2019 Kawasaki Z400 ABS

Kawasaki doesn’t publish horsepower claims, but the sweet-running parallel twin that powers the 2019 Z400 ABS is also found in Cycle World’s Ten Best-winning Ninja 400, which served as the foundation for Ana Carrasco’s pioneering 2018 FIM Supersport 300 world championship. Strapped to the CW dyno, a stone-stock Ninja 400 produced 43.4 rear-wheel hp at 9,900 rpm and 24.6 pound-feet of torque at 8,250 rpm. Like the $6,999 Z650 and $8,399 Z900, the Z400 ABS is part of Kawasaki’s “supernaked” line of streetbikes, which is why the smallest of those three machines bears such a close resemblance to its bigger brothers. Sub-$5K MSRP aside, however, the Z400 ABS is anything but a bare-bones beginner bike.

For example, Kawasaki engineers emphasized an uncluttered, easily read cockpit. The stacked instrument cluster features a large analog tachometer with a gear-position indicator prominently located above the digital speedometer. All of this sits above a multi-function display—odometer, dual tripmeters, fuel gauge, remaining range, current and average fuel consumption, coolant temperature, clock, and the Economical Riding Indicator—capped on the sides by an array of indicator and warning lights.

Likes: Big-bike looks, light-effort clutching and shifting, fun and easy to ride

Dislikes: Love 'em or leave 'em graphics; nonadjustable clutch and brake levers

Verdict: A sleek-looking, sharp-handling twin for less than $5K? What's not to like?!

“Proper body position, countersteering, and choosing the right lines and braking points are the fundamentals of riding,” Seth Richards wrote after riding the Kawasaki in the mountains of Southern California. “On the Z400, without the ego-flattering nature of abundant power, there’s less of a barrier between you and learning to ride well.”

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Smaller-displacement streetbikes are a bright spot in motorcycle sales for good reason: You spend a little and get a lot. The 2019 Kawasaki Z400 ABS, for example, is fitted with strong antilock-equipped disc brakes pinched by twin-piston calipers and a back-torque-limiting slipper clutch that helps prevent rear-wheel hop when downshifting.

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This year, the Kawasaki Z400 ABS is available in two colors, Candy Lime Green/Metallic Spark Black or Candy Cardinal Red/Metallic Flat Spark Black. Accessories include an Ergo-Fit Extended Reach seat, front axle and frame sliders, gas tank and knee pads, a lower cowling, and a radiator screen.