2024 Kawasaki ZX-4RR ABS

When rumors of Kawasaki bringing a 16,000-rpm four-cylinder 400 sportbike to US shores started circulating in late 2022, most motorcycle pundits scoffed at the idea. “It’ll be too expensive.” “There’s no market for such a high-performance lightweight sportbike.” Kawasaki’s reply was, “Hold my beer…” For any rider who remembers the 400cc sportbike wars in Japan’s domestic market between the Big Four manufacturers in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s, the ZX-4RR is almost like a dream come true. A high-tech, screaming inline four-cylinder with power that shames the rest of the single- and twin-cylinder competition in the class? Check. Ride-by-wire with a full electronics suite? Check. Dual four-piston front brake calipers? Check. High-quality, fully adjustable suspension? Check.

Make no mistake, the ZX-4RR has a sticker price reflecting all that high-performance goodness that is some $2K–$4K higher than the competition. But you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. The extremely oversquare (large bore, short stroke) engine displaces 399cc, with the oversize bore allowing larger valves and higher rpm capability for, you got it, better performance. Numerous race-derived internal components all work together to keep things under control at 16,000 rpm. A slipper/power-assist clutch keeps lever effort easy, and a bidirectional quickshifter allows clutchless downshifts and upshifts. The 4RR’s electronics feature four integrated riding modes: Sport, Road, Rain, and Rider (you choose your own TC and power settings, and can turn TC off if desired).

Full adjustability is the name of the game with the suspension, with the 37mm Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork-Big Piston) fork featuring spring preload adjustability in the left leg, and rebound/compression damping adjustability in the right leg. Using a shock linkage on top of the swingarm (instead of below) allows the Balance Free Rear Cushion rear shock (fully adjustable like the fork) to be clear of the engine and prevent heat buildup. And finally, twin 290mm brake discs up front are clamped by four-piston calipers with a single 220mm disc/twin-piston caliper combination out back, a braking system that is head and shoulders above any other bike in the class.

Kudos to Kawasaki for the real life throwback to a time when ultimate performance was the number one selling point.

The 2024 Kawasaki ZX-4RR ABS is available in Metallic Spark Black for $9,899. Also available is the KRT Edition ABS livery for $10,099, and the 40th Anniversary Edition colors for $10,299.