Kawasaki ZX-4RR tested on UK roads against Yamaha's R7 & Honda CBR650R | MCN Review 

What should we test the ZX-4RR against next year in our MEGA test?

In a world where everything seems to be getting dumbed down I'm glad Kawasaki are still making some "bonkers" bikes with this and the H2

The cbr650r was the bike they used at ron haslam race school, because it's good on track, nice and stable, quick enough great for novice to intermediate riders. Nothing wrong with that bike, and it's also quicker than both the other 2. And more comfortable.

i really don't understand why people whine about the CBR650R is not a "real" sport bike, 99% of the sport bike riders use the bikes on street why the hell would you need a sport bike on the street beside the aesthetics ?! Madness... and then everybody complain how uncomfortable they are LOL

Dude seem to hate CBR. Its perfect bike for most of the riders for most of the occasions.

New, mature rider here - I chose the CBR650R. I love the 4 cyl feel and sound, I'm tall and love the space on the Honda, the quality, the power, the comfort - for me, a perfect blend that whilst not the most exciting, is a great bike for multiple occasions. Great review and I'm sure all these bikes have their place and ideal audience.

Love that Kawasaki have reintroduced a brilliant class of bike, echoing the epic days in the 90’s when manufacturers competed with their 400cc, 750cc and 250 2T bikes! It was red hot, and seemed every few months another incredible bike was introduced! Heady days indeed…😊 Would love a back to back comparison with an original ZXR400.. or even against a group of 90s classics, ZXR, FZR, CBR, GSXR…

My Cbr650 tanks the R7’s round Oulton park, they just don’t have the guts down the straights. Can’t speak for the Kawasaki but your numbers on what the CBR can do in 1st or 2nd gear are a little off! 😅

Great job picking up Carl for MCN, I have always enjoyed his presentations and road tests. The perfect guy to road test the ZR 4RR.

Thinking about the 4RR for my son. He is 23 with some experience. That kid works his ass off, so I am thinking it would be a good Christmas gift.

"9 grand is too much for a 400" and then proceeded to show why it is worth the 9 grand

I hope the Kawi sells well. Would be great to have more bikes like this. Good review, Carl!

The Honda wont do 56mph in 2nd gear? Thats funny because my CB650R does 65mph in 1st gear. Honda is by far the most powerfull of these 3 bikes, idk why what was not worth mentioning when there was no problem mentioning the engine characteristics of the Kawasaki

Yamaha R9 and Honda CBR 750 R might be the perfect recipe when they come out!

Great show thanks! I'm glad I ordered the zx4r on Friday for the 2024 season. Black metallic with quick shifter.

So what I took from that is "Find yourself a ZX6R B1H if you're tired of your litre bikes". I do miss my ZXR250C with that top end 18500RPM surge, so it's nice that Team Green are putting some soul back into inline 4s with the ZX-4RR. Oh, how we miss our 60bhp ZXR400Ls. BTW Carl, I still have your 4SR cap that you gave to me when you were at New Found Glory! Great to see your content

I disagree with your assumption that I would buy a one of these bikes either being a 'new' rider or an older one wanting to get off an uncomfortable larger bike. I am 65 years old, have a Ninja Z1000SX and wanted some fun - so I bought the ZX4RR! I haven't enjoyed riding a motorcycle just for the sheer hell of it so much for ages!

Love the bikes and the review. Love that Shoei lid even more!😍

It's just laughable to me the way everyone dogs on the CBR650R. Those who own one know better.

What a great review Love your enthusiasm

How is the CBR650R written off so badly here, this review isn’t worth even spending the time watching unless you’re looking to buy the Zaki already and want some affirmation.

Awesome review MCN!

The Honda is too comfortable to be engaging.... Just when you think you've heard it all.

The R7 feels great when ridden by itself but in the company of genuine supersports 600s and 750s feels dog slow, I love the idea of the ZXR400 as I owned a Honda RVF 400 back in the 90s but as an older guy supersports bikes are good for a Sunday morning blast but not for every day riding, I use my Street triple RS for that and use my 2017 GSX-R750 less and less these days .

