Kawasaki Ninja 400 STG Project Bike

The 2018-2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400 is the latest lightweight bike to hit the market so we decided to pick one up and do another STG Project Bike. A lot of moto media outlets are labeling this an "entry level" motorcycle which is fair given it's displacement and super comfy ergonomics. While we agree this would be one heck of a first bike we also feel the current crop of lightweights are a ton of fun to ride no matter your experience level. The Yamaha R3 has become pretty popular with experienced track riders since it was introduced in 2015 because it has proven to be a ton of fun to ride and the price is very affordable.

With the Ninja 400 we will focus on street mods for the first part of the 2018 summer season installing all the bolt ons we can get our hands on. Once we finish the street mods we will turn the 400 into a track bike and begin the second part of the project.

Man are these lightweight bikes a ton of fun to ride! Every lap My Son Max Van and I take on the STG Yamaha R3 and STG Kawasaki Ninja 400 make you want to do another. In this video we are riding at Grattan Raceway with SportbikeTrackTime.com. I am out front on the Ninja 400 and Max is giving chase on the R3. I did my best time of the weekend on the Ninja of 1:33.7 with him running faster about to pass me at 1:32.5. Riding with Max is the most fun I have ever imagined possible.

We love this bike but the stock exhaust is too quiet, too heavy and it is just plain ugly. Installing the M4 Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Carbon Slip On Exhaust is a project most any rider can tackle and get a great result. The M4 Slip On for the Ninja 400 features a carbon can with a carbon end cap that really cleans up the look of the bike. M4 ships this system with the quiet inert installed and we feel the performance of the bike is best with the insert in place.

M4 did a great job on this slip on and we feel it is a good buy at just over $400 with the carbon can.

If you want to get the most power out of your Ninja 400 then a full exhaust system is a must. M4 worked hard to make what they feel is the best full system on the market today for the 400. Installing the M4 Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Carbon Full Exhaust System requires a little more effort than installing a slip on, but it is a project most can manage with common hand tools. Kawasaki did a great job making the OEM bodywork on this bike easy to remove and reinstall which makes projects like this one a whole lot easier. This system can be installed using the stock passenger pegs or the race mount bracket M4 includes with the system.

Akrapovic produces some of the highest quality products in the world today, no one will argue that. The Akrapovic Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Carbon Slip-On Exhaust is everything we expected it to be before we began the install. The carbon canister comes with a noise reducing insert presintalled to keep the noise in check. This is removable if you choose to do so and we had Max Van rev the STG Ninja 400 with and without the insert installed.

This Carbon slip on is designed to be easily upgraded to a full system by installing the Akrapovic Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Stainless Steel Optional Header if you prefer to replace the entire system from cylinder head back. We will have a video install for both the Akra Header and this slip on very soon.

The Akrapovic Kawasaki Ninja 400 Stainless Steel Header is designed to be used with their Akrapovic Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Carbon Slip-On Exhaust for riders who want a full exhaust system. As with all Akrapovic Exhaust the quality and fit of this header is absolutely top shelf. This header has a larger diameter than the OEM header and will accept the 12mm OEM exhaust sensor or the larger 14mm sensor if you intend to use an aftermarket sensor for tuning purposes.

6.7 lbs is the combined weight of this header and the Akrapovic Carbon Slip On for the Kawasaki Ninja 400 (OEM Full Systems weighs 13.1 lbs). To achieve the best possible performance from your full system we recommend installing the noise insert that is included with the Carbon Slip On for the Ninja 400.

The Yoshimura Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Alpha T Race Full Exhaust System looks great on the bike with a precise OEM like fit. Installing this full exhaust system on your Ninja 400 will increase the power, reduce the weight by 5 lbs and give it an exhaust note that will put a smile on your face. This system uses the Yoshimura Works Finish that starts off matte grey and changes to a golden titanium look after it is heat cycled. The Alpha T Muffler looks great on the 400 and the carbon end cap is a great finishing touch.

This is a Race Series Full Exhaust System that is designed for closed course operation. It ships with an optional sound insert that is not installed from the factory. We reached out to Yoshimura asking if there was any change in performance with or without the insert and was told installing the insert increase total power a touch while reducing the sound level. Without the insert we were told there was a little more bottom end power around 7-8000 RPM. As with any system best practice is to use a fuel controller or ECU flash to get maximum benefit from the full system.

