Kawasaki's Rumoured Ninja ZX-4R May Soon Go Into Development. Here’s Why?

The development of the upcoming Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R has been confirmed through leaked patent images. A little over a week ago, there were rumours of Kawasaki shifting gears to introduce a four-cylinder ZX-4R. However, there was no confirmation of the same.

But the leaked patent images now change everything. The ZX-4R could be based on the ZX-25R currently offered in Asian markets. It could also be the spiritual successor to the legendary Kawasaki ZXR400 launched back in 1989. The design seems more or less like its quarter-litre sibling with minor tweaks to the fairing for better airflow. For instance, the new fairing design features an integrated duct that directs air around the radiator and header pipes directly to the engine.

Redirecting cool air around the peaky four-cylinder engine would prevent it from running too hot. This small yet effective aero change means Kawasaki need not tinker with the size of the radiator. The radiator from the ZX-25R should do just fine. 

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We believe the four-cylinder engine was always meant to be a versatile platform, eventually upscaled to cater to different segments. Limiting it to just the 250cc segment in the Asian market wouldn’t make any business sense for Kawasaki.

Besides, the 250cc four-cylinder Ninja was developed for markets like Indonesia and Japan, considering insurance and licensing class structures create a demand for 250cc sportbikes. The Ninja ZX-4R could bridge the gap between the ZX-25R and the ZX-6R.

Expect the ZX-4R to generate over 60PS of power, 15PS more than the current-generation Ninja 400 (with the parallel-twin engine). It's likely to carry over features from the ZX-25R, including multiple riding modes, a traction control system, and a bi-directional quickshifter as standard.

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The Ninja ZX-4R will not only plug the gap between the ZX-25R and ZX-6R but also help Kawasaki stand out in the segment.

The Tokyo Motor show, earlier scheduled for October 2021, has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. So, here’s hoping we get something from Kawaski on the ZX-4R towards the end of this year.

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