Kawasaki’s Z range is well known. For those who already have a driving license but can’t, or don’t want to, venture out with very powerful and heavy models, the Akashic brand offers this Z500, a utility bike that will make you dream of higher flights. This SE version is the best equipped.
The 500 cc displacement has always been one of the most famous bikes in the world. In recent years, it has lost some of its luster, but for a long time it was used both for the premier class of the World Speedway – with incredible two-stroke bikes – and also as a school for many motorcyclists through various utility bikes, usually Japanese, equipped with twin-cylinder engines. And if the motorcycles of 20 or 30 years ago looked (and actually were) more burly, it should be noted that this Z500 evolved from lower displacement models, so yes, this really is a light, narrow and easy-to-ride bike, as befits any newcomer, male or female.
SEGMENT
Kawasaki is strong this year in this displacement, with several models equipped with the same parallel twin cylinder. We’re talking about the naked Z500, the sporty Ninja 500 and even the Eliminator 500 cruiser, tested in our issue last month. Speaking specifically of the Z range, where we find naked bikes with a modern and sporty look, usually aimed at a younger audience, we have a segment that starts with the single-cylinder Z125, passes through the Z400 that gave rise to the model in this test, continues with the Z650 (all two-cylinders) and continues with four-cylinder bikes with already very high performance: through the well-known Z900 and the incredible Z H2, with some SE and/or Performance versions in between.
FEATURES
For 2024, the engine was upgraded and the displacement was increased from 399 cc to 451 cc, although the name is clear: this is a 500! The maximum power remained the same, 33.4 Kw (45.4 hp) of power, which means that it could still go up a bit to 35 Kw taking into account the limit for the A2 license. Even so, there is good news, as this parallel twin-cylinder engine has an assisted slipper clutch and has undergone several internal improvements, so in terms of performance it is much fuller at low and medium revs, and this is felt a lot on the road, with a lively response. Maximum power comes in at 9,000 rpm, while maximum torque is 42.6 Nm at 6,000 rpm, figures obtained from a modern liquid-cooled engine, double overhead camshaft and 4 valves per cylinder, with a 6-speed gearbox.
Compared to the previous Z400, this 500 has also evolved aesthetically. It no longer looks so much like a utilitarian city bike and now has a much sportier look, almost like a Z900. However, it’s still a very narrow, light bike that’s very easy to ride in the city and has also been improved in terms of LED lighting, which is noticeable when riding at night,
The version we tested was the Z500 Special Edition, so it stands out because of the specific color of the kit, also because of the decoration on the rims, which can be seen very well from a distance, and also because of the presence of the “belly pan”, or duckbill, as you prefer to call it, and a USB-C socket. There are also differences in the instrument panel, which in this SE is a TFT instead of an LCD, but despite this, both instruments have connectivity with our smartphone and the Kawasaki App.
ERGONOMICS AND CYCLING
On this Z500, comfort has been improved through a seat that is now softer and therefore more comfortable. The passenger seat is still small, but it’s not as hard as we expected. When it comes to braking, we have to highlight the giant 310 mm disc at the front, assisted by two-piston calipers. Highlights include the presence of a steel trellis frame, the conventional 41 mm front fork (at the rear there’s a single shock absorber with a progressive system and adjustable spring preload) and the 17″ wheels fitted with tires that reveal this model’s urban intentions, with a 110 at the front and a 150 at the rear. Still in terms of numbers, the seat is 785 mm from the ground, the tank has a capacity of 14 liters and the curb weight is 172 kg. If you go ahead with the purchase of a Z500, also pay attention to the list of accessories, with components that can offer superior comfort and protection, as well as a distinctive aesthetic.
BEST Mid-range engine / Ease of riding / Cycling behavior
TO BE IMPROVED Vibration index
DRIVING
For this test we took a brand new Z500 SE! We rode it for miles and the ease of handling and agility was the dominant feature, more reminiscent of a current 300 than the 500 utility bikes of yesteryear. The riding position is very good, slightly forward with a good handlebar and the seat is slightly hard without being uncomfortable. We liked the lines of the whole set every time we rode this bike, and the instrumentation is equally complete and pleasant. The engine is fun and strong (with the sound you’d expect), especially in the mid-range, but it can easily take this bike past 170 km/h, and both in terms of braking and suspension this is a balanced bike, with the rear shock absorber only protesting a little on bad surfaces. One of the less positive aspects we found were the high vibrations at various speeds (even at idle), which don’t bother our hands and feet too much, but which pass into the rear-view mirrors and make it difficult to see what’s going on behind us. The gearbox is well-shifted and runs very smoothly and pleasantly – it only seemed a little difficult to find neutral – and the Dunlop GPR 300 tires also helped with the overall good handling, both in the dry and in the rain. As for consumption, we averaged between 4 and 4.5 l/100 km, perfectly normal figures for the category. A bike that did what it promised perfectly, being easy, agile, fun and powerful in equal measure, to make life easier for newcomers who like sporty naked bikes.