Kawasaki Ninja 400
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 400: 45 hp A2 sports bike, 168 kg, last European model year before the Ninja 500. Full specs, press reviews and generations.
At a glance
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is a small 45 hp twin-cylinder sports bike, designed for the A2 licence and weighing 168 kg kerb. The Euro 5 2023 model year is the last sold in Europe: Kawasaki replaced it with the Ninja 500 in 2024. Reviewers praised its light weight, lively engine and ease of use, while criticising average brakes and minimal equipment.
World press review
Meta-score
10 sources
Press ratings
Not too big for a beginner, much stronger midrange than the 300, lively chassis; non-adjustable levers, brakes fade on track.
Exciting engine, comfortable riding position, remarkable steering; brakes ok but no more, vibrations on the motorway.
Named best lightweight streetbike of 2018: flexible engine, overall balance and excellent value.
Featherweight, agile and relaxed riding position; non-adjustable levers, lots of wind noise for riders over 1.80 m.
Flexible engine from 3,000 rpm, very light clutch, effective ABS; slightly dull brakes, painful seat, vibrations above 6,000 rpm.
Lively engine, precise front end and progressive brakes; spartan for a passenger, firm seat and a screen offering little protection.
More sport-tourer than pure sports bike, revvy engine, good handling; shock too soft and demanding front brake.
Strong midrange and revvy top end, very easy gearbox and clutch, very light; vibrations, thin seat, low screen and front brake lacking bite.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
The reviews date from the 2018 launch: the 2023 model year differs only by its Euro 5 homologation, 1 Nm less torque and its colours. The Ninja 400 scores 4/5 from MCN and 85.25/100 from Motorcycle.com, and Cycle World named it the Best Lightweight Streetbike of 2018. RevZilla, BikeSocial, 1000PS, MOTORRAD, Le Repaire des Motards, Moto Magazine and Moto-Net tested it without a numeric score.
What reviewers like: the light weight and agility, the lively engine with a strong midrange, the very light clutch, the relaxed riding position, the ZX-inspired styling and how easy it is for beginners. Le Repaire des Motards stresses that it can entertain experienced riders too.
What they criticise: average front brakes, basic suspension, vibrations, a firm seat, a screen that offers little protection for tall riders, non-adjustable levers and minimal equipment (no traction control or connectivity). Le Repaire des Motards and Moto-Net also found its price too close to the Ninja 650’s.
Key quotes
"The Ninja 400 isn't a story of "bigger is better." Rather, this is a "better is better" kinda tale."
"Kawasaki’s mini-Ninja goes as good as it looks. And it looks bloody marvellous."
"This little Ninja 400 is a real success: smooth enough for a novice A2 rider, who will get their first sporting thrills from its lively engine, light weight and precise handling, it is just as able to put a smile on the face of an experienced tester who wrings out all its potential and discovers a sound, well-bred machine."
"Both fun and serious, the Ninja 400 delivers performance on back roads that is almost as rewarding as that of a bigger bike."
"In short, the Ninja 400 could be summed up as the perfect entry into the supersport world."
Pros
- Light weight (168 kg) and great agility
- Lively engine, A2-compliant without a restriction kit
- Very light assist clutch
- Ninja sports-bike styling
- No known recall
Cons
- No longer sold new in France (replaced by the Ninja 500)
- Average front brakes (single disc)
- Basic suspension, non-adjustable levers
- No traction control or connectivity
- Vibrations and a screen with little protection
Our review
Is the Ninja 400 still on sale?
Not in France. It is no longer in the Kawasaki France range, which offers the Ninja 500 (451 cc) instead, from €6,599. According to MCN, the Ninja 500 replaced the Ninja 400 in the European range in 2024. The 2023 model year is the last documented by Kawasaki Europe. The Ninja 400 is still sold in Japan, but no longer in the United States.
As Kawasaki France no longer publishes a price for this model, this page gives no new price: the Ninja 400 is now bought used or as remaining stock.
What’s new for 2023?
