Kawasaki, at the EICMA 2023 held in Milan, Italy, unveiled two new middleweight motorcycles, the Ninja 500 and Z500. These new offerings are poised to set new standards in the 500cc segment and they come with the promise of thrilling rides and advanced technology.
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The Ninja 500 and Z500 form the core of Kawasaki's EICMA 2023 lineup. Both these motorcycles are powered by the new 451cc parallel-twin engine that debuted with the Eliminator 500. According to Kawasaki’s European website, the engine is capable of generating 45.4 hp of maximum power and 42.6 Nm of peak torque.
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The predecessor to these new models, the Ninja 400, was celebrated for its versatile 399cc parallel-twin engine. With the upgrade to a larger 451cc engine, the Ninja 500 aims to not only retain but also surpass the performance standards set by its forerunner. Braking is handled by a 310 mm front disc and 220 mm rear disc while suspension is taken care of by a 41 mm front fork and a preload adjustable rear monoshock.
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The design has been updated on both bikes, but they are still in line with the rest of the Ninja and Z series lineup. The Ninja 500 has styling similar to the ZX-6R and the Z500 gets the same sharp naked sport design as its other Z siblings. LED Lighting all around and while the standard Ninja 500 and Z500 get LCD displays, their respective SE variants receive full-colour TFT instrumentation. Both come equipped with Bluetooth for smartphone connectivity.
While the official launch timeline for Ninja 500 and Z500 in India remains uncertain, it's anticipated that the 500cc models will come with a premium price tag compared to their predecessors, the Ninja 400. The enhanced engine capacity, coupled with advanced features would justify the expectation of a higher price point.
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