The Yoshimura Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Works Edition Street Alpha T Slip-On Exhaust is a street legal slip on that looks and sounds great! If you do your riding on the street and prefer to keep your Ninja street legal / emission compliant Yoshimura is the way to go. This Alpha T Slip On tubing offers their "Works" finish that will change colors over time with heat offering a look very similar to titanium. Installing this slip on reduces the weight approximately 3.3 lbs while adding a little more power and torque to your Ninja. With this slip-on system you do not need to install a fuel controller or flash the ECU.

We have installed several Yoshimura Exhaust Systems over the years here at STG and have always appreciated how well they fit the bike and their overall quality. We feel the fit of a Yoshimura Exhaust is very close to the OEM exhaust which makes the install easy and the finished result excellent.

This full exhaust system sells for less than most of the slip ons we offer for the Ninja 400! Watch the video install and you will see the Hindle Kawasaki Ninja 400 EVO Megaphone Full Exhaust System is a quality full system that delivers a ton of bang for the buck. If you follow the MotoAmerica Junior Cup you will see this same pipe on Ashton Yates Kawasaki Ninja 400 when he is running up front. Installing this system will drop 7.4 lbs in weight and requires removal of the OEM cat. Best practice when installing a full system is to remap the ECU or install a fuel controller to get all the available performance benefits. This system is designed for closed course operation only.

Hindle offers this system in both Standard Mount (uses your OEM passenger peg) or Race Mount which includes a bracket to replace the OEM passenger peg. The tubing and muffler sleeve are both light weight stainless steel with either a staninless steel or carbon fiber end cap available.

The Hindle Kawasaki Ninja 400 EVO Megaphone Slip-on Exhaust is the most affordable slip on option we have currently for the Ninja 400 starting at just over $200. The Hindle Megaphone EVO Muffler is available with either a Stainless Steel or Carbon Fiber End Cap and mounts to the OEM passenger peg. This is an easy installation that most any rider can complete with basic hand tools. With this slip-on system you do not need to install a fuel controller or flash the ECU.

Over the past couple of seasons we have installed multiple Hindle Exhaust Systems and feel they offer quality parts (made in Canada) at a fair price. The Ninja 400 Hindle Slip On is designed for closed course operation even though it does not require the removal of the OEM cat.

The Leo Vince Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2019 LV-10 Slip-On Exhaust looks amazing on the bike, one of the best fit and finish slip-ons we offer for the 400. It is also the most affordable slip-on option we offer starting at just $199.95. Normally we would not have very high expectations for a slip-on under $200, this one exceeded all expectations.

At 2.65 lbs the Leo Vince Ninja 400 Slip-On will shave 6.4 lbs of weight from the bike. This slip-on does not require the use of a fuel controller and installs in minutes using common hand tools most any rider would have in their tool kit.

The Two Brothers Kawasaki Ninja 400 S1R Slip-On Exhaust looks absolutely amazing in the Carbon Can. The carbon Two Brothers uses on their can's is different than anything we see from other exhaust brands. The end caps of the can are magnesium and aluminum, teflon coated black which really compliment that carbon sleeve. Installing this slip-on is a pretty basic project most any rider can tackle on their own.

This Two Brothers Slip On retains the OEM Cat and is designed for closed course operation. With this slip on you do not need to install a fuel controller or tune the ECU on the bike. Sound inserts are sold separately if you would like to reduce the noise level after you install the system.

The Driven Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Rearsets are fully adjustable so you can dial in the ergos of your Ninja to suit your riding style. Driven TT Rearsets have 4 footpeg positions to choose from with adjustable folding toe pieces on both pedals so you can keep the distance between the footpegs and toe pieces right where you need them to be. With this kit you are able to run standard or GP (reverse) shift pattern with no additional parts required.

In the comments section for this video we have been asked "Why would you replace the rearsets?" which is a great question we will address here as well. Stock rearsets typically focus on street riding and comfort so the position of the pegs is a little lower and further forward. This works great on the street but will limit the amount of lean angle you can use at the track (or during spirited street rides) in addition to having no adjustabliity. Aftermarket rearsets will increase the ground clearance so you can use more lean angle and offer adjustability so you can dial in the ergos to suit your riding style. Most of the rearset kits we offer have fixed footpegs (OEM fold up) which offer more feel and can help reduce crash damage.

