EICMA 2018: India-bound Kawasaki Z400 (KTM 390 Duke rival) unveiled
As expected earlier, the India-bound Kawasaki Z400 has been unveiled at the ongoing EICMA 2018. Similar to the Kawasaki Z family, the Z400 is the naked streetfighter version of the Kawasaki Ninja 400.
The design of the Kawasaki Z400 is quirky, to say the least, and in-line with the latest Kawasaki models. According to the company, the Z400 features the animalistic styling with the Sugomi design philosophy, which is seen on the Ninja 400 and the flagship Kawasaki Ninja H2.
The motorcycle features the odd-looking full-LED headlights, a sculpted fuel tank and a raised tail section. It uses the same steel trellis chassis that has worked wonders for Kawasaki in the recent past. The bike will initially go on sale in the European markets later to the other global markets.
The Europe-spec Z400 adheres to the A2 license restrictions. The Kawasaki Z400 is powered by the same engine that powers the Ninja 400. The 399cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor is tuned to develop 45 PS of maximum power and 38 N of peak torque. A slipper-clutch assisted six-speed gearbox transfers control the wheel via a chain drive.
The bike is expected to come to India sometime in 2019, and the engine on the India-spec model will be unrestricted to produce 49 PS of power. We can expect a price tag of around INR 4 lakh (ex-showroom) in India. That said, the Kawasaki Z400 continues to use the same cycle parts as the Ninja 400.
Also Read: 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R bookings open in India; Launch in January
Suspension duties are carried out by 41 mm conventional telescopic front forks and a linkage-type preload-adjustable mono-shock at the back. Anchorage is provided by a 310 mm front petal disc and a 220mm petal rotor at the rear with standard ABS. The Kawasaki Z400 has a kerb weight of 167 kg, which is only 1 kg less than its faired sibling. The Z400 will rival the KTM 390 Duke and the BMW G 310 R.