Interesting how different all of this bikes are for me, I rode them all (also RS 660) except for the Kawa. I come from the older super sports bike generation such as the Fireblade or 600 RR. For me the CBR 650 R is the only REAL compromise I could ride these days. The CBR is the only one which at least tries to copy the feel of what the 600 GSX R or CBR 600 RR wanted to be on the street, just that those were real race machines and way to stiff/rough for a touring day through the alps. The 650 R is somewhat comfortable, good quality and has smooth and nice inline 4 engine which screams like the big bikes. All of these new V2 engines, no matter which model, just dont get there. With the Aprilia RS 660 being sporty and good on track, it never gets close to what the real race bikes like 600 RR or R6 can do and also never rides with the sound and smoothness of the CBR 650 R inline 4. The V2 are for me the worst compromises possible somehow, no chance on track like real super sport bikes and no chills and smoothness on street like a more comfortable 650 R with the inline 4. Once you get addicted to that 4 cylinder scream its pretty impossible to go back to a V2. Especially the RS 660 was very dissapointing when riding it, it really felt slow without any emotions although it being fast objectively. Same goes for the R7 which doesnt feel like a sports bike anymore except for the seat. I acknowledge them all being good bikes, dont get me wrong, just that the seat or looks wont make it if the engine stays a 70hp V2. I rode the Ducati Panigale V2 once and that thing was obviously a real bike with 150hp but unfortunately double the price.

I kinda start doubting the validity of a review once I come across even one but prominent false claim. "56 MPH in first gear and the other two would struggle in 2nd or 3rd gear..." I don't know about the R7 but I definitelly remember doing 70 MPH in second gear on my 2022 bone stock CBR.

Brilliant review !

This Honda engine is so underrated by reviewers... While tunned to only 94 hp to be allowed to be restricted for A2 (47 hp), it will still smoke the other two and will do 0-60 in less than 3.5s, while the other two will need more than 4s. Also smoother, more expensive to build and will probably last longer, since it's not overpowered to have 120+ hp which is possible for 649cc inline-four.

Good review. IMHO the CBR650R for the win, then the ZX4RR, then the R7. When I test rode the R7 I was quite disappointed with the engine character which felt a bit flat and linear - ok for a commuter bike but not really in a sportsbike.

When are we getting the review of ZX-6R? Look forward to it!

I had the zxr400 back in the day and even though I’ve not had a track focused sports bike in some years now I really want the zx4rr it’s the only new bike in years I’ve actually been excited about

Great presentation of this guy

Perfect comparison Carl... what a joy this comparison was ...cant wait for the mega comparison in this class.. 4RR next purchase ..used hopefully otherwise just dig deep and go new.

I have a 2021 zx6r. It is so fast it’s overkill for the streets. I mean it’s insane 16k redline. This bike is perfect to rip up the roads and not kill yourself. This bike is fantastic

Just bought my first Yamaha... an R7. You guys make me wish I had stuck with my alma mater lol. I started on a Ninja back in the day and my most recent one was the new gen zx10r. Had to move and sold it. Now I need something for a 20min commute with traffic that turns into open twistys, so I went with the R7. I had no idea the zx400rr was that level of cool. Thought it was too much in the beginner category. All well, its not like the R7 sucks. Im just like you though, I dont like the pig grunt exhaust revs of the v-twin. I like the high end scream.

Couldnt agree more abou the zx4rr. I rented one for 2 days and absolutely loved it.

Love the Yamaha colors and hate to admit that I would take the CBR out of those 3…

a really great review

These comparisons are mostly for fun guys. Buy whichever one you like the most. I'm a huge Kawasaki fan but that CBR 650 is a dang good bike. The r7 though speaks to me the most stylistically. I won't get the zx4rr simply because the zx6r exists haha

Good review wee man

“All the weight is on you wrist” No problem when your 25 years old😂👍🇬🇧

I absolutely love that the smalker displacement sport bikes are getting the love that they deserve.

No mention of any low rpm hesitation/bog in 1st and 2nd especially on takeoff for the zx4rr, seems to be a recurring issue for certain owners likely a mapping issue which is resolved with an ecu flash atm. Did you experience anything of the sort?. Trying to get Kawasaki to put out a new ecu map to fix the problem

It certainly didn't have the suspension and likely weighted quite a bit more than the current ZX-4RR but I truly enjoyed honing around the streets of Kansai, Japan in the 1990s on my Kawasaki ZZR400.

Great vid

Great review, just got the ninja 400RR and I named it dragonslayer for a reason!😎

love this review,well done again MCN!

Great review. I am in love with Yamaha from my roots in the 80s 90s but bugger me that Kawasaki……..

I remember the Halcyon Days of Sports 600cc Bike Road Tests. Yamaha FZRs Honda CBR600 Kawasaki ZZR Suzuki GSX600 Nice to see The SportsBikes Back

I love that I know the roads you're using for these shots like the back of my hand 😁

Wow is amazing!🙌

So, what new motorcycles of this class (ZX4R) are coming next year?

