Best Tires For Kawasaki Ninja 400

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‍1. Dunlop Mutant

It's no secret that Dunlop is killing it in the West with highly sought-after tires, and the Mutant is no exception. The Dunlop Mutant is an aggressive, high-performance tire with excellent handling capabilities around town. The Mutant can grip both wet and dry roads with its large tread design. This is a good choice for riders looking to unleash the Ninja 400's off-road potential or for those who prefer riding in all conditions.

The Mutant is designed to provide excellent grip on wet roads due to its grooves and angles of the tread. The tire's large block-style tread gives it great off-road capabilities as well, allowing riders more room for error when tackling tricky obstacles.

The tire is designed with long grooves, improving traction when accelerating corners. At the same time, short but deep sipes are integrated into the tire's construction to improve braking on wet roads. These sipes also provide additional grip when riding in wet conditions.

Instant Response Grooves are also added to the tire for improved handling in hot conditions. The grooves help cool down the tire to provide instant responsiveness, allowing riders to take corners with confidence.

Dunlop hasn't leaked much but claims that the Jointless belt construction of the Mutant ensures a comfortable and smooth ride. The reinforced bead construction is designed to increase the tire's impact durability while also providing a better grip on the rim of your wheel.

The Mutant also utilizes High silica content and Rayon belts to provide fast warm-up times while increasing the tire's durability. This is ideal for your Kawasaki Ninja 400, as it will allow the tire to respond quickly to changes in handling conditions.

We put these tires to the test on our 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 and were not disappointed. We rode our Ninja 400 around town, on mountain roads, and through some trails to see how the Mutant would handle in different conditions. Most of our riding was done during the rain, so we can appreciate Dunlop's offering for catching traction when there is still water left behind on the road.

In the wet, the Mutant was excellent, providing great grip at high speeds and around corners. In fact, we were able to cruise through corners with enough confidence that we're thankful for the tire's added safety.

The Mutant also handles very well in dry conditions. Our Ninja 400 can be a bit too eager on its throttle, but this tire managed to keep us safe through it all - including when we had a few slip-ups. We never felt as if we would lose traction, and even with our heavy right foot, the tires held strong.

We rode over some of our local trails just for the heck of it and found out that these tires hold up pretty well against dirt and rocks. The big blocks of tread do a great job of shedding off rocks, clumps of dirt, and other debris that might be on the trail.

The Mutant also works well in cold conditions, though it can take some time to warm up if you are riding in very cold weather. For this reason, we recommend getting a set of winter tires, so your motorcycle will be ready to ride when the temperature drops below freezing.

The Dunlop mutant can be found in 110/70-ZR17 55W front and 150/60-ZR17 66W rear wheel size that fits the Kawasaki Ninja 400's wheelbase. The tire retails at $159, making these an affordable investment for all riders to enjoy.

Dunlop's Mutant is one of our favorite choices for tires on our Kawasaki Ninja 400. It offers excellent handling capabilities whether you're cruising around town or taking your bike out for an adventurous ride through trails and mountains.

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Pros

Great grip in dry conditions - Ideal for novice and experienced riders
Fast warm-up times
Ideal for heavy street riders and those who like to take their Kawasaki Ninja 400 on adventures off the beaten path
Excellent handling in wet conditions
Great value for money

Cons

None that we could find

2. Metzeler Sportec M9 RR

The Metzeler M9 RR Sportec is a radial sportbike tire that's specially designed for the Kawasaki Ninja 400 to provide you with quality grip and optimal handling. It improves on its predecessor, the M7 RR, by increasing the amount of grip and handling capabilities for sportbikes.

The M9 RR directional stability and mileage is now improved by 10%, thanks to the "Dynamic Silica Compound technology", which enhances braking and cornering at high speeds by providing more contact on the road. It also provides incredible grip in both wet and dry conditions, all while offering a smooth ride regardless of the pavement condition underneath you.

Metzeler also claims that their silica compound grants exceptional wet weather riding capabilities, but we couldn't test this out as there was no rain during our review period.

However, based on its dry performance, we can tell that it will be an excellent summertime tire. Our Ninja 400 had more traction around corners and on the straights.

We also noticed our motorcycle's stability improve as we could feel it stay planted even at high speeds. The tires gave us a sensation that the bike was glued to the ground as we cruised around town or took it out for some fun on the trails.

The Metzeler M9 RR is a dual-compound tire and utilizes the same compound for its front and back tires. This means that the tire's grip in both dry and wet conditions is equal, with no difference in cornering performance. This is ideal for novice riders who might not be able to handle their motorcycles well when traction differs between front and back tires.

Our first-time riding with these tires was during some cold weather, and we were surprised at how well they performed in such conditions as well. We didn't have any issues braking or turning when encountering slippery roads, so it would be safe to say that this is a good all-season tire option.

The Metzeler M9 RR features an asymmetrical tread design that promises excellent cornering. The tire is made of lightweight materials with an effective continuous center rib for better stability during high speeds.

