I highly recommend to get a glass screen protector for your tft display, it gets micro swirls on it real easy. Anytime you wipe it down no matter what you use. Then it sticks out in daytime riding I LOVE the paint job! I like my black 650 but I’d rather have these colors!
I'll probably put in an order for one now. I'm not seeing any specifically for the 500 but all the TFT screens look the same so I'm sure it will fit. The colour scheme kind of helped sell me on it. I'm a sucker for retro stuff. They had a ZX6 in the same livery, I almost did a bad thing.
@leeinwis I got a 2000 trade in on my 2017 cb300. Brought it down to 6500. Dealer fees taxes and other fees is where they stick it to u. But 6400 for a well built with upgrades bike msrp isn't a bad considering. But just my opinion not facts
I have a 22 Ninja 400 KRT and I love it, it was my first bike. I only would consider to upgrade to the 500 just for those 40th anniversary colors, I´m also a huge fan of the 90´s ZX7R with those colors. Beautiful bike. Congrats.
I bought a black one here in India. While I love every bit of this bike, the only sore point is the handlebar position, it comes very close to the tank and sometimes starts to hurt the wrist in stop-go-traffic. Happy riding, good review :)
Stoked to hear that’s it’s comfortable for taller folks. I’m 6’3 and I’ve sat on one at the dealer but was wondering how it would feel to ride, good to know it’s not uncomfortable. Getting mine (hopefully) at the end of June. Great review!
Awesome bike/color! I'm kind of jealous of your bike lol. I grew up riding dirt bikes. My first motorcycle I purchased and learned to ride was a 2002 Kawasaki Ninja 250 with the dual exhaust. I then sold that and purchased a bike I always wanted, a 1985 Yamaha RZ350 2 Stroke! So much great noise, exhaust smell and fun! I miss that bike. I sold my RZ350 to get my dream bike. I currently own and ride a mint 2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R 636 in Kawasaki Racing Lime Green!!!! I love it. The 2004 636 is so hard to find in KR Green that isn't wrecked, made into a Stunt Bike or Raced. It is a race bike for the street and the 04 636 is the lightest, has the biggest/cheater engine and most HP out of all the 2004 600cc class sportbikes! It is almost all OEM stock, except for the sprocket/gears and the current exhaust I put on it, a HP Corse GP Style exhaust you can only purchase from Italy. I took out the DB killer and it is insanely loud! I have no Power Commander on it, I also have the Stock Pipe and a Yoshimura TRS Pipe and Competition Werks Rear Eliminator Kit the previous owner had installed on it. My bike only has 14,000 KMs too! However, this new Ninja 500 and 40th anniversary colors make me want to buy one! I have always loved the 90's/2000's Ninja bikes/colors. I always wanted either Eric Bostrom's ZX7R or ZX6R in 01/02. I want to test ride this 500 SE bike There's 1 in stock at a local dealer near me. I said I would never sell my 04 636 ever too lol! Cheers for an awesome Ninja from a fellow Canadian!
Thank you for your high-quality review. I made up my mine to pull the trigger and ordered one. But the dealer said it could take a month to get the bike delivered. I just wonder how long you waited to get the bike.
Thanks, I ordered mine when they announced it so it took a couple months because they hadn't started shipping to north America then yet. But dealers are starting to get them in stock now so I'm sure it would be less than a month now.
Thanks! It has a type of dial that you would use the same way as a key, it's just fixed in place. So you push down and turn to lock just like a regular key. Then the bike will immobilize the ignition.
I'm torn between the 500 and the 400 RR. Waiting for the 400 40th now but the freebie frame sliders and tank pads are included but are mandatory. They aren't cheap. The SE 500 40th is not to be ignored . It's a nice bike at a decent price. I just love the 4 cyl. Sound
You absolutely cannot beat the sound of a four cylinder. No matter what exhaust I put on this it will never compare. But the fact that the 400RR is power restricted and id have to tune it and void the warranty to experience the full bike turned me off. It's not Kawi's fault about the regulations but I would definitely go one further and get the ZX6 at that point.
