With a curb weight of 377 pounds and seat height of 30.9 inches, the Ninja 500 is particularly welcoming to both beginners and smaller riders.
But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pack a punch. Tapping perfectly into a growing trend of smaller-displacement bikes, the 451cc parallel twin engine makes 51 hp at 10,000 rpm and 31.7 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm.
While the bike does have a reliable brake and suspension system, I might suggest beginners shell out a few hundred extra bucks to add ABS, which could save you from a dangerous slide if you have to brake suddenly.
Either way, with a top speed well over 100 miles per hour, this little Ninja can serve as a pretty pulse-pounding introduction to Kawasaki’s extensive line of sport and supersport bikes.
You can always work your way up to $59,100, 998cc, 321.5-hp Ninja H2R down the road, right?