Meet the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R ABS, Kawasaki’s latest addition to its growing family of 400cc inline-four-powered motorcycles. The ZX-4R takes the title of the base bike within the Japanese brand’s lightweight sportbike range, offering a slightly easier pathway to ownership with its lower $9399 MSRP. The higher-specification 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR, replete with its extra R in the name that denotes additional features, boasts an MSRP of $9899, $500 more than the new ZX-4R.
The ZX-4R simplifies the feature list with two core changes—fixed-damping suspension and the lack of an up/down quickshifter. To save a few hundred dollars, the R’s 37mm Showa SFF-BP fork is non-adjustable, while the Showa shock provides only spring-preload adjustment. By comparison, the up-spec ZX-4RR allows spring-preload adjustment of its 37mm Showa SFF-BP fork and the Showa BFRC Lite gas shock is fully adjustable. The steel trellis frame, steel swingarm, I4 engine, electronics package (other than the quickshifter), bodywork, and everything else are identical.
Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-4 platform has seized the sportbike spotlight this season, offering something other manufacturers don’t—a sporting steel-trellis chassis wrapped around an exciting, high-revving 399cc inline-four engine, backed up by rider aids such as rider modes via a TFT display, traction control, and ABS. We tested the 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR and were impressed with its agile handling and rev-happy engine, providing a unique experience within the parallel-twin engine-dominated lightweight sportbike class.
2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Inline-4
- Displacement: 399cc
- Bore x stroke: 57.0 x 39.2mm
- Maximum torque: 26.5 ft-lbs @ 11,000 rpm
- Redline: 15,000+ rpm
- Compression ratio: 12.6:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
- Fueling: EFI w/ four 34mm throttle bodies
- Cooling: Liquid
- Transmission: 6-speed w/ Positive Neutral Finder
- Clutch: Web multiplate w/ assist and slipper functions
- Final drive: Sealed chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Steel trellis w/ steel swingarm
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable Showa SFF-BP 37mm inverted fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension: Linkage-assisted, spring-preload adjustable Showa shock; 4.4 inches
- Tires: Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300
- Front tire: 110/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 160/60 x 17
- Front brake: 290mm semi-floating petal disc w/ radially mounted 4-piston monobloc calipers
- Rear brake: 220mm petal disc w/ single-piston caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 54.3 inches
- Rake: 23.5 degrees
- Trail: 3.8 inches
- Seat height: 31.5 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 4.0 gallons
- Curb weight: 415 pounds
- Color: Metallic Spark Black
2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Price: $9399 MSRP
