A brand new Car Identification Quantity decoder launched by the U.S. Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration confirms that Kawasaki will likely be introducing a 399cc Inline-4 Ninja ZX-4R mannequin for 2023. Whereas the VIN decoder doesn’t present any clue to what the ZX-4R will appear like, we count on it will likely be styled much like the 249cc Ninja ZX-25R (pictured above) presently provided in Japan and different Asian markets.
We beforehand wrote about the existence of a ZX-4R a yr in the past, after we uncovered a Kawasaki patent for the fairing design that was adopted for the ZX-25R. The patent described how intakes constructed into the fairing would divert air in direction of the engine for extra cooling. Whereas the design was used on the ZX-25R, the patent describes the invention as being “extra ideally utilized to a car having four-cylinder 400 cc engine.”
The patent illustrations confirmed a fairing with an air consumption resembling the design of the ZX-25R. The textual content of the patent, nonetheless, describes the meant use as being for a four-cylinder 400cc engine.
Because of the VIN decoder, we now know the ZX-4R not solely exists, however that it will likely be provided within the U.S. for 2023. The 2023 Kawasaki VIN decoder was dated March 22 and was an replace on a earlier model revealed final December. The adjustments embody the listings under for 2 fashions with the codes ZX400PP and a ZX400SP. Per Kawasaki’s mannequin code construction, the ZX codes designate its high-performance sportbike fashions just like the ZX-10R, ZX-6R, and Ninja H2. The 400 signifies an approximate engine displacement, with the letter following indicating a particular mannequin variant. The “P” on the finish, as per trade commonplace, represents the 2023 mannequin yr. The title “Ninja ZX-4R” doesn’t truly seem within the VIN decoder, however the engine code leaves little doubt to its business title.
The ZX400 is to not be confused with the Ninja 400, which can be included on the VIN decoder below its mannequin codes EX400GP for the ABS model, and EX400HP for non-ABS. The complete VIN decoder supplies extra particular particulars.
The final 5 columns within the VIN decoder point out the engine displacement, variety of strokes for the engine cycle, variety of cylinders, the claimed engine output in kilowatts, and an embargo date.
It confirms the ZX400 fashions are powered by a four-stroke 399cc Inline-4. The engine output stays “to be decided”, however we count on it will likely be a major enhance over the Ninja 400’s 36 kW (48 hp), which is simply barely extra highly effective than the ZX-25R which claims a peak output of 44 hp at 15,500 rpm.
We count on the ZX-4R will likely be provided with or with out ABS. Past that, we count on a chassis much like the ZX-25R, with a trellis body and inverted fork. The ZX-25R makes use of only a single entrance disc brake, nevertheless it stays to be seen if the extra highly effective ZX-4R requires a second rotor.
Kawasaki introduced quite a lot of returning 2023 fashions as we speak, however of its supersport fashions, solely the ZX-6R has been confirmed to this point. We suspect the ZX-25R will likely be introduced together with the Ninja ZX-10R.
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