If you've spent any time on the track or just commuting through the city, you know that 2020 kawasaki ninja 400 fairings take a lot of abuse. Whether it was an unfortunate tip-over in your driveway or you're just bored of the factory paint job, swapping out those plastic panels is one of the most satisfying ways to give your bike a fresh lease on life. The Ninja 400 is such a popular platform that the options for bodywork are honestly a bit overwhelming, but that's a good problem to have when you're trying to stand out from the crowd.
Why Change Your Fairings?
Let's be real for a second—most of us end up looking for new fairings because of a "whoops" moment. It happens to the best of us. Maybe you misjudged a kickstand placement or pushed a little too hard on a cold morning. Because the Ninja 400 is such a common choice for newer riders, its fairings are often the first thing to meet the pavement.
But it's not always about fixing damage. A lot of riders decide to swap their 2020 kawasaki ninja 400 fairings simply because they want a different look. Maybe you bought the bike used and it came in a color you don't love, or perhaps you want to preserve the pristine OEM plastics in a box so the bike has a higher resale value later on. Whatever your reason, changing the "skin" of the bike completely changes its personality.
OEM vs. Aftermarket: The Big Debate
When you start shopping, you're going to run into two main paths: buying original parts from Kawasaki or going with an aftermarket kit.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) fairings are, without a doubt, the highest quality. The fitment is 100% perfect, the paint is flawless, and the plastic is durable. The downside? The price tag is enough to make you wince. If you've ever priced out a single side panel from a dealership, you know that buying a full set of OEM plastics can sometimes cost a significant chunk of what the bike is actually worth.
On the flip side, aftermarket kits are much more wallet-friendly. You can get a full set of 2020 kawasaki ninja 400 fairings in a custom livery for a fraction of the cost of one or two OEM pieces. The catch used to be that aftermarket fairings fit poorly, but things have changed. Most modern kits use injection molding rather than the old compression molding style. This means the holes actually line up (mostly) and the plastic is flexible enough to snap into place without feeling like it's going to shatter.
What to Look for in a Quality Kit
If you decide to go the aftermarket route, don't just buy the cheapest set you find on a random auction site. Look for "Injection Molded ABS." ABS is the same type of plastic used in the original factory parts. It's tough, it handles heat well, and it won't warp the first time you leave the bike out in the summer sun.
Also, pay attention to the heat shielding. The Ninja 400 engine gets pretty toasty, especially near the lower fairings. A good kit should come with adhesive heat shields to protect the plastic from melting. If it doesn't, make sure you buy some separately. It's a cheap insurance policy that saves you from a very annoying (and smelly) mess later on.
The Installation Struggle (and How to Win)
I'm not going to lie to you—installing a full set of fairings is a bit of a project. It's not necessarily hard, but it requires a lot of patience and a decent amount of floor space. If you're swapping out your 2020 kawasaki ninja 400 fairings for the first time, here are a few tips to keep you from pulling your hair out:
- The Muffin Tin Method: Get an old muffin tin or a bunch of labeled sandwich bags. Every time you take out a screw or a plastic pop-clip, put it in a labeled spot. There are dozens of fasteners, and they aren't all the same size. Trying to remember which short screw goes in which deep hole three hours later is a nightmare.
- Pictures are Your Friend: Before you pull a panel off, take a photo of how it overlaps with the piece next to it. Some of these panels tuck under each other in specific ways that aren't always obvious when you're trying to put it back together.
- Watch the Pop-Clips: Kawasaki loves those little plastic rivets. Be gentle with them. If you force them, they'll snap. It's usually worth buying a bag of 20 generic replacements online before you start, just in case.
- Don't Tighten Everything Immediately: When you're putting the new fairings on, leave the bolts slightly loose until every piece is lined up. This gives you a little "wiggle room" to make sure the seams are tight before you do the final snug-down.
Choosing Your Style
The best part about the 2020 model year is that it's right in the sweet spot of the Ninja 400's production run. This means there are hundreds of designs available. You could go with the classic Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) green and black look, or you could do something completely wild like a matte Nardo Gray or a retro 90s-inspired purple and pink livery.
Some riders prefer the "stealth" look with all-black fairings, which looks great but can be a bit of a pain to keep clean. Every little scratch or piece of dust shows up on black. If you want something low-maintenance, silver or a busy graphic pattern tends to hide the road grime a lot better.
Maintenance and Longevity
Once you've got your new 2020 kawasaki ninja 400 fairings installed, you want them to stay looking good. If you went with an aftermarket set, the clear coat might not be as thick as the factory paint. It's a smart move to give them a good coat of wax or even a ceramic coating right off the bat. This makes it much easier to wash off bugs and prevents the sun from fading the colors over time.
Also, be careful when you're working on the bike. It's easy to accidentally drop a wrench and chip the paint. If you're doing an oil change, you might even want to drape a soft towel over the fairings or just remove the lower cowl entirely. It takes an extra five minutes but saves you from that "I can't believe I just did that" feeling.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your bike is an extension of you. The Ninja 400 is a fantastic machine—it's light, flickable, and punches way above its weight class. Giving it a fresh set of 2020 kawasaki ninja 400 fairings is just a way to make it truly yours.
Whether you're repairing a track-day mishap or just want to roll up to the local bike meet with a unique look, don't be intimidated by the process. Take your time, stay organized, and enjoy the transformation. There's nothing quite like the feeling of stepping back, wiping the grease off your hands, and seeing your bike looking brand new again. Just remember to keep the rubber side down this time!