I brought this as my first bike. I didn't have any knowledge of riding besides watching youtube. In a month i was able to comfortably ride around town and really learn about the basics of riding motorcycles before i even went to a motorcycle course. I think it truly is the perfect beginner bike.
My 2024 Eliminator 500 does just fine on the highway as well! Same engine with a bit of a different tune but this video shows how the Eliminator 500 acts, for the most part! Great video!
The answer is yes. I have a 2020 Ninja 400 and with my size it tops out at 195kph/121mph. It's lightweight so it gets blown around for sure, but if you're decent at riding it's perfectly fine. It handles higher RPMs fine and if you're going even remotely close to the speed limit it's very comfortable. The benefit of the weight is it's extremely maneuverable and it's got plenty of power to get around/past people.
@ pretty much what I expected. I ride this exact bike to work and back all the time and it’s very reliable. Pass around speeds are really nice and cruising at 80 feels smooth. You do get buzzing past 80, but is really unnoticeable for me. Can’t speak for all tho
I once took my ninja 300 from Alabama to Daytona Beach Florida, (around 550 miles) and it was way more than capable. People slander 300s and 400s for no reason other than the bikes not being ballistic missiles on the highway. My 300 used to do 120mph, my 400 currently can do 130mph... That is more than fast enough for most people.
Owning one myself, most of your points are correct and you obviously hit plenty of speed on it, but I think your review lacks a bit of a pragmatic assessment. Yes the bike handles great and has enough displacement and power to go well above 70mph+, but as the Ninja 500 is often a beginner sport bike, and I think in that regards that it works well, I do believe new riders would not enjoy it in real life conditions if they had to commute on it for an extended trip. All your points stand and it gets great mpg, as well, but I think the bike shines at 65mph and below and if I was to use the freeway extensively, I would prefer something with more heft and stability at those speeds. I find the 500 is a great urban commuter/country road rider/hobby (track) bike and fantastic to learn on, but freeway riding is perhaps its biggest weak point.
Hey Yammie! I love your videos and I've been watching every one of them about the Ninja 500. I've been thinking about getting myself a Ninja 500 since my 2005 kawasaki eliminator 125 got stolen a few months ago. I've been watching Ninja 500 reviews and waiting for the day that I can afford one myself. I entered the giveaway with 1000 entries so that maybe I won't have to wait so long to ride again. Keep on making amazing videos man!
I have this bike. Did my first longer highway ride today and it handled great. Does get pushed around by wind. One of the first attempts was 14-17 mph winds and 70 mph was a struggle. Called it a day. Lol
I must admit I don't get blown around that much and I'm on the 500 (40th). I do get blown around if I don't partially tuck in. 180 without tuck and 197 tucking in, so stance makes a massive difference
@jamesgeorgevellavella1961 I have the same. 40th anniversary. You're right tucking in helps some. I'm 135 - 140 lbs? I've been riding on windy days not more than 17 mph but around 10mph and have absolutely been pushed left or right or had to turn into the wind so to speak only for direction to suddenly change. I just passed 2500 miles too so might be skill level. 🤔
Hell yes it's freeway capable. 45hp version and 191-197kmh hit. I hit 198 yesterday and got 197 on way back (allegedly) but got traffic so I didn't get to hold as long as I wanted. Being honest at the start I was topping out at high 180's, now I can get 190's easily
I am between this and a Z500 base (which comes with ABS std in the base model and for which I would add a tall screen and USB port). The Triumph Scrambler 400X I bought, although full size and super comfortable in the seating more so with aftermarket screen on the highway, is very buzzy at the very same type of highway speeds not to mention that it runs out of breath way earlier, obviously it will be less reliable long term and finally, even though it certainly looks better, the quality of the materials is not the same for the long term, with some rusty spots already showing. But it does have a larger seating area for both pilot and co-pilot plus it is full sized and I have taken it on simple flat dirt/gravel/fire pit roads and it does them well. Not bad if you want to camp off-road too. I believe that there are very few bikes with smaller displacement that can do AND are the minimum required for USA Highways the way us AMERICANS do it. The previous Kawie 400s (Ninja and Z500) plus the KTM 390s (Duke and ADV) are the only ones that can still do this. The 500 Kawies (Ninja and Z500) just make it easier with more torque and horsepower. Anything with more power/torque (and price to boot) is just gravy or excess if you want it that way.
I ride a 2024 Ninja 400, and I can confirm that mine tops out at 116. Rides fine on the interstate and highways. It can do what you need, unless you are a wild rider. Even then, it can get you into trouble.
