2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400 And 650 First Look Preview

Kawasaki’s Ninja hypersport and sportbike lines may be a bit too much for newer and less experienced riders, so the brand will continue to offer two of its most popular mounts for riders just starting out in 2021. The Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS and Ninja 650 have loads of appeal, despite the fact that neither motorcycle is a performance beast. They’re also relatively easy on the wallet, making them both strong contenders for customer attention this coming model year.

Kawasaki has been dominant in the small-displacement sportbike-style game since the early ’80s when it introduced its Ninja 250. The bike had near KLR650 credentials by the early 2000s in that it had barely been touched from a mechanical perspective, but a refresh in 2008 gave the mount additional life.

Then, in 2013 the Ninja 300 debuted and manufacturers ranging from KTM, to Yamaha, to Honda, to Suzuki, and beyond began to heat up the competition in the segment. Kawasaki raised the stakes again in 2018 with the Ninja 400, and for 2021, one of the most popular small-displacement motorcycles on the market returns.

Its 399cc parallel-twin engine is compliant, approachable, and fun. It’s easy enough on newer riders to keep them from getting into too much trouble, and an absolute hoot for more experienced riders to completely wring out. It’s got nice touches like an assist and slipper clutch, lightweight trellis frame, big-bike styling, decent suspension (for an entry-level bike), and a claimed 366-pound curb weight (ABS edition), making it flickable and fun for just about anyone. The non-ABS version will price at $4,999 and come in Passion Red or Pearl Nightshade Teal/Metallic Spark Black colorways. The ABS edition will price at $5,399 and also be available in the red and teal/black dress as well as in a Metallic Graphite Gray/Metallic Magnetic Dark Gray colorway.

Kawasaki touched up the looks of the Ninja 650 last year, giving the platform a much more sporty and aggressive appearance. Its last major upgrade was back in 2017 when designers were able to drop more than 40 pounds from the bike, thanks to a revised trellis frame and swingarm, update the ergos, and provide a smoother ride thanks to updates like a new cam and head design, improved throttle bodies, and a new airbox.

So it’s unsurprising that the middleweight sport machine remains as-is for the 2021 model year. That being said, the bike is a phenomenally enjoyable machine, its 649cc twin providing smooth power output that’s great for riders with some miles already under their belts. It’s also a decent option for newer riders too, as an easy-handling, unsurprising, and well-balanced motorcycle. It’s also got some nice up-spec elements, such as Bluetooth compatibility through the Rideology app.

The 650′s 31.1-inch seat height makes it appealing to a wide range of riders, its 4-gallon fuel tank provides plenty of mileage between fill-ups, and its newer aesthetics belie the fact that it’s such an approachable bike. For 2021, the non-ABS version will be available at $7,599 in Metallic Graphite Gray/Metallic Spark Blue. The ABS version will price at $7,999 and come in either Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Imperial Red or Metallic Spark Black/Pearl Nightshade Teal.