Not long ago, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR shocked us all with its insane top speed in the fifth gear. It breached 200kmph (120mph) with ease, only to make us wonder just how much faster it can go from there. And if you’ve been wondering the same, we’ve now sourced a top-speed video of the ZX-4RR (via Over Ride Magazine) where it has not only gone much faster, but even faster than Yamaha’s mid-capacity sports bike, the YZF-R7!
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR Records A 151-MPH Top Speed
Yes, you read that right; the video shows the Ninja ZX-4RR reach 243kmph in the sixth gear (150.99mph). Interestingly, the motorcycle still has 500rpm on the tachometer, meaning there’s probably a bit more in the tank. But it’s worth noting the ZX-4R starts to fade out post 220kmph (136mph) and simply creeps to its top speed post this. Nevertheless, at 150mph, the baby Ninja is slightly faster than the Yamaha R7’s 143mph top speed while it beats the Ninja 650’s 131mph figure in the fifth gear itself.
Meanwhile, we also get an idea about the RR’s acceleration here. It takes 4.27 seconds to reach 62mph and 15.29 seconds for the 124mph mark, where the former is awfully close to the twin-cylinder Ninja 400’s acceleration time. Given the RR has a lot more power than the 400, this is a tad disappointing, to say the least. To add to the misery, the American-spec Ninja ZX-4RR is expected to produce just 42kW (56 horsepower), instead of the original 76 horsepower, which will only bring down its top speed and acceleration. So it’s likely the US-spec 4R might accelerate slower than the Ninja 400. Now, that just doesn’t sound right, does it?
2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR - Pricing And Details
All this aside, the ZX-4RR still has plenty to look forward to. For instance, it comes loaded with modern-day electronics - four ride modes (Sport, Road, Rain, and Rider Customizable), three-mode traction control, two power modes, bi-directional quickshifter - all accessible via a TFT instrument cluster. This is topped by top-quality fully adjustable Showa SFF-BP forks and BFRC monoshock, paired with monoblock calipers. Quite upmarket compared to the R7 and Ninja 650.
Finally, Kawasaki USA has priced it at $9,699–$4,400 more than the non-ABS Ninja 400 and just $1,000 shy of the Ninja ZX-6R. Yes, this is quite expensive for a “400cc” motorcycle, but let’s not forget, this is no ordinary entry-level motorcycle. It’s probably the last of its kind and will have a cult following in no time. The latter often means a strong reselling price too, so win-win.