EICMA 2023: Kawasaki Ninja 500, Z500 Unveiled

Kawasaki has unveiled two middle class motorcycles at EICMA 2023. The new Ninja 500 and Z500 share the same engine as well as many other mechanical components. Think of them like the spiritual successors to the Ninja 400, meant to take the fight to the KTM 390s and the Honda 500s.

The two new motorcycles are powered by a liquid-cooled, parallel-twin-cylinder engine. Kawasaki has yet to reveal the exact displacement of the engine or even the power figures. What we know for sure is that the engine will be A2-license compliant and hence power will be limited to 35 kW or 47 bhp. The Japanese bike maker did say that it is a ground-up new motor and hopefully, it should be plenty thrilling like its predecessor: the Ninja 400.

Kawasaki also mentioned that the engine is paired with a slip-and-assist clutch and housed in a “lightweight trellis type chassis”. It claims the new 500cc twins will be predictable, easy to ride for beginners and will be lithe and agile for experienced riders. 

As standard both bikes come equipped with an LCD display. However, they also get a Special Edition version that gets a TFT display, a USB-C port and their own special livery. While the Z500 Special Edition gets smartphone connectivity with its display, the Ninja 500 Special Edition gets keyless ignition. Both the 500s also get an option for a high seat that increases the seat height by 30 mm. 

The Ninja 500 borrows its design language heavily from its siblings with angular headlights and sharp cuts and creases on the fairing. It is the same story for the Z500 as well, in terms of design.

While Kawasaki offers most of its global line-up in India, we can expect the brand’s new 500cc twins to also make it to our shores next year. It remains to be seen if Kawasaki will replace the Ninja 400 with the new Ninja 500, as the brand did not phase out the Ninja 300 when the Ninja 400 was launched in India. Nevertheless, we think that the 300 will soldier on and the Ninja 400 could very well be replaced by the 500. It would make sense as the Aprilia RS 457 and the updated KTM RC 390 (with the 399cc motor from the new 390 Duke) are expected to arrive in 2024.