The world of high-performance sportbikes might be daunting and costly. Certain, you should buy racetrack-focused bikes armed with 200-horsepower engines and state-of-the-art elements that solely licensed technicians can service. These are specialised machines with excessive worth, talent, and data entry boundaries. Kawasaki understands this and presents a viable choice appropriate for newbies, the budget-minded, and do-it-yourself sorts within the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500.
- There are six completely different flavors of the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500, and we examined the higher-priced KRT SE ABS model. There are two trim traces, normal and SE, together with ABS and non-ABS variations. Moderately than rehash all of the modifications right here, take a look at our First Look story. The largest distinction is the TFT sprint on the SE fashions in comparison with the usual LCD, however there are a lot of different goodies on the SE.
- The Ninja 500 is an evolution of the extremely acclaimed Ninja 400 launched in 2018. In most respects, the Ninja 500 doesn’t stray removed from the confirmed design of the 400, with essentially the most notable change coming within the type of a further 51cc. As an alternative of fully redesigning the light-weight Ninja’s parallel-twin engine, Kawasaki engineers caught with the 400’s 70.0mm bore and considerably lengthened the stroke from 51.8mm to 58.6mm, rising displacement to 451cc.
- The extra displacement has pumped up the efficiency. Kawasaki claims 51 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 32 ft-lbs of torque at 7,500 rpm, measured on the crank on the 2024 Ninja 500. That peak torque is achieved by 500 rpm ahead of earlier than—which means riders get into the low-end and midrange grunt earlier, plus there’s extra of it. As a aspect observe, it’s uncommon for Kawasaki to cite a peak horsepower quantity.
- The 451cc motor delivers extra usable energy at decrease revs. Whereas there’s sufficient energy from a cease to dart off the road and draw back from visitors, the actual enjoyable occurs above 6000 rpm. Though entertaining, revving out to redline isn’t mandatory due to the sooner availability of peak torque and good midrange punch. Energy supply and throttle response are linear and predictable, even at greater rpm. These traits are particularly confidence-inspiring by these beloved rides on the winding again roads or the much less thrilling commutes in stop-and-go visitors.
- The body, swingarm, and engine instances of the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 are unchanged from the 400. Lots of the Ninja 400 components accessible from the Kawasaki catalog or aftermarket retailers are interchangeable, which is superb for 400 homeowners trying to improve with out shelling out extra dough for already bought upgrades.
- There are inside engine engine modifications associated to the stroke lengthing. New components embody the crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons. All are designed to face up to the heavier demand of the extra 51cc. A brand new balancer shaft is applied, which helps to offset engine vibration. The Ninja’s is clean throughout the whole rev vary, even at freeway speeds the place smaller twin-cylinder and single-single engines can typically really feel buzzy.
- To assist forestall rear wheel lock within the occasion of unintended (or intentional) downshifts at excessive rpm, Kawasaki boasts an improved slipper clutch. The design is optimized for the 451cc displacement, that includes revised clutch spring charges and plate materials. To check it, I downshifted at excessive rpm as I approached slower corners. The Ninja 500 repeatedly slowed with none rear wheel lockup—the slipper clutch did its job. Talking of the clutch, pulling within the clutch lever requires little effort—the help perform can be efficient. The transmission is remarkably clean, and the shift lever requires minimal power when shifting—once more, Kawi is considering of recent riders right here.
- Whereas it isn’t as aggressive ergonomically as a supersport machine, the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 achieves the pleased medium of a relaxed but sporty using place. The seating place isn’t impartial like an ordinary. In contrast to a standard sportbike the place the handlebars are mounted beneath the highest triple clamp, the bars on the five hundred sit above with a slight rise to permit for a sporty trip with out compromising on consolation. Nonetheless, the attain to the handlebars is well-suited for riders of all sizes. A brand new, narrower 30.9-inch seat helps riders who battle to get their ft flat on the asphalt at cease lights just do that—I did with a 30-inch inseam. The seat peak and the footpeg place will make for a barely cramped trip for these with longer legs, although the footpeg place gives loads of cornering clearance.
- The suspension on the Ninja is unchanged from the 400, persevering with a convention of balanced efficiency. The items supply greater than satisfactory help and suggestions for the average-sized rider who commutes and enjoys a jaunt by the twisty roads. The suspension is impressively compliant and supple, which made using Malibu’s winding and bumpy roads, in addition to poorly maintained stretches of freeway, pleasing. For monitor use, an upgraded shock with extra adjustability will serve you nicely as you construct your talent and tempo. Relying in your tempo, the fork damping and spring charge are solely missing if you happen to intend to make use of the five hundred on the racetrack.
