BMW R 1200 R versus Kawasaki Z 400

BMW R 1200 R

Naked

Kawasaki Z 400

Naked

BMW R 1200 R: The all-purpose weapon from BMW

The BMW R 1200 R (K27) from 2011 tested here still has the 110 hp boxer engine with air/oil cooling. This model was built from 2006 to 2014 and replaced the successful R 1150 R. In contrast to its predecessor, the 1200 is much more powerful and sporty on the road, without... weiter

BMW R 1200 R im Test

Gallery

What can the new 45 hp naked bike from Japan do?

The Kawasaki Z400 has been around since 1973. At the end of 2020 she flew out of the program, now she is back. Of course, Kawasaki has made many adjustments to the new 2023 model. What came out of it... weiter

Kawasaki Z400 im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2007 bis 2017

Built von 2019 bis 2024

RRP 13.100 €

RRP 6.445 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de
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Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

relatively light for a boxer machine
powerful engine with character
upgradeable as an agile tourer
no technical overload
safe driving experience

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:

not cheap
Windbreak underground

Cons:

outdated cockpit
limited pillion seating comfort

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.515 mm
Length : 2.165 mm Height : 1.300 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 232 (max: 450 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.370 mm
Length : 1.990 mm Height : 1.055 mm
Seat : 785 mm
Weight : 167 kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Luft
Drive: Kardan
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

Performance

Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 125 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 6.500 U/Min

Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 363 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

Chassis

Frame type:
two-part frame concept consisting of the main frame and the rear frame bolted to it, supporting engine (steel)

Front suspension:
Upside-down 45 mm (travel 140 mm)

Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 140 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever

Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17

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

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 276 mm)

Front brake
Single disc, two-piston floating caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc petal, single-piston floating caliper (∅ 220 mm)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

Wonderful, this BMW R1200 R. Not only beautiful, fast and safe, but also potent enough for an Alpine tour. Of course, this requires a suitcase system, which goes quite well into the money at BMW. And just a touring disc, which is to be used in the secondary market (e.B. MRA) for about 150 euros. In the mountains you should ride the other bikers quite nicely around the ears, because the 1200s brings everything you need: strength, agility, agility and above all the feeling of security that you can't really do much with this bike.

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.