Kawasaki Ninja 500 vs Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
Kawasaki Ninja 500 and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R are both sports bikes and turn up together on most shortlists. The Ninja ZX-6R costs ₹6,72,948 more than the Ninja 500, so the question is whether what it adds is worth roughly 117% extra.
The Ninja ZX-6R takes 4 of the 7 categories we score, so this is close and comes down to what you weight. Our overall ratings are 6.5/10 for the Ninja 500 and 7.5/10 for the Ninja ZX-6R.
Category by category
Price
Ninja 500
The Ninja 500 starts ₹6,72,948 lower (₹5,76,000 against ₹12,48,948), about ₹21,340 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
Ninja ZX-6R
Ninja ZX-6R claims 22 kmpl against 21 kmpl. That is roughly ₹983 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
Ninja ZX-6R
Ninja ZX-6R has the better power-to-weight ratio: 616 against 261 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
Ninja ZX-6R
Ninja ZX-6R adds traction control that the Ninja 500 does not have on any variant.
Features
Ninja ZX-6R
Ninja ZX-6R gets usd front forks, colour tft console, turn-by-turn navigation and ride modes.
City manners
Ninja 500
Ninja 500 is 27 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 ZX-6R.
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 ZX-6R if
- mileage matters more to you than outright performance
- 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 ZX-6R |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹5,76,000 | ₹12,48,948 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹6,55,080 | ₹14,33,640 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹2,11,270 | ₹2,06,355 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹31,444 | ₹68,816 |
| Five-year total | ₹9,27,794 | ₹17,38,811 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | KawasakiNinja 500 | KawasakiNinja ZX-6R |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹5,76,000 | ₹12,48,948 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹18,270 | ₹39,610 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 451 cc | 636 cc |
| Engine type | 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves | 4 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves |
| Power | 44.7 bhp | 122.0 bhp |
| Torque | 42.6 Nm | 69 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 21 kmpl | 22 kmpl |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 190 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 171 kg | 198 kg |
| Fuel tank | 14 L | 17 L |
| Seat height | 785 mm | 830 mm |
| Ground clearance | 145 mm | 130 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1375 mm | 1400 mm |
| Length | 1995 mm | 2025 mm |
| Width | 730 mm | 710 mm |
| Height | 1120 mm | 1105 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 310 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 310 mm, 4 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 | USD Fork |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock Absorber | Uni-Trak Monoshock Absorber |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 110/70-R17 | 120/70-ZR17 |
| Rear tyre | 150/60-R17 | 180/55-ZR17 |
Ninja 500 vs Ninja ZX-6R: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the Ninja 500 or the Ninja ZX-6R?
- The Ninja 500 is cheaper by ₹6,72,948 at the base variant (₹5,76,000 against ₹12,48,948 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the Ninja 500 or the Ninja ZX-6R?
- The Ninja ZX-6R claims 22 kmpl against 21 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the Ninja 500 and Ninja ZX-6R in Delhi?
- About ₹7,78,560: roughly ₹6,55,080 for the Ninja 500 and ₹14,33,640 for the Ninja ZX-6R, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
- Which costs less to own over five years?
- Our estimate for five years at 30 km a day in Delhi is ₹9,27,794 for the Ninja 500 and ₹17,38,811 for the Ninja ZX-6R, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The Ninja 500 comes out ₹8,11,017 ahead.