Agree! I track mine on occasion and I can snap at bigger bikes all day long until we get to the straightaway. Fantastic commuter and cheap-to-run track bike.
It's nice when the traffic around you is also going 70+ or more. I couldn't do that in Seattle. Too many morons going 35 and texting while driving while everyone else is trying to maintain a steady fast pace.
I have riden a Honda CBR300R on California freeways. Let me tell you that thing was screaming at 90 mph. Was it doable yes absolutely. If the was minimal it was ok. I see Ninja 400s flying down the freeway all the time here too.
man I saw the highway cones and thought that looked familiar. Until I saw the sign and I knew you were on the same highway that I used to go to work on last week.
I know what you mean, R3 is advertised to top out at 112, I had my 2015 just over that in normal conditions, no tailwind or downhill, so what did Kawa do with that extra almost 180cc…
@@kennethmiller81 Thats what the speedo tells you, but no way is it that fast stock. You can take away about 10% from the speedo for most Japanese bikes and thats the real speed.
How? Doing wheelies on the highway? Twisting a throttle you paid for doesn’t make you fast. Having balls to brake late and take corners at speed make you fast. Let’s see willkidhill beat his time at a track.
I ride my my Honda rebel 300 on the worst freeways on LA like 605, 405,5, so I don't see any excuse for a bike with a stronger not to be able to handle it
i have ninja 500 2024....drive to work on autobahn germany every day.....speed 160-180 ....i think ninja 500 is born for every day drive in city and on highway to...i have zx4rr ....thats the screamer beast...i like it bouth and i like to pass somebody on 600 or 1000.....haaha they are mad.....when thay heard thats 400ccm or 451ccm
its better than me cb 500 with its aerodynamic cos passing power be similar and ergo similar 👌🏻🍿ok after checking dyno graph gearing weight and aerodynamic must say it dont have the same passing power as me cb it have much better passing power than me cb 😉👌🏻 at 100 km/h gps it spin 6000 rpm at last gear vs me cb 5000 rpm and ninja 500 have in midrange at the same rpm the same if not more power than me cb so at even higher rpm which it have at last gear cosof shorter final gear ratio it have waaay more power than me cb + it have lower drag + its lighter i quess last gear 100-140 km/h be in like 6 sec cosit use avg 42-43 hp according to dyno graph which i found on last gear at this speedrange vs me cb only around 32-33 hp me cb need 9 -9,5 sec in fullly leaing down position when all stock in upright much longer time 11-12 sec 👌🏻according to this statz which im found ninja 500 in passing power in midrange speedbe similar to me sv 650 sfrom 1999 👌🏻 thanks lower weight 170 vs 190 kg lower drag against s version sv not so much but still and shorter final gear ratio 5,7-6 k vs 4,5 k rpm at 100 km/h gps nice 👍🏻 🍿 i like ninja 500 👌🏻 except displacement cos its only 452 cc os 👌🏻thats me favorit give away bike so far i wpuld trade for me cb with easy be this bike it also have perfectly linear power torque line look like half moon on belly = perfection 😎👍🏻 much better than me cb with big hole in midrange 🫣 👌🏻🍿
@@VndNvwYvvSvv 'Without problems' its light as shit so its more easy to get blown around, requires you to rev tf out of it which can make it particularly vibey, has a smaller rear tire which can make it more squirrelly. You also lack passing power depending on your situation/location. It can do 90, sure, but you're delusional if you prompt it as doing it without working for it. You can do it sure, just as you can use a 750+ lb Goldwing to primarily navigate city traffic. If you have options, by no metric is it best for the job.
@@gingercat777 People voted. Some people's candidates lost. Other people's candidates won. The guy was president once already. It was fine. Democracy seems to be working.
Still the most iconic colors of any motorcycle. Looks so great no matter what size engine.
I love Kawasaki's green. I would really like a KRT edition Ninja with either the red or yellow accents.
I brought this as my first bike. I didn't have any knowledge of riding besides watching youtube. In a month i was able to comfortably ride around town and really learn about the basics of riding motorcycles before i even went to a motorcycle course. I think it truly is the perfect beginner bike.
took me about a month to be very comfortable around traffic
My 2024 Eliminator 500 does just fine on the highway as well! Same engine with a bit of a different tune but this video shows how the Eliminator 500 acts, for the most part! Great video!
These smaller Ninjas are fantastic. Dirt cheap running costs, killer commuter, and huge fun at the track, even bone stock. Money very well spent.
Don't forget that insurance is super cheap as well.
