2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 First Ride - Cycle News

[@ST-kq9py]

Thanks for the great review, I’ve been riding 25 years and I love the Ninja 400 that this one is based on. I had a ‘24 765RS and ‘22 R1 at the same time and it was a great addition to the garage and was always great fun to ride! Cheers.

[@cyclenews]

Awesome! Thanks for the support.

[@ilaripori6148]

I really dont get the idea that a ninja 500 should be "entry level" or just ridden by beginners... I have ridden 600's and liters and so: The bike comes with insane benefits compared to those bigger bikes: MPG, reliability, insurance, normal rides in any normal country (not wanting to speed or kill oneself or get into legal trouble). This bike does all of that better than the bigger bikes. So far the only benefits of the big bikes are: -Swag -Sound -Intimidation -Acceleration (adrenaline high) which actually feels very good with the 400's too. For me. But you know I am 30. -Smaller bank account. I am not entry level, but I ride a 500 rather than a liter. Its a motorbike. A modern 500cc is very fast.

[@takeoutartists]

Unless you tour and/or ride 2 up a lot, your right.

[@Nate_G_SD]

This is the evolution of the 2008 Ninja 250 from 300 and 400 to "500." Keeping the bones from 2008+ keeps this bike affordable. Acounting for inflation, it's more affordable than the 2008+ Ninja 250 at the time. I'm the original owner to a 2009 Ninja 250 with 80,000 miles. Ninja 500 will be my next bike. These are awesome commuter bikes.

[@Braselton21]

*The range from entry level sport bikes to superbikes is getting crazy* Ninja 500 - Ninja 650 - Ninja ZX6R - Ninja ZX10R CBR500R - CBR650R - CBR600RR - CBR1000RR YZF R3 - YZF R7 - YZF R6 - YZF R1 RS 457 - RS 660 - RSV4 *We need a Shootout review*

[@cyclenews]

That would be a great test!

[@jamesgeorgevellavella1961]

Nice bike. im waiting for the KRT 650 25 to arrive as I like the colour (i have the 40th SE 500 atm)

[@kushpaladin]

i'm curious to see what Yamaha will do with the R3 now that there is a new ninja 500. my R3 hasn't been updated in 6 years

[@jimpanzer07]

it would be great if Yamaha made another 400 4 cylinder - R4😎

[@denzgtr3123]

Hard to really update fantastic bikes like the R3 probably why Yamaha is taking its sweet time.

[@Dsanrides]

Bravo Kawasaki for these amazing entry bikes. Looks like a nice little step up from the 400. Though I’ve heard from new owners that the stock clutch is still way too soft. Did it feel squishy and spongy?

[@GKB.official]

my favorite of all the sport bikes iv'e owned...

[@mcdonaldslover52]

kawasaki really need to update the zx4r styling too. Its the only thing holding me back at this point

[@Hailnut]

Got this as my first bike. Loving it so far!

[@cyclenews]

That's awesome, congrats!

[@robertocojones4471]

Please review the Z500, too. I can't decide which one I'd prefer. Also, are these new 500s compatible with the accessories of their 400 CC predecessors? For instance, would axel sliders or saddle bags for the Ninja 400 be compatible with the Ninja 500?

[@cyclenews]

Please check out our review on the Z500 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXfdpnV4irB3iJY

[@TripedalTroductions]

Both of them have neutral seating positions so I'd go with ninja unless you want to keep the engine a little cooler. The Z is tuned to make torque a little lower but it's not a huge difference. They're basically the same bike but one has fairings and the other doesn't. Pick what you think looks best or the ninja if you're doing a lot of highway riding.

[@OHYEAH-km3md]

ngl, feelin buyers remorse with the SE given it's only a few hundred less than an Aprilia RS457 and that bike hands down has a lot more going for it, doesn't help i chose Kawasaki over Aprilia because of reliability only to have my rear brakes fail after only 200 miles

[@CaribbeanMDJourney]

Oh man. I’m sorry about this. I just bought my 500 KRT SE a week ago but haven’t rode yet. Can you elaborate on your situation? Are you okay? Did you get it fixed? Did Kawasaki cover it?

[@Zankiz]

Kawasaki should cover under its standard warranty right?

[@jacobhumphrey5879]

Was it ABS or Non ABS model?

[@Zankiz]

@@jacobhumphrey5879 I think all SE comes with ABS

[@ilaripori6148]

bro just enjoy the bike

[@JDeezle21]

Small two bike lineup. Z500 & ZX-4RR with an ecu flash

[@MikeColorblind2369]

How does this stack up to the Ninja 650? I am having a hard time determining if I should get this bike or a 650 for my first bike.

[@cyclenews]

We'll have to do a comparison but this one is definitely more geared towards first timers.