The Woodcraft Kawasaki Ninja 400 Rearset Kit uses a design specific to the New Ninja 400 rather than trying to get an existing design to work with the Ninja. Woodcraft has a unique relationship with Kawasaki (the owner also runs a race school that rides on Kawasaki's) so he rides and races on their bikes. When designing a new range of parts the more time and exposure you have with the bike the better the end result will be. We have installed all of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 parts from Woodcraft at this point and really like what we see. This rearset kit is a great example of just how good Woodcraft is at what they do.

With 12 positions of adjustment available this kit will get you the ground clearance you need to corner low and help you dial in the ergos to suit your style. On the shift side of the kit you are able to choose from standard or GP shift pattern without installing any additional parts. (Note: we found the front sprocket cover needs to be trimmed a touch for GP shift). The only thing we would like to have seen added to this kit was for the OEM brake light switch to fit which is nice for street riders. End of the day this can be overcome by using a brake light banjo bolt if you require the rear brake light to be functional.

For the 400 Lightech offers 2 rearset kit options: the Lightech R Version Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Rearsets and the Standard Lightech Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Rearsets. The only real difference between them is the price and the way they look, they offer the same level of quality and features. In our opinion the Standard Version is the best option for most Ninja 400 riders.

This rearset kit includes a bracket allowing for use of the OEM rear brake light switch which is nice to see. Both the footpegs and pedal toe pieces are adjustable allowing you to dial in the ergos to best suit your riding style. Standard or GP Shifting are both possible and do not require any additional parts.

The Vortex Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Adjustable Rearsets V3 2.0 feature the latest Vortex Rearset design, offering the most adjustability in the industry. These rearsets offer a great riding experience on the bike with a precise shift which is important on the Ninja 400. Both Standard and GP Shift are possible and do not require any additional parts to switch. To retain the rear brake light switch function you will need to install a Vortex Banjo Brake Light Switch with the rearset kit.

We have crash tested this rearset design and can tell you they hold up well and are very easy to repair. On our site you will find all of the replacement parts listed for sale under the "Spare Parts" tab for each individual Vortex Rearset Kit. This alone is another great reason to go with Vortex as we all end up needing replacement parts sooner or later and these are the easiest to order.

When you take a lightweight bike like the Nina 400 to the track power is at a premium and you want to do all that you can to help the bike produce more while remaining reliable. The Vortex / EK Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Race 520 Chain and Sprocket Kit uses a Non-O-ring off road chain that reduces drive line friction to help the little Ninja come off the corner quicker and produce more top speed. After installing this chain and sprocket kit we were able to hit 3-4 mph more on the straightaway at Grattan (verified on the AiM Solo 2 DL).

It is important to note this kit requires more maintenance than a standard o-ring chain kit would. We clean the chain before each weekend and lubricate it before the start of each day. With proper maintenance we used this kit on the STG R3 for over a full season with zero issues.

OEM bodywork removal and re-installation has not gotten any easier over the years. As the technology has moved forward on the bikes the bodywork has become more difficult to work with on most models. I am happy to report the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 is not included in the group of bikes with over complicated OEM plastics. Kawasaki did a great job with the OEM bodywork on this bike, it is easy to get off and reinstall which makes both maintenance and mods a whole lot easier to do. In this video we cover how to remove and reinstall the OEM plastics on the Ninja, focusing on the right and left side fairings. The tail section is pretty straight forward and we will cover the upper fairing when we do our race bodywork installs.

OEM gas caps are one of the first things to get replaced on most sportbikes. The Driven HALO Fuel Cap Base Kawasaki Ninja 400 bolts right up to the tank of your Ninja ready to accept the Driven HALO Fuel Cap which is available in 6 different colors to fit the color scheme of your bike.

We have installed the Driven keyless fuel caps on several STG Project Bikes over the years and have always been happy with their style, fit and performance. This is a great mod for any track bike that gets you one step closer to eliminating the key all together as well as a common mod for street riders looking to customize the look of their bike.

If you have seen our STG Best Sportbike Mods Feature you already know we did not start this project with Mod #1, the Fender Eliminator. We finally removed that boat anchor of a stock rear fender and installed the Driven Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Fender Eliminator w/Arrow Turn Signals on the bike. The Driven Fender Eliminators serve up a pretty unique design that uses all machined billet aluminum pieces. With the Driven kit you have the option of getting one with or without turn signals. They also just released the Driven D-Light LED Plate Frame we install in this video which is a slick finishing touch for sure.