I plan on getting one in a few months :)
@@clonecommandermike332 do it! I'm having a blast with mine. Well worth the money
The answer is yes. I have a 2020 Ninja 400 and with my size it tops out at 195kph/121mph. It's lightweight so it gets blown around for sure, but if you're decent at riding it's perfectly fine. It handles higher RPMs fine and if you're going even remotely close to the speed limit it's very comfortable. The benefit of the weight is it's extremely maneuverable and it's got plenty of power to get around/past people.
Imma bout to find out
How was it ?
@@jonathanftw23 well he watched the video
@@jonathanftw23 its good for highway
@ pretty much what I expected. I ride this exact bike to work and back all the time and it’s very reliable. Pass around speeds are really nice and cruising at 80 feels smooth. You do get buzzing past 80, but is really unnoticeable for me. Can’t speak for all tho
Bro same
Topped out at 130 on my krt 500 ,more than capable here on nyc highways ,love the bike and very comfortable
is yours stock? i want a slip on exhaust for mine but dont know which one is the best? do you have any recommendations?
I once took my ninja 300 from Alabama to Daytona Beach Florida, (around 550 miles) and it was way more than capable. People slander 300s and 400s for no reason other than the bikes not being ballistic missiles on the highway. My 300 used to do 120mph, my 400 currently can do 130mph... That is more than fast enough for most people.
People on the Internet are numbers obsessed over real world because everyone is an arm chair quarter back
A 300 will still smoke most cars on the road. Motorcycles are insanely good at cheap power.
Owning one myself, most of your points are correct and you obviously hit plenty of speed on it, but I think your review lacks a bit of a pragmatic assessment. Yes the bike handles great and has enough displacement and power to go well above 70mph+, but as the Ninja 500 is often a beginner sport bike, and I think in that regards that it works well, I do believe new riders would not enjoy it in real life conditions if they had to commute on it for an extended trip. All your points stand and it gets great mpg, as well, but I think the bike shines at 65mph and below and if I was to use the freeway extensively, I would prefer something with more heft and stability at those speeds. I find the 500 is a great urban commuter/country road rider/hobby (track) bike and fantastic to learn on, but freeway riding is perhaps its biggest weak point.
Such a good looking bike. Love your content bro
I own an old school 2001 Ninja 500. Yes, it will. I've owned it for about 7 or so years
I love the end of your videos so much lol. Its like something out of adult swim bumps
Hey Yammie! I love your videos and I've been watching every one of them about the Ninja 500. I've been thinking about getting myself a Ninja 500 since my 2005 kawasaki eliminator 125 got stolen a few months ago. I've been watching Ninja 500 reviews and waiting for the day that I can afford one myself. I entered the giveaway with 1000 entries so that maybe I won't have to wait so long to ride again. Keep on making amazing videos man!
I have this bike. Did my first longer highway ride today and it handled great. Does get pushed around by wind. One of the first attempts was 14-17 mph winds and 70 mph was a struggle. Called it a day. Lol
I must admit I don't get blown around that much and I'm on the 500 (40th). I do get blown around if I don't partially tuck in. 180 without tuck and 197 tucking in, so stance makes a massive difference
@jamesgeorgevellavella1961 I have the same. 40th anniversary. You're right tucking in helps some. I'm 135 - 140 lbs? I've been riding on windy days not more than 17 mph but around 10mph and have absolutely been pushed left or right or had to turn into the wind so to speak only for direction to suddenly change. I just passed 2500 miles too so might be skill level. 🤔
I rode highway to work daily for a while on my Ninja 250. Worked fine for me.
What was the highways speed limit? Was it not screaming for its life throughout the entire ride?
@A7md-r9j 75, but everyone went 80. It sat around 8-10k rpms I believe. I was good about changing the oil though. Never had any issues
Who’s here after watching WillkidHill vid 🤣 (yammie got cooked without saying word)
Don't miss those Texas highways. Much too wide. Especially intersection. So wide the locals are sometimes confused.
Hell yes it's freeway capable. 45hp version and 191-197kmh hit. I hit 198 yesterday and got 197 on way back (allegedly) but got traffic so I didn't get to hold as long as I wanted. Being honest at the start I was topping out at high 180's, now I can get 190's easily
Technically the ninja 500 is a 451 CC motor which is why you get up into those higher rev bands while going highway speeds.
He knows
Everybody knows it's a 451cc at this point. 500 is just the model version
I went on a german highway with my 125
You just gotta be brave enough haha
Same. 100kg bike, 10HP haha
But that engine loves the revs, just get it wound up! 👍 Old GPZ500S was good for 125mph! 👍
Welcome to DFW… you said you moved up here. Guessing north when you are on the DNT. 👊
So SOOO happy I chose the Ninja 500 as my first bike.