The 2023 model year gains Euro 5 homologation. According to Moto.it, Kawasaki revised the intake, injection and exhaust to achieve it. Torque drops from 38 to 37 Nm, power stays at 45 hp (33.4 kW) and new colours appear. According to Visordown and Moto.it, Euro 4 Ninja 400s could no longer be shipped to Europe after 2020, hence this return for 2023.
How good is the engine?
The 399 cc parallel twin (70 x 51.8 mm) makes 45 hp at 10,000 rpm and 37 Nm at 8,000 rpm, which makes it A2-compliant without a restriction kit. Reviewers found it much stronger in the midrange than the Ninja 300’s engine (RevZilla, Moto-Net) and lively at high revs (Moto Magazine, Le Repaire des Motards). MOTORRAD finds it flexible from 3,000 rpm. The criticisms concern vibrations, above 6,000 rpm according to MOTORRAD, and on the motorway according to BikeSocial.
The assist and slipper clutch is very light. On the other hand, the Ninja 400 has no traction control, riding modes or connectivity.
How does it ride?
At 168 kg kerb, with an H2-inspired steel trellis frame and a 41 mm fork, it is unanimously rated very light and agile. Cycle World named it the Best Lightweight Streetbike of 2018.
The reservations concern:
- the brakes, with a single 310 mm front disc: “ok, but no more” for BikeSocial, “average” for MCN, lacking bite for Moto-Net;
- the shock, too soft for Moto Magazine, harsh for MOTORRAD;
- non-adjustable levers (RevZilla, 1000PS);
- the firm seat and low screen (Le Repaire des Motards, Moto-Net, 1000PS).
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Kawasaki publishes no European homologated fuel consumption; CO2 emissions are 91 g/km (Euro 5). Tests record 3.9 to 5.9 L/100 km depending on pace, giving a range of about 285 km from the 14-litre tank.
Kawasaki’s 2023 owner’s manual (US version) specifies an oil change every 12,000 km or every year, a valve clearance check every 24,000 km and spark plug replacement every 12,000 km. MCN states a valve check every 7,600 miles (about 12,000 km) in the UK: the European schedule could not be verified.
Recalls
No recall was found for the Ninja 400, in France (RappelConso), Europe (Safety Gate) or the United States (NHTSA).
Specifications
| Displacement | 399 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 45 hp (33.4 kW) @ 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 37 Nm @ 8,000 rpm |
| Weight | 168 kg (kerb weight, full tank) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3.73 |
| Seat height | 785 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 14 L |
| Fuel consumption | Not published for Europe — 91 g/km CO2 (Euro 5 homologation) |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 12,000 km or 1 year — Valves: 24,000 km (2023 Kawasaki owner's manual, US version) |
| Engine type | Parallel twin, 4-stroke, DOHC, 8 valves, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain drive, assist and slipper clutch |
| License | A2 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 70 x 51,8 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 11,5:1 |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection, 2 x 32 mm throttle bodies |
| Valve train | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Max power RPM | 10000 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 8000 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5 |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | High-tensile steel trellis, engine as a stressed member |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 24.7 ° |
| Trail | 92 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1370 mm |
| Ground clearance | 140 mm |
| Front suspension | 41 mm conventional telescopic fork, non-adjustable, 120 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Bottom-link Uni-Trak monoshock, 5-step preload adjustment, 130 mm travel |
| Front brake | Single 310 mm semi-floating petal disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Rear brake | 220 mm petal disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 110/70 R17 |
| Rear tire | 150/60 R17 |
| ABS system | ABS as standard (not lean-sensitive) |
Electronics & rider aids
| Traction control | No |
|---|---|
| Anti-wheelie | No |
| Quickshifter | No |
| Cruise control | No |
| Dashboard | Analogue tachometer and multifunction LCD |
| Connectivity | None |
| Other features | ABS as standard, Assist and slipper clutch, Economical riding indicator, No riding modes, LED headlights and tail light |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Sporty but not extreme |
|---|---|
| Passenger comfort | Spartan |
| Wind protection | Poor for tall riders (low screen) |
The Ninja 400 has a sporty but not extreme riding position, which 1000PS and BikeSocial find comfortable. The seat is low (785 mm). Tall riders lack room according to Motorcycle.com and suffer a lot of wind noise behind the standard screen according to 1000PS. Le Repaire des Motards finds the seat firm and the pillion accommodation spartan; MOTORRAD finds the seat painful beyond 130 km.