Replacing the stock rear turn signals with the Driven LED signals we also needed to replace the turn signal flasher to get the proper flash rate on the Ninja 400. If you are cool with the flash rate being much faster than OEM you could leave it as is.

The New Rage Cycles Kawasaki Ninja 400 Fender Eliminator replaces that massive OEM rear fender and really cleans up the lines of the all new Ninja 400. As with all the other New Rage Cycles Fender Kits we have installed this one sports that trick LED turn signal bar with an LED plate light. To keep the flash rate in check this kit ships with the New Rage Dual Load Equalizer.

We installed this kit when it was first released and really like the look once it was installed on the 400. Our kit was one of the first ones off the line and we found a minor hardware issue (see the video) so we reached out to New Rage and they were able to make a correction to all of the kits before they shipped out. Really impressed with how dedicated they are to producing a top quality product. If you like the look of this kit just go ahead and pull the trigger, you won't be disappointed!

Mirror eliminators allow you to remove the OEM mirrors to get that clean, supersport look for your bike. The Kawasaki Ninja 400 New Rage Cycles Mirror Eliminators installs using the OEM mirror hardware using basic handtools and only takes a couple minutes to do. Mirror eliminators are typically installed when a street rider removes the OEM mirrors and replaces them with a bar end mirror in their place. These are also a great for removing the mirrors if you are taking the Ninja to do a track day.

Removing the mirrors is a great way to clean up the front of your bike and get that Supersport look we all want. The Driven Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2019 Mirror Eliminators are available in multiple colors and install easily. (The main reason we did this video was to give you a closer look at them installed on the Ninja 400) If you ride the bike on the street you should install a bar end mirror with the mirror eliminators. We have several great options for bar end mirrors from Driven Racing and CRG on the site. Mirror eliminators are also a great finishing touch for a track bike if you like a little bling in your life.

Like most every other sportbike the Kawaski Ninja 400 comes from the factory with a massive rear fender that no one wants to ride with. The Hotbodies Racing 2018-2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400 Fender Eliminator is one of several fender eliminators we have installed on our Ninja 400. Each of these fender eliminators we have installed offer their own unique design an look. This one is a one piece molded ABS Plastic with LED lights for the rear signals and plate light held in place with adhesive. It may not look like much when you open the package but it looks great on the bike.

The turn signal flash rate will be much faster than it was with the OEM rear signals after installing the Hotbodies Tag Bracket because the current draw of the LED signals is much lower than the OEM signals. If you prefer to have a flash rate closer to the speed it was with the OEM signals we recommend installing the Driven Flasher Relay like we did to our Ninja 400 in this video install.

The OEM Windscreen on the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is so ugly I can't find the words to describe it. The Hotbodies Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 Windscreen replaces that flat OEM screen with a cool dual radius one that really improves the look of the little 400. We do not have this listed on our site yet as we are waiting on the images and part numbers from Hotbodies Racing. Stay tuned for updates.

The Yoshimura 2018-2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400 Fender Eliminator offers a modular design that allows you to multiple options to best suit your style. It includes a Yoshimura Plate Frame, LED Plate Light and brackets that accept the OEM turn signals along with the most complete instructions we have seen with all of the fender eliminators we have installed. In this video we installed the full kit and reused the OEM rear signals as we feel this is what most riders will do. The quality of the Yosh Fender Eliminator is excellent and we feel that installing the kit as we did in this video will offer the most trouble free performance over the long haul as it does not require rewiring the rear signals.

If you prefer to replace the OEM rear signals with aftermarket LED signals Yoshimura offers optional brackets that will accept most aftermarket signals. It is important to note that installing the LED signals will change the flash rate of the turn signals and require a new flasher relay or resistors be installed to correct this.

If you have a Ninja 400 you need to get a set of tank grips on that bike. Tank grips help you ride the bike more efficiently by using your legs which is harder to do when the tank is smooth. Techspec Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Tank Grip is a quality kit from a solid brand we have been working with for the last several seasons. In this video we show the Techspec Kit that we installed on the STG Yamaha R3 in 2015 that is still in excellent condition.

The Zero Gravity Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Corsa Windscreen is a great choice for riders looking to increase the size of the aerodynamic bubble behind the screen for track riding or street. Over the years Zero Gravity has earned a reputation for producing some of the best fitting windscreens in the business and this one is another example of how they earned that reputation. The Zero Gravity Corsa Windscreen for the Ninja 400 is available in Clear or Light Smoke only so the rider can see through it while in a full tuck.

