KAWASAKI NINJA 500 AKA EX500, 1987+
Kawasaki introduced the EX500 as a sub-$3000 sport bike, and wanted to capture the market for beginners and bargain seekers. With its vertical twin engine, simple steel frame, and single front disc brake, it appeared that the EX would be uninspiring in the performance department, but the numbers told a different story. The little 500 made a remarkable 51.76 horses at 9500rpm, rivaling the Honda VF500F and the Yamaha FZ600, both of which had 4 cylinders. The power to weight ratio was better than any middleweight, including Kawasaki's own Ninja 600. The single front disc, thanks to the lack of weight, had the EX stopping quicker than any other middleweight at the time. Kawasaki achieved such amazing results by producing a simple design that didn't require huge efforts to keep the weight down. All the four cylinder bikes had trouble shedding weight. Dropping weight normally means increased production costs. The little EX didn't have such issues. Ergonomically, the EX was quite roomy, even for 6 footers. The wide seat and tall bars, combined with the light weight, made for a comfortable ride. A few shortcuts were made in the suspension department, but the aftermarket had solutions for that. In 1993 the EX500 became the 'Ninja 500'. Changes included bigger wheels and tires, better brakes, stiffer forks and new bodywork. Other than those, the Ninja/EX has remained pretty much unchanged for its entire life-span. Torque is 31ft/lbs@7500rpm. Wet weight is 432lb's.
Any Questions? Call us on 303 777-2385 or email us.
KAWASAKI NINJA 500 ARTICLE REVIEW REPORT
Our Ninja 500 (AKA EX500) compilation contains ALL the articles listed below. The Report contains a total of 22 articles and is 129 pages long, and is available as a download, on CD, or in 'book' form (book in b&w). Our super high quality full color scans of the original articles are compiled into our report. These are exact color reproductions of the original articles, from the major Motorcycle Magazines. We include ALL articles, including all tests, comparisons, introductory articles, modifications, Ads... even letters! With the download or CD options you can color print in excellent quality, view on screen with full clarity and with all the navigation tools. To order in either format, click ORDER EX500 REPORT NOW. Below is a listing of the articles in the report. You can order individual articles to be EMAILED to you for $5 each. To do this, click on any of the selected article links. This will take you directly to the order page.
"Just a short note to tell you how much I have enjoyed my download of your Test Reports complilation. I've spent the last two days doing little else. Making them available in the Adobe/PDF download format is pure genius. Thanks again for a great product. I'll definitely be back."
Kawasaki EX500 - TEST - C 1/87 7 Page Test, full specs.
EX500 - R 1/87 Short Intro
Kawasaki EX500 - C 2/87 Quick Ride
Kawasaki EX500 - TEST - CG 3/87 5 Page Test, some specs.
Voyage to Another California - COMP - R 4/87 7 Page Tour Test, with specs.
Middleweights on the Mountain - TEST - C 5/87 3 Page Performance Test.
MC of the Year - CG 8/87 Bike of the Year short.
The Sport Twins - COMP - CW 9/87 EX500 vs MG Lario vs Cagiva SS650. 8 Page Comparison, full specs.
America's Choice - COMP - C 11/87 7 Page Comparison. 883, Savage, EX500, Radian, Hurricane.
MC of the Year - CW 10/88 Best Under 500cc Streetbike short.
Kawasaki EX500 - TEST - C 5/89 5 Page Test, full specs.
Darwin Revisited - TEST - R 10/89 Compared against an old Triumph Bonneville.4 Pages.
Kawasaki EX500 - TEST - CW 12/89 1 Page Mini Test.
Little Big Bike - TEST - RR 2/90 5 Page Test, with specs.
MC of the Year - CW 10/90 Best Under 500cc Streetbike short.
EX500 vs GS500E - COMP - CW 4/91 6 Page Comparison, with specs.
Weekend Racer - RACER - CW 4/91 2 Page Feature on EX500 Road Racer.
MC of the Year - R 6/92 Top Lightweight Sport Touring Motorcycle short.
MC of the Year - CW 10/91 Honourable Mentions short.
Kawasaki EX500 - TEST - CW 2/92 2 Page Test, some specs.
MC of the Year - R 6/92 Top Entry Level Motorcycle short.
MC of the Year - R 6/93 Top Entry Level Motorcycle short.
Kawasaki - R 12/93 New for 1994 short.
EX500 - CW 12/93 1 Page Review of 1994 makeover.
Bargain Blasters - COMP - SB 1994 4 Page Comparison vs GS500E & Seca II.
'94 Kawasaki Ninja 500 - TEST - MCN 4/94 5 Page Test with full specs.
Bargain Hunters - COMP - CW 4/94 7 Page Comparison vs Seca II, FZR600, GS500E, Katana 600 with specs.
'94 Kawasaki Ninja 500 - TEST - R 6/94 Ridden & Rated. 3 Page Test, no specs.
1000 Mile Ride - COMP - CW 12/96 5 Page Feature, '89 EX500 & other 'used' bikes.
Best Bargain Bike - CW 10/94 Bike of the Year short.
Cheap Thrills - COMP - R 6/97 9 Page Comparison vs XV535, VLX, 883, GS500E.
EX500/Ninja 500 - BUYERS GUIDE - MCN 10/97 4 Page Feature, all years.
American Specials - MCN 3/01 Half Page on 'Racer Replica' Special.
Cheap Thrills - COMP - CW 12/02 11 Page Comparison Test, some specs.
'03 Early Releases - R 9/02 Intro short.
Kawasaki Ninja 500R - CW BG 2002 Buyers Guide short.
Kawasaki Ninja 500R - CW BG 2003 Bargain Bikes Ranking short., plus Buyers Guide short.
Accessories Cowling review.
Letters Tech Q & A Letters.
Magazine Key: AR=American Rider, B2W=Battle-2-Win, C=Cycle, CG=Cycle Guide, CR=Cruising Rider, CW=Cycle World, MCN=Motorcycle Consumer News, R=Rider, RR=Road Rider, SB=Sportbike, TR=Touring Rider, WR=Woman Rider
All of the above articles are available individually, for $5 each. Individual articles can be emailed in full-color PDF format (you'll need Adobe Reader to open them... free from www.adobe.com). To order the Motorcycle Report containing all the above articles, click HERE. To order individual articles, click on any of the selected articles above to go directly to the order page.. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us.