The Kawasaki Ninja 500 Gives One thing Most ‘Newbie’ Bikes Do not

It is not their least costly bike, but it surely’s the least-expensive mannequin that makes use of the Ninja title. However even past a low price of entry, the Kawasaki Ninja 500 has broad attraction. For riders who’ve simply handed their licensing take a look at, it is an approachable and inexpensive bike that may be a companion for extra than simply the beginning of their journey. For extra skilled riders, the Ninja 500 gives nimble, adequately powered transportation with sufficient trendy options to really feel like rather more than only a newbie bike.

Kawasaki’s Ninja bikes are damaged up into three classes: Sport, Supersport, and Hypersport. The Ninja 500 is the entry-level mannequin for the least performance-oriented subsection of Ninja bikes, the Sport class. Naturally, at that stage, it isn’t a track-munching velocity machine, but it surely’s not held again by underwhelming energy ranges both. It has simply sufficient within the type of options to really feel nicely outfitted, with out pricing itself out of competitors in your hard-earned beginner-bike {dollars}.

The Ninja 500 is powered by a 451cc parallel-twin engine that places out 51 horsepower and 31.7 lb-ft of torque. The 451cc engine is a good supply of energy for riders who wish to improve their abilities with out the associated fee related to screaming four-cylinder engines. It offers clean energy and torque low within the rev vary and it climbs by way of the RPMs at an honest velocity, however regardless of how rapidly you twist the throttle, the Ninja 500 will not jerk you again immediately — no less than not with out some significantly abusive therapy of the clutch.

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The Ninja 500 is the form of bike you could possibly be taught on with out getting scared away in your first trip. However, getting it as much as triple digits isn’t very tough both, supplied you’ve got obtained a very good quantity of runway (which solely occurred theoretically, on a closed course, in fact). Idling and at low speeds, there is a little bit of the stereotypical parallel-twin thumping soundtrack, however the engine and exhaust have satisfying notes as speeds climb. The six-speed guide transmission comes with an help and slipper clutch, and whereas there isn’t any fast shifter, there’s easily-motivated gear motion from the clutch lever.

Commuting wherever close by is a simple process on the Ninja 500. Simply swing a leg over, take a fast trip to the native outlets, seize lunch, and head house. Lengthy distance journeys needn’t be intimidating, both. The suspension is on the agency facet, however nonetheless comfy sufficient for 100-mile rides with out a lot in the way in which of seat discomfort. Solely the rear suspension has adjustable preload, however there’s 4.7 inches of suspension journey up entrance and 5.1 inches within the rear, each of that are sufficient to absorb most bumps and street imperfections.

The Ninja 500’s massive (and non-obligatory) windscreen does fairly a bit so as to add to the general consolation too. It offers a pleasant barrier from wind for many of my chest and with the slightest little bit of ducking, I can get the wind to return excessive of my helmet as a substitute of flowing into it. The driving place is a little more upright than what you’d get on considered one of Kawasaki’s ZX bikes (just like the blistering ZX-6R), however meaning much less weight on the wrists over time. The one gripe I had with the driving place was the big warmth defend defending the exhaust – it obtained in the way in which of my proper foot a couple of occasions and made me push my foot place a bit additional ahead than I might’ve preferred.

In line with Kawasaki, the Ninja 500 weighs in at round 380 lbs with all its fluids. That is a lot mild sufficient for the quantity of energy the five hundred has, and it is comparatively slim too at simply 28.7 inches vast. Even with out folding the mirrors in, it is easy to navigate in tight areas. In California, filtering between lanes is a giant benefit for riders, however not all bikes can go between vehicles as simply.

Massive cruisers, particularly these with facet circumstances or large entrance fairings, are powerful to squeeze by way of site visitors with. The Ninja 500 would not have any such points; it felt proper at house shifting ahead between lanes. With a seat peak that’s simply 30.9 inches and a slim seat, meaning even shorter riders shouldn’t have any hassle placing each toes flat at a cease. The tank additionally feels particularly slim, which means you do not have to splay your legs out as you trip, including to the consolation of the bike.

Put a little bit of strain on both facet of the handlebars at greater speeds, look by way of the nook, and the Ninja naturally tracks its manner in the direction of the nook exit. The low general weight means it is easy to information by way of corners, and it is fast to vary path while you sew collectively a couple of back-to-back lefts and rights. In that sense, the Ninja 500 is a good momentum bike: there isn’t any have to hammer the brake earlier than most corners, nor rip open the throttle to strategy the subsequent nook in a rush. Simply carry some velocity and benefit from the move.

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Should you do wish to trip at a bit extra hustled tempo, the brakes haven’t any downside offering spectacular stopping energy. The entrance brake setup on most entry-level or sub-high-performance bikes just like the Ninja 500 typically depends on a single brake caliper, and that is the case right here. It clearly saves producers on the price of equipping a second caliper and rotor up entrance, but it surely typically comes at the price of braking efficiency and entrance brake really feel. 

The Ninja 500 felt mild sufficient, that this wasn’t actually a problem. The entrance brake was additionally responsive sufficient that I by no means felt the necessity to absolutely clamp down at velocity for something wanting an emergency cease. Only a mild contact of the brake lever and the five hundred slowed down at a speedy charge, fast sufficient to instill confidence for a little bit of enthusiastic driving.

Shedding the notion of providing solely entry-level gear, the Ninja 500 on its high trims (extra on that in a bit) has loads of tech for its class. The TFT rider show is the primary glorious tech characteristic price noting: It is massive sufficient, with large fonts and robust distinction between the varied colours and shades on the show. Subsequent, there’s the fairing-mounted USB-C port for charging your gadgets (even some bikes at double the value conceal their USB port underneath the seat).

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Then, there’s the keyless ignition, which makes it a simple process to hop on and get going with out fumbling in your key with gloves on. The Ninja 500 lacks selectable rider modes or high-tech computer-controlled suspension, so there isn’t any have to futz with handlebar-mounted controls — simply the necessary stuff like throttle, brake, and clutch. A easy setup like that is higher for distraction-free driving anyway. Underseat storage is fairly minimal, so you will want additional baggage. I may roll up my jacket’s wind-breaker layer and stuff it underneath the rear seat, however solely barely. Attaching a smooth rear-seat bag was the choice I went with for many rides.

There are a few totally different trim ranges to type by way of in the event you resolve that the Ninja 500 is best for you. Relying on whether or not or not you need ABS (anti-lock brakes), the usual 2025 Ninja 500 has an MSRP between $5,949 and $6,549 (together with a $650 vacation spot charge). The bike I rode was the top-trim SE KRT Version with ABS. The SE KRT has a beginning worth of $7,049, which incorporates additional gear on high of what the bottom bike gives, like a TFT show, an extra-large windshield, proximity key, body sliders, LED flip alerts, a tank pad, and USB-C outlet. The “KRT” a part of that equation is Kawasaki Racing Crew graphics on the fairings.

Having factory-installed body sliders is a giant win: there isn’t any have to go drilling your fairings to put in your individual and when you’ve got a slow-speed tip-over in a parking zone, you are prone to save fairings from some costly harm. Extra than simply inexpensive upfront and filled with options, the Ninja 500 can be fairly low cost to run. With a couple of enthusiastic mountain rides throughout my take a look at, I nonetheless averaged round 60 mpg. A gasoline capability of three.7 gallons means the Ninja 500 may simply go over 200 miles between fill-ups.

A fast clarification: The bike I rode for this take a look at was the outgoing 2025 mannequin, and costs have gone up for 2026 fashions by $100. Gear stays largely the identical, although the colour schemes have modified a bit.

The strongest rival for the Ninja 500 is probably going Honda’s CBR500R. The Honda is powered by a 471cc parallel-twin engine which places out 47 hp and 31 lb-ft. The CBR500R has an MSRP of $7,999 (together with $600 vacation spot charge for 2025 fashions) and it is a near-perfect match for the Kawasaki relating to options. The Honda is admittedly a bit heavier with a claimed curb weight of 421 lbs, but it surely has a 4.5-gallon gasoline tank that might get you a bit additional between fill-ups.

Discovering different rivals for the Ninja 500 is a bit like capturing at a shifting goal. A number of producers make smaller 300cc bikes that function a robust newbie alternative, however they typically do not have the identical quantity of apparatus or grunt. Yamaha’s newbie sportbike is the R3, and with an MSRP of $6,149, it undercuts among the trim ranges of the Ninja 500, however the Yamaha has a considerably smaller 321cc engine. Suzuki nonetheless gives the GSX250R with an MSRP of $5,749, but it surely’s not almost as highly effective or trendy because the Ninja. 

The newbie bike market has shifted over the previous couple of a long time, if solely by about 50cc’s or so. I bear in mind a time when each Motorbike Security Basis course was taught on the backs of Honda Insurgent 250s and Kawasaki Ninja 250s. However Kawasaki has skipped that class fully, going straight for the 500cc bike that may assist new riders be taught and provides them sufficient energy and functionality to develop their ability set alongside the way in which. Usually, I would bemoan adjustments like this, lean on nostalgia, and warning riders who need an excessive amount of energy too quick. With the Kawasaki Ninja 500, although, I do not suppose that is vital.

A number of new riders discover themselves wanting extra energy after just some months on a small bike, however with the Ninja 500, it is easy to delay that thirst for a extra highly effective, dearer bike. It will not be a motorcycle you are ashamed to trip both. It appears to be like like a correct Ninja sport bike. Even amongst riders with greater, sooner, more-expensive bikes, the Ninja 500 will get optimistic responses. Strangers approached me to ask concerning the appears to be like, the powertrain, and the price of the bike. It is engaging even amongst the hardest critics, and it is a bike I would be proud to trip each day.