If you have a Ninja 400 you already know that OEM windscreen looks less than amazing on the bike. The Zero Gravity Kawasaki Ninja 400 18-22 Double Bubble Windscreen will improve the looks and aerodynamics fo your Ninja 400, giving your bike that supersport look we all prefer. As with the Zero Gravity Corsa Windscreen the Double Bubble Windscreen is a premium screen that delivers an OEM like fit. The Double Bubble Screen is available in several colors to customize the look of your bike.

The Techspec Kawasaki Ninja 400 18-23 Gripster Tank Grip Extension Kit is designed to help keep the rider locked in while pushing the limits on the race track allowing you to use more of your lower body for support to help keep the weight off your upper body and hands. This makes it much easier to control the bike and focus on your riding. Max used this on his MotoAmerica Kawasaki Ninja 400 all of the 2023 season and really felt this made a difference. If your Ninja 400 is a dedicatd track bike this is an excellent mod.

The Driven Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Axle Block Sliders look great on the bike while protecting that swingarm. These replace the thin sheet metal OEM axle adjusters with machined billet aluminum goodness available in several colors to personalize your Ninja 400. We went with red on our STG Ninja 400 Project Bike which meet heavy protest from Max Van who felt blue would have been the way to go.

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is a bike we see a lot of new riders throwing their leg over. That said we want to make sure we cover all the basics with this project to help a new rider get dialed in right off the line. As a sportbike owner you will most likely want to do most of the mods to your bike yourself. Installing a set of spools allows you to lift the bike with a proper rear stand which is needed to perform many of the projects we will show you with our STG Kawasaki Ninja 400.

The Driven Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Swingarm Spools are available in several colors to customize the look of your bike and offer excellent quality. This should be one of the first mods you make to your new Ninja.

If you are riding your Ninja 400 on the street this no cut frame slider kit can help to protect those expensive OEM fairings in a slow speed tip over or crash. The Woodcraft Kawasaki Ninja 400 Street Frame Slider Kit does not require the cutting of your stock plastics which is something most street riders do not want to do. Woodcraft did a solid job with the design of this kit to get a no cut set up that has the strength required to make a difference in a crash or tip over. We were impressed with the engineering and the finished product after they were installed.

We recommend this frame slider kit for street riders who prefer not to cut the bodywork. As with any offset no cut frame slider kit these would not be as effective as a direct mount (no offset) kit that requires cutting of the OEM fairings. If you prefer a higher level of protection and are ok with cutting the fairings we recommend going with the Woodcraft Kawasaki Ninja 400 Race Frame Slider Kit.

The Woodcraft Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Axle Slider Kit is designed to help protect the axles in a crash and can be installed on the front or rear axles (if you want to do both you will need to order 2 kits). The axles on the Ninja 400 will contact the ground in a crash and can be difficult to remove if the damage is significant. This kit will prevent that from happening without making your tire changes more difficult. Of all the axle slider kits we have seen on the market the Woodcraft kits are the most robust in our opinion. If you plan to take your Ninja 400 to the track installing these axle sliders is a good call.

The GB Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Engine Cover Protector Set is a mod we recommend to both street and track riders alike. OEM Engine Covers are vulnerable when the bike is dropped or crashed. Installing these GB Racing Cover Protectors can be the difference between picking the bike up and finishing your ride and leaking oil all over. In this video we cover all the steps it takes to install these cover protectors over your OEM covers. This is a relatively easy install, still if you do not feel comfortable with all the steps we recommend taking the bike to a licensed motorcycle technician.

Over the years we have installed GB Racing Covers on several of our STG Project Bikes and have always been impressed with them. Max Van has crash tested them on the STG R3 and we are happy to report they worked like a charm.

The Woodcraft Kawasaki Ninja 400 Clutch Cover Protector bolts right on top of the OEM clutch cover in minutes. It is designed to help prevent damage to the fragile OEM clutch cover during a crash or tip over. Installing this cover protector can be the difference between picking your bike up and riding away or leaking oil from the cracked cover after a crash. We recommend installing this on any bike ridden on the race track and feel this is also something street riders should also consider.

Woodcraft offers the replaceable skid pad in multiple colors to give your bike that custom look we all like to have (even though some of us refuse to admit we dig a little bling on our bike).

