Kawasaki India has launched the new Ninja 400 in India. The new motorcycle has been priced at Rs 4.69 lakh (ex-showroom). The bike will be only available in its KRT-edition green colour in India. The bike maker has also announced that it will offer a discount of up to Rs 20,000 for customers who book the Ninja 400 in April.
The Japanese two-wheeler giant also confirmed that unlike many international markets where the Ninja 400 has replaced the Ninja 300, both the bikes will be sold simultaneously in India.
The styling of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is much sharper than its predecessor; it looks sportier, as well. The motorcycle features split-LED headlights which are its standout design element. It gets a part-analogue-part-digital instrument cluster with a large analogue tachometer taking centre stage. Powering the motorcycle is a new liquid-cooled 399cc parallel-twin engine that belts out 49hp (international-spec model gets 45hp) and 38Nm of torque. The motor is mated to a six-speed transmission and its slipper-clutch is standard. Kawasaki engineers have also employed a new trellis frame which has increased rigidity. The Japanese bike maker claims that handling dynamics of the bike have improved, too.
Speaking about the Ninja 400, Yutaka Yamashita, Managing Director of India Kawasaki Motors said “Ninja 300 is mainly made for beginners and Ninja 650 is popular among experienced riders. However, Ninja 400 fits the bill for those who are willing to buy a sports bike between 300 and 650cc. As of now Ninja 400 will be available in limited numbers; because Ninja 300 is still our flagship model in India and it will be continued along with other Ninja models.”
At 168kg kerb weight, the new Ninja 400 is lighter by 6kg, when compared to its predecessor. The weight loss has been achieved by the new trellis frame and the smaller 13.6-litre fuel tank capacity (Ninja 300 has 17 litres). The Ninja 400 gets conventional telescopic forks, though. At 41mm, they are fatter than the one found on the Ninja, while a monoshock does duty at the rear. The Ninja 400 also gets a larger 310mm disc brake at the front, while dual-channel ABS is standard.
With 45hp and 38Nm, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 continues to compete against the Yamaha YZF-R3, Benelli 302R and the KTM RC 390 in India. However, it comes at quite a premium over all those bikes and costs Rs 1.10 lakh over the Ninja 300 – which retails for Rs 3.60 lakh (ex-showroom). It also edges very close to the Z650 (Rs 4.99 lakh) and the Ninja 650 (Rs 5.49 lakh) – both of which share a considerably more powerful 68hp/65.7Nm 649cc parallel twin engine.
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
Dinshaw Magol