Is that a 2 piston brake caliper on the rear wheel? Some websites say 2, others say 1. I can't decide if I'd prefer the ninja 500 or the Z500. How would you start it if the battery in your fob died?
It's a two piston in the rear. Brakes do the job, it's a light bike. I don't think you can go wrong with either bike, just whichever styling you prefer. If the battery on the fob dies you just hold it next to the ignition dial and it will still start.
I just got mine today. Can you do a video on how to put the rear seat cowl on? It seems like it should just go on, but I'm having a tough time getting it to connect in the back
There's actually hardware that needs to be installed for the cowl to fit on. There's a silver tab and bolt that gets installed which will hold the back park of the cowl on. Once the tab is bolted on you slide the cowl on from the back and then click it on at the front.
Had mine for about a week now. Had similar issues with insurance that was mentioned in comments but got insurance on it within an hour of calling my company. One thing you didnt mention is how begginer Friendly the clutch it. Its just so easy to pull and when you let it out the bike will move under its own tourqe. Its faster also than the cbr500 if its an upgrade for you the speed enough too fear it a little probably wont get bored of it for a good while
Yeah my other bike is an 1100 Moto Guzzi with a dry clutch so this thing feels like it rides itself. It's really all the bike you need for the reasonable road speeds. I'll be looking into some light mods in the future. But even out of the crate it's good.
@philp7012 the clutch is also designed so that if your down shifting and let the clutch slip too hard that it won't skid the tire but it will just slip the clutch for you. I don't remember what it's called
I have a question for all bike riders What do you do with your gear when you go places? I live in South Africa (crime rates are pretty damn high) and I wanna get myself a ninja 400 or 500 but I have no clue what I'm gonna do with my helmet, gloves, and stuff like that when I go places. Any ideas?
The bike comes with a helmet lock on the side but I would get a backpack that can fit your helmet and gloves. And id buy motorcycles shoes that are casual enough to wear off the bike.
Its nice how homogeneous the entire model lineup looks now, top to bottom (not you, zx14, fix your face already). Green wheels are the icon that appears when I think Kawasaki. Its thee look, and if they come black, I always get them pc'd green. And when they're new like that? Dustless? Impeccable? Looks lovely. Yours has a usb thinger on the dash, mine doesn't. Yours has keyless, which I very much would appreciate, mine doesn't. I like that they give a damn about you at Kawi, even if you aren't spending $13k. They seem to be the only people taking chances on this segment - the fun segment.
Absolutely agree, it doesn't feel like a cheap bike at all. They really try to make you stay in the lineup because you can justify going up the model range as you get more comfortable on the bike. Even looking at the ZX6 down the road if my insurance becomes more affordable. They practically invented this segment and they are very good at it. The extras are nice but not totally necessary, the bike alone is good enough. But for around 900 CAD I think they are worth it.
I think it's among the best beginner bikes out there, but you also won't get bored of it. In car terms it reminds me of a lotus Elise, not a lot of power and not a lot of weight. Just fun and flickable. They seem to hold their value too.
My insurance said the same thing to me, they had to make a request to basically register the vehicle within the company. You may be the first one to register one so they don't have info on it yet. They managed to get mine insured in a day though, no problems. The premium is the same as a ninja 400.
@@philp7012 we've had a couple of 400's. One of the aesthetic mods I did to mine was to install Ninja 300 mirrors (shorter stalks). Not sure if they fit this model, but I suspect such is the case. Thanks for the feedback on the insurance, also.
@@Shane661 definitely dreaming of a zx7 one day. Hopefully my rates start to decrease within a few years and I can find one. The 1992 specifically, would make a great big brother to this one in the garage.
I haven’t seen this bike in person but all the reviewers say it feels a lot like the 400, which feels smaller, lighter and more flickable than the 650.
