Kawasaki Ninja® 500 Base vs Kawasaki Ninja® 500 ABS (2026)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Kawasaki Ninja® 500 Basestacks up against the Kawasaki Ninja® 500 ABS. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Kawasaki Ninja® 500 Base | Kawasaki Ninja® 500 ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Price | $5,399 | $5,799 |
| Engine | 451 cc | 451 cc |
| Weight | 155 kg | 157 kg |
| Seat height | 784 mm | 784 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 14.0 L | 14.0 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | Manual, 6 speed, Chain | Manual, 6 speed, Chain |
| Front brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
| Rear brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
| Tires | Dunlop® Sportmax GPR-300: 110/70R17 M/C 54H / Dunlop® Sportmax GPR-300: 150/60R17 M/C 66H | Dunlop® Sportmax GPR-300: 110/70R17 M/C 54H / Dunlop® Sportmax GPR-300: 150/60R17 M/C 66H |
Kawasaki Ninja® 500 Base vs Kawasaki Ninja® 500 ABS — which should you buy?
Picking between the Kawasaki Ninja® 500 Base and the Kawasaki Ninja® 500 ABS usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Kawasaki Ninja® 500 Base brings its published horsepower in a 155 kg package, while the Kawasaki Ninja® 500 ABS counters with its own power figure at 157 kg. On price, the Kawasaki Ninja® 500 Base has the lower MSRP.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: