The Kawasaki Ninja 500 replaced the well-regarded Ninja 400 with a larger 451cc parallel-twin engine offering more performance, along with more muscular styling. It continues to sit at the more accessible end of the middleweight segment, aimed at riders upgrading from smaller motorcycles who want a genuinely capable, refined sportbike without the intimidation factor of a litre-class machine. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about it.
What is the price of the Kawasaki Ninja 500?
The Kawasaki Ninja 500 is priced at Rs 5.76 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Only the standard variant is available in India; the SE variant, which gets a TFT display and additional equipment in some international markets, has not been introduced here.
What engine does the Kawasaki Ninja 500 use?
The Kawasaki Ninja 500 is powered by a 451cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine producing 45hp at 9,000rpm and 42.6Nm at 6,000rpm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The engine is tractable and refined, with a free-revving character that makes it easy to ride in the city while still feeling engaging on the highway, where it can cruise comfortably at 100-120kph without feeling strained.
What features does the Kawasaki Ninja 500 have?
The Kawasaki Ninja 500 keeps its feature list fairly basic for the price. It gets dual-channel ABS and an LCD instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity as standard. It misses out on modern rider aids like traction control, riding modes and a quickshifter, while suspension duties are handled by a conventional telescopic fork up front and a rear monoshock.
What is the kerb weight and seat height of the Kawasaki Ninja 500?
The Kawasaki Ninja 500 has a kerb weight of 171kg and a seat height of 785mm, making it relatively accessible for a middleweight sportbike and one that most average-height riders should be able to manage comfortably. The riding position is more upright than that of a typical supersport, with rear-set footpegs that give it a sporty feel without compromising everyday comfort.
How does the Kawasaki Ninja 500 compare to its rivals?
The Ninja 500's closest rival is the Aprilia RS 457, which is priced at Rs 4.22 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) – Rs 1.54 lakh less than the Kawasaki. The RS 457 also offers a more comprehensive electronics package with traction control, riding modes, a bidirectional quickshifter and USD forks, giving it a significant value advantage on paper. The Yamaha R3 was another direct rival, but with the model now discontinued in India, the RS 457 remains the Ninja 500's closest competitor.
Autocar India News Desk
Rishaad Mody
Dinshaw Magol
