Hey all,
I've been doing quite a bit of work on the new Ninja 400 and thought I would share some of the modifications I've made. So far it's been a great bike to work on (with the exception of the ECU removal for a reflash) and I'm pleased with the overall construction. I've also been teaching the wife how to do some of the work herself. She is definitely getting a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment out of it and is learning quick. I'm excited for when she'll get to ride the motorcycle herself. It's a heck of a feeling to ride a bike you've worked on and optimized. My aim with this thread is to give owners a sense for how to go about modifying and maintaining their own bike and enable them to feel that sense of empowerment.
I'd like to say this to the individuals who gravitate away from working on their own bikes: I'm a strong believer in DIY work, since it is liberating to understand the operation and intricacies of your motorcycle, having the satisfaction of accomplishment of a job well done, and achieving that visceral man/machine connection. Instead of dropping your bike at the dealer, I'd recommend getting a small quality set of hand tools and doing the simple maintenance tasks and modifications yourself. You'll learn a good bit, save some cash, and hopefully enjoy the heck out of it. The worst thing that can happen is you break something. Then you fix it and move on with life.
With that said, on to the mods!
Current mod list
Pro Grip 719 Grips Grey/Black
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0074ZL832/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Puig Extendable Foldable Brake Lever 2.0
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/puig-extendable-foldable-brake-lever-20
Puig Brake Lever Mount (says only for Ninja 300 but the master cylinder is the same)
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/puig-brake-lever-mount
Driven Racing Axle Blocks Grey
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/driven-racing-axle-block-sliders-kawasaki-ninja-250r-300
Driven Racing D-Axis Spools
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/driven-racing-d-axis-spools
Shorai Lithium Battery (can use either LFX14A4-BS12 or LFX12A1-BS12)
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shorai-lithium-battery-lfx14a4-bs12
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shorai-lithium-battery-lfx12a1-bs12
Puig Ring Bar Ends
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/puig-ring-bar-ends-kawasaki
Puig Clutch Lever and Mount
https://www.motosport.com/puig-20-clutch-lever-kit
TST Fender Eliminator
https://tstindustries.com/TST-Standard-Fender-Eliminator-for-Kawasaki-Ninja-400-2018.html
TST Universal Plate Light
https://tstindustries.com/TST-LED-Low-Profile-Universal-Fit-License-Plate-Light.html
TST Signal Kit with BL6 Low Profile Signals
https://tstindustries.com/TST-LED-Rear-Pod-Turn-Signal-Kit-Kawasaki.html
Kawaskaki Frame Sliders
https://www.kawasaki.com/accessories/item/2018-ninja-400-abs/frame-slider-set/EX400GJF/999941036
Front Reflectors Removal
Removed the front reflectors since they look terrible and aren't going to help you much anyway when that minivan next to you decides to abruptly change lanes. Simply twist reflectors off lefty loosy. Replaced the studs that mount the reflectors with some nice stainless cap screws.
Upcoming mods
2WheelDynoWorks ECU flash
Status: Image extraction ongoing to read ECU. Once this is done, ECU will be flashed and I will re-install. I highly recommend 2Wheel. They are responsive and do excellent work. Because my ECU was not readable initially, they are providing the flash (~$250) for free. I have their flash on my FZ-07 and it is absolute quality.
https://2wheeldynoworks.com/
Dimple Magnetic Drain Plug
A little extra protection for the bike. Will go in after the 600 mile oil change.
http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/
Kawasaki Tank Pad
https://www.kawasaki.com/accessories/item/2018-ninja-400-abs/tank-pad/EX400GJF/999941039
Not yet available
Radiator Guard
Exhaust
Front Axle Sliders
Intake (maybe)
I've been doing quite a bit of work on the new Ninja 400 and thought I would share some of the modifications I've made. So far it's been a great bike to work on (with the exception of the ECU removal for a reflash) and I'm pleased with the overall construction. I've also been teaching the wife how to do some of the work herself. She is definitely getting a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment out of it and is learning quick. I'm excited for when she'll get to ride the motorcycle herself. It's a heck of a feeling to ride a bike you've worked on and optimized. My aim with this thread is to give owners a sense for how to go about modifying and maintaining their own bike and enable them to feel that sense of empowerment.
I'd like to say this to the individuals who gravitate away from working on their own bikes: I'm a strong believer in DIY work, since it is liberating to understand the operation and intricacies of your motorcycle, having the satisfaction of accomplishment of a job well done, and achieving that visceral man/machine connection. Instead of dropping your bike at the dealer, I'd recommend getting a small quality set of hand tools and doing the simple maintenance tasks and modifications yourself. You'll learn a good bit, save some cash, and hopefully enjoy the heck out of it. The worst thing that can happen is you break something. Then you fix it and move on with life.
With that said, on to the mods!
Current mod list
Pro Grip 719 Grips Grey/Black
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0074ZL832/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Puig Extendable Foldable Brake Lever 2.0
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/puig-extendable-foldable-brake-lever-20
Puig Brake Lever Mount (says only for Ninja 300 but the master cylinder is the same)
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/puig-brake-lever-mount
Driven Racing Axle Blocks Grey
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/driven-racing-axle-block-sliders-kawasaki-ninja-250r-300
Driven Racing D-Axis Spools
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/driven-racing-d-axis-spools
Shorai Lithium Battery (can use either LFX14A4-BS12 or LFX12A1-BS12)
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shorai-lithium-battery-lfx14a4-bs12
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shorai-lithium-battery-lfx12a1-bs12
Puig Ring Bar Ends
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/puig-ring-bar-ends-kawasaki
Puig Clutch Lever and Mount
https://www.motosport.com/puig-20-clutch-lever-kit
TST Fender Eliminator
https://tstindustries.com/TST-Standard-Fender-Eliminator-for-Kawasaki-Ninja-400-2018.html
TST Universal Plate Light
https://tstindustries.com/TST-LED-Low-Profile-Universal-Fit-License-Plate-Light.html
TST Signal Kit with BL6 Low Profile Signals
https://tstindustries.com/TST-LED-Rear-Pod-Turn-Signal-Kit-Kawasaki.html
Kawaskaki Frame Sliders
https://www.kawasaki.com/accessories/item/2018-ninja-400-abs/frame-slider-set/EX400GJF/999941036
Front Reflectors Removal
Removed the front reflectors since they look terrible and aren't going to help you much anyway when that minivan next to you decides to abruptly change lanes. Simply twist reflectors off lefty loosy. Replaced the studs that mount the reflectors with some nice stainless cap screws.
Upcoming mods
2WheelDynoWorks ECU flash
Status: Image extraction ongoing to read ECU. Once this is done, ECU will be flashed and I will re-install. I highly recommend 2Wheel. They are responsive and do excellent work. Because my ECU was not readable initially, they are providing the flash (~$250) for free. I have their flash on my FZ-07 and it is absolute quality.
https://2wheeldynoworks.com/
Dimple Magnetic Drain Plug
A little extra protection for the bike. Will go in after the 600 mile oil change.
http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/
Kawasaki Tank Pad
https://www.kawasaki.com/accessories/item/2018-ninja-400-abs/tank-pad/EX400GJF/999941039
Not yet available
Radiator Guard
Exhaust
Front Axle Sliders
Intake (maybe)