- The brakes and suspension are unchanged from the Ninja 400. A Nissin two-piston caliper and 310mm rotor on the entrance of the bike present ample stopping energy for the light-weight 500. The ABS-equipped fashions make the most of the identical gear. The ABS is non-intrusive and solely intervenes when making use of heavy stress to the brake lever.
- Sporty Dunlop Sportmax GPR300 tires present loads of grip on the road for the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500. As extra tire producers embrace the more and more well-liked light-weight class, high-performance choices have gotten more and more accessible within the 110/70 entrance and 150/60 rear on the 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels.
- The extra aggressive styling matches the superport Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R and ZX-10R superbike. The five hundred may very well be mistaken for both of the Rs when considered from the entrance. Styling can be up to date with a sharper LED headlight and taillight. The SE variations additionally get LED flip indicators and a cowling for the passenger seat.
- There aren’t any vital downsides to the modifications the 400 underwent when contemplating who the Ninja 500 is aiming at—a budding sportbike rider. Nevertheless, there may be room for an “R” mannequin down the highway. The light-weight Ninja has turn into the go-to choice for MotoAmerica’s Junior Cup class and the weapon of alternative inside light-weight membership racing courses. If that isn’t a testomony to what a blast these machines might be when components are thrown at them, then I don’t know what’s.
- As bikes turn into extra technologically superior, they turn into extra advanced and expensive, and the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 pushes again on that. Calling the Ninja 500 a “easy” motorbike isn’t the back-handed praise that it appears as a result of simplicity has quite a lot of worth—easy to work on, easy to be taught abilities, and easily enjoyable. With such an affordable worth level—$5299 for the bottom mannequin—there isn’t a lot to complain about. It’s an interesting machine that gives supersport styling with out the intimidation issue or the insurance coverage premium. When viewing the bike by the lens of recent, returning, or riders who is likely to be downsizing, the Ninja 500 satisfies all of the ways in which depend.
Images by Kevin Wing
RIDING STYLE
- Helmet: HJC RPHA 01N Senin
- Jacket: Alpinestars Fusion
- Gloves: Alpinestars GP Professional
- Pants: Alpinestars Copper V2
- Boots: Alpinestars Fastback 1 WP
2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 Specs
ENGINE
- Sort: Parallel twin
- Displacement: 451cc
- Bore x stroke: 70.0 x 58.6mm
- Most energy: 51 horsepower @ 10,000 rpm
- Most torque: 32 ft-lbs @ 8000 rpm
- Compression ratio: 11.3:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
- Fueling: EFI w/ twin 32mm throttle our bodies
- Transmission: 6-speed w/ Optimistic Impartial Finder
- Clutch: Moist multiplate w/ help and slipper capabilities
- Remaining drive: Sealed chain
CHASSIS
- Body: Metal trellis
- Entrance suspension; journey: Non-adjustable 41mm fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension: Linkage-assisted, spring-preload adjustable KYB shock; 5.1 inches
- Tires: Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300
- Entrance tire: 110/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 150/60 x 17
- Entrance brake: 310mm disc w/ Nissin 2-piston caliper
- Rear brake: 220mm disc w/ Nissin 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Normal on ABS fashions
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 54.1 inches
- Rake: 24.5 levels
- Path: 3.6 inches
- Seat peak: 30.9 inches
- Gasoline tank capability: 3.7 gallons
- Curb weight: 370 kilos (ABS: 375 kilos; SE ABS: 379 kilos)
PRICES/COLORS
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500: $5299 MSRP. Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Uncooked Graystone.
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 ABS: $5699. Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Uncooked Graystone; Metallic Matte Whitish Silver/Metallic Moondust Grey; Ardour Pink/Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Matte Darkish Grey (+$200).
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 KRT Version: $5499. Lime Inexperienced/Ebony.
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 KRT Version SE ABS: $6399. Lime Inexperienced/Ebony (examined)
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE ABS: $6399. Ardour Pink/Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Matte Darkish Grey.
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE fortieth Anniversary ABS: $6599. Lime Inexperienced/Pearl Crystal White/Blue.
2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 Evaluate Photograph Gallery
