Kawasaki Ninja 400R - more details emerge

The market's there - so why isn't Britain getting the bike it needs so badly?

OFFICIAL PICTURES and full specifications of Kawasaki's 2011 400 Ninja have surfaced, following the news that Kawasaki UK won't be importing the learner-friendly machine into Britain.

Last week Visordown brought you the first glimpse of the 44bhp machine, along with the news that Kawasaki UK has NO plans to bring the liquid-cooled 203kg (kerb weight) 400 into Britain.

The decision not to bring the bike into the UK has been met with some controversy; many believe the new machine would be the perfect answer to the country's stock of ageing 400cc imports, many of which have been in use for over 20 years.

Latest details from Japan show the Ninja 400 bristles with some of the latest motorcycle technology, including: full digital instrumentation, sexy sculpted swingarm, underslung exhaust, 'cassette-style transmission, petal disc brakes, an LED rear light and aggressive Ninja-style bodywork.

It's more than enough to get any post-test newbie slavering at Kawasaki dealers all around the country. The demand's there, so come on Kawasaki UK, pull your finger out!

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 400R

Type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Parallel Twin
Displacement 399 cc
Bore and Stroke 68.4 x 54.3 mm
Compression ratio 11.0:1
Valve system DOHC, 8 valves
Fuel system Fuel injection: ø34 mm x 2 (Keihin)
Ignition Digital
Starting Electric
Lubrication Forced lubrication, semi-dry sump

Seat height 790 mm
Kerb mass* 203 kg
Fuel capacity 15.5 litres