Kawasaki Ninja 500, Z500 unveiled at EICMA 2023

Kawasaki has taken the wraps off two fresh middleweight models at EICMA 2023. The new Ninja 500 and Z500 are both powered by the same liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, housed in two different form factors. 

Kawasaki Ninja 500, Z500: details 

Full details about the powerplant have not yet been revealed, but we do know that while Kawasaki is calling these “500cc models”, they are powered by the same 451cc parallel-twin that recently debuted in the Eliminator 500. The peaky motor will probably be a better fit in these models than it is in the Eliminator’s cruiser format, where it produces 45.4hp at 9000rpm and 42.6Nm at 6000rpm. The company says this engine offers a broader torque spread and lower redline than the more focused Ninja 400.

The motor comes mated to a slip-and-assist clutch, and is housed in a Kawasaki-typical trellis frame. The company says the bikes should offer reassuring handling and an approachable seat height which will make them beginner-friendly. To that end, both bikes are also A2-compliant in Europe.

On the features front, both models get a LCD displays as standard, while higher-spec SE versions bring in a Bluetooth-equipped TFT display and a USB-C charging port, as well as things like keyless ignition. Kawasaki offers most of its global lineup in India, including the Ninja 400 and even the rather ludicrous ZX-4R, so it’s quite likely the Ninja 500 will go on sale in India sometime next year, and it could be joined by the Z500 as well. 

Kawasaki Z 7 Hybrid unveiled at EICMA 2023

In addition to the two new 500s, Kawasaki also expanded its recently introduced hybrid motorcycle lineup. The range, which started off with the Ninja 7 Hybrid last month, has now grown to accommodate its naked sibling, the new Z 7 Hybrid. Like the Ninja hybrid, it uses the same 451cc parallel-twin motor powering the two models mentioned above, but paired with a 9kW traction motor, bringing total output up to the same 58hp as its faired sibling.

It also offers up to 12km of electric-only riding before the internal combustion engine (ICE) kicks in to charge the battery. An ‘Eco-Hybrid’ mode provides a combination of electric and combustion power, and the rider can select either manual or automatic gearshifts. Manual shifting is operated via a switch on the left bar, with no clutch lever present.