Kawasaki Ninja 500 vs Kawasaki Ninja 650
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
Kawasaki Ninja 500 and Kawasaki Ninja 650 are both sports bikes and turn up together on most shortlists. The Ninja 650 costs ₹2,15,000 more than the Ninja 500, so the question is whether what it adds is worth roughly 37% extra.
The Ninja 500 takes 4 of the 6 categories we score. Our overall ratings are 6.5/10 for the Ninja 500 and 5.5/10 for the Ninja 650.
Category by category
Price
Ninja 500
The Ninja 500 starts ₹2,15,000 lower (₹5,76,000 against ₹7,91,000), about ₹6,810 a month less on a standard loan.
Performance
Ninja 650
Ninja 650 has the better power-to-weight ratio: 343 against 261 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
Ninja 650
Ninja 650 adds traction control that the Ninja 500 does not have on any variant.
Features
Ninja 500
Ninja 500 gets rear monoshock, projector headlamp and usb charging port.
City manners
Ninja 500
Ninja 500 is 25 kg lighter and lower in the seat (785 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Warranty
Ninja 500
Ninja 500 comes with 3 years of standard warranty against 2 on the Ninja 650.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Ninja 500 if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
- a longer standard warranty gives you peace of mind
- your priority is spirited riding
Buy the Ninja 650 if
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- your priority is spirited riding
- your priority is weekend rides
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | Ninja 500 | Ninja 650 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹5,76,000 | ₹7,91,000 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹6,55,080 | ₹8,91,808 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | KawasakiNinja 500 | KawasakiNinja 650 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹5,76,000 | ₹7,91,000 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹18,270 | ₹25,080 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 451 cc | 649 cc |
| Engine type | 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves | 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves |
| Power | 44.7 bhp | 67.3 bhp |
| Torque | 42.6 Nm | 64 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 21 kmpl | — |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 190 km/h | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 171 kg | 196 kg |
| Fuel tank | 14 L | 15 L |
| Seat height | 785 mm | 790 mm |
| Ground clearance | 145 mm | 130 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1375 mm | 1410 mm |
| Length | 1995 mm | 2115 mm |
| Width | 730 mm | 740 mm |
| Height | 1120 mm | 1145 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 310 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 300 mm, 2 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 220 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 220 mm, 1 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | Telescopic Fork | ø41 mm telescopic fork / 125 mm |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock Absorber | Horizontal Back-link with adjustable preload / 130 mm |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 110/70-R17 | — |
| Rear tyre | 150/60-R17 | — |
Ninja 500 vs Ninja 650: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the Ninja 500 or the Ninja 650?
- The Ninja 500 is cheaper by ₹2,15,000 at the base variant (₹5,76,000 against ₹7,91,000 ex-showroom Delhi).
- What is the on-road price difference between the Ninja 500 and Ninja 650 in Delhi?
- About ₹2,36,728: roughly ₹6,55,080 for the Ninja 500 and ₹8,91,808 for the Ninja 650, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
