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Final 12 months, Kawasaki debuted a brand new 451cc parallel-Twin within the Eliminator cruiser. Displacement was elevated over that of the Ninja 400 sportbike and Z400 bare bike with an extended stroke, leading to a rise in torque. For 2024, Kawasaki has migrated that engine again into the Ninja and Z collection, and the bigger engine prompted new names – now the Ninja 500 and the Z500.
Associated: 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator Overview | First Journey
Once we check rode the Eliminator, we loved the additional torque and efficiency of the bigger engine. And whereas there’s lots to love a couple of cruiser, the Ninja and Z collection have robust fanbases who will definitely be glad to see the upgraded engine of their most well-liked platforms. We obtained the chance to check the Z500 SE for a day in and round San Diego, and we discovered the engine and different upgrades significantly well-suited to the bare bike’s package deal and goal prospects.
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Survey Says… | Kawasaki Z500
Whereas creating the Z500, Kawasaki paid particular consideration to what prospects have been in search of by surveying prospects within the Z400, in addition to sellers who served these prospects. The responses knowledgeable the Z500’s upgrades, leading to a bike that ought to swimsuit the wants of shoppers who’re most definitely to purchase it.
Kawasaki discovered that the majority buyers within the Z400 have been newbie riders with lower than one 12 months of expertise, of their mid-30s, and never fascinated about passenger lodging. They have been in search of a motorcycle for commuting duties and backroad rides, and so they needed it to be able to freeway speeds and maintaining with visitors whereas remaining light-weight and nimble. Apparently, whereas the Z400 is usually the identical because the Ninja 400 however with much less bodywork and totally different ergonomics, Kawasaki discovered that prospects who have been in search of a unadorned bike weren’t fascinated about a sportbike and vice versa. Kawasaki additionally discovered that fashion was an essential driving issue for buy.
With the info in hand, Kawasaki designers started working to handle this record of buyer wants.
Able to Rev | Kawasaki Z500
The brand new engine is probably the most important improve over the Z400. The 451cc parallel-Twin has a bore and stroke of 70.0mm and 58.6mm, and it now makes a claimed 51 hp at 10,000 rpm and 31.7 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm. The torque, up from the Z400’s 28 lb-ft, additionally arrives 500 rpm earlier.
Throughout our check experience, we spent the morning driving across the metropolis streets commuter-fashion, and we discovered the engine ideally suited for this position. The additional torque made for fast acceleration whereas remaining simply manageable and unintimidating. Once we ventured onto the canyon roads south of city, the Z500 proved itself to be able to spirited driving. Vibrations have been noticeable above about 7,000 rpm, however they weren’t so unhealthy as to develop into an issue.
The Z500 contains a slip/help clutch with an extremely mild really feel – one of many lightest I’ve examined and one other issue that may make this bike an excellent match for commuting. Stopping at a stoplight or cease signal each block was no downside for my left hand. Press launches like this contain numerous U-turns for repeated photograph passes, so we have been particularly glad of the tremendous mild clutch really feel throughout our experience.
Nimble Bare | Kawasaki Z500
The chassis comes unchanged from the Z400. Like its predecessor, the Z500 rides on a trellis body with the engine as a confused member. It contains a short-wheelbase/long-swingarm configuration with a wheelbase of 54.1 inches, a seat peak of 30.9 inches, and a gasoline capability of three.7 gallons. The usual model weighs 366 lb, whereas the SE model with included equipment weighs 370 lb.
GEAR UP
Suspension comes within the type of a 41mm Showa fork and a bottom-link Uni-Trak rear shock with five-way preload adjustability through the included device package. A 310mm entrance disc is gripped by a 2-piston caliper, and a 220mm rear disc is paired with a 2-piston caliper. Not like earlier Z-series bikes, each the usual Z500 and the SE model characteristic ABS.
The wheels characteristic a star-pattern, five-spoke design, are 17 inches entrance and rear, and are shod with Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300F tires.
Upon first rolling out of the resort parking zone for our check experience, my first impression was how nimble the Z500 is. Tight turns into parking tons are stress-free, and the bike feels slim between the legs. New for the Z500 is a flatter seat form and new seat cushion, including consolation over the earlier Z400.