The only complaint we've come across is the rear tire's tendency to drift while riding in wet conditions, but we didn't notice this during our test. The Metzeler M9 RR Sportec retails at $140 for the front and $180 for the rear with 110/70-ZR17 54W front and 150/60-ZR17 rear wheel size that fits the Kawasaki Ninja 400.

The Metzeler Sportec M9 RR received great reviews from both amateur and professional riders alike. Customers claim that the tires are excellent for their money, providing them with countless hours of riding pleasure without breaking the bank.

Our own review revealed that the M9 RR is an excellent all-season option for riders looking for a great value tire. The tires provide excellent dry and wet grip, so you'll be sure to have more fun when riding with these on your Kawasaki Ninja 400.

You can get your hands on a pair of Metzeler M9 RR Sportec tires from Revzilla and get 20% off

Pros

Great grip in dry conditions - Ideal for novice and experienced riders
W-rated for up to 168 mph
Ideal for heavy street riders
Excellent handling in wet conditions
Lightweight materials provide better gas mileage than other tire brands
Aesthetically pleasing

Cons

Rear tire might drift in extreme wet conditions (very rarely, though)

3. Michelin Road 5

The Michelin Pilot Road 5 is a sport tire that's been around for a while, but it still remains one of the best tires you can buy. In fact, this model has been so popular among riders that it has become an industry standard-bearer in terms of performance and durability.

Compared to its predecessor, the Pilot Road 4, this latest version of the Michelin Road 5 is actually much lighter and thinner, which helps improve its steering response and reduce the overall weight of your motorcycle.

If you're looking to get optimal performance on your Kawasaki Ninja 400, the Michelin Road 5 is nearly impossible to outperform by any tire in its class. The reason is that it's simply much grippier than other sport tires we've tested so far, thanks to its much more sophisticated tread pattern. This feature also prevents hydroplaning at all costs, making this model very safe under harsh conditions like rain or snow.

These tires are also great because they're very resilient and can withstand serious punishment without wearing down much faster than we expected. Keep in mind the fact that you'll probably wear them out sooner or later, but if you maintain them properly, they can last up to 15,000 miles under normal riding conditions.

In terms of wet conditions, according to numerous customer reviews, these tires perform just as well as Pilot Road 4. It has an aggressive design with deep grooves that cut through the water efficiently while providing additional traction due to its 3D sipes. This way, you won't have to worry about your bike losing stability even when riding through flooded streets or puddles on the road.

We also noticed that they provide increased grip even on cold asphalt thanks to their advanced silica compound that's embedded into the rubber. Furthermore, its unique tread pattern provides a huge contact patch which allows for excellent traction and stability even at high speeds.

They're also very durable and comfortable, which is why they are some of our favorite tires for long rides with no stops in sight. Thanks to Michelin's patented ACT+ Casing Technology, the tire doesn't lose its shape after prolonged use, making it a great choice if you want to tour on your Kawasaki Ninja 400.

The only drawback we've found so far is that these tires are quite pricey, especially if you want to buy a set for your Kawasaki Ninja 400. You can expect them to cost around $177 front and $205 rear, but keep in mind that this is an investment worth making as it'll last you much longer than regular sport tires and perform better overall.

The Michelin Pilot Road 5 comes in 110/70 ZR17 54W front wheel size that fits the Ninja 400's wheelbase perfectly, while its rear equivalent is 150/60-ZR17 66W.

Despite being pricey, the Michelin Pilot Road 5 remains one of the best tires you can buy if you want to maximize your bike's overall performance without sacrificing comfort. Most customers who have tried this tire are more than satisfied with both its performance and durability, which is why it made our list of the top 5 sport tires for Kawasaki Ninja 400. It's literally a jack of all trades that can be used efficiently regardless of what type of bike you ride.

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Pros

Very lightweight and thin, which helps increase the bike's steering response
Very durable even after prolonged use
One of the most popular sport tires on the market today
Provides excellent stability both on dry and wet asphalt
Helps reduce fatigue during long rides by providing maximum comfort

Cons

Quite pricey, but you truly get what you pay
Doesn't perform very well in extreme winter weather conditions like snow or ice.
Exceptional performance even in wet conditions

4. Michelin Power Cup Evo

The Michelin Power Cup Evo is a high-performance tire that caters to the needs of sportbike riders. This tire is designed specifically to fit the Ninja 400! Now granted, Power Cup Evos are normally installed on higher displacement motorcycles, but who will stop you from putting them on your little 400? Certainly not us.

If you prefer straight-up grip over durability or anything else, the Power Cup Evos are for you. These tires are designed to give motorcycles maximum grip meaning that longevity will diminish as opposed to an all-around tire which might make the trade out worth it.

The good news is that these tires come in two different compounds - a 'soft' compound and a 'hard' compound at that, which you can choose from depending on your riding style. The number one reason why Michelins are popular among sportbikes is that they hold up over long periods of time, which is perfect for track days or aggressive street riding.

