Kawasaki GPz 500S / EX 500R Ninja

Rather than start with a fresh sheet of paper, Kawasaki decided to keep the proven basic formula and revise the supporting ingredients. You don't want to mess with success, and coming up with a brand-new bike that could match the EX's sensible appeal could prove to be a difficult proposition. So, by raiding the parts bins of some of the EX's more upscale brethren, along with adding some upgraded chassis pieces and swoopier bodywork, Kawasaki created an EX500 with a sporting attitude serious enough to warrant the addition of the Ninja label.

The EX500's liquid-cooled, eight-valve, double-overhead-cam twin engine hasn't really changed much since its inception (with the exception of a digital electronic ignition replacing the previous analog version), but then again, it doesn't really need to. With a quarter-mile time of 12.98 seconds at 99.0 mph and a 118-mph top speed, the Ninja 500 clearly has the most bang for the buck of any bike in its class. The engine is a willing revver, with a generous amount of midrange grunt and an even more surprising top-end rush that belies its "entry-level" status. Even with this type of power, the 498cc mill can be coaxed out of 50 miles per gallon under a mellow throttle hand.

The Ninja 500's chassis, however, received a thorough going-over for this year. Wider 17-inch rims replace the skinny 16-inch hoops of the original EX, and the 37mm Kayaba front fork boasts 1mm larger stanchion tubes than last year's. The brakes were also upgraded, with a new twin-piston caliper grabbing a 280mm disc up front, and a disc setup replacing the previous drum components in back. A redesigned swingarm, pirated from the European market KLE500 (Kawasaki's Paris-Dakar replica), supplants the original's somewhat wimpy-looking stocker.

The original EX500's bodywork was deep-sixed in favor of a nicely redesigned front fairing that offers slightly more wind protection, along with a headlight sourced from the ZX-6 that projects a much better beam at night than its forerunner. The rear tail section and side covers were also carefully reshaped, with turn signals, taillight and mirrors courtesy of a ZX-7 completing the picture.

Starting up even in some of the colder mornings requires only a bit of choke, with the engine accepting throttle almost instantly. Once you're underway, the light, agile handling combined with a very spirited motor make the Ninja 500 a joy to work with in the urban jungle of the city or the tightly swooping curves of a canyon road. The brakes offer more than adequate stopping power and feel, although the stock Bridgestone Excedras are somewhat budget-grade in the traction department. The updated chassis components inspire enough confidence for the rider to try more aggressive cornering maneuvers, but until premium rubber is fitted, those moves should be approached with some discretion. The ergonomics are plush, with a fairly flat, wide, well-padded seat and a wonderfully contoured semi-sport riding position combining to provide enough comfort to give the bike significant touring capabilities. Unfortunately, the mirrors are positioned too far away from the rider and are a bit too small, giving a narrow field of vision rearward. However, smart little touches abound, such as adjustable brake and clutch levers, dual tripmeters and retractable bungee cord hooks.

All of the various improvements to Kawasaki's budget bullet could not be achieved without a price: at $4399, the new Ninja 500 costs $700 more than its predecessor. But when you take into account that the Kawasaki delivers performance easily topping everything in its class (while basically sipping its fuel), and that the host of improvements have created an even more comfortable, capable and fun motorcycle that experienced riders as well as novice pilots can enjoy, then the song still remains the same: Kawasaki's new Ninja 500 is one of the best motorcycling deals around.