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Kawasaki has launched the new 'Sugomi'-styled naked bike, the Z500 ABS, from February 28, 2026. Priced at a manufacturer's suggested retail of ¥847,000, it comes standard with a 451cc parallel-twin engine, a TFT display and smartphone connectivity.
Looking at the spec sheet, the balance of 451cc at 51hp/43Nm is exquisite. A 70mm bore x 58.6mm stroke setup leans short-stroke, response-focused — that's irresistible. TFT, smartphone pairing, and even an assist-and-slipper clutch coming at ¥847,000 is genuine value for money. Curious how the naked-bike finish compares against the same-day-launch Ninja 500 too.
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At around 840,000 yen, that's a perfectly realistic price range even for a first bike.
451cc is close to the top of what a regular motorcycle license covers — I'm curious about things like inspections and running costs.
The Z500 is seriously jumping into the domestic middleweight naked battle against bikes like the CB400SB and MT-03.
Releasing on February 28 — I'm curious how much of a gap there is between the announcement and actual delivery.
If the release date is already set in stone, the production line itself is probably already fully ready.
Carrying on the Sugomi design — it's a good sign that Kawasaki's consistent naked-bike face shows up properly on the Z500 too.
At 847,000 yen for a 451cc parallel twin, TFT, and phone connectivity, that's a pretty competitive setup for the domestic price.
A TFT display as standard at this price — the equipment race in the midclass among domestic makers is steadily advancing too.
