Kawasaki recently introduced the new Ninja 500 after giving us a sneak peek, and now it's finally available in India. This bike will replace the Ninja 400 which has been around in our country for a while. Let's look at the top 5 attributes of this sporty motorcycle in case you are considering purchasing it.
Bold Appearance
The Ninja 500 keeps up with Kawasaki's fierce design legacy and it has a striking, aggressive look with a forward-leaning stance. The unique split headlamp sits snugly in a sharp, multi-layered fairing that flows smoothly into the muscular fuel tank and a sleek, upward-sloping tail section. It's worth noting that, for now, Kawasaki has chosen to offer the Ninja 500 in black instead of its iconic green color in India.
Powerful Engine
The heart of the Ninja 500 is its brand-new 451cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine. It delivers 45bhp of power at 9000rpm and 42.6Nm of torque at 6000rpm. These performance figures not only surpass those of its predecessor, the Ninja 400 but also outshine competitors like the KTM RC 390 and Yamaha YZF-R3 on paper. However, the Aprilia RS457 still holds the top spot in this segment with its 46.9bhp and 43.5Nm.
Essential Features
Compared to other bikes in its class, the Ninja 500 may seem a bit lacking in features. The standard version available in India comes with a basic LCD that can connect to your smartphone for notifications and ride tracking. Along with useful features like a slipper clutch and assist it also has dual-channel ABS for increased safety.
Classic Design
Built on a sturdy steel trellis frame, the Ninja 500 rides on 17-inch alloy wheels. It's equipped with telescopic forks in the front and a preload-adjustable mono-shock at the rear for a comfortable ride. The braking system consists of disc brakes on both wheels, with a larger 310mm diameter disc in the front and a slightly smaller 220mm disc in the rear. This setup provides reliable stopping power with the front brake being slightly larger than that of the Ninja 400.
Price Consideration
The Ninja 500 is imported as a completely built-up unit (CBU), which contributes to its higher price compared to other bikes in its category. However, despite its premium positioning, the ex-showroom price of Rs. 5.24 lakh remains the same as that of the Ninja 400.