It’s been a while since I’ve ridden a sports bike, especially a sub-800cc sports bike, but the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 looks like it’s worth the ride. The Ninja 500 utilizes the same frame as the Ninja 7 Hybrid, but with a more serious disposition, agile yet planted.
While an entry-level product, without all the bells and whistles, for new riders there is lots here to be happy with.
According to motorcyclenews.com,
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/kawasaki/ninja-500/2024/
It’s a “highly accomplished bike with a brilliant balance of performance and handling for the less experienced rider”. It comes with a Rideology smartphone app for connectivity and on the SE Model, a new LCD screen, Nissin single-disc front brakes, and a rear shock with five-way adjustable preload.
The Kawasaki comes with an ‘assist and slipper clutch’, and while not offering stellar performance like the ZX-4RR, adequate power at 45 bhp, combined with 31.4 ft-lbs of torque and a light weight of 172 kg weight. You also get KIPASS (Kawasaki’s Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System) which means keyless operation of ignition and steering lock.
The bike offers a USB-C outlet, LED indicators, a large windscreen, a radiator guard, frame sliders, a pillion seat cover, a tank pad, and knee grip pads. Average fuel consumption offers 74.3 mpg with a tank range of 229 miles.
I have several bikes to road test this spring, but if the opportunity presents itself I’ll take one of these for a spin. New riders may well want to compare and contrast this bike to Honda’s 500 offering.
The bike is priced at $7,099 CDN.
Ride safe.
Ciao…
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