Is it possible to be approachable and manageable for a beginner but entertaining and capable for an expert? Well, Kawasaki might of came close to that magic mix with the 2024 Kawasaki Z500.
Check out the story at https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-reviews/kawasaki-z500-first-ride/
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CLI74xvMBFLDOC1tQaCOQ
Read more from Cycle World: https://www.cycleworld.com/
Buy Cycle World Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/cycleworld
Check out the story at https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-reviews/kawasaki-z500-first-ride/
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CLI74xvMBFLDOC1tQaCOQ
Read more from Cycle World: https://www.cycleworld.com/
Buy Cycle World Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/cycleworld
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SportsTranscript
00:00 Today we rode the new 2024 Kawasaki Z500.
00:03 Is this a beginner bike or is it a bike for everyone?
00:06 The Z500 is Kawasaki's entry into street-legal motorcycles.
00:10 Yes, they have the Z125 and the KLX lineup,
00:14 but really for like street bikes, the Z500 is the entry into Kawasaki motorcycles.
00:20 But before we jump into it, no it's not a 500, it's a 451cc engine.
00:25 Like Kawasaki mentioned yesterday in the presentation, it's important for new and beginner riders.
00:30 This engine is also used in the Eliminator, which we rode earlier this year.
00:33 We got that bike on the CycleWorld Dino.
00:35 It makes a little bit more horsepower, like three more horsepower than the old Z400
00:40 and about four more pound-feet of torque.
00:42 So Kawasaki targets the beginner and newer rider with this motorcycle.
00:46 You know, you got low-end torque, a slipper assist clutch, a low seat height, a short wheelbase,
00:52 all these things that just make it very approachable and easy to ride.
00:55 So the major change to this platform, making it the Z500 for 2024, is that increased engine displacement.
01:01 They bumped up the stroke by roughly 6.8 millimeters to give it more low-end torque,
01:07 but it also makes more horsepower.
01:09 So we started the day riding out of San Diego and so easy to just lug around town.
01:14 You know, third gear, just short shift in, moving your way through traffic, one stoplight to the next,
01:19 you got the slipper, a clutch, just an easy motorcycle to ride through town, suburbia, city streets.
01:24 And then you get on the freeway and I was pretty impressed with like the passing power,
01:28 getting up to speed, getting on the freeway or passing a car.
01:31 The power is really good and torquey off the bottom.
01:33 You have a really strong mid-range and then the thing just pulls really hard
01:37 all the way up till it's like 11,000 rpm redline.
01:40 So it makes it, it's linear power delivery, but it's just fun to ride and easy to ride.
01:45 And it's got a good little torquey, like, you know, you get the parallel twin engine pulses.
01:49 It's just got really fun character.
01:51 Chassis is pretty much the same as the predecessor.
01:54 So you're going to have a 41 millimeter inverted fork, non-adjustable.
01:58 You have a shock in the back with preload adjustment.
02:01 Got a 310 millimeter front disc with a dual piston caliper.
02:05 Then we got out on the back roads and that's for me is where the bike really shines.
02:09 Like this thing, you can really go into a corner hard, get on the front brake, super aggressive.
02:14 The fork stays up in the stroke.
02:16 You don't have all this fork dive.
02:18 The front end just feels really planted.
02:20 And then the thing just is super agile and just nimble.
02:23 And it's just a really capable chassis.
02:26 And then you have the strong mid-range and a large rpm range to work with.
02:30 So connecting one corner to the next, like beneficial for a new and beginner rider,
02:34 but really something an experienced rider will appreciate.
02:37 You got big styling improvements for both models, the base model and the SE model.
02:41 You do get a new LCD display on the base models.
02:44 The SE model is just going to have accessories as well as a full color TFT display.
02:50 That's the real big thing about the SE model.
02:53 Yeah, the other accessory parts are cool.
02:55 You get red rims and a red steel trellis frame on the SE model.
02:59 All the accessories will fit on the base model.
03:02 But really what I think makes it worth that additional $700 or so is that TFT display.
03:08 And you know, whether it's an entry-level bike or a flagship motorcycle,
03:13 in this day and age, I think everyone wants a nice display.
03:16 And the claimed wet weight for the SE model is right around 370 pounds.
03:20 Again, these are just all these attributes that make it a motorcycle that everyone will appreciate.
03:25 Like this bike is going to be awesome.
03:26 If you're a new beginner rider and that scares you, don't worry.
03:29 This bike is so awesome.
03:30 And it's something you will grow into.
03:32 Like you're not going to have it for a year and then be like,
03:34 "Oh man, this bike's not enough for me anymore."
03:36 It's a bike, once you buy it, you'll probably keep it forever.
03:39 [Music]