Kawasaki Ninja 500 specifications
Kawasaki · Sport
Slightly wider bodywork and about 2.5 in of added height, RevZilla said, take the highway comfort from acceptable to agreeable, and a reshaped seat eases pressure on the wrists. Motorcycle.com noted that the clutch pull felt smoother and easier than the 400's.
Kawasaki Ninja 500
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 |
| Class | Sport |
| Engine | 4-stroke, Parallel Twin, DOHC, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 451cc |
| Bore x stroke | 70.0x58.6mm |
| Compression ratio | 11.3:1 |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Front suspension | 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork |
| Front suspension travel | 4.7 in |
| Rear suspension | Horizontal back-link with adjustable spring preload |
| Rear suspension travel | 5.1 in |
| Front brake | Single 310mm semi-floating disc with 2-piston calipers (and ABS) |
| Rear brake | Single 220mm disc with single-piston caliper (and ABS) |
| Front tire | 110/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 150/60-17 |
| Seat height | 30.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 54.1 in |
| Rake (caster angle) | 24.5° |
| Trail | 3.6 in |
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 gal |
| Ground clearance | 5.7 in |
| Starting MSRP | $5,399 |
| Destination charge | $650 |
| Final drive | Sealed chain |
| Fuel system | DFI with dual 32mm throttle bodies |
| Wet weight (curb, non-ABS) | 372.6 lb |
| Maximum horsepower | 51.0 hp |
| Maximum horsepower (at rpm) | 10,000 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 31.7 lb-ft |
| Maximum torque (at rpm) | 7,500 rpm |
| Ignition | TCBI with Digital Advance |
| Frame | Trellis, high-tensile steel |
| Electronic rider aids | Economical Riding Indicator, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS only) |
| Special features | ERGO-FIT , LCD Instrumentation with Smartphone Connectivity via RIDEOLOGY THE APP |
| Length x width x height | 78.5x28.7x44.1 in |
| Estimated dry weight (dry, non-ABS) | 341.8 lb |
Who the Ninja 500 suits
The Ninja 500 suits a new rider who does not want to outgrow the bike in a year. SlashGear says a seat height of 30.9 in and a narrow seat let even shorter riders put both feet flat at a stop, that the suspension is on the firm side but comfortable for 100-mile rides, and that the 451cc engine gives riders room to build skill without a four-cylinder's cost.
It has no selectable rider modes or electronic suspension, which the review counts as a plus for a learner.
RevZilla adds that taller riders will find legroom tight. So try one on before buying if you are over average height.
Ninja 500 trims and what they cost
Kawasaki sells the Ninja 500 in several versions. The choice mostly comes down to ABS and the SE package. Motorcycle.com counted six at launch: base, KRT Edition, ABS, SE ABS, KRT Edition SE ABS and a 40th Anniversary SE ABS.
On the 2026 bike the non-ABS model is $5,399, the ABS version is $5,799 and the SE ABS is $6,499. ABS is worth the extra $400 on a first bike, so most buyers should skip the non-ABS model.
Ninja 500 upgrades
Aftermarket support was in place from launch. RevZilla noted that Graves Motorsport already sold a nearly complete set of parts for the Ninja 500 that adds about 10 hp and reduces weight. Most owners will not need that much.
But it shows the platform has room to grow.
Ninja 500 against the CBR500R and YZF-R3
Honda's CBR500R and Yamaha's YZF-R3 are the usual alternatives. A comparison at KickTheStand notes the Ninja 500 leads on paper power with 51 hp, and Bikenrider describes the CBR500R's 471cc twin as making smooth, accessible power that builds confidence. The R3 is the smallest of the three at 321cc and about 42 hp.
Its light chassis keeps its power-to-weight competitive, according to the same Bikenrider piece.
Kawasaki Ninja 500 — specification referenceThe Ninja 500 is a Ninja 400 with a bigger engine, and that is the whole idea. RevZilla reported that the engine's external measurements did not change. So the 500 shares the 400's frame, suspension, wheels, brakes and basic dimensions; customers told Kawasaki the 400 needed more power, and Kawasaki claims 51 hp at 10,000 rpm.
- Model-year range
- 2025–2026
- Compared editions
- 2
- Specification entries
- 29
- Entries that differ
- 2
- Estimated Dry Weight
- 344.0 lb (ABS) / 346.2 lb (ABS), 339.6 lb (non-ABS) / 341.8 lb (non-ABS); 346.2 lb (ABS), 341.8 lb (non-ABS); 344.0 lb (ABS), 339.6 lb (non-ABS).
- Curb Weight
- 374.9 lb(ABS) / 377.1 lb (ABS), 370.4 lb (non-ABS) / 372.6 lb (non-ABS); 377.1 lb (ABS), 372.6 lb (non-ABS); 374.9 lb (ABS), 370.4 lb (non-ABS).
2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500 questions
Is the Kawasaki Ninja 500 a good first motorcycle?
Yes, reviewers regularly recommend it as one. The seat is 30.9 in, so most riders can flat-foot it, there are no rider modes to learn. The 451cc twin has enough power to grow into. Buy the ABS version, which costs $400 more.
Is the Ninja 500 the same bike as the Ninja 400?
Nearly. The 500 keeps the 400's frame, suspension, wheels, brakes and basic dimensions and adds a larger 451cc engine, slightly wider bodywork, a reshaped seat and about 2.5 in more height, per RevZilla.
The 2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500 is a 451cc parallel-twin sportbike rated at 51 hp, with a six-speed gearbox, a 30.9 in seat and a curb weight of about 373 lb on the non-ABS model. It costs $5,399 without ABS, $5,799 with ABS and $6,499 for the SE ABS, plus destination.
It replaced the Ninja 400 and keeps the same frame, so it stays a friendly first sportbike for a small or tall rider, with more midrange and better highway comfort. It suits a new or returning rider who wants real sportbike style without a four-cylinder's cost.
Choose the fairing for the riding it will do
Ninja 500 is the faired road-bike option in this pairing. Its 451cc parallel twin should not be confused with the four-cylinder ZX models merely because they share the Ninja name. A comparison with the Z500 is mainly a question about the complete riding arrangement. Try the reach to the controls and the view past the screen, rather than assuming every fairing produces the same amount of wind protection.
The fuel figure is 3.7 gallons and the wheelbase 54.1 inches. Neither proves a touring range or suitability for a particular rider. For regular longer trips, actual consumption and the rider's comfort over time matter alongside tank volume. Do not calculate a guaranteed distance from an unrelated Kawasaki fuel-economy figure.
At the listed $5,399 base price, identify the precise braking and equipment configuration before comparing an offer with the Z. Damage to fairing mounts can also be relevant on a used example that has been dropped. Look behind cosmetic panels where inspection is practical and reconcile repairs with the seller's account and receipts.
Look at the screen from the rider's position
Check whether the windscreen is the factory item or an accessory and look through it while seated normally. Scratching, tint and the top edge can affect the view differently for riders of different heights. Operate the bars to full lock and inspect the clearance around any phone mount or added wiring. These checks are specific to the fitted cockpit arrangement; a stock specification table cannot show how a previous owner's accessories have changed it.
Other models in this reference: Kawasaki Ninja 650, Kawasaki Ninja 300.