The Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE pairs Ninja styling with a slightly more relaxed edge for everyday riding, sitting as the comfort-focused option within the Ninja 500 range for riders who want sportsbike looks without sacrificing usability day to day. It’s built for riders who want the visual drama of a Ninja without a riding position that punishes a daily commute.
Its liquid-cooled 451cc parallel twin, with a 70 x 58.6mm bore and stroke, 11.3:1 compression and a DOHC eight-valve head, makes 45.4PS at 9,000rpm and 42.6Nm of torque through a six-speed gearbox and wet multi-disc clutch, with well-balanced power delivery and strong acceleration through the rev range that suits a wide variety of riding situations, commuting included. Twin 32mm throttle bodies feed the fuel injection, and a sealed chain finishes the transmission without demanding constant attention. It pulls cleanly from low revs rather than needing to be worked hard to make brisk progress, with a genuine parallel-twin character that never feels flat or lifeless.
A lightweight trellis frame in high-tensile steel, a 41mm telescopic fork offering 120mm of travel and a preload-adjustable, gas-charged Uni-Trak shock on a bottom-link giving 130mm keep the 171kg package agile and easy to manage over a 1,375mm wheelbase and 145mm of ground clearance. A semi-floating front disc with a balanced actuation dual-piston caliper and a rear disc with its own dual-piston caliper provide the stopping power, on a 110/70 front and 150/60 rear tyre. It inspires confidence at low speed as much as out on a faster road, useful when threading through parked cars or a tight multi-storey car park.
A relaxed, sporty riding position at a 785mm seat height makes it comfortable to live with day to day, whatever the journey, and a 14 litre tank keeps fuel stops well spaced out. It suits riders who want Ninja looks and performance without a compromise on everyday comfort, whether that’s a daily commute or a longer weekend ride. Riders moving up from a 125 will find the step up entirely manageable, and it suits anyone who wants to be seen on something with genuine Ninja presence without arriving at work feeling like they have just finished a track day. Available now at GT Motorcycles, your Kawasaki dealer in Plymouth, serving riders across Devon and Cornwall, with finance and test rides available.
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