Kawasaki ZXR400 Gallery
Kawasaki's ZXR400 is a scaled-down version
of the larger ZXR750 sportsbike. A race styled twin
headlight fairing is mounted on a stiff aluminium
frame, with race-spec suspension and a high-performance
inline-four cylinder engine. The engine is dated,
but strong for its size. Like all 400cc engines, the
ZXR needs to be revved to produce its best power,
but a keen rider will reap the benefits of careful
gear selection. A slick six-speed gearbox helps, as
does the ZXR's light clutch. Ridden on track, the
ZXR400's light-weight, accurate chassis and race-developed
brakes allow extreme cornering at high speeds. The
41mm (1.6in) front forks and the rear shock are adjustable
for preload and damping.
| Bike |
Image |
Description |
Kawasaki ZXR400 |
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Engine - 398cc, DOHC 4
Top Speed - 135mph
Maximum Power - 65bhp
Dry Weight - 162kg (356 lb)
Launched - 1991
Fuel Consumption - 50mpg |
| 1989 Kawasaki ZXR400 |
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| 1989 Kawasaki ZXR400 |
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Japanese import. |
| 1990 Kawasaki ZXR400 |
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| 1990 Kawasaki ZXR400 |
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| 1993 Kawasaki ZXR 400 |
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1994 Kawasaki ZXR400 Race-rep |
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| 1996 Kawasaki ZXR 400 L4 |
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The ZX400-L appeared officially in the UK for
1991 but the H model had been grey-imported in
1990 and available in Japan since '89. In this
time (we're now on the L4) little has changed.
Some 6lb has been lost, together with a shrinkage
of 10mm in the wheelbase, half a degree steeper
castor and 2mm less trail.Second, third, fourth
and fifth gear ratios have been revised but, as
the H model was the fastest of the 400 variants,
not much else of significance has been done. The
fact that later bikes have been slower doesn't
mean too much, except that the long, flat torque
curve allows the bike to take advantage of a tailwind
and 1990 (139mph) might have been more blusty
than 1991 (135) and 1992 (130, when it was still
the fastest on the day, out of FZR400, VFR400,
KR-1S and RGV). The 1991 L1 gave 59.1 bhp at 13,450rpm:
the L4 produced 59.4bhp at 13,000rpm. Any 400
which consistently tops 130 isn't too bad but
the ZXR can be improved quite easily. For road
use, careful rejetting with Dynojet bits, can
make the response crisp enough to transform the
bike's apparent performance. |
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