Ownership & maintenance
3.9-5.9 L/100 km (tests: MOTORRAD 3.9 L, RevZilla ≈ 4.9 L, BikeSocial ≈ 4.9-5.9 L)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~285 km (estimated: 14 L tank / 4.9 L/100 km)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 12,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 24,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 12,000 km |
| Chain | Lubricate after rain or whenever the chain looks dry; check wear every 12,000 km |
Warranty
4 years / Unlimited (2-year factory + 2-year extension for new bikes bought since 1 July 2023)
Kawasaki’s 2023 owner’s manual (US version) specifies an oil and filter change every 12,000 km or every year, spark plug replacement every 12,000 km, and a valve clearance check and air filter replacement every 24,000 km. Coolant is replaced every 3 years and brake fluid every 2 years. MCN, however, states a valve check every 7,600 miles (about 12,000 km) in the UK; the European schedule is not published online. Kawasaki France provides a 4-year (2 + 2) unlimited-mileage warranty for bikes bought new since 1 July 2023.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | — | 45 hp (33.4 kW) @ 10,000 rpm | 168 kg (kerb weight, full tank) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 5002027 | €6,599 | 45 hp | 171 kg (wet) |
| Honda CBR500R2026 | €6,799 | 47.6 hp | 191 kg (kerb weight) |
| Yamaha R32026 | €6,999 | 42 hp | 169 kg (wet) |
| Aprilia RS 4572026 | €7,300 | 47.6 hp | 175 kg (kerb weight) |
Generations
Compare →- Ninja 250R2008 – 2012
249 cc · 33.5 hp · 20.6 Nm · —
Small 249 cc twin-cylinder sports bike with Ninja styling.
- Ninja 3002013 – 2017
296 cc · 39.5 hp · 27 Nm · —
Engine enlarged to 296 cc and a comprehensive update of the 250R, for the new A2 licence.
- Ninja 400 (Euro 4)2018 – 2020
399 cc · 45 hp · 38 Nm · 168 kg (road-ready)
New 399 cc engine, H2-inspired steel trellis frame, 41 mm fork, 310 mm disc and assist clutch; lighter than the 300.
- Ninja 400 (Euro 5)2023
399 cc · 45 hp · 37 Nm · 168 kg (road-ready)
Euro 5 homologation (revised intake, injection and exhaust), torque down to 37 Nm, new colours.
- Ninja 5002024 – today
451 cc · 45 hp · 42.6 Nm · 171 kg (road-ready)
Replaces the Ninja 400 in Europe: longer stroke (+52 cc) for more midrange torque, SE version with a TFT screen.
Compare with this generation →
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja 250R2008 – 2012 Small 249 cc twin-cylinder sports bike with Ninja styling. | 249 cc | 33.5 hp | 20.6 Nm | — |
| Ninja 3002013 – 2017 Engine enlarged to 296 cc and a comprehensive update of the 250R, for the new A2 licence. | 296 cc | 39.5 hp | 27 Nm | — |
| Ninja 400 (Euro 4)2018 – 2020 New 399 cc engine, H2-inspired steel trellis frame, 41 mm fork, 310 mm disc and assist clutch; lighter than the 300. | 399 cc | 45 hp | 38 Nm | 168 kg road-ready |
| Ninja 400 (Euro 5)2023 Euro 5 homologation (revised intake, injection and exhaust), torque down to 37 Nm, new colours. | 399 cc | 45 hp | 37 Nm | 168 kg road-ready |
| Ninja 5002024 – today Replaces the Ninja 400 in Europe: longer stroke (+52 cc) for more midrange torque, SE version with a TFT screen. Compare with this generation → | 451 cc | 45 hp | 42.6 Nm | 171 kg road-ready |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
No known recalls for this model.