Almost Perfect

Anyone thinking of upgrading to a 600-cc-plus motorcycle must ride the Kawasaki Ninja 500 at least once

- Joshua Varghese

WHE KAWASAKI NINJA 400 was on the top of my list while planning to buy a motorcycle a few years ago. That is how good it was in the sub-500-cc segment. Now its replacement has arrived and it is expected to be even better. Naturally, it was time we found out what the Ninja 500 offered. Here are our observations after spending some time astride the motorcycle.

Personally, I prefer the design of its predecessors. They looked like birds of prey; fast and menacing. This one looks fast, too, but in a robotic, clinical sort of way, not entirely natural. A weird thing to say about a man-made machine, I know, but some may concur with me on that one. The lighting is LED all around and, despite what the pictures may indicate, this is not a large motorcycle. The flared headlight cowls and wider fairing do make it look like a big bike but those elements taper towards the tail quickly, forming a compact shape. Word of advice: opt for the green paint. Black significantly plays down the motorcycle's lines and curves.

One of the things I appreciate most about small Ninjas is their simplicity and this one is no exception. It is a machine that places itself entirely in the rider's hands. An LCD unit provides the usual information while also featuring Bluetooth compatibility.