I always trust the tool (in my case a laser) over the marks. The marks can be all over the place and are rarely accurate on bikes in general (not sure if this holds true for the ZX4 as I don't even look at the marks any more). What good is it to hit the marks on the swing arm if the chain isn't fully straight, which along with the wheel being straight is the whole point of the exercise?

 

I adjust by the motorcycle marks and then check that with the Motion Pro tool.
If there's a difference then I have an idea how much the marks are off by.

 

I use the Motion pro tool as well for both bikes and know it's straight that way.
I then look at the marks on the swing arm to see how accurate or far off they are.
So far so good. 👍

 

The marks will get it within tolerance. There's no such thing as +/-0, but the tool will get ya closer.

 

I had big issues with marks and after adjusting with laser tool, marks are completely different, as mentioned by @Indyz. I even had an issue when I took my bike from the dealer for the 1000km visit: it was very noisy because of the chain not aligned. So I brought back the bike: chain was too stretched, and not aligned (whereas the marks where quite ok). I will take a picture to show you (same issue as Indyz)

 

@Tai Long Wan So I guess that confirms my experience to never trust the marks on the swing arm. They were totally off on two ZXR400s and it seems on the ZX-4R(R) as well. As I wrote above, I would just completely ignore those marks and concentrate on the tool you thankfully have @Indyz .

 

@NinjaDwarf may you kindly post a link to the laser tool you use?

 

I use the Profi tool: Nouveau L-CAT - magnétique pour roue d'entrainement en acier

 

Here's another option.

LazzzerAlign Lazzzer Laser Chain Alignment Tool – ExpensiveLightweightStuff.com (kwick.biz)

 

As promised, you will find below the pictures showing why I did not trust marks on the swing arm. Now relying on the Laser Tool only, chain is perfectly aligned and silent
LEFT

RIGHT (sorry for the poor quality of the picture)

 

Good work and thanks for the product links. Can someone please make a video showing how this product is used correctly on the ZX4R/R? It would make a great DIY video and would love to get this product for my Ninjas. Thanks.

 

No real need to make it ZX-4R specific in my opinion, here is a video for the laser tool:

 

Awesome knowledge to be gained. I watched video on chain adjustment for this bike and the guy was fighting trying to line up the marks on both sides. Now it seems that was a mistake on his part. I'll be ordering one of these tools.