Kawasaki bolsters their A2 licence range with Ninja 500 and Z500

Kawasaki have revealed not one but two new 500 parallel twins for 2024 – replacing the existing Ninja 400 and Z400 with a pair of larger 451cc options to meet the latest Euro5+ emissions regulations.  

We’ve ridden them!

• Kawasaki Ninja 500 review
• Kawasaki Z500 review

With pricing still to be confirmed, the new Z500 and Ninja 500 are both A2-compliant and will share a range of components – most notably the new motor. This unit appears to also be shared by the 2024 Eliminator 500 cruiser and the petrol element of both new hybrids. 

This will then be paired with an Assist and Slipper clutch to assist nervy newbies with gear changes and will sit snug in a lightweight trellis chassis. Kawasaki say handling with be predictable and intuitive enough for beginners, but lithe and agile enough for more experience riders. 

The Z500 has an LCD screen, but a Special Edition of the Z500 will get its own colour TFT screen, giving riders access to the firm’s Rideology App along with a futureproof USB-C outlet. This level of spec should also put it on par with Honda’s new CB500 Hornet naked twin, also debuted at this year’s Eicma show in Milan. The special Zed also gets an under-cowl and bespoke livery to help it stand out. 

Elsewhere, Kawasaki’s engineers kept the same ingredients for the Ninja, with a trellis chassis and the same twin-cylinder, water-cooled engine – but it looks very different. The sporty new 500 plays on the same angular style as seen on Kawasaki’s bigger sports bikes – with many traits also taken from the outgoing 399cc Ninja 400. 

Like the Z500, the Ninja will still meet European A2 licence regulations and offers an Ergo-fit high seat, which can increase the perch by 30mm to 815mm. 

Like the naked, the Ninja also gets a Special Edition option with a unique livery, TFT screen and USB-C outlet – along with keyless ignition as standard. Visit kawasaki.co.uk for more. 

Additional reporting by Curtis Moldrich