KAWASAKI NINJA 400
FOR NEW RIDERS
Price: $5,
Engine: 399cc parallel twin
Power: 43 hp
Weight (with fuel and
fluids): 366 lb.Most entry-level motorcycles use one-
cylinder engines, which can be noisy at
highway speeds. The Ninja, however, has
a smooth parallel twin that works every-
where, with plenty of power for anyone
who wants to learn to ride skillfully with-
out earning speeding tickets. Even with the
second cylinder, the Ninja is light enough
to maneuver through real-world traffic and
into tight parking spots. It’s a formula that
Kawasaki has been perfecting for decades.
The 2020 model is unchanged from the
2019 version, so a used Ninja 400 (or nearly
identical Z400) can work just as well. Just
get one with ABS.ALSO CONSIDER Suzuki SV650 ABS ($7,499):
Enough power for any-level rider, plus Low
RPM Assist, which helps prevent stalling.TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS
BEST RETRO/STANDARD
Price: $16,
Engine: 1,200cc parallel twin
Power: 103 hp
Weight (dry): 434 lb.
Within Triumph’s excellent lineup of mod-
ern bikes that look classical, this is the one
to covet. The RS starts from the already
great Thruxton, and gets every upgrade we’d
wish for: Öhlins rear suspension, 310mm
Brembo front brakes, a lighter chassis,
even a lighter battery. The RS’s engine also
has different cylinder heads, pistons, and
camshafts, which add up to about 7 more
horsepower. Like most retro bikes with big
engines, the RS is heavy, but the precise
steering and power delivery keep it agile.
ALSO CONSIDER Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone
($8,490): Gorgeous, with endearing,
practical idiosyncrasies, like the low-
maintenance driveshaft instead of a chain. CO
URTESYKAWASAKI;^COURTESYTRIUMPH16 September/October 2020
3
Cars &
Trucks