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The Kawasaki Ninja 500R (which was originally named, and is still referred to as the EX500 and is known as the GPZ500S in some markets) is a sport bike with a 498 cc (30.4 cu in) parallel-twin engine, part of the Ninja series of motorcycles 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.[2]
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| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company |
|---|---|
| Also called | Kawasaki EX500/GPZ500S |
| Parent company | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Production | 1987–2009 |
| Successor | Kawasaki Ninja 650R |
| Class | Sport bike[1] |
| Engine | 498 cc (30.4 cu in) liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve DOHC 180º parallel-twin |
| Bore / stroke | 74 mm × 58 mm (2.9 in × 2.3 in) |
| Power | 49.9 hp (37.2 kW) (rear wheel)[1] |
| Torque | 30.9 lb⋅ft (41.9 N⋅m) (rear wheel)[1] |
| Transmission | 6-speed constant mesh |
| 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 (373 lb)[citation needed] (Calif: 170 kg (370 lb)) (1987–1993)[citation needed] 176 kg (388 lb) (1994–2009)[citation needed] (dry) 185 kg (408 lb) (1987–1993)[citation needed] 199 kg (438 lb) (1994–2009)[1] (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 15.9 l (3.5 imp gal; 4.2 US gal) |
| Fuel consumption | 64.0 mpg‑US (3.68 L/100 km; 76.9 mpg‑imp)[1] |
| Related | Kawasaki KLE500 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Kawasaki Ninja 400R Kawasaki ER-5 |
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. In its latter years, the long-running (now-defunct) Production Twins class of the LRRS racing organization in New Hampshire was composed primarily of essentially stock EX500's. The United States Classic Racing Association retains a similar class, and in 2014 CCS Racing created the 500 SuperSport class, which has a competitive class for relatively stock EX500's to race against similar machinery.
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 GPZ500S.
1994-2009 redesign
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. More importantly the CCT (Cam Chain Tensioner), flywheel & transmission, all three of which may be installed with minimal modification to fit any 1st generation bike(1987-1993).
Performance
- Motorcyclist magazine for 1994-2009
- Standing start 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) 12.98 seconds @ 99.0 mph (159.3 km/h)
- Average fuel consumption: 48.5 mpg‑US (4.85 L/100 km; 58.2 mpg‑imp)
- Average touring range: 233 mi (375 km)
- Motorcycle Consumer News 2004
- Standing start 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km): 13.9 seconds @ 97.5 mph (156.9 km/h)[1]
- Top speed: 110 mph (180 km/h)[1]
- 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h): 4.49 seconds[1]
- Average fuel consumption: 64.0 mpg‑US (3.68 L/100 km; 76.9 mpg‑imp)[1]
Reception
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.
Gallery
Side view of the 2009 Ninja 500R in Candy Plasma Blue
Side view of 1994 GPZ500S
2009 Kawasaki Ninja EX-500 motorcycle
See also
- Kawasaki Ninja series
References
- "Performance Index Winter '12/'13 Edition" (PDF), Motorcycle Consumer News, Bowtie Magazines, January 2013, archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2016, retrieved July 7, 2013
- Kawasaki.com, Vehicle Information Portal Archived 2010-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- Three for Five: Budget Bombers - Motorcycle.com comparison test
На других языках
[de] Kawasaki GPZ 500 S
Die in den Jahren 1986–87 auf den Markt gekommene Kawasaki GPZ 500 S gehört zur Kategorie der Sporttourer. Sie ist außerhalb Europas auch als „EX 500“ bekannt. In den USA und Südamerika trägt sie für die überarbeitete Modellausführung ab Baujahr 1994 die Bezeichnung Ninja 500, ab 1998 Ninja 500R.- [en] Kawasaki Ninja 500R
[es] Kawasaki GPZ 500 S
La Kawasaki GPZ 500 S conocida también como Kawasaki Ninja 500 y Kawasaki EX500 es una motocicleta polivalente fabricada por Kawasaki con un marcado carácter deportivo y bajo mantenimiento. Su propulsor es un motor bicilíndrico en paralelo de cuatro tiempos y 498 cm³ refrigerado por líquido. Era una de las motos de serie más rápidas de su clase que se comercializó en la categoría de 500 cm³. La Kawasaki GPZ 500 S era además poseedora de una muy buena combinación de fuerza y ligereza que la hizo muy popular como motocicleta deportiva. Gozaba de una gran popularidad y era apreciada en el mercado de segunda mano ya que se considerada por muchos una moto-escuela y era a menudo adquirida para enseñarse a pilotar motocicletas deportivas.[fr] Kawasaki GPZ 500
La Kawasaki GPZ 500 est une moto produite par Kawasaki. Elle possède une cylindrée de 498 cm3 pour un bicylindre en ligne dans un moteur quatre-temps. Croisement d'un roadster et d'une sportive, la GPZ figure parmi les plus puissantes des motos de moyenne cylindrée. Elle est toutefois adaptée aux débutants. Le premier modèle est apparu en 1986 et la série a connu un relooking en 1994. La production s'arrête en 2009.Другой контент может иметь иную лицензию. Перед использованием материалов сайта WikiSort.org внимательно изучите правила лицензирования конкретных элементов наполнения сайта.
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