR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-12-1024x781.jpg)
The chassis is a high strength steel trellis frame connected to a long curved swingarm, matched to 37 mm Showa Separate Function Big Piston forkd and horizontal back-link rear suspension system. On the SE and RR variants, you’ll find pre-load adjusters on those forks, while the RR upgrades the rear shock to a Showa BFRC-Lite unit, as seen on the ZX-10R with full adjustability.
![The ZX-4RR also boasts a higher spec shock, similar to that seen on the ZX-10R](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-29-1024x781.jpg)
Brakes comprise of dual 290 mm front rotors and four-piston radial calipers. At the rear is a 220 mm rear rotor, with Nissin ABS fitted – with the safety tech now mandatory in many markets. Tyre sizes have also been revealed to be 120/70 and 160/60, with a typical front size and narrower rear compared to a 600 supersport.
![Dual four-pot radial calipers on 290 mm rotors are run up front on the Ninja ZX-4R](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-22-781x1024.jpg)
Those are of course 17 inch wheels, with a star five-spoke pattern, and Dunlop GPR300 radial tyres will be standard fitment.
![A 160/60 tyre is run on the rear with GPR300s the rubber of choice](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-23-1024x781.jpg)
On the electronics side of things we see a 4.3 inch TFT display, that allows control of the KTRC traction control system, as well as the four Power Modes (Sport, Road, Rain and a Rider manual mode). On the ZX-4RR a bi-directional quickshifter is also standard fitment. A circuit display mode is also available specifically for track use, including a lap timer.
![A TFT display offers control of the KTRC and Ride Modes with an accompanying mobile app](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-13-1024x781.jpg)
The Kawasaki RIDEOLOGY app also offers additional functionality, including recording GPS routes, and vehicle information. Lighting is LED across the bike, with typical Ninja styled dual headlights.
![Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R & ZX4-RR break cover!](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-5-1024x697.jpg)
The Ninja ZX-4R will weight in at 188 kg wet, a fair bit heftier than the regular parallel-twin Ninja 400 at 168 kg, but with much more power. Interestingly seat height is listed at 800 mm which is very reasonable all things considered.
![Lightning is full LED now too with the iconic Ninja front fairing](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-4RR-ZX400P-8-1024x781.jpg)
Additional inclusions on the 2023 Ninja ZX-4RR include the previously mentioned quickshifter, smoked windshield and USB port, Kawasaki Racing Team graphics and the up-spec Showa shock.
2023 Kawasaki ZX-4R & ZX-4RR Specifications
2023 Kawasaki ZX-4R Specifications | |
Engine | Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four, DOHC, 16 valves |
Bore x Stroke | 57.0 x 39.1 mm |
Capacity | 399 cc |
Compression | 12.3:1 |
Power | 59 kW/80 hp claimed (with Ram Air) |
Induction | Fuel injection: ø34 mm x 4 Forced lubrication, wet sump Electric |
Final Drive | Chain |
Gearbox | 6-speed, return |
Clutch | Wet multi-disc, manual |
Frame | Trellis, high-tensile steel |
Fork (R | ø37 mm inverted fork (SFF-BP) with top-out springs |
Fork (RR) | ø37 mm inverted fork (SFF-BP) with spring preload adjustability, and top-out springsHorizontal Back-link, gas-charged shock with spring preload adjustability |
Shock (R | Horizontal Back-link, gas-charged shock with spring preload adjustability |
Shock (RR) | Horizontal Back-link, BFRC lite gas-charged shock with piggyback reservoir, compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability, and top-out spring |
Rake/Trail | 23.5°/97 mm |
Tyres | 120/70ZR17M/C (58W), 160/60ZR17M/C (69W)Â |
Front Brake | Dual semi-floating ø290 mm discs, Dual radial-mount, monobloc, opposed 4-piston |
Rear Brake | Single ø220 mm disc, Single-piston |
Wheelbase | 1,990 mm |
Width | 765 mm |
Height | 1,110 mm |
Wheelbase | 1,380 mm |
Clearance | 135 mm |
Seat Height | 800 mm |
Curb Weight | 188 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 15 litres |