The Woodcraft Kawasaki Ninja 400 Stator Cover Protector bolts right on top of the OEM stator cover in minutes. It is designed to help prevent damage to the fragile OEM stator cover during a crash or tip over. Installing this cover protector can be the difference between picking your bike up and riding away or leaking oil from the cracked cover after a crash. We recommend installing this on any bike ridden on the race track and feel this is also something street riders should also consider.

Just like with their Ninja 400 Stator Cover protector Woodcraft offers the replaceable skid pad in multiple colors to give your bike that custom look we all like to have (even though some of us refuse to admit we dig a little bling on our bike).

When you are prepping your Ninja 400 for the race track it is important to know most race and track day organizations require the OEM Green Engine Coolant be replaced by a non glycol coolant. Before replacing your coolant make sure to reach out to the org you plan to ride with and ask for their list of approved coolants. Here at STG we use Red Line SuperCool Water Wetter 1/2 Gallon in the bikes that we race with Wera and Engine Ice Hi-Performance Coolant in all of those that are ridden with Sportbike Track Time. Engine Ice is nice because it offers freeze protection, Water Wetter does not offer any freeze protection which can be an issue for riders is colder winter climates.

In this video Van shows you what it takes to drain, flush and refill the cooling system on your Ninja 400. The most important important part of this process is purging the air from the cooling system to ensure the system will operate correctly and cool the engine efficiently.

The Cox Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Radiator Guard is an inexpensive way to prevent big problems for both street and track riders. Debris from the track and street can cause the radiator core to leak if it gets blasted by a large enough piece. A leaking radiator can result in a crash, motor damage or be the end of your ride. We install these on all of our bikes and recommend this mod for both street and track riders. The Cox Racing Radiator Guards are made here in the US with pride!

Replacing the stock rubber brake lines with stainless steel braided brake lines is the best bang for the buck performance mod you can do to your bike. Doing this will increase both braking power and feel at the lever making the bike even more fun to ride. Installing the Spiegler Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 ABS Front & Rear Brake Line Kit on the bike requires reasonable mechanical ability and common hand tools. In this video we show you what it takes to get this done every step of the way if you decide to tackle the project yourself. If you watch this video and do not feel comfortable with the project we recommend taking the bike to a licensed motorcycle technician.

ABS equipped motorcycles require a little more patience and finesse when installing brake line kits as compared to their non ABS counterparts do, still this is worth the effort. Bleeding the brakes on an ABS bike is no different than a standard model, just takes a little longer to do with the additional line length.

ABS brakes are awesome on the street, not so much on the race track. Our STG Ninja 400 is an ABS equipped model, as are many of the 400's that are ridden on the street. When it came time to convert our Ninja from street to track removing the ABS brakes was on the list of mods needed to make that transitions. Removing the ABS BMPV/Module will disable the speedometer and disrupt the wheel speed sensor signal to the ecu. That said best practice when removing the ABS is to install The FlashTune ABS Delete Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2019 to keep everything working once the module has been removed.

Removing the ABS BPMV/Module reduces the weight of the Ninja 400 by 1.55lbs. It is also important to note you could also remove the ABS BPMV/Module and not install the FlashTune ABS Delete if you are alright with having no speedo function while riding.

If you plan to take your Ninja 400 to the track and love to brake late and deep it won't take long to discover the OEM front brake rotor turns into a cereal bowl after a couple of heaving braking sessions. Installing the Galfer Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Front Wave Brake Rotor takes the braking performance to the next level and holds up to the heat generated from heavy braking. We recommend running the Vesrah Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 RJL ZZ Front Race Brake Pads for best overall braking performance. These are the same pads we are running on our STG Ninja 400 with excellent results.

In this video Van installs the Spiegler Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2019 NON-ABS Front & Rear Brake Line Kit on our STG Ninja 400 Project Bike. He was eliminating the ABS System on our bike but this install would be the same on a Factory Non-ABS Model. It is important to note there is no room for error when it comes to servicing your brakes. That said if you do not feel comfortable performing the steps shown in this video we recommend taking the bike in to a licensed technician.

Once you start riding track days or race it won't be long before you are swearing up a storm when one of the OEM wheel spacers falls out when you're trying to put the wheel back on. The Driven Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Captive Wheel Spacers install easily once the wheels are off and will keep the spacer where it needs to be. This is money well spent for any track rider, we use them on all of our STG Project Bikes as most of the riding we do is at the track.

