Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Also called	EX500 GPZ500
Production	1987–2009
Class	Sport bike
Engine	498 cc (30.4 cu in), 4-stroke, liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Power	59.1 HP (44.1 kw) @ 9500 RPM[citation needed]
Torque	30.9 lb-ft (41.8 Nm) @ 8000 RPM[citation needed]
Transmission	6-speed
Wheelbase	1,435 mm (56.5 in)
Dimensions	L 2,125 mm (83.7 in) (1987) 2,110 mm (83 in) (1988–1993) 2,096 mm (82.5 in) (1994–2009) W 685 mm (27.0 in) (1987–1993) 701 mm (27.6 in) (1994–2009)
Seat height	770 mm (30 in) (1987–1993) 775 mm (30.5 in) (1994–2009)
Weight	169 kg (370 lb) (Calif: 170 kg (370 lb)) (1987–1993) 176 kg (390 lb) (1994–2009) (dry) 185 kg (410 lb) (1987–1993) 198 kg (440 lb) (1994–2009) (wet)
Fuel capacity	15.9 l (3.5 imp gal; 4.2 US gal)
Related	ER 5, EN 500, KLE 500

The Kawasaki Ninja 500R (which was originally named, and is still referred to as the EX500 and is known as the GPZ500 in some markets) is a sport bike with a 498 cc (30.4 cu in) parallel-twin engine manufactured by Kawasaki from 1987 to 2009, with a partial redesign in 1994. Although the motorcycle has a sporty appearance, it offers a more standard, upright riding position with greater comfort and versatility. It provides a combination of performance and low operating costs, which has made it a favorite as a first motorcycle with new riders and popular with experienced riders on a budget. 2009 was the last model year for the Ninja 500. For touring the EX500 has an 18 L (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal) fuel tank, reserve included.

Given that it was Kawasaki's best-selling sporty bike for a number of years, the EX500 is a popular mount for road racing, offering low price and availability of spare parts. It also offers a wide but forgiving performance envelope suitable for new riders or even veteran club racers, eschewing the significantly higher expense of campaigning 600 cc or larger supersport machines. The Production Twins class of the LRRS racing organization in New Hampshire comprises primarily essentially stock EX500's. The United States Classic Racing Association has a similar class.

Its marketing name was changed in 1994 from EX500 to Ninja 500; the R suffix was added in 1998. In Europe it was sold as the GPZ 500.

Features (1994-2009)

Another image of the post-update version.

A partial redesign of the 500 was done in 1994. The changes made include the following:

• bigger 17-inch wheels with wider tires replaced the original 16 inch wheels
• redesigned front and rear fairing
• redesigned instrument cluster and dials
• new rear disk brake replaced rear drum brake
• firmer suspension tuning
• minor changes to the engine to improve reliability such as changes to the alternator and cam chain tensioning system

Specifications

Side view of 1994 GPZ 500 S

Engine

• type: liquid-cooled four-stroke, counter-balanced, 8-valve, dual chain-driven overhead camshaft 180° parallel twin
• displacement: 498 cubic centimetres (30.4 cu in)
• bore x stroke: 74.0 x 58.0 mm (2.913 x 2.283 in)
• compression ratio: 10.8:1
• redline: 11,000 rpm
• power: 59.1 brake horsepower (44.1 kW) @ 9,500 rpm (103 hp/L)
• torque: 30.86 foot-pounds force (41.84 N·m) @ 8,000 rpm
• starting: electric
• carburetion: Keihin CVK34 x 2
• exhaust: 2-into-2
• ignition: transistorized, battery-powered, inductive, magnetically triggered (1987–1993), TCBI with digital advance (1994-2009)
• oil capacity: 3.6 US qt (3.4 L)
• fuel: unleaded or low-lead minimum octane 91 RON (~87 R+M/2)

Transmission

• six-speed
• constant mesh
• wet-clutch
• final drive: primary drive: 23/61, 2.652
• final drive: 42/16 sprockets (2.625 ratio)pre 1994, 41/16 sprockets (2.5625 ratio) 1994–2006, #520 chain
• gear ratios (transmission) (1) 36/14, 2.571 (2) 32/18, 1.78 (3) 29/21, 1.38 (4) 27/24, 1.12 (5) 25/26, 0.96 (6) 23/27, 0.85
• gear ratios (overall) (1) 17.87 (2) 12.37 (3) 9.60 (4) 7.83 (5) 6.88 (6) 5.92
• maximum speed in gears @ engine redline (1) 44 mph (2) 63 mph (3) 82 mph (4) 101 mph (5) 118 mph (6) 138 mph

