Smallest Ninja Yet
Smallest Ninja Yet
Kawasaki's Ninjas continue to shrink. First there was the original Ninja, a 900cc alternative to the GPz1100. The reduced-scale 600 Ninja used that bike for its model. And now, for Japanese domestic consumption, Kawasaki has introduced the smallest Ninja yet: the liquid-cooled GPz400.
Like the air-cooled GPz400 it re places, this newest Ninja has a twin in the U.S. For the old 400, that twin was the GPz55O; for the new 400, it's the 600 Ninja. Side-by-side, the 400 is hard to tell from its bigger brother, for they share bodywork and engine castings. Inside those castings are smaller pistons and a crankshaft with a much shorter stroke, yielding a displacement of 3 98cc and the maximum horse power allowed for the Japanese 400 class: 59. But none of that is appar ent from the outside, and in all cosmetic ways the two engines are absolutely identical.
One part makes the two motor cycles fraternal rather than identical twins, though it takes more than a quick glance to recognize it: the frame, which is aluminum on the 400, steel on the 600. And the X brace that is a simulated, plastic tack-on on the 600 is an integral frame member on the 400. The alu minum frame was originally in tended to be used on both 400 and 600, but Kawasaki calculated that it would have raised the retail price of the 600 by $ 150. Because the com pany already was concerned that the 600 would be the most expensive bike in its class, the decision was made to use a less-expensive steel frame to cut manufacturin2 costs.
But because the 600 is already relatively heavy (a claimed 429 pounds dry, a measured 452 pounds with all fluids except gasoline), and because the 400 is a member of the most performance-competitive class in Japan. Kawasaki couldn't afford not to use the aluminum frame on the 400. For the Japanese 400 class, it's better to be pricy than less-than state-of-the-art. With the use of a light frame, a slightly smaller front tire, and the somewhat lighter 400 engine, the 400 is claimed to weigh 387 pounds, 42 less than the 600.
And to answer the obvious ques lion, yes, the aluminum frame is a direct interchange for the steel one on the 600, though some of the fairing attachments might be slightly different. With the proper contacts in Japan, someone could create an aluminum-framed 600. Of course, Kawasaki might choose to do it themselves in the future. Because one thing is certain: While the Ninja is the performance king of the 600 class this year. it may have to fight to stay there against the likes of FZ600 Yamahas or 600cc Honda Interceptors that could emerge next year. And a diet could help it get in shape for the match.
