Photo: Kawasaki
Slender and looking elegant, the Limited Edition version of the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 400 is, unfortunately, a treat for the Japanese market solely. In case you are wondering what's with this "Ninja 400" thing... it's a Japanese thing.
Kawasaki is not the only manufacturer that delivers Japan-only bikes that are extremely hard to find in other places. Honda and Suzuki do the same, and sometimes, the models dedicated to the home market are way cooler than what the rest of the world gets.
Only 300 such motorcycles will be manufactured and become available in Japan, so they are even harder to come by. If you are wondering why Kawasaki downsized the ER-5 engine, the very tough Shaken Japanese technical inspection might be one of the answers. In Japan, the bigger a motorcycle engine is, the more restrictive the margins of this inspection is... and the more expensive the whole deal becomes.
So using a shorter-stroke ER-6 parallel twin mill with a (now) 399cc displacement results in a peak power of 43 hp at 9,500 rpm and a max torque of 37Nm (27.2 lb-ft) at 7,500 revs. The 6-speed transmission was retained and ABS is stock on the Limited Edition version.
Kawasaki also has a Special Edition in store, with a livery combining racing green and black, and black rims with green stripes, but it's the Limited Edition that shines the brightest. This bike is delivered in gloss black with golden pinstripes and matching golden rims and calipers. Various other pieces of hardware have also received a gold trim for stressing the special character of the bike.
The 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS Limited Edition will be available in Japan for the equivalent of €5,550 or $6,290, plus on the road tax.
Only 300 such motorcycles will be manufactured and become available in Japan, so they are even harder to come by. If you are wondering why Kawasaki downsized the ER-5 engine, the very tough Shaken Japanese technical inspection might be one of the answers. In Japan, the bigger a motorcycle engine is, the more restrictive the margins of this inspection is... and the more expensive the whole deal becomes.
So using a shorter-stroke ER-6 parallel twin mill with a (now) 399cc displacement results in a peak power of 43 hp at 9,500 rpm and a max torque of 37Nm (27.2 lb-ft) at 7,500 revs. The 6-speed transmission was retained and ABS is stock on the Limited Edition version.
Kawasaki also has a Special Edition in store, with a livery combining racing green and black, and black rims with green stripes, but it's the Limited Edition that shines the brightest. This bike is delivered in gloss black with golden pinstripes and matching golden rims and calipers. Various other pieces of hardware have also received a gold trim for stressing the special character of the bike.
The 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS Limited Edition will be available in Japan for the equivalent of €5,550 or $6,290, plus on the road tax.
Google News