2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR | First Look Review

February 1, 2023 editor 2023, Kawasaki 3 min read

The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR KRT Edition is an all-new small-displacement sportbike said to offer track-ready performance.

In 2018, Kawasaki distinguished itself from Honda and Yamaha by bumping displacement of its entry-level sportbike up from 300cc to 400cc with the introduction of the Ninja 400. Team Green has thrown down the gauntlet again with the 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR KRT Edition, a new track-focused sportbike.

The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR KRT Edition chassis was designed with input from the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) World Superbike program.

At its heart is a new liquid-cooled, DOHC 16-valve 399cc inline-Four, which adds two more cylinders than the Ninja 400’s 399cc parallel-Twin. Developed with input from Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX supersport machines, the engine has an oversquare bore and stroke of 57.0 x 39.2mm and is said to deliver impressive power and a claimed peak of 26.5 lb-ft of torque at 11,000 rpm.

The engine features fine-sand cast intake ports, large intake and exhaust valves, precision-machined combustion chambers, forged camshafts, cast-aluminum pistons, and a 12.3:1 compression ratio, yet it runs on regular unleaded fuel.

The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR KRT Edition has ride modes, traction control, and adjustable suspension.

A lightweight flywheel contributes to the Four’s quick-revving nature, a large radiator contributes to efficient cooling, and a ram air duct brings cool, high-pressure air into the engine.

The TFT display has a Circuit Mode for track riding.

Equipped with throttle-by-wire, the Ninja ZX-4RR features four ride modes (Sport, Road, Rain, and Rider customizable) that adjust traction control (Modes 1-3 or Off) and power mode (Low or Full). It has a 6-speed transmission with a slip/assist clutch and an up/down quickshifter. Up front is a 4.3-inch color TFT display that includes a Circuit Mode for track riding and Bluetooth connectivity via Kawasaki’s Rideology The App.

The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR KRT Edition’s frame and swingarm are made of high-tensile steel. Claimed wet weight is 414.5 lb.

Designed using input from Kawasaki Racing Team’s (KRT) efforts in the World Superbike Championship, the Ninja ZX-4RR’s chassis consists of a high-tensile steel trellis frame with various pipe diameter thicknesses, a swingarm pivot section, and a high-tensile steel swingarm. Up front is a 37mm inverted Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork – Big Piston) fork with adjustable preload and 4.7 inches of travel, and out back is a fully adjustable horizontal back-link Showa BFRC (Balance Free Rear Cushion) Lite shock with 4.9 inches of travel.

Out back is a fully adjustable horizontal back-link Showa BFRC (Balance Free Rear Cushion) Lite shock.

The Ninja ZX-4RR rolls on five-spoke 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels shod with Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300 radial tires (120/70-ZR17 front, 160/60-ZR17 rear). Slowing it down are a pair of 4-piston radial-mount monoblock front calipers squeezing 290mm semi-floating discs and a 1-piston rear caliper squeezing a 220mm disc.

The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR KRT Edition has aggressive styling with all-LED lighting and a Lime Green/Ebony color scheme. It has an MSRP of $9,699 and will be available this spring.