2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 debuts in Australia

The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 has debuted at the WSBK exhibition at Phillip Island, with pricing and arrival dates confirmed by the brand’s local arm.

Starting from $7544 plus on-road costs, the new LAMS-approved Ninja 500 is expected to hit Australian shores in late-March 2024.

Powered by a 451cc parallel-twin engine, the Ninja 500 is an evolution of the outgoing Ninja 400. The new model carries on the same themes of the 400 version, but adds a bigger and more powerful engine, new electronics, and bold new styling.

The new fuel-inject 451cc parallel-twin puts out 33.4kw at 9000rpm and 42.6Nm of torque at 6000rpm. The bike also weighs in at just 171kg wet and has a seat height of 785mm. All of this adds up to a learner-friendly package.  

An all-new LCD instrument panel will include essential information, while smartphone connectivity via the ‘RIDEOLOGY’ app will enable phone notifications, and also give users vehicle, riding, and maintenance log data via their smartphone.

Kawasaki has been very active on Australian shores recently, with the launch of the ZX-4R and ZX-4RR inline four-cylinder sportsbikes, the return of Bimota to Australia,  and the announcement of two hybrid machines for local distribution. Kawasaki will also celebrate 40 years of the Ninja family with a range of special editions.

A Kawasaki Ninja 500 40th Anniversary edition is expected to arrive later in 2024, but an arrival date and price are yet to be announced.