I am between this and a Z500 base (which comes with ABS std in the base model and for which I would add a tall screen and USB port). The Triumph Scrambler 400X I bought, although full size and super comfortable in the seating more so with aftermarket screen on the highway, is very buzzy at the very same type of highway speeds not to mention that it runs out of breath way earlier, obviously it will be less reliable long term and finally, even though it certainly looks better, the quality of the materials is not the same for the long term, with some rusty spots already showing. But it does have a larger seating area for both pilot and co-pilot plus it is full sized and I have taken it on simple flat dirt/gravel/fire pit roads and it does them well. Not bad if you want to camp off-road too.
I believe that there are very few bikes with smaller displacement that can do AND are the minimum required for USA Highways the way us AMERICANS do it. The previous Kawie 400s (Ninja and Z500) plus the KTM 390s (Duke and ADV) are the only ones that can still do this. The 500 Kawies (Ninja and Z500) just make it easier with more torque and horsepower. Anything with more power/torque (and price to boot) is just gravy or excess if you want it that way.
Yammie is in my Prosper/Frisco neighborhood!
I ride a 2024 Ninja 400, and I can confirm that mine tops out at 116. Rides fine on the interstate and highways. It can do what you need, unless you are a wild rider. Even then, it can get you into trouble.
My triumph 1200 twins top at 112. Not that I ever need to pass 100, but the electronic limiters hurt my soul
Agree! I track mine on occasion and I can snap at bigger bikes all day long until we get to the straightaway. Fantastic commuter and cheap-to-run track bike.
I can confirm the 2024 ninja 500 can do 121
It's nice when the traffic around you is also going 70+ or more. I couldn't do that in Seattle. Too many morons going 35 and texting while driving while everyone else is trying to maintain a steady fast pace.
I have riden a Honda CBR300R on California freeways. Let me tell you that thing was screaming at 90 mph. Was it doable yes absolutely. If the was minimal it was ok. I see Ninja 400s flying down the freeway all the time here too.
cbr 250 rr......4 zillinder wroooooa......what a music.....i love my zx4rr..........screemer
man I saw the highway cones and thought that looked familiar. Until I saw the sign and I knew you were on the same highway that I used to go to work on last week.
Other countries don't have extremely long interstate hwys like we do. 😮
My 23 400 was ok for a bit but for long rides (over a hour, had a aftermarket exhaust) it drove me crazy
I find it hard to believe that the new ninja 500 tops out at 115 when my 2000 ninja 500 will do 125
it doesnt, ive hit 130 on mine, she wasnt happy, but she did it
I know what you mean, R3 is advertised to top out at 112, I had my 2015 just over that in normal conditions, no tailwind or downhill, so what did Kawa do with that extra almost 180cc…
@@kennethmiller81 Thats what the speedo tells you, but no way is it that fast stock. You can take away about 10% from the speedo for most Japanese bikes and thats the real speed.
@@DashRendar308 yeahhh..... except I've gps verified it
@@BillyHeaton16 GPS verification. It does take a bit to get there, however mine will certainly do it
I rode my 2024 N500 at 85mph for 7 hours straight. I'd say its fine.
Hey yammie. As a mt09 owner and upgrading to a paniagle. I ask you to do some more ducati videos. Looking at the 1299s or v4 base
... why wouldn't it?
So the new ninja 500 is pretty much equivalent to the old EX500 ninja? The specs are pretty similar
WillKidHill just cooked you
How? Doing wheelies on the highway? Twisting a throttle you paid for doesn’t make you fast. Having balls to brake late and take corners at speed make you fast. Let’s see willkidhill beat his time at a track.
@@joekavalauskas8767 almost choked on some balls there bud
Ahhh ur over in frisco! Ur brave I would never ride my bike around there 😮💨 (im in Plano and even the drivers here are dumb)
I am about to buy this bike as my first every motorcycle and i was wondering if there are any modifications i should get that aren't already on the SE
Noti gang
My boy WillKidHill deserves an apology...
I ride my my Honda rebel 300 on the worst freeways on LA like 605, 405,5, so I don't see any excuse for a bike with a stronger not to be able to handle it
why are ppl talking about willkidhill?
I got mine up to 124 mph. It’s a se with a Leo Vince slip on exhaust.
How much you weigh?
