Kawasaki’s Z family of naked sportbikes has something for everyone, from the Z125 Pro play bike to the modern Z900 and retro Z900RS/Cafe big bikes. In the middle are the Z650 middleweight and the new-for-2019 Z400 ABS, a naked version of Team Green’s entry-level, fully faired Ninja 400 sportbike.

Read our 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS first ride review

Powering the Z400 ABS is a liquid-cooled, 399cc parallel twin with an oversquare 70 x 51.8mm bore/stroke, an 11.5:1 compression ratio, a DOHC head with 4 valves per cylinder and fuel injection with two 32mm throttle bodies. Kawasaki claims 28 lb-ft of torque at 8,000 rpm. Its 6-speed transmission has Kawasaki’s exclusive Positive Neutral Finder and an assist-and-slipper clutch, and final drive is via chain.

Like the Ninja H2, the Z400 ABS has a tubular-steel trellis frame. A short, 53.9-inch wheelbase and a long, square-tube cast aluminum swingarm are said to give the bike nimble handling. Suspension is handled by a 41mm, non-adjustable fork and a Bottom Link Uni-Trak rear shock with adjustable preload.

Braking is handled by one 2-piston caliper on each wheel, with the front squeezing a 310mm petal disc and the rear squeezing a 220mm petal disc. As the model name implies, ABS is standard. Cast, 5-spoke, star-pattern 17-inch wheels are shod with Dunlop radials.

Like its Z650 and Z900 big brothers, the Z400 ABS has aggressive styling using Kawasaki’s Sugomi design language, with a “crouching stance, low-positioned head and upswept tail.” The headlight and taillight are LED, and the instrument panel is a multi-function LCD screen.

Kawasaki says the Z400 ABS has an upright yet sporty riding position, with a wide handlebar, a narrow seat with a modest 30.9-inch seat height and a light 368-pound curb weight (claimed).

The 2019 Kawasaki Z400 ABS is available in two colors: Candy Lime Green/Metallic Spark Black and Candy Cardinal Red/Metallic Flat Spark Black. MSRP is $4,799.

Check out Rider’s Guide to New/Updated Street Motorcycles for 2019

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Kawasaki blew minds and went on to set records when it released the supercharged 200-horsepower Ninja H2 and 300-horsepower, racetrack-and-experts-only Ninja H2R in 2015. From its 998cc in-line four-cylinder engine force-fed by a 130,000rpm supercharger to its trellis frame, downforce-generating bodywork, Mirror Coated Black paint and Kawasaki River Mark insignia, the Ninja H2 was and continues to be a very special motorcycle.

Read our 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 first look review

Since the original models were introduced a few years ago, the Ninja H2 lineup has expanded and it has been updated for 2019. Highlights include the following:

2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 and Ninja H2 Carbon

• More powerful supercharged, 998cc in-line four thanks to a new air filter, revised intake chamber and new sparkplugs
• New Brembo Stylema Monobloc front brake calipers
• New Bridgestone Battlax RS11 sport tires
• New TFT full-color instrument display with four selectable modes
• New smartphone connectivity with Kawasaki’s Rideology the App
• New all-LED lighting
• New Highly Durable Paint with “self repairing” top coat on high-touch areas
• Ninja H2 is available in Mirror Coated Spark Black and MSRP is $29,000
• Ninja H2 Carbon, which features a carbon fiber upper cowl, is available in Mirror Coated Matte Spark Black/Candy Flat Blazed Green and MSRP is $32,500

2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+

• • New Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension, with a Showa 43mm upside-down cartridge fork and a Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) lite shock
  • New integrated riding modes (Sport, Road, Rain, Manual)
  • New Brembo Stylema Monobloc front brake calipers
  • New smartphone connectivity with Kawasaki’s Rideology the App
  • New Highly Durable Paint with “self repairing” top coat on high-touch areas
  • Ninja H2 SX SE+ is available in Metallic Graphite Gray/ Metallic Diablo Black/Emerald Blazed Green and MSRP is $25,000

Read our 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE road test review

2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2R

• • • New Brembo Stylema Monobloc front calipers
    • Redesigned supercharged emblem
    • New Highly Durable Paint with “self repairing” top coat on high-touch areas
    • Ninja H2R is available in Mirror Coated Matte Spark Black and MSRP is $55,000

Check out Rider’s Guide to New/Updated Street Motorcycles for 2019

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-6R sportbike is powered by a liquid-cooled, 636cc in-line four-cylinder engine that’s 37cc larger than competing Japanese 600-class bikes, giving it more usable power.

For 2019, the Ninja ZX-6R gets new styling with twin LED headlights and an LED taillight, a Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS), updated instrumentation, Euro4 emissions compliance and optimized gear ratios.

Perhaps the biggest news for 2019 is that Kawasaki has slashed the base price of the Ninja ZX-6R by $1,700, to $9,999, making it significantly cheaper than 600cc sportbikes from Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Read our 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE road test review

The Ninja ZX-6R’s 636cc in-line four has a bore and stroke of 67.0 x 45.1mm. To meet Euro4 emissions regulations standards without compromising the engine’s performance, ultra-fine atomizing fuel injectors with precise settings were utilized. Feeding the engine is a large, 5.1-liter air box, which helps to create peak power and smooth power delivery. The intake funnels have two different heights for strong low-mid range performance, the piston skirts have a molybdenum coating to reduce friction and connecting passages between the cylinders reduce pumping losses.

For optimal performance, all four exhaust header pipes are connected using joint pipes, which contribute to low-mid range torque. An exhaust pre-chamber minimizes silencer volume and contributes to mass centralization, while the silencer’s triangular cross-section allows the requisite volume as well as a high lean angle and a compact image.

A six-speed, cassette-style transmission makes it easy to change gear ratios quickly for track days or racing, and a shorter final gear ratio (15/43) enhances acceleration. The transmission is mated to an assist-and-slipper clutch and the new Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS).

Holding the Ninja ZX-6R together is a pressed-aluminum perimeter main frame and a two-piece, die-cast aluminum subframe. Complementing the chassis design, the 636 is equipped with fully adjustable suspension, including the Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork-Big Piston) fork and a Showa rear shock. Cast aluminum 17-inch wheels are shod with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires and braking is handled by radial-mount four-piston opposed front calipers squeezing semi-floating 310 mm stainless-steel petal discs and a two-piston pin-slide rear caliper squeezing a 220mm disc.

In addition to KQS, other electronics include a Power Mode selector (Full and Low), Kawasaki TRaction Control (KTRC) with three modes plus off and, on ABS models, Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS).

Styling changes for 2019 include a new front cowling and windscreen, twin LED headlights, a redesigned tail cowl, an LED taillight, a new heel guard and a new finishing process for the silencer. Also, the new seat is shorter front-to-back for improved comfort and feedback from the chassis, as well as narrower in front to make it easier for riders to get their feet on the ground. And complementing the adjustable front brake lever is a new adjustable clutch lever with five available positions.

Pricing and color options are as follows:

• Ninja ZX-6R ($9,999): Pearl Storm Gray/Metallic Spark Black or Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black
• Ninja ZX-6R ABS ($10,999): Pearl Storm Gray/Metallic Spark Black
• Ninja ZX-6R ABS KRT ($11,299): Lime Green/Ebony/Metallic Graphite Gray

Check out Rider’s Guide to New/Updated Street Motorcycles for 2019

Source: RiderMagazine.com