The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 is a lightweight sportbike for new riders, budget-minded buyers, and do-it-yourselfers. It replaces the Ninja 400, keeping that bike’s proven chassis while adding displacement, fresh styling, and six versions to choose from.
The parallel twin keeps the 400’s 70.0mm bore and stretches the stroke from 51.8mm to 58.6mm, raising displacement to 451cc. A new crankshaft, connecting rods, and higher-compression pistons go with the change, and a new balancer shaft keeps the engine smooth at highway speeds. It makes 51 horsepower at 10,000 rpm, and peak torque of 32 ft-lbs arrives sooner than before for more low-end and midrange pull.
Power delivery is linear and predictable, making the Ninja easy to manage in stop-and-go traffic and entertaining on winding roads. The updated assist-and-slipper clutch needs little lever effort and prevents rear-wheel lockup on hard downshifts, and the 6-speed transmission shifts smoothly with minimal effort.
The steel trellis frame, swingarm, non-adjustable 41mm fork, KYB shock, and brakes carry over from the 400, so many Ninja 400 parts and upgrades fit. The suspension is compliant and supple on bumpy roads. A 310mm front disc with a Nissin 2-piston caliper handles stopping, with ABS on ABS models, and Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300 tires mount on 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels.
The riding position is relaxed yet sporty, with the handlebars mounted above the top triple clamp. The narrow seat is 30.9 inches high, helping shorter riders get their feet flat at stops. Styling follows the Ninja ZX-6R and ZX-10R, including LED headlights from the ZX-6R.
Kawasaki offers six versions, from the standard model to the SE 40th Anniversary Edition ABS. Standard models have an LCD dash. SE models add a 4.3-inch TFT display, keyless ignition, LED turn signals, frame sliders, knee pads, a lower cowling, a passenger seat cowl, a radiator screen, a tall meter cover, a tank pad, and a USB-C outlet.
Benda motorcycles are beginning to make a ripple on US shores with four intriguing and competitive models, courtesy of its partnership with Keeway Group. We were impressed with the Napoleonbob 500 and have now gotten our gloves on the persuasive, entry-level 2026 Benda Chinchilla 300, with its modest MSRP of $4999. It would be difficult to design a more welcoming entry-level cruiser than this easy-handling, visually appealing boulevard bobber. Editor Don Williams and Associate Editor Kelly Callan discuss the Benda Chinchilla 300 and how it actually rode for them.
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Our guest this episode is Jesse Merriman, Chief Technician for Jeremy McWilliams at the Arch Motorcycle racing project. Arch Racing was founded by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reevs to compete in the Moto America Super Hooligan race series. Teejay Adams chats with Jesse about the Arch motorcycle and the challenges of extracting the absolute most from an air-cooled V-Twin racing engine and custom chassis.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
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