KAWASAKI Z500

Kawasaki Z500: Overview

The Kawasaki Z500 is positioned as the Japanese manufacturer's new entrant in the premium lightweight naked motorcycle segment. The bike is an evolution of the now-discontinued Z400 and shares its platform with the recently introduced Ninja 500. It has been developed for riders seeking a performance-oriented streetfighter with twin-cylinder refinement in the sub-500 cc category. The Z500 is expected to arrive in India by October 2025 and will be available in a single variant and colour scheme at launch. At present, there is no official confirmation regarding a launch timeline.

Kawasaki Z500: Expected price

The Kawasaki Z500 price is expected to start from ₹5.30 lakh, pitting it against other high-performance twin-cylinder naked bikes.

Kawasaki Z500: Launch Date

The Z500 is expected to launch in October 2025.

Kawasaki Z500: Variants and Colour Options

Kawasaki is expected to offer the Z500 in a single standard variant with an ex-showroom price of ₹5.30 lakh. This pricing places the Z500 among other high-performance twin-cylinder and single-cylinder naked bikes, with the SE variant expected internationally to feature a few additional electronic enhancements. However, only the base version is confirmed for India as of now.

Kawasaki Z500: Specs & Features

Powering the Z500 is a 451cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that produces 44.7 bhp at 9000 rpm and 42.6 Nm at 6000 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox with an assist and slipper clutch. This motor has been derived from the Z400’s but features a larger bore for better low and mid-range performance. It is tuned for responsive urban performance as well as tractable highway cruising.

The motorcycle is supported by 41 mm telescopic front forks and a gas-charged rear monoshock with preload adjustability. Braking hardware includes a 310 mm front disc and a 220 mm rear disc, with dual-channel ABS provided as standard.

The Z500 adopts the sharp and minimalist design language seen in Kawasaki’s Z series of naked motorcycles. It features a muscular tank, a minimal rear section, and an exposed frame for a clean yet aggressive streetfighter profile. Both variants globally come equipped with full-LED lighting, while instrumentation is managed by an LCD console on the base model. The SE variant, not yet confirmed for India, uses a TFT display. The LCD dash enables connectivity via the Rideology app, allowing riders to access call notifications, ride logs, and system updates. Essential readouts like gear position, real-time mileage, and a clock are integrated into the display.

Kawasaki Z500: Rivals

The Kawasaki Z500 competes in the mid-range performance naked motorcycle segment and competes with the Yamaha MT-03, KTM 390 Duke, and the Zontes 350R.