Kawasaki Motor India has recently released a teaser video for the forthcoming Ninja 500 motorcycle. The Ninja 500 made its debut internationally at EICMA 2023. Kawasaki posted a video on its social media handle hinting at the imminent launch of the new bike. The new 500 model is a replacement for the Ninja 400, which is available in several markets, including India. The company has already launched the Ninja Z500 and 500 in the US and Europe. In the upcoming weeks, the two-wheeler giant is expected to bring the new bike to the Indian market as well.
In terms of design language, the Ninja 500 borrows many styling cues from the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-6R. It has similar twin LED headlamps, split seats, and a sharply styled fairing. The motorcycle continues to feature a steel trellis frame and a robust engine. The fuel has also been borrowed from the Ninja 400. The 2024 Ninja 500 features a Kawasaki Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System, an assist and slipper clutch, a TFT instrument console, a Type-C charging port, and dual-channel ABS. Mechanical duties are done by telescopic forks up front and a monoshock at the back.
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The Ninja 500 is powered by a 451 cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that churns out 45 bhp of power at 9,000 rpm and 42.6 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. The engine now comes with a bigger stroke than the 400-cc unit equipped in the Ninja 400. The unit now utilizes a 58.6 mm stroke instead of the 51.8 mm stroke witnessed in the previous motor, whereas the 70 mm bore stays the same. The new variation draws more torque from the motor, which in turn improves low-end tractability and performance. The engine gets a slip-and-assist clutch, and it continues to be mated with a 6-speed gearbox.
The Kawasaki Ninja 500 is likely to come at a price of INR 5.4 lakh (ex-showroom). The two-wheeler manufacturer is expected to bring the 500 as a Completely Built Unit (CBU). The new bike will rival the likes of the Yamaha R3, Aprilia RS 457, and KTM RC 390.