[@Vinay-yz3wd]

650 is more for beginner riders that are bigger and need more power. The ninja 500 is just the 400 with a little bit more power

[@MikeColorblind2369]

@@Vinay-yz3wd I am on the heavier side. about 250lbs

[@Vinay-yz3wd]

@@MikeColorblind2369 if u have a little experience on bikes then the 650 is good for u. Also why not the r7

[@starlord.1493]

The 500 goes 125 mph I would say it’s more than enough for a beginner. It has plenty power for the roads or the freeway

[@SB-mw1bg]

This bike be good for a DMV road-test?

[@hyper_channel]

yeah, it's super friendly

[@mindzeyeproductions8560]

Waiting it out for the Yamaha YZF-R4 or R5.

[@youbronag1224]

Ninja950rr

[@jimpanzer07]

Great bang for the buck but not a fan of parallel twin sounds so I got the ZX4RR😎

[@Zankiz]

I agree but went with the 500 instead because I cannot justify that price on the zx4rr

[@jimpanzer07]

@@Zankiz 500 is a fantastic bike for the money!

[@ramcord9759]

En México la zx4rr su precio es de 15.5k usd ya con impuestos y la zx6r esta en 17k usd,la ninja 500 esta en 8k usd,me gusta mucho la propuesta de la zx4rr dicen que es una motocicleta muy divertida pero el precio te pone a pensar en cuestión de comprar la zx4rr o la zx6r

[@suzukiterminator]

Why don't you guys make a video about the " abusive surprice situation " of bullies dealers??¿?

[@joedokes8641]

The plate holder and rear blinker assembly look really stupid just hanging off the back . Looks like an after thought .

[@razvan3228]

it's due to road regulations, they have to make it hang over the back wheel, look it up. But i do agree, it looks totally out of place ( luckily there are after-market kits for that)

[@joedokes8641]

@@razvan3228 Luckily the first thing I replaced on my 2013 WR250R . Much cleaner look . They should redesign the rear end so that it doesn't need that hideous thing just hanging there . If I was in the market for a sport bike that would make me think twice . Probably UH-NO.

[@danswizzle4113]

@@joedokes8641 wait till you see the tails for the MT's

[@joedokes8641]

@@danswizzle4113 UGG.........count me out.

[@ericeven4090]

The key pass was a deal killer for me. Whats the point on an entry level bike? You still need a key to get into the gas tank. Even the zx14 se still uses a key and that bike is 3x the cost. There are all sorts of threads on redditt of people bypassing the system with a little gadget and starting the bike without a key.

[@derekgaliee4351]

Where ??

[@SteveSmith-ze5mw]

​@@derekgaliee4351It's out there. Hacking things like that is a lot easier than you think. Simple as walking by the guy that just got off the bike and spoofing the credentials from his key. You got a free bike 🤷‍♂️

[@Kephers7]

@@SteveSmith-ze5mw i mean, grand theft auto...

[@aydan3870]

not the check engine light lol

[@ROBSOLUTELY]

CFMOTO 450SS offers better technology and overall better looks. Seems like the Ninja 500 was released as a band-aid version to compete against the 450SS. It's not even a 500cc motorcycle, but they want people to think it's bigger. No doubt Kawasaki quality and reliability is on top, but I believe the CFMOTO 450SS still kicks it's butt.

[@Marco-zf2uo]

How are you liking the 450ss? Really hard decision for me but I’m thinking ima go with the cfmoto.

[@ROBSOLUTELY]

@@Marco-zf2uo I love my 450SS. Glad I went with it.

[@Marco-zf2uo]

@@ROBSOLUTELY that’s good to hear, it’s a solid bike. It was a really hard pick for me but I went with the ninja 500 (((:

[@ROBSOLUTELY]

@@Marco-zf2uo Not a bad choice. Ninja has years of proven reliability and a lot of aftermarket support, plus a big dealer network.

[@Marco-zf2uo]

@@ROBSOLUTELY right, there is forsure pros and cons on both. That’s why it was so hard for me to pick lol. I’m jealous of your technology on the bike tho haha but I’m so excited for my bike to come in next week. It’s gonna be my first bike and I’m gonna have fun with it for awhile.

[@Steverinomeister]

Anything less than a liter just doesn’t do it for me.

[@TripedalTroductions]

👍

[@smokinjoeb3926]

You're commenting on this video why? u sound like a total squid.

[@sovietspy86]

Hes probly fat

[@Steverinomeister]

@@sovietspy86 nah you’re fat

[@Zankiz]

This bike is meant for beginners or riders who like curves. It doesn’t take skill to go fast in a straight line

[@jamesonpace726]

Not a 500, a 450. Call it what it is....

[@cyclenews]

451cc technically, but yes we understand your point.

[@riccontrol4051]

They made it so they can call whatever they want 🤪

[@GIGABACHI]

Kawasaki needs to look to the more "organic" designs of their past These 2 wheeled insectoid Transformers are hideous. 🤢🤮💩👎

[@SushiArmageddon]

I loved my 2005 ZX6R but I agree for new Kawasakis. They are too complicated and angular.

[@ilaripori6148]

I wholeheartedly disagree with this. Let the bulk go xD