It's a Ninja. Why would you think it was a cheap knockoff? It's not a clone of anything, that's why it's the anniversary edition. Kawasaki doesn't make cheap BS.
At this price point the margins are slim for the manufacturer. So they will have to cut costs in places. Some brands do that better than others. It's done pretty well on this model.
That back tire is a joke! It’s super!! My 13 yr old cousin rode this bike and topped it out. He hated it and he’s 13yrs old around 105 pounds of muscle. Don’t waste your money.
Bland, old styling. Not a "real" 500. Kawasaki just changed the name to compete with the competition, such as CFMOTO. I think they are a bit nervous that CFMOTO 450 may take over as the leader in this segment. Ninja has a lot of aftermarket parts available and Kawasaki is a reliable brand, so time will tell, but it's obvious that they felt the need to change things up. Still, it's a fail because they could have really made the styling more modern instead of an old, boring look.
I Ordered full system akrapovic the same day I bought mine, Best decision for sure
I highly recommend to get a glass screen protector for your tft display, it gets micro swirls on it real easy. Anytime you wipe it down no matter what you use. Then it sticks out in daytime riding
I LOVE the paint job! I like my black 650 but I’d rather have these colors!
I'll probably put in an order for one now. I'm not seeing any specifically for the 500 but all the TFT screens look the same so I'm sure it will fit. The colour scheme kind of helped sell me on it. I'm a sucker for retro stuff. They had a ZX6 in the same livery, I almost did a bad thing.
I wish they had announced this before I purchased my 400 the end of October. Enjoy!
Honestly I wouldn't even think about it much, the two bikes are extremely similar. Just a refresh to entice new buyers. Ride safe!
@@philp7012 You call an increase in 50cc & 15-20% in horsepower a refresh?????
Was looking at this for my first bike but couldn’t find hardly any videos about it. So, thank you
I just pre-ordered up a Red Ninja 500 SE for $6399. Can't wait for it to show up!
Same lol have not slept in 2 days. So excited 😂
9000 OTD more like lol.
@leeinwis I got a 2000 trade in on my 2017 cb300. Brought it down to 6500. Dealer fees taxes and other fees is where they stick it to u. But 6400 for a well built with upgrades bike msrp isn't a bad considering. But just my opinion not facts
I got the 24’ 500 Metallic White ABS for 6863 OTD
I have a 22 Ninja 400 KRT and I love it, it was my first bike.
I only would consider to upgrade to the 500 just for those 40th anniversary colors, I´m also a huge fan of the 90´s ZX7R with those colors.
Beautiful bike. Congrats.
A true Canadian. As gentleman and polite as it gets.
i bought an all black abs 500 tuesday, its a wonderful bike, im already at 300 something miles
Thanks for the video!
I bought a black one here in India. While I love every bit of this bike, the only sore point is the handlebar position, it comes very close to the tank and sometimes starts to hurt the wrist in stop-go-traffic. Happy riding, good review :)
Great review, thanks! Looking at this as my first bike this year. Also in Ontario myself.
Awesome color!
Great review, thanks
Stoked to hear that’s it’s comfortable for taller folks. I’m 6’3 and I’ve sat on one at the dealer but was wondering how it would feel to ride, good to know it’s not uncomfortable. Getting mine (hopefully) at the end of June. Great review!
Awesome bike/color! I'm kind of jealous of your bike lol. I grew up riding dirt bikes.
My first motorcycle I purchased and learned to ride was a 2002 Kawasaki Ninja 250 with the dual exhaust.
I then sold that and purchased a bike I always wanted, a 1985 Yamaha RZ350 2 Stroke! So much great noise, exhaust smell and fun! I miss that bike.
I sold my RZ350 to get my dream bike. I currently own and ride a mint 2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R 636 in Kawasaki Racing Lime Green!!!! I love it. The 2004 636 is so hard to find in KR Green that isn't wrecked, made into a Stunt Bike or Raced. It is a race bike for the street and the 04 636 is the lightest, has the biggest/cheater engine and most HP out of all the 2004 600cc class sportbikes!
