Kawasaki GPZ 500 (GPZ500S, EX 500, Ninja 500R)
The Kawasaki GPZ 500 budget sports tourist model dates back to 1987 and was produced until 2009 inclusive. The model was intended only for foreign markets, so it was not officially sold in Japan - instead, the domestic Japanese version Kawasaki EX-4, featuring a 400 cc engine, was available. The Kawasaki GPZ 500 is the progenitor of the modern model Kawasaki ER-6f (also known as Kawasaki Ninja 650R).
Lineup::
- Kawasaki GPZ 400
- Kawasaki GPZ 500
- Kawasaki GPZ 600
- Kawasaki GPZ 750 Turbo
- Kawasaki GPZ 900
- Kawasaki GPZ 1100
Main competitors
The Kawasaki GPZ 500 engine is actually half of the sports version of the Kawasaki GPZ 1000 RX. The maximum declared power is 60 hp, the torque is 46 Nm. This engine, with minor modifications, was installed on a large number of other models, in particular - Kawasaki KLE 500, Kawasaki ER-5 and Kawasaki EN500 Vulcan.
Modifications :
- Kawasaki GPZ500 / GPZ500S - European versions.
- Kawasaki EX500 / EX500R - American versions (up to 1993) and versions for other countries (outside Europe and America)
- Kawasaki Ninja 500 / Ninja 500R - American versions (1994-2009)
2009 was the last year of production of the model, which, despite the release of the ER-6, continued to be produced and sold in the American market. For the market of other countries, the Kawasaki GPZ500 model was produced until 2006 and disappeared from sales immediately after the release of a new model - Kawasaki ER-6.
Photos
Specifications
Specifications Kawasaki GPZ 500 S (Ninja 500):
| Model | Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500S, Ninja 500) |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle type | sports tourist |
| Release year | 1987-2009 |
| Frame | steel |
| Engine type | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, in-line |
| Working volume | 498 cc cm. |
| Bore / Stroke | 74.0 x 58.0 mm |
| Compression ratio | 10.8: 1 |
| Cooling | liquid |
| Number of valves per cylinder | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Fuel supply system | Carburetor, 2x Keihin CVK34 |
| Ignition type | transistor |
| Maximum power | 60.0 h.p. (44.1 kW) at 9800 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 46.0 Nm (4.7 kgf * m) @ 8500 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Drive type | chain |
| 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 brakes | 1 disc, 280mm, 2-piston caliper - EX500A-D
2 discs, 270 mm, 2-piston calipers - EX500E |
| Rear brakes | drum 160mm - EX500A
1 disc, 230 mm, 1-piston caliper - EX500A-D |
| Front suspension | 37mm telescopic fork, 130mm travel |
| Rear suspension | linkage with monoshock (adjustable preload), stroke - 100 mm |
| Motorcycle length | 2050 mm - EX500-A1 (UK)
2125 mm - EX500-A1 (USA) 2110 mm - EX500-A2-A7 2095 mm - EX500-D / E |
| Motorcycle width | 675 mm - EX500A
700 mm - EX500D / E |
| Motorcycle height | 1165 mm - EX500A
1160 mm - EX500D / E |
| Wheelbase | 1440 mm - EX500A
1435 mm - EX500D / E |
| Saddle height | 770 mm - EX500A
775 mm - EX500D / E |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h | 4.5 sec |
| Maximum speed | 180 km / h |
| Fuel tank capacity | 18.0 l (including reserve - 2.2 l) |
| Motorcycle weight (dry) | 171 kg - EX500A
177 kg - EX500D 179 kg - EX500E |
Documentation