Although bikes in the 400cc class are virtually unknown in the USA, they were big business elsewhere, with bikes like the Honda CBR400 and VFR400, Yamaha FZR400, and today’s Featured Listing Kawasaki ZXR400R competing in showrooms and race series for the hearts and hard-earned money of sportbike enthusiasts. Here in the US, it is 600s that are generally thought of as the lightweight, “beginner” sportbikes, and anything smaller than that is the domain of cheap and cheerful commuters and learner bikes.
Overseas, it was a different story: tiered licensing, heavy taxes, and high gas prices meant there was a great deal of interest in serious motorcycles with smaller displacement. Consider that for Yamaha, the FZR600 was the low-tech model of the range, with a steel beam frame in place of the aluminum Deltabox unit found in the FZR400, FZR750, and FZR1000.
With today’s 1000cc superbikes sporting sky-high redlines of more than 13,000 rpm and Yamaha’s R6 claiming 16,000 shrieking revs, it’s maybe hard to think of a bike with a 14,500 rpm redline as being “high-strung” but the 398cc inline four in the ZXR400R needs to be worked hard to make speedy progress, which is completely in keeping with the bike’s sporting mission. Produced between 1989 and 1999, there were basically two versions of the bike, the earlier “H” bikes and the later “L” version. The H bikes made 61hp while the L made a few more horses at a higher rpm, with a slight loss in torque. The H model weighed a bit less than the L at 350lbs dry and the bike had a top speed north of 140mph.
Today’s Featured Listing has fairly low miles and appears to be in excellent condition, aside from some minor cosmetic issues expected of a bike that’s been ridden. Best of all: it does have a valid title and is registered for road use!
From the Seller: 1995 Kawasaki ZXR400R for Sale
Up for sale is a VERY RARE 1995 Kawasaki ZXR400R in collector quality condition with only 16,267 kilometers (10,107 miles). It has a few tiny rub marks and a couple of small scratches from its 10,000 mile journey thru life but overall its in MINT condition. After thorough inspection, I can tell that this bike has been loved and cherished over the years. It is in completely stock unmolested condition. All fairings and components are 100% OEM factory Kawasaki. Brand new Bridgestone Battlax tires have been installed front and rear. Bike runs like the day it was new. This ZXR comes with a Utah state title and is titled as a street bike for road use. I have set the purchase price at $10,500 because my last 1993 ZXR400R sold on Ebay for $10,450 in the “your choice” auction with the GSXR400RR. Serious buyers can contact me at 801-358-6537 for more pictures or any other questions you may have. $500 deposit thru PayPal due immediately after sale.
The seller is asking $10,500 for this fizzy little monster. Obviously, that’s not a whole lot of bang for your buck if you consider it in purely performance terms, and the ZXR400 isn’t quite as iconic as something like the NC30. But these are exceedingly rare here in the USA and if you’re a die hard Kawasaki lover or a fan of motorcycle exotica, this will probably fill a large [figuratively], green hole in your collection. If you notice any other bikes in the background, we have been told they are for sale as well. Skip the line before they get listed publicly! Everything must go!
-tad
