Kawasaki’s ZX-4RR stunned when it arrived on American shores in 2023, harkening back to the late ‘80s/early ‘90s when the Japanese domestic market revolved around highly developed, race-replica 400cc. Instead of the comparatively pedestrian single- or twin-cylinder engines veiled with sporty bodywork offered by manufacturers (Kawasaki included with its parallel-twin Ninja 500), the ZX-4RR’s screaming 16,000 rpm powerplant coupled with the latest electronics and fully adjustable, high-quality suspension blew everything else in the class right out of the water. But Kawasaki wasn’t done with the concept.
Starting in 2024 Kawasaki began offering the ZX-4R, which is billed as the (marginally) more affordable option to the ZX-4RR. For $700 less, the ZX-4R is minus some expensive parts found on the ZX-4RR, starting with the suspension. The 4R gets the same basic 37mm Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork Big Piston) fork, for instance, but without the full spring preload, rebound, and compression damping adjustability as the 4RR’s unit.
The rear shock for the 4R is a base-model Showa shock with only spring preload adjustability, versus the 4RR’s fully adjustable Showa BFRC (Balance Free Rear Cushion) Lite shock. Also not found on the 4R model is the 4RR’s dual-direction (upshift and downshift) quickshifter. And the 4R is available in only one paint scheme, Metallic Spark Black.
The rest of the ZX-4R is identical to the 4RR. The 399cc DOHC inline-four is unchanged, as is the tubular steel frame and pressed steel sheet swingarm. Same goes for the radial-mount four-piston calipers biting on 290mm discs, as well as the electronics package, which includes four ride modes (Sport, Road, Rain, and Rider), a three-level Kawasaki TRaction Control (KTRC) system, and two power modes (Full and Low). Sport, Road, and Rain riding modes have preset settings, while Rider allows the rider to choose between the aforementioned settings for KTRC and power modes. All electronic settings are adjusted and confirmed through a 4.3-inch TFT display.
The 2024 Kawasaki ZX-4R ABS is available in Metallic Spark Black for $9,399.
