The Entry-Level Version of Kawasaki’s Most Iconic Motorcycle Just Got Even Better

We’ve all seen it in countless films: The “dorky” female lead removes her glasses, releases her ponytail, flicks her head and suddenly she’s the girl of our protagonist’s dreams.

The cliché is so tired it was hilariously skewered by Loaded Weapon 1’s Kathy Ireland way back in 1993, and yet there is some truth to the fact that a small change can make a big difference.

Kawasaki

That’s certainly the case with the 2026 Ninja 500, which finally gets a paint scheme that has me taking it seriously. 

Nope, it’s not “Kawasaki Racing Green” (like the background up top), a color that seems almost synonymous with the brand’s iconic sport bike. 

Instead, the brand has blacked things out for the 2026 edition of its most approachable and affordable Ninja, and in my humble opinion, it’s never looked better. 

Black beauty

For the record, the lime green was never bad — just rather flashy for the entry-level edition of the sport bike, whose target audience is likely not quite ready to draw attention to themselves. 

Those who dig it can still find it in a number of other Ninjas — including the 500 SE — as the brand refreshes a number of model colorways in the UK that I anticipate coming across the pond later this year.

Kawasaki

And in fairness to Kawasaki, even the current Ninja 500 has stepped away from the quintessential colorway, replaced by one silver treatment and two black bikes, one with heavy red accents and another with gradations of blue and purple.

For 2026, however, there’s just a single paint scheme — and there only needs to be one if it’s going to look this good.

The new bike is almost entirely black, only broken up by the brand name on the tank and the model name on the fairing, both in white.

Kawasaki

This monochromaticness only serves to give silver elements such as the brake discs, various bolts, the passenger pegs and part of the exhaust system a bit of additional pop.

The overall effect is a beautifully contoured black and silver beast that is effortlessly understated and classically cool.

Ready to ride

Of course, this small but meaningful update has no deleterious effect on the performance of the bike itself, which is already part of Kawasaki’s wide-ranging “new rider friendly” lineup.

That’s no surprise, thanks in large part to the bike’s approachable size. 

Kawasaki

With a curb weight of 377 pounds and seat height of 30.9 inches, the Ninja 500 is particularly welcoming to both beginners and smaller riders. 

But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pack a punch. Tapping perfectly into a growing trend of smaller-displacement bikes, the 451cc parallel twin engine makes 51 hp at 10,000 rpm and 31.7 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm.

While the bike does have a reliable brake and suspension system, I might suggest beginners shell out a few hundred extra bucks to add ABS, which could save you from a dangerous slide if you have to brake suddenly.

Kawasaki

Either way, with a top speed well over 100 miles per hour, this little Ninja can serve as a pretty pulse-pounding introduction to Kawasaki’s extensive line of sport and supersport bikes.

You can always work your way up to the $59,100, 998cc, 321.5-hp Ninja H2R down the road, right?

Availability and pricing

So far the 2026 Ninja 500 has only appeared on Kawasaki’s UK site, and pricing has not yet been announced.

Following the path of other bikes from the brand, I expect it will make its way to our shores later this year.

Considering the 2025 model starts at $5,299, I imagine its successor will settle in well under $6,000.

Kawasaki

2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500

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