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-   -   Kawasaki Ninja 500, now launched at 5.24 lakh! (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/277137-kawasaki-ninja-500-now-launched-5-24-lakh-3.html)

The new Kawasaki Ninja 500 has started to arrive in different dealerships. It looks a lot better in front of you, than it does on your computer screen or mobile phone.

Motorcycling enthusiasts have been waiting to see just how different, or not, the Kawasaki Ninja 500 is from its older brother, the Ninja 400. After all, the overall numbers are about the same, so in the real world the two bikes should be the same, right? This dyno test from TST Industries answers all our questions!


Ive ridden the Kawasaki Ninja 400 for a short while and it simply excelled in our riding conditions. The Ninja 500 seems like it will be more fun where it counts.

Here is the video from TST with a detailed breakup of the results.

Picked up my Ninja 500 (Japan CBU) on the 23rd of April from Rideventure, Whitefield Bangalore. Done about 250 odd kms in Peak outer ring road traffic. Absolutely loving it. I know I have paid a lakh more (for peace of mind, reliability, quality). More in a detailed review soon :)

I don't get these results.

Is the US/EU-et-al version different? Because 51 bhp will not be EU A2 compliant, which all bikes in this class restrict themselves to.

Kawasaki's own EU site gives the power as 45.4 PS at 9,000 rpm. Indian bike sites give the same info.

Also, manufacturer figures are power at the crank, and dyno's are at the wheel. How in the world does their unmodified Ninja 500 get 51 at the wheel? Taking a rule-of-thumb crank to wheel power loss of 10%, it means that their Ninja 500 is making 55+ horsepower!

What am I missing?

I remember reading somewhere that there is a power to weight ratio cap and not just a blanket power cap for the A2 license restriction. Some thing like 0.2 kw /kg. So, with 51 bhp and 171 kg (unsure if its dry or wet) the pwr/wgt is around 0.29hp/kg which is bang on near 0.21kw/kg. I think it checks out.

https://www.rsa.ie/services/learner-...otorcycle---a2

"A category A2 vehicle is defined as a motorcycle without a sidecar, with a cylinder capacity of at least 245cm3. It has an engine power of at least 20 kW, but not exceeding 35 kW. It has a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW/kg., and is not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. If the motorcycle is powered by an electric motor, the power to weight ratio of the vehicle shall be at least 0.15 kW/kg."

The hard upper limit is 35kW (47 bhp). The secondary limit comes in with the power/weight ratio of 02kW/kg (so that you can't just have a 100kg machine with 47 bhp and call it A2 compatible).

On further research, prompted by Zach Court's latest "Daily Rider", where he mentioned that the N500 is 51 bhp, I found that the US spec is different from the Euro spec. The latter is A2 limited to 45.4 bhp, while the US version is 51 bhp.

https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motor...2024-ninja-500

However..., this still doesn't address the bike getting over 51.5 bhp on the dyno. Manufacturers always quote power figures at the crankshaft. The normal crank to wheel power penalty is roughly 10% (with slight variation possible). Which would mean the Ninja 500 is putting out at least 55-56 bhp. That's a pretty big jump. Their N400 is also shown at 47.7 bhp, which is similarly strange, given that is the manufacturer power claim.

Are they upping their results by 10% so as to make sure that their power figures match that of the manufacturer? Maybe they got tired of people saying that their results are much lower than what the bike should be capable of?

Can't think of any other reason (even though it's contrary to how dyno results are published).

Congrats for your purchase! I’m considering the same but haven’t been able to get my hands on a test ride yet. The Whitefield showroom doesn’t have any even for display. Would be great to connect for a chat sometime if that works.

Sure, I am near Sarjapura road, we can go for a breakfast ride swapping bikes. :)

DM me

Sounds great! Unfortunately, looks like I haven’t earned my right to DM on team-bhp yet. Sharing my email address for us to connect, let’s take things from there?

govindvp108@gmail.com

@mods - please correct if this is against the rules, and help us connect 1-1, TIA!

How is the experience going? Eager for your detailed review. I am planning the same, but never so far got a chance to see N500 in person.

How goes the ownership so far? Hope you have put in some decent miles in the last 6 months.

Apologies for resurrecting a dormant thread but it was the only one I could find.
I am seriously considering picking up the Ninja500, test rode the RS457 and Ninja500 on the same day. The 457 feels very grunty , however the Ninja500 with all the flak that it gest for its 180 degree crank is much more refined and the power delivery linear until you wring it.
I felt the fueling on the 457 at low rpms may be a bit rich as it was getting very hot quickly even in mild traffic on a relatively cool afternoon here. I felt the heat on my calfs and knees in my jeans.
The 500 had no such issues may be due to the fairing design.
Riding position on the Ninja is way more comfortable with higher set clip ons and is more like a sports tourer.

The thing that drives me away from the 457 is the dealership which isnt very reputable. On the other hand Ninja500 sales are likely to be in single digits throughout India and the Kawasaki service cost is just unbelievably expensive. The bike I believe will be reliable however.
In bit of dilemma.

As far as I know a lean fuel mixture causes the bike to run hotter and vice versa.

Kawasaki may by expensive but the service is going to be more reliable than Aprilia.
The two showrooms in Mumbai which sell the 457 are quite pathetic. One shudders to think of service quality if sales is so pathetic.

I am getting final on road price of around 6.05 L , is that a good deal ?

Can you please share the price break-up?