Kawasaki Ninja 500 vs Kawasaki Z650
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
Kawasaki Ninja 500 and Kawasaki Z650 are both sports bikes and turn up together on most shortlists. The Z650 costs ₹1,49,960 more than the Ninja 500, so the question is whether what it adds is worth roughly 26% extra.
The Ninja 500 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 6.5/10 for the Z650.
Category by category
Price
Ninja 500
The Ninja 500 starts ₹1,49,960 lower (₹5,76,000 against ₹7,25,960), about ₹4,750 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
Z650
Z650 claims 27 kmpl against 21 kmpl. That is roughly ₹8,770 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
Z650
Z650 has the better power-to-weight ratio: 352 against 261 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
Z650
Z650 adds traction control that the Ninja 500 does not have on any variant.
Features
Ninja 500
Ninja 500 gets rear monoshock, slipper clutch, projector headlamp and usb charging port.
City manners
Ninja 500
Ninja 500 is 20 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 Z650.
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 highway commuting
Buy the Z650 if
- mileage matters more to you than outright performance
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- your priority is daily commuting
- your priority is first big-bike upgrade
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | Ninja 500 | Z650 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹5,76,000 | ₹7,25,960 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹6,55,080 | ₹8,33,110 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹2,11,270 | ₹1,67,420 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹31,444 | ₹39,988 |
| Five-year total | ₹9,27,794 | ₹10,70,518 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | KawasakiNinja 500 | KawasakiZ650 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹5,76,000 | ₹7,25,960 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹18,270 | ₹23,020 |
| 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 | 27 kmpl |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 190 km/h | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 171 kg | 191 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 | 765 mm |
| Height | 1120 mm | 1065 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/125mm |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock Absorber | Horizontal Back-link with adjustable preload/130mm |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 110/70-R17 | 120/70-ZR17 |
| Rear tyre | 150/60-R17 | 160/60-ZR17 |
Ninja 500 vs Z650: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the Ninja 500 or the Z650?
- The Ninja 500 is cheaper by ₹1,49,960 at the base variant (₹5,76,000 against ₹7,25,960 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the Ninja 500 or the Z650?
- The Z650 claims 27 kmpl against 21 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the Ninja 500 and Z650 in Delhi?
- About ₹1,78,030: roughly ₹6,55,080 for the Ninja 500 and ₹8,33,110 for the Z650, 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 ₹10,70,518 for the Z650, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The Ninja 500 comes out ₹1,42,724 ahead.