Chassis

• frame: high-tensile steel double-downtube, full cradle, steel, perimeter box section; steel swingarm
• overall length: 83.66 in (2125 mm) (1987), 83.07 in (2110 mm) (1988–1993), 82.5 in (2096 mm) (1994-2009)
• overall width: 26.97 in (1987–1993), 27.6 in (1994-2009)
• overall height: 45.86 in (1987–1993), 45.7 in (1994-2009)
• wheelbase: 56.5 in (1435 mm)
• ground clearance: 4.9 in (1987–1993), 4.7 in (1994-2009)
• seat height: 30.81 in (770 mm) (1987–1993), 30.5 in (1994-2009)
• dry weight: 373 lb except California (169 kg) 374 lb (170 kg) (1987–1993), 388 lb (1994-2009)
• wet weight: 409 lb (185 kg) (1987–1993), 437 lb (198 kg) (1994-2009)
• fuel capacity (main/reserve): 4.2/0.6 US gal (15.9/2.21 L)
• load capacity (GVWR less curb weight): 418.5 lb (189.8 kg)

Suspension

• rake / trail: 27.5°/3.5 in (89 mm) (1987–1993), 27°/3.6 in (91 mm) (1994-2009)
• type, front: center-axle hydraulic telescopic 36 mm (1987–1993) or 37 mm (1994-2009) fork
• type, rear: UNI-TRAK system with single shock, adjustable pre-load
• wheel travel, front: 5.5 in (140 mm) (1987–1993), 5.1 in (1994-2009)
• wheel travel, rear: 3.9 in (100 mm)
• wheel, front: cast, 2.15 in x 16 in tubeless (1987–1993), 3 x 17 in (1994-2009)
• wheel rear: cast, 2.5 in x 16 in tubeless (1987–1993), 3.5 x 17 in (1994-2009)
• tire, front: 100/90-16 in 54H Bridgestone Excedra G533 (1987–1993), 110/70-17 tubeless (1994-2009)
• tire, rear: 130/90-16 in 83H Bridgestone Excedra (1987–1993), 130/70-17 tubeless (1994-2009)

Brakes

• front: dual-piston hydraulic single (280 mm 1994-2009) disc (SOME GPZ500s versions have a dual disc front brake)
• rear: rod-actuated, single leading-drum (1987–1993), single-piston hydraulic single disc (1994-2009)

Electrical

• battery: 12 V, 14 A·h, type 14LA2 (compatible models: Yuasa YB14L-A2, Varta 514011014, Power Max 12N14-3A)
• power source: AC Alternator, charge control solid-state voltage regulator
• headlight beams (high/low): 60/55 W
• tail/stoplights: 8/27 x 2 W
• instrumentation: speedometer, odometer, single (1987–1993) or double (1994-2009) tripmeter, tachometer with 11,000 rpm redline, water temperature gauge, indicators: oil pressure, high-beam, headlight off, turn signals, neutral
• alternator output:
  • Alternator rated output: 17A x 14V DC @ 6,000RPM (calculated 238 watts @ 6000RPM)
  • DC Battery Charging Voltage: 14-15V @ 4,000RPM
  • Alternator output Voltage: 46-64V AC @ 4,000RPM
  • Stator Coil resistance: 0.37-0.46 Ohms

Performance

Cycle magazine January, 1987 for 1987–1993

• Standing start ¼ mile: 12.73 s @ 102 mph
• Acceleration, 0-60 mph: 3.76 s
• Acceleration, 45-70 mph, top gears: (4) 4.08 s, 343 ft. (5) 5.92 s, 492 ft.(6) 6.62 sec., 589 ft.
• Braking, 60-0 mph: 115 ft.
• Power @ 60 mph: 9.58 hp
• Engine speed @ 60 mph, top gear: 4,935 rpm
• Average fuel consumption rate 48 mpg (20.4 km/L)
• Cruising range (main/reserve) 202/29 mi. (325/46 km)
• Speedometer error: 30 mph indicated, actual 29.50; 60 mph indicated, actual 57.53

Motorcyclist magazine for 1994-2009

• Standing start 1/4 mile: 12.98 s @ 99.0 mph
• Average fuel consumption: 48.5 mpg
• Average touring range: 233 miles (375 km)

Motorcycle Consumer News 2004

• Top speed: 110 mph (180 km/h)

Comparative and Individual Reviews

The EX500 and Ninja 500 have been reviewed by motorcycle magazines, separately and in comparison to other motorcycles, from time to time. Upon its introduction, the EX500 was reviewed in the January 1987 issue of Cycle magazine. With a manufacturer's suggested retail price, as of October 1, 1986, of $2899, the EX500 led Cycle to pronounce, "[o]n price alone, the EX is peerless."

In February 1992, Cycle World magazine, in an article titled "Bargain Blasters," compared the EX500 to the Yamaha Seca II, the Suzuki Bandit, and the Suzuki GS500. The Seca II came in first, with the Bandit, the EX500, and the GS500 following in that order.

In April 1994, in an article titled "Bargain Hunters," Cycle World compared the then-new Ninja 500 to the Suzuki GS500E, the Suzuki Katana 600, the Yamaha FZR600, and the Yamaha Seca II. Cycle World concluded of the EX500, "it's our pick as the best overall deal in this group," though each bike had its virtues.

The 2000 Ninja 500 has been reviewed online at motorcycle.com.

The 2004 Ninja 500R was reviewed and compared with the Suzuki GS500 by Motorcycle Consumer News.

External links

• Three for Five: Budget Bombers - Motorcycle.com comparison test