2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500, Z500 Announced for USA
Kawasaki announced it is bringing the Ninja 500 sportbike and naked Z500 to the U.S., replacing their corresponding 400 models. Both models debuted last fall at EICMA, but have only now been confirmed for America. Pricing starts at $5,299 for the 2024 Ninja 500 while the Z500 ABS starts at $5,599.
We’ve gone over most of the details in our EICMA First Look post, but here’s a quick recap. The 500 models are powered by a 451cc Twin similar to the one that debuted on the Eliminator. An increase of 52cc over the previous 400-series engine. Kawasaki claims a peak output of 51.0 hp at 10,000 rpm and 31.7 lb-ft. at 7,500 rpm.
The chassis consists of a trellis frame designed to offer a balance of light weight, rigidity and durability. Up front is a 41 mm telescopic fork with 4.7 inches of travel and at the rear is a horizontal back-link shock with adjustable preload and 5.1 inches of travel.
A single two-piston caliper and 310 mm disc stop the front wheel, while the rear employs a single-piston caliper and 220 mm disc. ABS comes standard on the Z500, and it is optional on the Ninja 500.
2024 Kawasaki Z500
The 2024 Z500 will be offered in two versions. The standard Z500 ABS comes in Candy Lime Green/Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Graphite Gray for a retail price of $5,599. The Z500 SE ABS comes in Candy Persimmon Red/Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray for $6,299, and it also adds a TFT display, LED turn signals, frame sliders, a USB-C outlet, a radiator screen, a pillion seat cover, and pads for the tank and knee grips.
2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500
The Ninja 500 starts at $5,299 in Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Raw Graystone, with ABS adding another $400. At $5,499, you can get the KRT Edition in Lime Green/Ebony. It will also be offered with ABS for $5,699-5,899 in a choice of Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Raw Graystone, White Silver/Metallic Moondust Gray, or Passion Red/Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Matte Dark Gray.
The Ninja also gets an SE version that adds a TFT display, remote key fob, USB-C outlet, a larger windshield, a radiator screen, a pillion cover, a tank pad, knee pads, and LED rear turn signals. The Ninja 500 SE ABS comes in Passion Red/Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Matte Dark Gray, or in a KRT Edition graphics for $6,399. For $6,599, you can get it in a special edition livery marking the 40th anniversary of the Ninja brand in a retro-inspired LimeGreen/Pearl Crystal White/Blue color.
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Most girls riding with the young macho idiot riding these middle weight bikes are wrapped around the guy holding on for dear life with their head on his shoulder and their eyes shut. Crotch in the middle of his back keeps him warm and knees acting as blinders so he can’t see some cager fixing to T-bone them.
I'm an old fart, so I prefer the old Ninja 500. But the price is certainly right.