I like the front fairing on that its pretty cool looking but for that price they can keep it lol. A ninja 650r is cheaper even after exchange rates. Aside from Fuel injection this looks like a downgrade.

 

The 500R was dead for 2010 production. certainly it's not a 500R hole filler.

 

Do not want. If I'm going to spend that much for a new bike, it's not going to be a 400.

 

$7500 is Canadian, but there's not much difference these days between CAD and USD.

The 500R was dead for 2010 production. certainly it's not a 500R hole filler

Are you thinking there will be a 500 as well as a 250, a 400, and a 650, somewhere down the line for Kawasaki? I'm surprised with the economic conditions lately they are releasing anything new...

 

$7500 is Canadian, but there's not much difference these days between CAD and USD.

The 500R was dead for 2010 production. certainly it's not a 500R hole filler

Are you thinking there will be a 500 as well as a 250, a 400, and a 650, somewhere down the line for Kawasaki? I'm surprised with the economic conditions lately they are releasing anything new...

doesn't really look that new... resleaved the cylinders with smaller slugs. presto chango, 250ccs smaller.

 

$7500 is Canadian, but there's not much difference these days between CAD and USD.

Its not on the USA site yet. Maybe it's Canada only? Either way, if you generously assume $7500 Canadian is $7000 American, that's still the price of the 650R. Why would anyone pay the same price for a 400?

 

$7500 is Canadian, but there's not much difference these days between CAD and USD.

Its not on the USA site yet. Maybe it's Canada only? Either way, if you generously assume $7500 Canadian is $7000 American, that's still the price of the 650R. Why would anyone pay the same price for a 400?

only 7243.64 if you import from Canada. if it shows up here, it'll MSRP below 6,500.

 

Why would anyone pay the same price for a 400?

Especially since it weighs only one kilo less than a 650 Ninja, and has considerably less power

 

$7500 is Canadian, but there's not much difference these days between CAD and USD.

Its not on the USA site yet. Maybe it's Canada only? Either way, if you generously assume $7500 Canadian is $7000 American, that's still the price of the 650R. Why would anyone pay the same price for a 400?

only 7243.64 if you import from Canada. if it shows up here, it'll MSRP below 6,500.

Yeah, just like willi said though, 1 kg less and 250cc's lower. Even if it does list below $6500, it doesn't sound too appealing. I'm just going to keep saving up for that Triumph I want.

 

If it is a 250 replacement it would make sense. However, if this bike was designed to fit between a 650 and 250, then somebody made a mistake. No way this bike sells enough volume to make $ while the 250 is still produced.

 

if this bike was designed to fit between a 650 and 250, then somebody made a mistake. No way this bike sells enough volume to make $ while the 250 is still produced

Maybe it's jsut a stop gap model until they get the 500 re-designed... that's what i'm hoping. Seems like Knightslugger said above, they just sleeved down the 650 motor- all other chassis specs are identical to the 650 Ninja- and will sell it until they can come out with a worthy successor to the mighty 500

 

if this bike was designed to fit between a 650 and 250, then somebody made a mistake. No way this bike sells enough volume to make $ while the 250 is still produced

Maybe it's jsut a stop gap model until they get the 500 re-designed... that's what i'm hoping. Seems like Knightslugger said above, they just sleeved down the 650 motor- all other chassis specs are identical to the 650 Ninja- and will sell it until they can come out with a worthy successor to the mighty 500

buy it. bore it to 498. ride it.

 

The thing puts out 32 Kw for power- not sure what the Hp conversion would be, but the Ninja 500 puts put 44 Kw... definitely a better chassis, but the motor is not near what the 500 puts out, and after 23 years, you would think Kawasaki could do better.

 

it's down by ~100cc's. if i were to hazzerd a guess, a bored 400 to 498 would generate about 58 HP. More if you increase compression.

 

if this bike was designed to fit between a 650 and 250, then somebody made a mistake. No way this bike sells enough volume to make $ while the 250 is still produced

Maybe it's jsut a stop gap model until they get the 500 re-designed... that's what i'm hoping. Seems like Knightslugger said above, they just sleeved down the 650 motor- all other chassis specs are identical to the 650 Ninja- and will sell it until they can come out with a worthy successor to the mighty 500

buy it. bore it to 498. ride it.

If it's a 650 motor sleeved to 400, couldn't you just bore it back to 650? Presto chango, cheaper 650?

 

Assuming the entire bottom end is the same as a 650.... YOU COULD TURBO IT.


YUT UGH!

 

Could this displacement have something to do with step-up licensing requirements in Europe? (That doesn't explain why it's on sale in Canada, though...)

 

it does have a bigger rear tire : )... but has roughly 10 less Hp... it seems like a detuned & smaller cc 650r... it also looks like it shares the same suspension...

 

My Two cents here.


It sucks that they are discontinuing the 500r, but for those of us that have one, and Might later on want to get something else... the value of the used models might rise a little bit, OR it might just be easier to sell one for that cash that you will need for that next bike... i.e. the Triumph someone mentioned above.

Though, it being 400cc is kind of lame.

Also as for not seeing a lot of 650Rs around... I think when you start getting into the 600cc category, most people go to the ZX-6.

Speaking of ZX-6s that reminds me. (Off topic a bit sorry) I need to get pics of this ZX-6 that is for sale locally. It's used but.... it's bright carnation pink!!!!! I kid you not on this one, thats why i need pics.

 

Man you guys say you don't see ninja 650's but I see tons of them they are only second to the gixxers out here in popularity for sport bikes.

 

Like I said in another thread in the other motorcycle talk, here in Canada it somwehat make sense :
In Québec where I live, licence is expensive : 49cc- is 230$, 125cc- is 242$, 400cc- is 373$ and 400cc+ is 627$. 400+ supersports are at an emo-wrist-cutting-price of 1410$... So the 400cc fall some 250$ cheaper every year to put on the street and is more modern in every way than the 500 so it's a big plus in the showroom.
But I too feel that 43hp and 27lbf-ft is really, really sad for 203kg but it might be upgradeable... I don't know if the 650r has any go-fast mods but if there is any, it means that this 400cc has potential

 

Never likd the look of the 650r and this is just as fugly. I'd like to see a test ride write-up of this thing :-\

 

Too much money for that size bike. It seems that the 500's on the market are older designs. Maybe alot of people who may have wanted a 500 went for the 650, killing the 500 market. Kawasaki updated the 250 but not the 500. Also maybe Kawasaki is filling a niche by offering a 400. How many more 400's street bikes are being offered? What kind of fuel mileage will this 400 get? I remember when 350- 400 was arguably the most popular size bikes. I suspect the Suzuki GS500 will fall to the wayside also if it hasn't already.

 

Man you guys say you don't see ninja 650's but I see tons of them they are only second to the gixxers out here in popularity for sport bikes.

i think i've seen ... 2 ... in the wild.

 

this is what kawasaki should've done

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66i5A1VIapM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGjIyEFOWEc&feature=related