Kawasaki India Teases New Ninja 500 Launch

Get ready, motorcycle enthusiasts! Kawasaki India has officially teased the arrival of the new Ninja 500, hinting at an imminent launch in the coming weeks.

Unveiled at the EICMA 2023, the Ninja 500 boasts a larger engine, a sharper design, and a host of tech features, something that was sort of lacking previously with the Ninja 400.

Kawasaki Ninja 500 Design

Kawasaki hasn't strayed far from the brand's aggressive design language. The new Ninja 500 inherits inspiration from its elder siblings, the ZX-6R and ZX-10R, featuring a sharp fascia with the iconic split headlamp setup. Other design elements like a sleek windscreen, sharp bodywork cuts, and a sporty tail section complete the aggressive look.

Kawasaki Ninja 500 Features

Riders will also appreciate the modern touches like a colour TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, KIPASS (Kawasaki's Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System), and a Type-C charging port.

Safety remains a priority, with the Ninja 500 equipped with dual-channel ABS and an assist-and-slipper clutch.

Kawasaki Ninja 500 Engine

Gone is the 399cc engine of the previous generation. The 2024 Ninja 500 gets a significant upgrade with a new 451cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine. This bump in displacement translates to 45.4 bhp of peak power and 42.6 Nm, promising a more thrilling ride compared to its predecessor. The longer stroke suggests a focus on enhanced torque delivery, a key factor for daily city usability.

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Kawasaki Ninja 500 Underpinnings

The suspension setup includes a telescopic fork and a monoshock, promising a comfortable and composed ride. Stopping power comes from a 310 mm front disc and a 220 mm rear unit. The Ninja 500 weighs 172 kg and has a fuel tank capacity of 14 litres. Its seat height stands at 785 mm, while the ground clearance is 145mm.

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Kawasaki is expected to price the new Ninja 500 at roughly ₹5.60 lakh, making it around ₹40,000 more expensive than the outgoing Ninja 400. It is likely to sit below the new Eliminator, which has been priced at ₹5.62 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Ninja 300 still remains the entry point. It is going to remain a pricey motorcycle.

Rival bikes like the KTM RC 390, which is nearly half its price at ₹3,16,163 (ex-showroom), or the Aprilia RS 457, priced at ₹4,10,012 (ex-showroom), which is nearly a lakh and a half less, are bound to see more takers.