Kawasaki Z 400 versus Yamaha MT-03

Kawasaki Z 400

Naked

Yamaha MT-03

Naked

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

What can the "Dark Side of Japan" naked bike with 42 hp do?

The Yamaha MT-03 is the A2 machine in Yamaha's extensive MT range. It comes in the usual "Dark Side of Japan" style with a design that could come straight out of a Transformers movie. Guest moderation Tanja and Dietmar... weiter

Yamaha MT-03 im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2019 bis 2024

Built von 2006 bis 2024~

RRP 6.445 €

RRP 6.749 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

waveform

Competitors

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

Pros:

Light and manoeuvrable
Easy to use
also suitable for smaller pilots
lively row twin

Cons:

outdated cockpit
limited pillion seating comfort

Cons:

simple equipment
Below a bit mau
Cockpit easy to read, but a bit old-fashioned

Dimensions & Weight

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

Wheelbase: 1.380 mm
Length : 2.090 mm Height : 1.035 mm
Seat : 780 mm
Weight : 168 kg

Engine

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

Motor design: Number 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 321 ccm
Hub: 44 mm
Hole: 68 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

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

Maximum speed: 155 km/h
Performance: 42 HP at 10.750 U/Min
Torque: 30 NM bei 9.000 U/Min

Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 367 km

Chassis

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

Frame type:
Bridges (steel)

Front suspension:
USD 37mm (travel 130mm)

Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 125 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 110/70-17M/C (54H) Tubeless
Rear tyres: 140/70-17M/C (66H) Tubeless

Brakes

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

Front brake
Single disc (∅ 298 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 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.

Conclusion - what sticks

The Yamaha MT-03 met our expectations. Above all, it is a light machine with forgiving driving characteristics. You sit comfortably and can survive even longer tours painlessly. For two, the comfort is more like 1b, but we're also talking about a naked bike. In any case, we had a lot of fun with this beautiful Yamaha and Tanja - herself an A2 biker - was surprised how easy this machine is to drive over the course compared to her Kawa ER6N.

Many thanks to Tecius & Reimers from the Yamaha headquarters Hamburg for the loan. There in Hamburg-Eidelstedt - easily accessible via the A7 and A23 - the MT-03 stands as a demonstrator and waits eagerly for test drivers. And of course there are also a lot of other bikes from Yamaha and Zero - so let's go to Hamburg! Joachim and the team are happy to serve a coffee if you are nice.