In this video Van runs you through the process he used to remove and reinstall the front fork on the STG Ninja 400 Project Bike. It is important to note that getting the front end properly aligned is a must if you want the bike to handle well. If you do not feel comfortable performing the process shown in this video we recommend taking the bike into a licensed technician.

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is an amazing lightweight bike, but the stock suspension lacks the adjust-ability and performance you need to ride the bike fast on the track. We installed K-Tech Suspension on our STG Yamaha R3 Project Bike and that bike handles like it's on rails which is why we chose to go with K-Tech on the Ninja 400. The K-Tech Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 20IDS Fork Cartridge Kit install is not for everyone as it requires special tools and a lot of finesse. If there is anything you see in this video that you would think twice about doing yourself we recommend sending the forks out to a K-Tech Technician to have the cartridges installed.

We have put about 600 laps on the Ninja 400 during the first half of the 2019 season and are very happy with the performance of the forks. Our Ninja 400 is fitted with Michelin Power Cup Evo Tires 110 front and 140 rear. We have run the front forks 10mm to 15mm (tube only not cap) above the top triple clamp. We found a little more feel from the front at 15mm.

In this video Van runs you through the process of setting up the K-Tech Kawasaki Ninja 400 18-19 35DDS Lite Rear Shock getting the Ninja 400 ready for it's first track ride with Sportbike Track Time at Grattan Raceway in July of 2019. These are just baseline settings that may require further adjustment depending on your riding style, tire choice etc...

The K-Tech Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2019 35DDS Lite Rear Shock gets you all of the quality and performance of the K-Tech Pro Series Rear Shocks at a price that just makes more sense when building a Ninja 400. Sharing all the same high quality components as the DDS "Pro" version the DDS "Lite" performs to the same high level without the hydraulic spring preload adjustment or the "unique" Bypass Valve adjustment that is found on the "Pro" version. This shock can be upgraded to the "Pro" specification at a later date.

We have put about 600 laps on the Ninja 400 during the first half of the 2019 season and are very happy with the performance of this shock. Our Ninja 400 is fitted with Michelin Power Cup Evo Tires 110 front and 140 rear. We have the shock length set to 330mm which required a longer shock eyelet. This part can be added to the shock a time of purchase for a small charge if you would like to run the same tires and geometry we are on our Ninja 400.

A steering damper is required equipment for any track bike, so much so many racing orgs require they be installed on the bike. The K-Tech Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Linear Steering Damper Kit installs below the fairing stay and includes all of the hardware necessary to complete the instllation. Just like the Yamaha R3 the Ninja 400 has a huge steering radius from the factory that needs to be shortened to use a steering damper. This kit includes the hardware required to adjust the steering stops. We found the best results were acheived by adding a couple of washers as shown in this video.

Max and Van have put about 600 laps on the Ninja 400 during the first half of the 2019 season and have found the damper to perfom quite well. This is a good value at under $400 and does not require purchasing additional pieces to adjust the steering stops or mount it up.

You don't have to do a whole lot of riding before you discover that the OEM grips really suck. Replacing the grips with a quality set of aftermarket grips can make it more comfortable to ride and dress it up a bike. We really like the Driven D-Axis Grips because they use a 2-ply gel grip that feels great in your hands (reduces vibration a bit as well) with colored accents on both ends to get that pop of color. This is a quality grip that we have ridden with quite a bit here at STG so we know it performs great and lasts a long time.

The ergonomics of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 make this one of the most comfortable sportbikes you could throw a leg over. As your riding improves and you start to corner low you will find these same comfortable ergonomics are now limiting the amount of lean angle you can use. The Kawasaki Ninja 400 Woodcraft Clip-ons install under the top triple clamp lowering the bars as far as they can be without creating clearance issues with the bodywork. This new bar position will help you get into a more athletic position on the bike for race track or performance street riding. We recommend installing a set of rearsets on the Ninja 400 with the clip-ons to get the maximum benefit.

Installing a set of clip-ons is a project that takes time and patience to get done properly. Our Ninja 400 Woodcraft Clip-on Install Video shows exactly what it takes every step of the way to get this all dialed in on your 400. As always if you do not feel comfortable performing this install we suggest taking the bike to a licensed motorcycle technician.