Excelente videos. Me encantan las motos

Awesome job and great review(s)! Hoping to snag one of these in black in the coming months.

definitely would add RS 660 in this comparision.

Atlast the correct line up comparison with the zx4rr

incredible

This is my „I should really get myself a second bike” moment

Excelente video de carreras

Can someone help me, I am trying to see how much it is to insure this motorcycle but I can't seem to find the exactly model. I can only find ZX-4, ZXR 4 and Ninja 400 which one is't?

These 3 bikes are nothing alike. Do they fall into the same price category in the UK?

Great job Carl.. I was going to get an RS660 but I think its the ZX-4RR for me now!

I saw that the ZX 6R is brought back to Sweden, a true Supersport bike. Not many "600cc" supersport that you can buy brand new. The R6 is a track version only. So fort the road its only the ZX 6R, RS 660 and F3 (if that counts as a supersport) left.

The Honda is far better than the other two.. in practically every category. Guarantee my 650r would blitz both these bikes on the road or track :)

Best great pro rider & reviewer there is!!!!...love this Guys speech and accent..lol--He tells it like it is tho!!! i think!!!

These bikes being referred to as a “Super Sport” makes me feel so frustrated…What a world we live in.

Increíble modelo de moto 🏍️👍

If I had the money, I’d get the zx4r

Wow excellent

Seems a little biased to me, the CBR will do 60 in all gears. The most powerful engine out of the lost but 20hp also. I dont really understand why one second you say the riding position isnt good then later on you say it is? Above 8k they really scream and pick up for a 650... the shows forks SF-BPF are some of the best stock shocks out there. Clearly havent ridden it properly.

Kawasaki is still doing some crazy things, the other Japanese brands should do it as well

I wouls love to see a drag race comparison of these 3 bikes.

You guys hint that the line up is going to be massive next year. Any news on honda making a cbr400rr? I currently own two old 90s 400 😎

Gran trabajo 👌

zxr4 engine reminds me of my 2 stroke 250 day😊😅s! a lotta fun 😊

Fantastic motorcycle

After 2 years of riding I jumped from an R3 to a ZX-6R. Thinking it might be the added weight/power or lack of seat time that’s not giving me the same confidence I had on the R3 through the twisties. Wondering if I should stick it out or if an R7 would be a better stepping stone?

please review the cfmoto 450 sr

Carl did a great job! Awesome review!

R7 with the Quick Shifter and a Yoshimura AT2 full exhaust along with a good tune and bam 💥 it’s a Machine to reckon with on the backroads …. Just my opinion for what it’s worth ✌🏻

So best value for money is honda. No surprise there.

Muy buena presentación

Is the sv650 still a motorbike?

Here in the states a well knows tuner is squeezing 90 brake HP out of the Ninja. Unbelievably deceptive in what it's capable of doing.

Hermosa moto 🏍

Excelente carrera

Espectacular

All 3 of these bikes are producing fuel economy of less than 40 mpg?? Wtaf?? My 18 plate Fireblade is making around 45mpg at the mo and she is a full on 1000cc superbike. Always thought a smaller engine would give better fuel economy lol

Buen trabajo, motos muy veloces

my mate had the CBR he loved it and toured on it. i tried it and found you needed to wring its neck to get it going,

Hermosas Motocicletas🤗

I have a Tracer 7 and that CP2 engine is boooooring, for sporty riding. Now that litle Ninja... looks like a delicious and exciting toy! 😁

05:48- nearly went lawn-mowing 😁

Kawasaki - Nailed It!

R7 is a track bike. CBR650 is a road bike. ZX4RR caters to a particular crowd. I don't see a lot of overlap here.

Elles sont superbes ❤❤❤❤

Kawasakis sports always had the best front end

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR sets price $8,899, Yamaha YZF-R7 $9,000, Honda CBR650R $9,699, KEEWAY BENDA (Australia) V-Twin 1000cc Flagship $9,899, Benda V302c set $4,677, Jawa 42 STD $2,370

Excelente

Sorry, that Honda looks breathtaking. (the headers scream old CB-400F and that colour is sexy) And the riding position is bearable, unlike the Yamaha. and the limiting factor on that Yamaha anyway is that T7 motor (top end surge). Besides, Carl...I am the polar opposite of you...six four 225 🙂 Well done on the video 👍