2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 review - Is it the Ultimate Beginner's Beast?

As a motorcycle enthusiast who has seen Kawasaki's evolution in the entry-level segment, I was particularly intrigued by the introduction of the Ninja 500. I fondly remember how the 2009 Ninja 250 set a new benchmark with its approachable ergonomics and lively twin-cylinder performance. Back then, it was an ideal starting point for many who wanted to enter the realm of performance motorcycles. The Ninja 300 continued that legacy, and despite its premium price, its smooth parallel twin engine has been a draw for beginners. The Ninja 400 then raised the bar, surpassing the likes of KTM RC390 and Yamaha R3. And now comes the Ninja 500, promising to fill the gap between entry-level excitement and mid-range power!

What's new?

The Ninja 500's name may suggest a significant overhaul, but it's essentially an upgraded Ninja 400 engine with an additional 52cc displacement. In India, we receive the standard model in an all-black colour scheme, while other markets also have access to a Special Edition with more vibrant colours and keyless ignition. Design-wise, it adopts a sharper aesthetic, reminiscent of the ZX-4R, especially noticeable in its more pointed nose.

Should you tear away the new fairings you will notice that the tubular steel frame is derived from the good ol' Ninja 250. The 785mm seat height is easy for riders of most common sizes and doesn't feel cramped even for the taller kind. The size feels just right for someone who's starting out with performance motorcycles, providing a 'big bike' experience without the intimidation factor that might come with larger models like the Ninja 650 or Tiger Sport 660.

The ergonomics are pretty relaxed as before but forward-biased enough for you to have fun around riding roads or even the racetrack. It has a lovely balance of performance and handling in that sense and that makes it more welcoming for the less experienced rider. The new LCD screen and Bluetooth connectivity are nods to necessities of the modern riders.

In terms of build quality, the Ninja 500 impresses at its price point. The switchgear layout is intuitive and user-friendly, and the overall paint quality, fit and finish surpass competitors like the KTM RC390 and Aprilia RS 457.

Riding Dynamics

Back to the chassis, it feels light and composed. If you are a newbie rider, as you spend more time, gain more skill and learn to lean more you will understand why Kawasaki is sticking to this trusted chassis even after all these years. It feels composed and will complement all your knee-down aspirations quite well. This Ninja is more composed than a monk in meditation. It's like Kawasaki took the best parts of a gymnast – flexible, agile, and surprisingly stable, even when the road throws a tantrum.

The suspension, though non-adjustable, feels quite supple out of the box and soaks in any mid-corner bumps nicely. Ground clearance never felt like an issue on our test ride, and despite its sporty demeanour, the Ninja 500 handles our less-than-perfect roads quite well.

Around tight switchbacks, or while negotiating hairpins, or when manoeuvring in tight spaces, the light weight of this motorcycle really shines. The steering is quick and the turning radius is welcomingly tight for a sportsbike - making it an easy rider for the city too!

The Nissin brakes certainly deserve a mention here. Those brakes give you more confidence than a love letter on Valentine's Day. They make the ones on the Aprilia RS457 seem like they belong on a child's tricycle. The nose-dive under braking is well controlled on the Ninja, but more importantly, the feedback from the brake lever and the bite offered by these brakes is far more confidence-inspiring than the Aprilia. In fact, the brakes on the Ninja are easily the best in the segment, even pipping the Yamaha YZF-R3 and the KTM RC390 when it comes to bite and feel.

The powertrain

The 451cc engine in this Ninja is the same one we recently sampled in the new Eliminator and puts out similar power and torque figures too. Now, compared to its younger sibling, the 399cc engine, you might think, "Ah, they've just beefed it up a bit, haven't they?" But oh no, it's not about raw power here. It's about finesse. You see, Kawasaki has stretched the stroke by a modest 6.8mm. It's like they've taught the engine to breathe more deeply, to take in the world and release its energy in a more refined manner.

In the concrete jungle, this means you're not juggling gears like a circus clown. You've got more grunt in the mid-range, making it easier to dart through traffic or pull ahead without fuss. On the highway, it translates to effortless overtaking, as if you're whispering a polite "excuse me" as you glide past slower vehicles. And in the corners? It's like the bike is on rails, powering out of bends with a poise that would make a ballerina jealous.

Now, I won't mislead you – if you're hunting for the sort of top-end rush that makes your eyeballs hurt, the Ninja 500 might leave you wanting more. It's not going to scream on the racetrack, not like the Aprilia RS 457. But what it lacks in this shrieking mania, it makes up for in graceful performance. On the track, it might just keep up with 457 and even out-brake it in some corners.

Kawasaki's engineers have been playing around with counterweights and valve shapes like they're crafting a symphony. The result is an engine that feels peppy from the word go and you won't have to keep wringing the throttle and hitting the redline often to make rapid progress. In relative terms, of course. If you need a trailblazer for the racetrack in a similar, compact package, you would have to shell out almost double the money and get double the cylinders in the form of the ZX-4R. That bike is a screamer too, while the Ninja 500 sounds extremely humble - even making the subtle notes of the Ninja 650 sound throaty in comparison.

The slip-and-assist clutch is another boon for newbies as it avoids wheel skipping when you downshift at higher revs, keeping things tidy. And when you are cruising or pottering around town, you will love how slick the six-speed transmission is, complementing the refined nature of the engine. There's even an economic riding indicator that illuminates when you're not using a lot of fuel and it came on often during our fuel economy tests when the bike was cruising effortlessly on the highway at around 100kmph in top gear.

Value for money factor versus the rivals

The Ninja 500 is priced at Rs 5.25 lakh - not a rupee more than its predecessor, the Ninja 400. Kudos to Kawasaki for not puffing up the price like a hot-air balloon at a county fair. Yet, it's the top-ticket item in its class. Fancy a leap from the Yamaha R3? That'll be an extra lakh of rupees, thank you very much, for a smidgen more engine and a dab of extra power. It's akin to forking out for black caviar when a prawn cocktail would suffice.

On the other hand, the Aprilia RS457, surprisingly, asks for a chunk less cash and packs a heftier punch, particularly on the racetrack.

But here's the crux: the Ninja 500 isn't just about raw speed. It promises a much nicer riding elegance, marrying comfort, performance, and handling in a way that just makes you consider shelling out the extra money.

Words Rohit Paradkar

Photography Sumit Gaikwad