It is almost all OEM stock, except for the sprocket/gears and the current exhaust I put on it, a HP Corse GP Style exhaust you can only purchase from Italy. I took out the DB killer and it is insanely loud! I have no Power Commander on it, I also have the Stock Pipe and a Yoshimura TRS Pipe and Competition Werks Rear Eliminator Kit the previous owner had installed on it. My bike only has 14,000 KMs too!
However, this new Ninja 500 and 40th anniversary colors make me want to buy one! I have always loved the 90's/2000's Ninja bikes/colors. I always wanted either Eric Bostrom's ZX7R or ZX6R in 01/02. I want to test ride this 500 SE bike There's 1 in stock at a local dealer near me. I said I would never sell my 04 636 ever too lol!
Cheers for an awesome Ninja from a fellow Canadian!
just got the same one you have here it arrives Saturday!
Lovely ❤ machine
I just got this bike 🎉🎉🎉🎉 and yesterday mi license 🔥
Thank you for your high-quality review. I made up my mine to pull the trigger and ordered one. But the dealer said it could take a month to get the bike delivered. I just wonder how long you waited to get the bike.
Thanks, I ordered mine when they announced it so it took a couple months because they hadn't started shipping to north America then yet. But dealers are starting to get them in stock now so I'm sure it would be less than a month now.
Gorgeous bike. Quick question though: Is the gas cap still locking if it has keyless fob?
Thanks! It has a type of dial that you would use the same way as a key, it's just fixed in place. So you push down and turn to lock just like a regular key. Then the bike will immobilize the ignition.
Also yes the gas tank uses the flip key that's inside the fob. Just a regular tank lock.
I'm torn between the 500 and the 400 RR. Waiting for the 400 40th now but the freebie frame sliders and tank pads are included but are mandatory. They aren't cheap. The SE 500 40th is not to be ignored . It's a nice bike at a decent price. I just love the 4 cyl. Sound
You absolutely cannot beat the sound of a four cylinder. No matter what exhaust I put on this it will never compare. But the fact that the 400RR is power restricted and id have to tune it and void the warranty to experience the full bike turned me off. It's not Kawi's fault about the regulations but I would definitely go one further and get the ZX6 at that point.
or you can get a used R6
Is that a 2 piston brake caliper on the rear wheel? Some websites say 2, others say 1. I can't decide if I'd prefer the ninja 500 or the Z500. How would you start it if the battery in your fob died?
It's a two piston in the rear. Brakes do the job, it's a light bike. I don't think you can go wrong with either bike, just whichever styling you prefer. If the battery on the fob dies you just hold it next to the ignition dial and it will still start.
I just got mine today. Can you do a video on how to put the rear seat cowl on? It seems like it should just go on, but I'm having a tough time getting it to connect in the back
There's actually hardware that needs to be installed for the cowl to fit on. There's a silver tab and bolt that gets installed which will hold the back park of the cowl on. Once the tab is bolted on you slide the cowl on from the back and then click it on at the front.
@@philp7012 thank you so much!
Had mine for about a week now. Had similar issues with insurance that was mentioned in comments but got insurance on it within an hour of calling my company. One thing you didnt mention is how begginer Friendly the clutch it. Its just so easy to pull and when you let it out the bike will move under its own tourqe. Its faster also than the cbr500 if its an upgrade for you the speed enough too fear it a little probably wont get bored of it for a good while
Yeah my other bike is an 1100 Moto Guzzi with a dry clutch so this thing feels like it rides itself. It's really all the bike you need for the reasonable road speeds. I'll be looking into some light mods in the future. But even out of the crate it's good.
@philp7012 the clutch is also designed so that if your down shifting and let the clutch slip too hard that it won't skid the tire but it will just slip the clutch for you. I don't remember what it's called
I have a question for all bike riders
What do you do with your gear when you go places?
