Photo: Kawasaki
The Ninja is a name so powerful in the motorcycle industry its simple mention is enough to stir passion. On the market since the mid-1980s, it's a breed so extensive it presently offers no less than 13 variants (including electric and a hybrid one) that play across three segments: sport, supersport, and hypersport.
It's the entry-level sport segment that is of interest to us today, because its ranks grew a little beefier with the launch of the Ninja 500, a lightweight meant to turn heads offered at a price you'll have some trouble believing.
From afar the 500 is your usual Ninja, with the aggressive styling we're used from this family, accompanied by flashy colors. And that's only natural, as the ride was developed based on the Ninja 250, 300, and, above all, the 400.
It's the engine of the Ninja 400 that gave the most to the new bike, as the powerplant in the 500, with a displacement of 451cc, builds heavily on that. We're talking about a four-stroke parallel-twin unit that can crank out a total of 51 horsepower and 31.7 lb-ft of torque.
The engine is held in place as a stressed member by a trellis frame that helps the bike keep the weight down – the Ninja 500 tips the scales at just 377 pounds (171 kg). It is equipped with a swingarm and bottom-link Uni-Trak suspension at the rear and a 41mm telescopic fork at the opposite end.
The motorcycle was propped on a set of star-pattern five-spoke wheels meant to remind people of the wheels deployed on the Ninja 650. They wear radial tires, with the one at the back 150 mm wide.
Although it was designed as a sport bike, the Ninja 500 can easily be used for touring purposes, thanks to the rather large, 3.7-gallon (14 liters) fuel tank.
The Ninja 500 comes into this world not as a single product, but as an entire range of them. No less than six of them are on the table, each bringing something different to for their customer, from windshields to keyless systems.
The lineup opens with the standard Ninja 500, which at $5,299 also happens to be the cheapest of them all (the ABS variant is a bit more expensive). This one is available in Metallic Spark Black and Metallic Flat Raw Graystone.
The Ninja 500 special editions comprise the KRT (in Lime Green and Ebony) with the corresponding ABS version, and the 500 SE 40th Anniversary Edition ABS. Last on the list but not least in the offering is the Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE ABS.
All the Kawasaki Ninja 500 models are already available for purchase. The breakdown of models and pricing can be found below.
From afar the 500 is your usual Ninja, with the aggressive styling we're used from this family, accompanied by flashy colors. And that's only natural, as the ride was developed based on the Ninja 250, 300, and, above all, the 400.
It's the engine of the Ninja 400 that gave the most to the new bike, as the powerplant in the 500, with a displacement of 451cc, builds heavily on that. We're talking about a four-stroke parallel-twin unit that can crank out a total of 51 horsepower and 31.7 lb-ft of torque.
The engine is held in place as a stressed member by a trellis frame that helps the bike keep the weight down – the Ninja 500 tips the scales at just 377 pounds (171 kg). It is equipped with a swingarm and bottom-link Uni-Trak suspension at the rear and a 41mm telescopic fork at the opposite end.
The motorcycle was propped on a set of star-pattern five-spoke wheels meant to remind people of the wheels deployed on the Ninja 650. They wear radial tires, with the one at the back 150 mm wide.
Although it was designed as a sport bike, the Ninja 500 can easily be used for touring purposes, thanks to the rather large, 3.7-gallon (14 liters) fuel tank.
The Ninja 500 comes into this world not as a single product, but as an entire range of them. No less than six of them are on the table, each bringing something different to for their customer, from windshields to keyless systems.
The lineup opens with the standard Ninja 500, which at $5,299 also happens to be the cheapest of them all (the ABS variant is a bit more expensive). This one is available in Metallic Spark Black and Metallic Flat Raw Graystone.
The Ninja 500 special editions comprise the KRT (in Lime Green and Ebony) with the corresponding ABS version, and the 500 SE 40th Anniversary Edition ABS. Last on the list but not least in the offering is the Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE ABS.
All the Kawasaki Ninja 500 models are already available for purchase. The breakdown of models and pricing can be found below.
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 - $5,299
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 ABS - $5,699
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 KRT Edition - $5,499
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE ABS - $6,399
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 KRT Edition SE ABS - $6,399
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE 40th Anniversary Edition ABS - $6,599
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