I dislike the term beginner sport bike, and I like the term affordable sports bike
To those that don't know how to control throttle, the 500cc is too much, even a 50cc is too much for them
I believe in 4th@94mph, I don't believe in 6th gear or even 5th👍
i have ninja 500 2024....drive to work on autobahn germany every day.....speed 160-180 ....i think ninja 500 is born for every day drive in city and on highway to...i have zx4rr ....thats the screamer beast...i like it bouth and i like to pass somebody on 600 or 1000.....haaha they are mad.....when thay heard thats 400ccm or 451ccm
I think someone owes WillKidHill an apology....
Keep it in your pants. JFC
What happened?
So whats the consensus, do we like this bike or not?
Do you like green?
@@logangodofcandy I do
Stop and go highway traffic on a motorcycle? Split between lanes!
Kind of a stupid question the ninja 300 could handle highways 😂
Why would it not it goes 100mph and easily does 70
Yammie out here copying my vids! lul
This bike might be a great for performance and comfort, but this color looks so cheap....
I just got the KRT its a stunner
The best known highway bike is a turbo hayabusa as it is the best beginner bike
Bwahahaha... "best beginner bike"...
But it was coloured for a 9 year old boy who isn’t legally allowed to have it
no views 47 seconds ago
I have a ninja five hundred Twenty twenty four , and it seems like a fuel economy At eighty miles Per hour
its better than me cb 500 with its aerodynamic cos passing power be similar and ergo similar 👌🏻🍿ok after checking dyno graph gearing weight and aerodynamic must say it dont have the same passing power as me cb it have much better passing power than me cb 😉👌🏻 at 100 km/h gps it spin 6000 rpm at last gear vs me cb 5000 rpm and ninja 500 have in midrange at the same rpm the same if not more power than me cb so at even higher rpm which it have at last gear cosof shorter final gear ratio it have waaay more power than me cb + it have lower drag + its lighter i quess last gear 100-140 km/h be in like 6 sec cosit use avg 42-43 hp according to dyno graph which i found on last gear at this speedrange vs me cb only around 32-33 hp me cb need 9 -9,5 sec in fullly leaing down position when all stock in upright much longer time 11-12 sec 👌🏻according to this statz which im found ninja 500 in passing power in midrange speedbe similar to me sv 650 sfrom 1999 👌🏻 thanks lower weight 170 vs 190 kg lower drag against s version sv not so much but still and shorter final gear ratio 5,7-6 k vs 4,5 k rpm at 100 km/h gps nice 👍🏻 🍿 i like ninja 500 👌🏻 except displacement cos its only 452 cc os 👌🏻thats me favorit give away bike so far i wpuld trade for me cb with easy be this bike it also have perfectly linear power torque line look like half moon on belly = perfection 😎👍🏻 much better than me cb with big hole in midrange 🫣 👌🏻🍿
What 🙃
327 views in 9 minutes, you've fallen off Yammie Noob
55-70 mph is hwy duty
a 250cc can do 70 mph ..
DUMB QUESTION
as an owner of one im not even gonna watch the video, yes, yes it does, itll do 120, plenty for the highway
hey yammie at 80 mph you are speeding in a 65 zone. HAHAHAHA cops will stop you.
100 yammie that a big fine. hahah
cops don't stop bikes over there.
Yes. Even a 250 with fairings can do 90 easily. Stop asking dumb questions
true
can and should, aren't the same.
@sunsinger970 Can without problems therefore no reason you shouldn't. What a stupid thing to say just to feel like you have some quip
@@VndNvwYvvSvv
'Without problems' its light as shit so its more easy to get blown around, requires you to rev tf out of it which can make it particularly vibey, has a smaller rear tire which can make it more squirrelly.
You also lack passing power depending on your situation/location. It can do 90, sure, but you're delusional if you prompt it as doing it without working for it.
You can do it sure, just as you can use a 750+ lb Goldwing to primarily navigate city traffic. If you have options, by no metric is it best for the job.
@wlt3585 Never had those problems you're imagining. You probably needed a tune-up and new steering head bearings.
on my recommended posted 1 minute ago lol
Good afternoon
I watch and don’t agree all the time however on some points I agree
Thanks
Highway yes. Freeway, no lol
Why
Once the tariffs hit, you won't even get it on a highway.
Why must you people bring politics with you everywhere you go? Why can't you just be normal?
@neonsheep3358 "You people"??..... We are the normal, normal don't attack democracy.We remember what happened last time.
How can the minority of voters be "normal"? Its not simply due to being the minority. Lol
@@gingercat777 People voted. Some people's candidates lost. Other people's candidates won. The guy was president once already. It was fine. Democracy seems to be working.
@neonsheep3358 Wot???....you mean there was no voter fraud?....Wow