Kawasaki has launched its much-awaited Ninja 500 in India with a price tag of Rs 5.24 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom, India).
This unveiling comes shortly after Kawasaki’s hint about the Ninja 500’s arrival, creating a buzz among motorcycle enthusiasts. Interestingly, this places the Ninja 500 at the same price point as its predecessor, the Ninja 400.
Bookings are now open across Kawasaki dealerships nationwide, with deliveries expected to commence by the end of this month, as reported by Autocar.
However, with a Rs 40,000 discount currently offered on the Ninja 400, speculations arise that the 500 might eventually take over its sibling’s spot in India.
Under the hood, the Ninja 500 is powered by a new liquid-cooled, 451cc, parallel-twin engine that generates 45 bhp at 9,000rpm and 42.6 Nm at 6,000rpm. This engine technology is already in use in Kawasaki’s Eliminator 500 cruiser and the Ninja 7 hybrid motorcycle.
Weighing in at 171kg, the Ninja 500 is slightly heavier than its predecessor and rivals like the Yamaha R3 and KTM RC 390 but remains lighter than the Aprilia RS 457. Sharing similarities with the Ninja 400 in terms of cycle parts, the Ninja 500 comes equipped with dual-channel ABS as standard, making it a compelling choice for safety-conscious riders.
For those seeking extra height, Kawasaki provides an optional tall seat, raising the perch to 815mm.
While the Ninja 500 shares similarities in its cycle parts with the Ninja 400, its new face resembles modern Kawasaki sport bikes like the ZX-6R and the Ninja 7 Hybrid. Notably, the model launched in India is the standard variant, lacking the up-spec SE features such as keyless ignition but sporting a negative LCD dash with Bluetooth connectivity and an all-black color scheme.
Despite its premium price tag, the Ninja 500 faces tough competition from rivals like the Yamaha R3, Aprilia RS 457, and the KTM RC 390. It remains to be seen how many enthusiasts will favor the Ninja 500 over its established counterparts.
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