BMW F 850 GS versus Kawasaki Z 400
BMW F 850 GS
Reise-Enduro
Kawasaki Z 400
Naked
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2018 bis 2023
Built von 2019 bis 2024
RRP 13.000 €
RRP 6.445 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- raised seating position
- good handling on and off-road
- Wide range of extras and accessories
- successful appearance
Pros:
- manoeuvrable, agile and accessible bike
- high-revving engine
- Precise handling despite simple chassis
- brakes well because it is light
- conveys a lot of driving pleasure
Cons:
- Windscreen could be slightly larger
- Price skyrockets with extras
- not quite as manoeuvrable
Cons:
- outdated cockpit
- limited pillion seating comfort
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.593 mm
Length : 2.305 mm Height : 1.356 mm
Seat : 860 mm until : 880 mm
Weight : 229 (max: 445 ) kg
Length : 2.305 mm Height : 1.356 mm
Seat : 860 mm until : 880 mm
Weight : 229 (max: 445 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.370 mm
Length : 1.990 mm Height : 1.055 mm
Seat : 785 mm
Weight : 167 kg
Length : 1.990 mm Height : 1.055 mm
Seat : 785 mm
Weight : 167 kg
Engine
Motor design: Number 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 853 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 853 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Four-stroke in-line two-cylinder 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 399 ccm
Hub: 52 mm
Hole: 70 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 399 ccm
Hub: 52 mm
Hole: 70 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Maximum speed: 204 km/h
Performance: 95 HP at 8.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 341 km
Performance: 95 HP at 8.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 341 km
Maximum speed: 190 km/h
Performance: 45 HP at 10.000 U/Min
Torque: 38 NM bei 8.000 U/Min Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 358 km
Performance: 45 HP at 10.000 U/Min
Torque: 38 NM bei 8.000 U/Min Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 358 km
Chassis
Frame type:
Steel bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 204 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 219 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90 21
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Steel bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 204 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 219 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90 21
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
41 mm telescopic fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Uni-Trak gas pressure shock absorber with adjustable spring base (travel 130 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/70R17
Rear tyres: 150/60R17
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
41 mm telescopic fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Uni-Trak gas pressure shock absorber with adjustable spring base (travel 130 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/70R17
Rear tyres: 150/60R17
Brakes
Front brake
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 265 mm)
Front brake
Single disc, two-piston floating caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc petal, single-piston floating caliper (∅ 220 mm)
Single disc, two-piston floating caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc petal, single-piston floating caliper (∅ 220 mm)
Conclusion: Fun in bags
The Kawasaki Z400 is a simple but very good A2 machine. Due to its agile engine and precise chassis, it conveys a lot of driving pleasure. In any case, it doesn't need to shy away from the comparison to the other A2 naked bikes. It makes a mature and solid impression. The operation is simple and due to the low weight and easy handling, the Z400 is particularly suitable for beginners. But even old hands should have a lot of fun with the Z400, at least that was the case with us.The test machine was provided to us by Heller & Soltau in Sankt Michaelisdonn . There she stands as a demonstrator and is happy about a lot of test drives. Just around the corner there are great country roads where you can really let it rip! Of course, Heller & Soltau (here in Google Maps) also has all the other Kawasakis in the shop and also sells motorcycles from Husqvarna. A visit is always worthwhile and the coffee is served fresh several times a day.