These tires are not cheaply made at all! They have very few lateral tread grooves, which means they have tight tolerances between the rubber and road surface, so you can expect exceptional handling capabilities out of them even at high speeds. These also feature a unique 10% reduction in weight compared to past Power Cup models, improving overall fuel efficiency by 5%.

We were able to test these tires on our Kawasaki Ninja 400, and the difference was abundantly clear. Installed on this bike, the tire provided an insane amount of grip, especially at speed which definitely caught us off guard. It was hard to recognize how much better these were from stock tires until we did some back-to-back comparisons with both the fronts and rears.

After having put in several hundred miles into them (over a few days), they still look like new, meaning that you won't have to worry about replacing them anytime soon. This is rare since many sportbike owners are used to changing their rubber fairly often simply because there isn't enough tread to last even a few thousand miles!

Even at 180+mph, our Ninja 400 was stable and ready to go, which comes in handy if you enjoy an occasional trip down the motorway. There were some subtle vibrations but nothing like we've experienced before, and for a sportbike tire, that's certainly saying something!

The only downside? They don't last long compared to street tires. But it's certainly better in wet conditions than other sport tires. Decide for yourself if you want the durability or performance of street tires in wet weather vs sport tires that will last much longer,

The Michelin Power Cup Evo retails at $160 for the front and $196 for the rear with 110/70-ZR17 54W and 150/60-ZR17 66W wheel size that fits the Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Overall, our tests have shown that these will be your 'go-to' tire when riding aggressively, whether it be on the road or track. It might not outlast other tires in long stints of heavy rain, but there are few better for overall grip and feel from the moment you get on them until they wear off completely.

Order your set of Michelin Power Evo Cup today from Revzilla and get a great deal plus free shipping on your order!

Pros

Stellar grip and feel on the road
Short break-in period compared to other sport tires
Great mileage overall
Stable at high speeds

Cons

Tires not as durable for extensive continuous use (track days, etc.)
Will wear out quickly before other tires (street and sport)
Not the cheapest tire on the market

5. Continental ContiAttack SM Evo

Continental is a name we've come to know, and we assume you're already familiar with them as well. That said, it's safe to say they make even more awesome tires for sportbikes like the Kawasaki Ninja 400.

The ContiAttack SM Evo is an Ultra-High-Performance All-Season model that offers excellent stability and high mileage. Its unique tread pattern minimizes road noise, ensuring a quiet ride on any surface while efficiently protecting from stone retention and cutting through water.

It features 0-degree belt construction and a high-density rubber compound, making it capable of taking corners at extremely high speeds without giving you the feeling like you'll lose control.

When we first put them on our Kawasaki Ninja 400, we were surprised with how well they performed and how long they lasted! We were able to test these out for ourselves, and even after 100 miles (and a few days), there was barely any wear which is incredibly impressive compared to most sportbike tires.

In wet conditions during multiple laps around the track, we never suffered from loss of traction or stability, which can also be attributed to its unique tread pattern as well as 3D grooves that cut through water efficiently.

This is the best price vs performance tire for your Kawasaki Ninja 400 as it can easily compete against a sport tire in terms of traction and stability at high speeds without breaking a sweat.

The difference is that it's designed with an emphasis on comfort, allowing you to ride longer distances without having to stop often for gas or take a break from the bike. In addition, this model was specifically engineered to reduce hydroplaning as much as possible, meaning that you'll be safe even when riding under harsh conditions such as rain and snow.

It also provides superior grip even when compared to other sport tires at a similar price range! We compared them directly with Michelin Power Cup Evo and found out that both of these tires make a great combination on Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Continental also implemented a feature known as TractionSkin, a protective layer that protects the tire's surface from wear and damage. This way, your tires will last much longer, no matter how often you ride or even crash. Furthermore, it also provides an extremely short break-in time which you'll appreciate the next time you decide to hit the track.

They're certainly not as durable as many touring models, such as the Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT but still last longer than some other race-spec tires we've tested so far. Keep in mind that they won't outlast street tires but also won't wear as quickly as other sport models.

They also come at a price which is why we didn't rank them higher on our list. Keep in mind that you'll probably swap them out for an All-Season tire after riding in the snow quite a few times or once temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ContiAttack SM Evo is available in 110/70-R17 54H front and 150/60-R17 66H rear wheel size that fits the Kawasaki Ninja 400's wheelbase. The tire retails at $160 for the front and $200 for the rear, which is definitely on the expensive side, but it's something you can expect when you buy a sports tire.

Overall, the Continental ContiAttack SM Evo is an excellent tire that provides great performance at a reasonable price. It doesn't have the best grip but still outperforms most other sport tires we've tested so far, even those that cost much more. The Conti Attack SM Evo makes a good choice for someone who wants to buy only one sport tire and use it both on the track and for everyday rides.

Order your ContiAttack SM Evo tires from Revzilla and get 28% off, along with free shipping.