Kawasaki revealed the Z650RS earlier last year and the motorcycle is already making heads turn around the globe and in India as well. The bike was recently launched in the country and surely, it will find a lot of backers for its good looks and potent Japanese hardware underneath. A lot of it has to do with the popularity of modern-classic motorcycles globally and Kawasaki seems to want to cash in the same now with a more accessible retro-styled offering in its line-up. A recent report suggests that the bike maker is working on the Z400RS that could arrive in the near future.
No surprises for guessing, the upcoming Kawasaki Z400RS will be based on the Kawasaki Z400 on sale internationally and shares its hardware with the Ninja 400 that was once on sale in India. This could be the most affordable RS motorcycle from the bike maker and follow the same design cues as the Z650RS and the Z900RS. Both bikes draw inspiration from the iconic Kawasaki Z1 from the 1970s.
Aesthetic changes will include the new round LED headlamp, twin-pod instrument cluster, single-piece seat, chrome-finished round rearview mirrors and multi-spoke alloy wheels to complete the look. The model will draw power from the familiar 399 cc, parallel-twin engine with 47.5 bhp and 38 Nm of peak torque, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Expect the same suspension and braking hardware to be carried over as well.
Reports suggest that the Kawasaki Z400RS could debut as early July 2022, while the global launch will take place sometime next year across different markets. The Kawasaki Z400RS will be an interesting proposition and is likely to be priced closely to the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Given the INT 650’s popularity, could it tempt Kawasaki India to bring the Z400RS to the country? The success of the Z650RS means this should be inbound. Pricing will be around the RS 4.5 lakh mark or less.
