| MODEL | KAWASAKI EX 500R NINJA 1989 - 1990 |
| Year | 1989 - 1990 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 498 cc / 30.4 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 74 x 58 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 43.7 kW / 60 hp @ 9800 rpm (54.7 hp at rear wheel @ 9500 rpm) |
| Max Torque | 46.1 Nm / 4.7 kg-m @ 8500 rpm |
| Ignition | TCI (transistor controlled ignition) |
| Induction | 2x Keihin CVK34 carburettor |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
| Gear Box | 6-speed |
| Clutch | Wet, multiple discs, cable operated |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Iron, double cradle |
| Front Suspension | 38 mm telescopic forks |
| Rear Suspension | Swinging arm, single shock adjustable for spring preload |
| Front Brakes | Single 270 mm disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | 160 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2110 mm / 83 in |
| Overall Width | 685 mm / 27.0 in |
| Overall Height | 1160 mm / 45.6 in |
| Seat Height | 770 mm / 30.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 1435 mm / 56.5 in |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | 170 kg / 370 lb |
| Wet Weight | 200 kg / 441 lb |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 100/90-16 |
| Rear Tyre | 120/90-16 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 15.9 litres / 4.2 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 18.2 km/litre (average) |
| Top Speed | 197.9 km/h / 122.9 mph |
A 498 cc parallel twin from Kawasaki's budget sport line, sold as the EX500 and as the GPZ500S in other markets. It combined a DOHC four-valve head with twin carburettors and 16-inch wheels, and was noted for light handling and a buzzy, low-cost engine. Road testers of the period questioned its price against larger Kawasaki machines.
