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Discussion 2024 Kawasaki ZX-4R & ZX-4RR - Coming Spring 2023 to Australia

Discussion in 'Kawasaki 250cc In-line 4's' started by Linkin, Feb 7, 2023.

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  1. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    There's a Suzuki GSR400 that we don't see here at all that I'm aware of, not sure if it's still in production, that 'could' be the basis of an offering from Suzuki
     
    ruckusman, Mar 1, 2023
    #21
  2. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    I would think that they would not want to compromise their Ninja 400 sales here, for the LAMS category. The Ninja 250R was the highest selling model in Australia at one point.

    It makes sense sales wise to have an upgrade path from Ninja 400 to ZX4R. I think they may get more sales than they expect out of nostalgia for the old screamers, and sales based purely on the 4 cylinder exhaust note.

    Triumph have their street triple 660 but only because of the 660cc capacity limit. It's a different bore and stroke to the 675 so an expensive exercise, but they are a top quality bike.
     
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    Linkin, Mar 1, 2023
    #22
  3. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    4 CYL @ 15K RPM is quite enticing

    This reminds me of the analysis of washing powder(s) we did in high school - there's only 2 or 3 manufacturers, with dozens of brands.
    Tactic is, introduce another brand which will take a % market share, increasing that manufacturers % market share total.

    I suspect Kawasaki sales will be frantically analysing the net and social media mentions to anticipate their potential sales.

    We'll only know when they make the actual market release.
    Interesting times.
     
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    ruckusman, Mar 1, 2023
    #23
  4. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    *Kawasaki ZXR250C *Yamaha FZR250R 3LN1 *Yamaha FZR400 *Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V *Triumph Daytona 675 *Triumph Tiger 800XC
     
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    GreyImport, Mar 16, 2023
    #24
  5. amct77

    amct77 the one that got away......

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    Hmm,....
    I've never owned a Kawasaki, maybe this could be my first
     
    amct77, Mar 17, 2023
    #25
  6. thebeefsalad

    thebeefsalad Well-Known Member

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    Picked up my zx4rr this weekend, just in time for a week of rain. Managed to get 20 miles on it today. This breakin process is going to be torture! under 4k for 150 miles. 4k in 6th gear is 40mph. thats damn near 4 hours of crawling around. Then its another 100 miles of 6k *sigh.* Its times like this I wish had a moto enthusiast friend that was unemployed. How could crawling around on one of these for a day not be an honest days work? Initial impression: ergos still don't fit 6'2", who would have guessed it. She runs hot, sat above 200 most of the time unless I was on a long stretch without stops. Went to do some MSF drills and she hit 215 with only a brief stop. Can't wait to throw an exhaust system on it and an ECU tune. +50% horsepower, and have the fan kick on earlier. I'm certain suspension and braided lines will follow shortly after, though surprisingly the rear shock has comp, rebound, preload adjustment. Dave Moss did a video setting up a zx4rr for a guy about my size, so I'll have a good starting point to work from.
     
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    thebeefsalad, Jun 6, 2023
    #26
  7. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    If that were me I woud completely ignore the "running in" period. The only thing I would be concerned about is overheating. Under 4K? No way in hell would I do that. Just labouring the poor engine, don't do it.
     
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    maelstrom, Jun 7, 2023
    #27
  8. thebeefsalad

    thebeefsalad Well-Known Member

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    My line of thinking is its a first year bike, and not following run-in period would give Kawi fuel to try and deny any warranty claims. It's not struggling to get around at 4k, but I'm struggling to keep it under 4k when I know she's gonna sing that sweet sweet song ;)
     
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    thebeefsalad, Jun 8, 2023
    #28
  9. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    It's very early to tell on whether they will have problems or not. Personally if I was buying new, 4K RPM seems very low. I would not go redlining it everywhere, but I wouldn't completely baby it either.

    The trouble is manufacturers these days have the ability to read the ECU and see data regarding RPM etc and potentially deny warranty based on that. I would hope that Kawasaki are smart enough to realise that low RPM creates a higher load on the whole powertrain and be sensible.