The driving place is pretty upright with a handlebar that’s taller and wider than the Ninja’s. The bike additionally options new mirror stays meant to scale back mirror vibration, and though they nonetheless vibrate at freeway speeds, they’re crystal-clear and easy whereas driving round city.
The nimbleness of the Z500 made metropolis driving simple, and it made canyon roads thrilling. The bike feels as mild because the spec chart claims, if not lighter. The suspension didn’t absorb each bump within the street, however the bike remained secure whereas being flicked by sinuous curves and impressed confidence. On Kawasaki’ record of buyer wants, the Z500 will get a optimistic mark on being a succesful and enjoyable machine for each metropolis visitors and backroads sprints.
Sugomi Type | Kawasaki Z500
Styling is a vital issue for a lot of bike buyers. The Z500 comes with up to date styling over the Z400, and whereas it’s nonetheless recognizably a Z-series bike, it appears to be like cleaner and meaner. Kawasaki has been utilizing the time period “Sugomi” to explain its Z-series styling for years, and this one appears to be like extra predator-like than ever.
One styling spotlight of the Z500 is a brand new triple-headlight configuration. The highest two lights are low-beams, with the underside mild being high-beam. We rode in the course of the day and didn’t get to see how the headlights illuminate the street at evening, however the LED lights seemed brilliant and clear.
Different styling adjustments embody sharper bodywork and cleaner-looking facet covers. The SE model comes with an underneath cowl and rear seat cowl that add to the Z500’s look. The upswept exhaust parallels the road of the rear part, and the bodywork floats above the engine to spotlight it.
Customary or SE? | Kawasaki Z500
We rode the SE model throughout our check experience, which features a few options not discovered on the usual. Probably the most noticeable distinction is the colour. The usual model solely is available in recognizable Kawasaki Sweet Lime Inexperienced, whereas the SE model solely is available in Permission Sweet Purple.
The SE additionally features a 4.3-inch TFT show to exchange the usual model’s LCD show. Each shows enable Bluetooth connection to a smartphone through Kawasaki’s Rideology app, the place riders can verify car information, a driving log, a upkeep log, and different particulars. Whereas each shows have the identical performance, the TFT appears to be like a lot nicer and extra trendy, and the background will be modified to black or white.
Each shows additionally characteristic the Financial Using Indicator, which seems on the display screen to point favorable gasoline consumption. The indicator is unobtrusive on the display screen, and I noticed it seem throughout extra mild driving whereas maintaining revs low. We prioritized enjoyable over effectivity throughout our time aboard the Z500, however it would possibly show to be a helpful characteristic for on a regular basis driving.
Extra options on the SE embody LED turnsignals (the usual has LED headlights and taillights), a meter cowl, a radiator display screen, body sliders, a rear seat cowl, tank and knee pads, a USB-C charger, and an undercowl. The value distinction between the 2 variations is $700. A lot of the equipment on the SE are additionally out there for the usual model, however it’ll prevent a couple of hundred {dollars} to get the SE as a substitute of accessorizing the usual to the identical diploma.
The Kawasaki Z500 suits its goal to a T. It’s a enjoyable, easy-to-ride bike, and the upgrades for the reason that earlier Z400 make it even higher and not using a huge soar in value. These buyers who crammed out Kawasaki’s survey ought to be happy with the outcomes of their efforts. We definitely have been.
2024 Kawasaki Z500 (SE) Specs
- Base Value: $5,599 ($6,299)
- Guarantee: 1 yr.
- Web site: Kawasaki.com
- Engine Sort: Liquid-cooled parallel-Twin, DOCH w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 451cc
- Bore x Stroke: 70.0 x 58.6mm
- Horsepower: 51.0 hp @ 10,000 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Torque: 31.7 lb-ft @ 7,500 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Ultimate Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 54.1 in.
- Rake/Path: 24.5 levels/3.6 in.
- Seat Top: 30.9 in.
- Moist Weight: 366 lb (370 lb)
- Gasoline Capability: 3.7 gal.
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