EICMA 2023: Kawasaki’s New 500cc Bikes Are Here!

Published November 9, 2023
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The Ninja 500 and Z500 will eventually replace their 400cc siblings

Along with Honda, Kawasaki was the other Japanese brand who had a couple of interesting bikes for the viewers at EICMA 2023. Firstly, the brand unveiled the Ninja 500 and the Z500, both of which will take the mantle from the Ninja 400 and the Z400. So both get a new 499cc parallel-twin engine and while the power figures aren’t out yet, Kawasaki says that the bikes will be A2 license-compliant, which caps them at 35kW (47.6PS).

Other features on both bikes include all LED lighting, keyless ignition and a TFT console that’s likely the same unit as the one on the Ninja 650 and the Z650. We last rode the Ninja 400 last year and what really stood out was just how versatile its 399cc parallel-twin mill was. So it’d be interesting to see if the new 499cc one can retain its predecessor’s goodness. Expect the 500s to charge a premium over the Ninja 400 if and when they’re launched here in India.

And to further electrify EICMA 2023, Kawasaki also unveiled the new Z7 Hybrid motorcycle, which is essentially the naked version of the Ninja 7 HEV that was unveiled earlier last month. The Z7’s styling is in line with Kawasaki’s Z series models and it looks aggressive and mean. Powering it is a 451cc parallel-twin engine with a 9kW traction motor. It makes 43.5 kW(58.5PS) and it can be increased to 51.1 kW(69.5PS) when the e-Boost feature is engaged. So similar to the 7 Hybrid, the Z7 will have performance similar to 650cc bikes but mileage on par with 250cc bikes.

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Other bits like the full colour TFT (similar to the one on the Kawasaki e-1 and Z e-1), idle stop feature, three riding modes, walk mode and more have been borrowed from the 7 HEV. These things said, Kawasaki’s hybrid motorcycles are still only for the global market and their India launch is unlikely at this juncture. For now, we have electric bikes like the Tork Kratos, Revolt RV400, Oben Rorr and the Ultraviolette F77 here in India.