Before we dive in we will hit you with a quick disclaimer: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE ON ANY LEVEL IF YOU DECIDE TO DO THIS TO YOUR BIKE! If you have found it takes a real big twist to get your Ninja 400 to wide open throttle installing the Motion Pro Yamaha YZF-R6 03-05 Nylon Throttle Sleeve will make a significant improvement to that for under $10. In this video we show the steps we took to install this on our STG Ninja 400 to get the result we wanted. We got this idea from one of our customers and reached out to him. He directed us to the Ninja 400 Forum where he found this.

When you are working on the throttle it is very important the end result leaves the throttle operating smoothly with a strong return. A throttle that binds and sticks is a very serious safety hazard. Never ride any bike that has a sketchy throttle! All apologies for all the disclaimers, we just need to cover our ass.

From the factory the Ninja 400 comes with fixed, non adjustable levers installed. While these will get the job done they do not offer any adjustability. The Hotbodies 2018-2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400 Racing MGP Levers are sold in a set and install easily on the bike. Hotbodies MGP Levers feature adjustable length and reach to get the controls dialed in to suit your riding style. To help prevent a broken lever during a tip over the MGP Levers are able to fold up.

The Lightech Brake And Clutch Lever Kit Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 replace the non-adjustable OEM brake and clutch levers on the Ninja 400 with folding levers with adjustment on the brake side only. The folding levers are a nice option as they can help prevent the lever from braking during a tip over by folding up. The brake lever on this kit is adjustable but the clutch lever is not. As you would expect from Lightech the quality is excellent.

The Vortex Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 V3 2.0 Brake Lever and Vortex Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 V3 2.0 Brake Lever are available in standard or short length with your choice of a black or titanium finish. Machined from solid, aerospace grade billet aluminum they are 6 position adjustable to help you dial in the ergos of your Ninja 400 to best suit your riding style.

If you plan to hit the race track with your Ninja 400 it won't take long for you to find the OEM throttle requires the longest twist ever to hit wide open throttle. The Motion Pro REV2 Throttle Kit Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 replaces the OEM throttle and cables with a unit that offers five adjustable cams to dial the throttle into best suit your riding style. On the Ninja 400 we suggest using with the 50mm or RR cams as they offer the shortest twist to hit wide open throttle.

Installing the Motion Pro Rev2 Throttle Kit requires The Motion Pro Enhanced Right Side Start/Stop Switch (Kawasaki A) to replace the OEM start/stop switch that is built into the OEM throttle housing. In this install we show Van installing the Motion Pro Universal Start/Stop Switch on the 400 becasue the direct fit, plug and play version was not yet released.

If you plan to turn your Ninja 400 into a proper track bike removing the PAIR System should be on your list of mods. The Driven Block Off Plates Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 allow you to removes the components that make up the PAIR System which helps reduce popping on decel, drops a little weight and will allow a dyno tuner to build a good map if you decide to go that route. We recommend flashing the OEM ecu when removing the PAIR system to keep the check engine light off. For more information on this please refer to the FlashTune ECU Flash how to we have on this page.

The Woodcraft Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 Keyswitch Elimination Harness is a must have if you plan to covert your Ninja 400 to a track only bike. Paired with a keyless gas cap and race bodywork and you can toss the key for good. Installing this removes the heavy OEM keyswitch that sits up high on the bike and cleans up the wiring up front. After installing the Woodcraft Keyswitch Eliminator the Start/Stop switch becomes the main On/Off switch. This works with the OEM Start/Stop Switch of the Motion Pro Start/Stop Switch used with the Motion Pro Rev2 Throttle Kits.

Flashing the OEM ECU is slowly becoming the new normal for motorcycle engine management. FlashTune offers 2 different kits for the Ninja: The FlashTune ECU Type 4 Bike Side Tune Kit Kawasaki Ninja 400 2018-2022 and The FlashTune Kawasaki Ninja EX400 2018-2022 ECU Bench Tuning Kit. In this video we use the bike side tuning kit and show what it takes to install the harness on the Ninja 400. The bike side kit sells for about $60 less than the Bench Kit and allows you to flash the ecu without removing it from the bike. We have used both the Bench and Bike Side Kits now and now prefer to use the bike side kit because it makes updating the flash very easy.

When we flashed the ECU the STG Ninja 400 already had a Power Commander and Quick Shifter installed on it. We wanted to run the quick shift and FTECU had not yet released their quick shift feature for this bike so we zero'ed out all the maps on the PCV and just used it for the quick shift. Having put a couple hundred laps on the Ninja with the PCV then another couple hundred with the FTECU flash we feel the performance is improved with the flash.