[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Kawasaki has released a teaser of its upcoming sports bike for the Indian market. The upcoming middleweight model is likely to be the Ninja 500, a successor to the 400 already present in the Indian market.

The launch is likely to be in March 2024.



The Ninja 500 shares the same 451cc parallel-twin unit which also powers the Eliminator 500. In the Euro version, it produces 45.4 PS @ 9,000 rpm and 42.6 Nm @ 6,000 rpm. According to Kawasaki, this engine has a wider torque band and a lower redline than the Ninja 400.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jds6CR5LHCk

[hikozaru]

Totally meaningless update. The 400 already made enough power for A2 and Euro5, BS6, and now we get less revs for the same power and emissions. Its also too close to their 650, whatever happened to the starter bike Ninja 250. I am hoping that the 400 would become the new Ninja 300, and this 500 would take the 400 place for being overpriced, just for India.

[noo.b]

Originally Posted by hikozaru

Totally meaningless update. The 400 already made enough power for A2 and Euro5, BS6, and now we get less revs for the same power and emissions. Its also too close to their 650, whatever happened to the starter bike Ninja 250. I am hoping that the 400 would become the new Ninja 300, and this 500 would take the 400 place for being overpriced, just for India.

The 400 to 500 switch is to keep it more relevant in the face of new incoming competition like the Aprilia 457, the CBR 500, also the KTM is still rumoured to be working on the 490, as its a fast growing segment.

The power output is limited because of the European A2 lincense laws. So all bikes in the segment are capped at 47 BHP, so the only differentiating engine characteristic is how that power would be produced by each of these bikes.


The 400 will not be produced anymore, the 300 would continue till Kawasaki pulls the plug on it

[hikozaru]

Originally Posted by noo.b

The 400 to 500 switch is to keep it more relevant in the face of new incoming competition like the Aprilia 457, the CBR 500, also the KTM is still rumoured to be working on the 490, as its a fast growing segment.

The power output is limited because of the European A2 lincense laws. So all bikes in the segment are capped at 47 BHP, so the only differentiating engine characteristic is how that power would be produced by each of these bikes.

Precisely. All these bikes you mention rev to only about 10k. Only the Ninja 400 and the R3 rev to 11k+. And the Ninja 400 is right up there with the Aprilia in terms of the 0.2KW/kg limit, this was literally the perfect A2 bike until Aprilia came out with USD forks and snazzy electronics. If I wanted a less revvy bike, the 650 series exists. Is this Kawasaki's masterplan to get us to buy (A2 restricted) ZX4R(R)s if we want to enjoy revs? Certainly hope not.

[noo.b]

I am guessing its for two primary reasons:

1. To retain the bragging rights of being the biggest capacity bike in the segment since it misses out on a lot of electronic goodies compared to the competition.
2. To differentiate it from the screamer ZX4R and RR

[Sebring]

Smart move to replace the 400 with this. Does anyone have a pic of its instrument console?

[V0rtex]

Just watch Kawasaki price it so high that the R3’s price becomes more justifiable.

[Samarth 619]

A welcome change to face the Aprilia RS457 & others. I hope they don't price it too bad. There's a Z500 too hopefully.
The market is heating up, and I hope this segment does well.
As for lower revs, with a 6.8mm longer stroke than Ninja 400's engine, its naturally expected to rev lower, no surprises there.


But I did notice a misleading, wrong practice here.
At 451cc, this bike (& Eliminator 500) are already 10% lower than what their marketing name claims. Its equivalent of a 1000cc marketed bike with actually a 900cc heart, will you accept it? Its slowly becoming a common practice.
Previous Duke 390 actually being at 373cc was also wrong (but just 4.3% though).

Can anyone remember any such case where a bike was named wrongly, with such a big gap (10~%), for marketing reasons?

Originally Posted by hikozaru

Totally meaningless update. The 400 already made enough power for A2 and Euro5, BS6, and now we get less revs for the same power and emissions.

Opinions may be varied on the topic you raised, even among hardcore bikers.
Power being about the same, but more torque lower down the rpm should be beneficial in commuting (roll ons, quick in-gear overtakes), touring, off roading, etc. all this with hardly any degrading of drag race performance.

Yes, there's no substitution for peak rpm sound and feel though.. :(

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Samarth 619

Yes, there's no substitution for peak rpm sound

Perhaps the musical note of 270 degree firing twin?
All these 500 twins could be denting RE twins hot cakes

[Samarth 619]

Originally Posted by aargee

Perhaps the musical note of 270 degree firing twin?
All these 500 twins could be denting RE twins hot cakes

Yes. 270* crank's firing could well sound better, so Aprilia is in a good place here.
I think this Ninja 500 is a 180* crank, the worse sounding multicylinder, in my humble opinion.

RE comes with a culture package and a huge distribution network, which both Kawasaki and Aprilia are unlikely to match any time soon.
So, its might be a small dent considering the entire Indian market, a 1% dent probably, by both these brands together?

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Samarth 619

Yes. 270* crank's firing could well sound better...both Kawasaki and Aprilia are unlikely to match any time soon.

Most Indians have their sentiment around the price point which is where RE beats the competition along with their wide network & prolonged existence just like you rightly said. With Aprilia, neither the price nor the network are strong even when they're strong technically. Kawasaki, surprisingly does very good numbers. If I'm not wrong they can claim to be selling high volumes of imported motorcycles in India & still Honda or Yamaha couldn't beat them in India.

Originally Posted by Samarth 619

I think this Ninja 500 is a 180* crank, the worse sounding multicylinder, in my humble opinion

; well as a motorcycle lover, I enjoyed your comment, but don't feel like offending the motorcycle

Originally Posted by Samarth 619

So, its might be a small dent considering the entire Indian market, a 1% dent probably, by both these brands together?

Perhaps yes

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Ninja 500 launched at 5.24 lakhs ex-showroom!

Priced exactly same as the outgoing 400, which was retailing at 5.24L for the KRT edition. The 500 only comes in Metallic Spark Black.



Indian specifications are as below -



Top features listed -

Originally Posted by Sebring

Smart move to replace the 400 with this. Does anyone have a pic of its instrument console?

[rahulcmoulee]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Ninja 500 launched at 5.24 lakhs ex-showroom!

Priced exactly same as the outgoing 400, which was retailing at 5.24L for the KRT edition. The 500 only comes in Metallic Spark Black.

Shouldn't have expected anything else from Kawasaki. Aprilia and KTM are going to absolutely dominate this segment.

[Rudraksh]

This time Kawasaki has got the price right. Though, it is still on the higher side. But better than R3 pricing and Tech.
Seems like Ninja 400 will be phased out soon.

[Kashi053]

Originally Posted by rahulcmoulee

KTM are going to absolutely dominate this segment.

Which twin cylinder KTM you are talking about?

I think this is priced well especially at CBU route. I just wonder if Kawasaki can do it why not Honda for NX500. The NX500 at 5.2L would've been a really sweet deal.