    On BMW's brand new they are set to running in mode which is disabled at the first service by the dealer. They also use a different oil filter after the first service but I do not know the details, just that there is a running in filter and a standard one.

    KTM's have a showroom mode which is more of an anti theft thing, you have to generate and enter a code upon handover to customer and enter it into the ECU to unlock it, otherwise the bike will simply stop working until the code is entered. They also have a bad habit of including all the hardware on the bike and locking access away via unlock codes as well. Stuff like quickshifters and heated grips etc.

    Regarding the shock, it's got everything adjustable because 'race heritage' from the ZX10. The ZX4RR has adjustable forks as well but I don't know if you guys get that model over there.

    Pity that it's steel frame and over 200kg but a full exhaust will help with that. I would love to see someone swap the running gear over to a ZXR250 or similar frame just to see what the weight savings would be.

    I would imagine there's a lot of weight just in the exhaust system though, getting it to under 200kg wet and removing the restrictions should liven it up nicely.

    They're still not here yet in Oz AFAIK
     
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    Linkin, Jun 8, 2023
    #29
  10. thebeefsalad

    thebeefsalad Well-Known Member

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    SCracing is showing a 17lb difference between OEM and one of the akra pipes. People are finding ounces here and there, but yeah she is portly. Theres probably 20lbs in ABS, but I'm not interested in removing that just yet (first bike with any kind of tech, so want to get used to it before I decide) There's a few pounds in the emissions crap as well. Probably typical of most any modern bike. Compared to my 919 which is well north of 500lbs, the zx4 turns super easy.

    My biggest complaint at the moment is the front brake wiring interferes with the upper triple clamp/clipon, preventing it from being adjusted downward which leads to unnecessary pressure on my wrist. Going to dig through the parts bin and stare at other bikes to see if I can find another master to use without dropping bank on a radial.
     
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    thebeefsalad, Jun 9, 2023
    #30
  11. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Looks like the weight issue will have some solutions, it's going to be an aftermarket parts bonanza

    I wonder if they'll release a Pirate version with an Aluminium frame the ZX4RRR :prankster:
     
    ruckusman, Jun 9, 2023
    #31
  12. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    Sounds great. Soon Aus will introduce "ECU Download & Pay". When you take your bike for a service they can download how many times you exceeded 100kph and deduct the money from your digital, government controlled bank account. This will keep you safer, and you will be happy.
     
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    maelstrom, Jun 9, 2023
    #32
  13. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    I reckon they'd be all over that IF they could, but fortunately vehicle speedos [GPS etc] aren't certified and calibrated speed measurement devices.
     
    ruckusman, Jun 9, 2023
    #33
  14. KiwiMat

    KiwiMat Well-Known Member

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    KiwiMat, Jun 14, 2023
    #34
  15. KiwiMat

    KiwiMat Well-Known Member

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    i still reackon jam a new zx4r motor in this.....

    Screenshot_20230614_213937_Gallery.jpg
     
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    KiwiMat, Jun 14, 2023
    #35
  16. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Anyone who has read any of my previous posts will know that I am not a huge fan of the Chinese motorcycle manufacturers, but I will buy the Kove 400cc bike if it becomes available in Australia. I don't think it will be super cheap if it does make it down under, but it will be value for money. I have been following Kove for a little while now and I have to say that their founder and his ideas make me feel positive about this company. He is one of the few Chinese people who do not copy or build to a price. He is an innovator and, most importantly, he is a bike person. There are threads on this forum that discuss Chinese Bikes and also small capacity Adventure bikes. The following link will give you a look at the Kove 450 Rally. The author of the video can be a bit annoying, but you'll hopefully understand why I think this is a brand that I am positive about. There are plenty of other videos (and information) available on you tube and the company's website (https://kovemoto.com/). Two thumbs up from me.

     
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    Last edited: Jun 15, 2023
    Frankster, Jun 15, 2023
    #36
  17. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Pricing now available

    Standard ZX-4R $13,493 AUD

    ZX-4RR KRT Edition $14,935 AUD
     
    Linkin, Jun 25, 2023
    #37
  18. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Ouch...

    A human being can lead a long life with only one kidney right?
     
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    Frankster, Jun 26, 2023
    #38
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