I live in South Africa (crime rates are pretty damn high) and I wanna get myself a ninja 400 or 500 but I have no clue what I'm gonna do with my helmet, gloves, and stuff like that when I go places. Any ideas?
The bike comes with a helmet lock on the side but I would get a backpack that can fit your helmet and gloves. And id buy motorcycles shoes that are casual enough to wear off the bike.
@@philp7012 thank you for the response! Good suggestions, I appreciate it
Its nice how homogeneous the entire model lineup looks now, top to bottom (not you, zx14, fix your face already). Green wheels are the icon that appears when I think Kawasaki. Its thee look, and if they come black, I always get them pc'd green. And when they're new like that? Dustless? Impeccable? Looks lovely.
Yours has a usb thinger on the dash, mine doesn't. Yours has keyless, which I very much would appreciate, mine doesn't. I like that they give a damn about you at Kawi, even if you aren't spending $13k. They seem to be the only people taking chances on this segment - the fun segment.
Absolutely agree, it doesn't feel like a cheap bike at all. They really try to make you stay in the lineup because you can justify going up the model range as you get more comfortable on the bike. Even looking at the ZX6 down the road if my insurance becomes more affordable. They practically invented this segment and they are very good at it. The extras are nice but not totally necessary, the bike alone is good enough. But for around 900 CAD I think they are worth it.
❤
I got base model $6,344 out the door how are you guys faring on cost
I've never road a bike before would this be good for a beginner
I think it's among the best beginner bikes out there, but you also won't get bored of it. In car terms it reminds me of a lotus Elise, not a lot of power and not a lot of weight. Just fun and flickable. They seem to hold their value too.
Awesome thank you!
Is the body wide like a zx4rr ?
The zx4 is definitely wider but the length is identical.
Did you have trouble getting insurance? We're picking up ours this weekend, but the insurance company says the VIN does not exist, basically.
My insurance said the same thing to me, they had to make a request to basically register the vehicle within the company. You may be the first one to register one so they don't have info on it yet. They managed to get mine insured in a day though, no problems. The premium is the same as a ninja 400.
@@philp7012 we've had a couple of 400's. One of the aesthetic mods I did to mine was to install Ninja 300 mirrors (shorter stalks). Not sure if they fit this model, but I suspect such is the case. Thanks for the feedback on the insurance, also.
@@philp7012 we got ours. The paint scheme is quite lovely. Growing up riding when the original ZX-7 was released, it hits the right buttons.
@@Shane661 definitely dreaming of a zx7 one day. Hopefully my rates start to decrease within a few years and I can find one. The 1992 specifically, would make a great big brother to this one in the garage.
why compete with their 650? what are they doing?
I haven’t seen this bike in person but all the reviewers say it feels a lot like the 400, which feels smaller, lighter and more flickable than the 650.
It's a Ninja. Why would you think it was a cheap knockoff? It's not a clone of anything, that's why it's the anniversary edition. Kawasaki doesn't make cheap BS.
At this price point the margins are slim for the manufacturer. So they will have to cut costs in places. Some brands do that better than others. It's done pretty well on this model.
Of corse its got parts from other bikes like the ninja 650 forks but
If anything the 650 is heavier so the forks are better on the 500
That back tire is a joke! It’s super!! My 13 yr old cousin rode this bike and topped it out. He hated it and he’s 13yrs old around 105 pounds of muscle. Don’t waste your money.
who's letting a child ride a motorcycle and go nearly 200 kilometers an hour...
Bland, old styling. Not a "real" 500. Kawasaki just changed the name to compete with the competition, such as CFMOTO. I think they are a bit nervous that CFMOTO 450 may take over as the leader in this segment. Ninja has a lot of aftermarket parts available and Kawasaki is a reliable brand, so time will tell, but it's obvious that they felt the need to change things up. Still, it's a fail because they could have really made the styling more modern instead of an old, boring look.
They already had the engine made. It wouldn't make sense to design an entirely new 499cc engine just for this bike
Not bland at all. I love it
@@theidahoengamer OLD styling. Blah!