Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500S): review, history, specs

From BikesWiki.com, Japanese Motorcycle Encyclopedia

Class: sport-touring

Production: 1987-2009

Successor: Kawasaki Ninja 650R (ER-6f)

Models
Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500S)

1987-1993

(Europe, North America)

Kawasaki Ninja 500 (GPZ500S)

1994-2009

(Europe, North America)

Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500)
Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500S)

History

History
Year Country Name / Frame / Engine
1987 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki EX500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500 (Europe)

Code: EX500-A1

1988 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki EX500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500 / GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-A2, EX500-B1

1989 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki EX500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500 / GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-A3, EX500-B2

1990 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki EX500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500 / GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-A4, EX500-B3

1991 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki EX500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500 / GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-A5, EX500-B4

1992 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki EX500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500 / GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-A6, EX500-B5, EX500-C1

1993 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki EX500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500 / GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-A7, EX500-B6

1994 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D1, EX500-E1, EX500-F1

1995 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D2, EX500-E2, EX500-F2

1996 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D3, EX500-E3, EX500-F3

1997 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D4, EX500-E4

1998 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D5, EX500-E5

1999 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D6, EX500-E6

2000 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D7, EX500-E7

2001 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D8

2002 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D9, EX500-E9

2003 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D10, EX500-E10

2004 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D11

2005 Europe, North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (North America), Kawasaki GPZ500S (Europe)

Code: EX500-D12

2006 North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Code: EX500D6F

2007 North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Code: EX500D7F

2008 North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Code: EX500D8F

2009 North America Name: Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Code: EX500D9F

Specifications

Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500S, Ninja 500): specs.

Specifications
DIMENSIONS Overall length 2050 mm / 80,7 in – EX500-A1 (UK)

2125 mm / 83,6 in – EX500-A1 (US)

2110 mm / 83,1 in – EX500-A2-A7

2095 mm / 82,5 in – EX500-D/E

Overall width 675 mm / 26,6 in – EX500A

700 mm / 27,5 in – EX500D/E

Overall height 1165 mm / 45,9 in – EX500A

1160 mm / 45,7 in – EX500D/E

Seat height 770 mm / 30,3 in – EX500A

775 mm / 30,5 in – EX500D/E

Wheelbase 1440 mm / 56,7 in – EX500A

1435 mm / 56,5 in – EX500D/E

Ground clearance 120 mm / 4,7 in
Dry weight 171 kg / 377 lbs – EX500A

177 kg / 390 lbs – EX500D

179 kg / 395 lbs – EX500E

Curb (wet) weight
FRAME Type Double cradle (steel)
Front suspension, travel 37 mm telescopic fork, 130 mm / 5,1 in
Rear suspension, travel Swingarm Unitrak with mono-shock, 100 mm / 3,9 in

Adjustment: spring pre-load

Front tire size 110/90-16 (54 H) – EX500A

110/70-17 (54 H) – EX500D/E

Rear tire size 120/90-16 (63 H) – EX500A

130/70-17 (62 H) – EX500D/E

Front brake Single disc, 280 mm, 2-piston caliper – EX500A-D

Double disc, 270 mm, 2-piston calipers – EX500E

Rear brake Drum, 160 mm – EX500A

Single disc, 230 mm, 1-piston caliper – EX500A-D

Fuel capacity 18,0 l / 4,75 US gal (reserve – 2,2l)
Trail 91 mm / 3,58 in
Fuel economy / consumption 3,68 l / 100 km (64 US mpg)[1]
ENGINE Type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke
Cylinder arrangement 2-cylinders, inline
Bore & Stroke 74,0 x 58,0 mm
Displacement 498 cm³ (30,39 cu in)
Compression ratio 10.8:1
Valve train Chain driven DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Max. power 60,0 hp (44,1 kW) / 9800 rpm
Max. torque 46,0 Nm (4,7 kgf*m) / 8500 rpm
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0-60 mph) 4,49 sec.[2]
Top speed 180 km/h (110 mph)[3]
CARBURETION SYSTEM Type Carburetor, 2x Keihin CVK34
ID
DRIVE TRAIN Clutch Wet, multi-plate, cable operated
Transmission 6-speed
Final drive Chain
Primary reduction 2.952
Final reduction 2.625
Gear ratio

I

II

III

IV

V

VI


2.571

1.777

1.380

1.125

0.961

0.851

ELECTRICAL Ignition Transistorized
Alternator
Battery capacity 12V-14Ah

Images

Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500S, Ninja 500): images, gallery.

Kawasaki GPZ500S (1987-1993)
Kawasaki GPZ500S (Ninja 500R) 1994-2009
Kawasaki GPZ500S (Ninja 500R)
Kawasaki GPZ500 (Ninja 500)
Kawasaki GPZ500S (Ninja 500R)
Kawasaki GPZ500S (Ninja 500R)

Videos

Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500S, Ninja 500): video.

1997 Kawasaki GPZ 500S Review

Manuals

Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500S, Ninja 500): manuals, parts, microfiches.

  1. Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Ninja 500 (07/2004) | Average MPG
  2. Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Ninja 500 (07/2004) | 0-60 mph
  3. Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Ninja 500 (07/2004) | Top speed