Kawasaki did everything right with the Ninja300. Except for the aggressive tank flair which will limit the comfort of tall riders. The CBR500R will match the fuel economy and have more pull for riders over 100kg and for two up riding and more room for 6 footers but will be heavier and cost 15% more.
I see the CBR500 more as competition for the Ninja 650, than for the N300. If you put it against the N650, with a little more power than it will have in Europe under the restrictions, they would be extremely close. So if it competes with the N650, but prices around the N300, it's a heck of a deal.
Hell, they could withdraw the CBR250R entirely, and let the 500 compete with both the N300 AND the 650.
I might be getting REALLY interested in the 500x. (though oddly I'm still extremely attracted to that Shadow Phantom).
The photos look like the 500X has taller suspension and much taller handlebars and a cushier seat and with 47hp it should be able to pull a tall rider in the upright position at 80 mph no problem which the 250 can not do. The Honda 500 will cost 20% less than the Ninja650 and very few of the 2012's were sold even though Kawasaki made many important improvements. The used market is saturated with Ninja650's from young riders trading them for 600's after a year of disappointment.
... So, as I am getting interested my question is if anybody knows what the differences might be between the 3 500 models. Obviously they'll share the same motor (most likely all tuned the same right?), and most major components such as breaks (brakes ) wheels and the like but I am wondering if the frame geometries and suspensions might vary or will the differences be mostly cosmetic, limited to fairings and windscreens (or lack there of)...
Given the realities of mass production and the benefits of economies of scale, namely profit, I'd think that if you strip away the plastics on these three 500's, you'll find identical frames, suspensions, nuts & bolts, etc. It's not like the X model is intended to be a true Dual Sport bike, with a long travel suspension and other features to make it a serious contender in that category.
It's easy to see that the forks are higher on the 500X. Not that it makes it any better for off road. Just that it gives a higher view down the road for people that like to sit up to see farther in urban traffic.
The photos look like the 500X has taller suspension and much taller handlebars and a cushier seat and with 47hp it should be able to pull a tall rider in the upright position at 80 mph no problem which the 250 can not do. The Honda 500 will cost 20% less than the Ninja650 and very few of the 2012's were sold even though Kawasaki made many important improvements. The used market is saturated with Ninja650's from young riders trading them for 600's after a year of disappointment.
That it looks like a taller front suspension is just due to less bodywork up front, exposing the upper fork tubes more. That said, the upper fork tubes could be slightly longer, however that would not increase the amount of travel on its own... the fork lowers would have to be longer as well, and they look to be the same length as the other models. From the photos it does look like the handlebars have more rise.
Kawasaki did everything right with the Ninja300. Except for the aggressive tank flair which will limit the comfort of tall riders. The CBR500R will match the fuel economy and have more pull for riders over 100kg and for two up riding and more room for 6 footers but will be heavier and cost 15% more.
The thing that bugs me about Kawasaki is their mpg's stink. My guess is the new CBR500 models will have significantly better fuel economy than anything Kawasaki puts out in the same competing class.
Thanks for the info on the 500x, I'm mostly interested in a more upright seating position. And yes, for simplicity I keep thinking Honda might just use the same frame and forks but it's so hard for me to tell looking at the pics. Maybe they just achieve it with taller bars as you guys point out.
But yes, as Sendler points out the added horses would be a plus for me, especially if it still maintains some decent mileage. And I know it wouldn't be a true dual sport but we have some really nice gravel roads here in Arizona which I think it would be fine with (actually I think the 250 would be capable as well, but again a more upright position would be nicer I think).
Well the nc700x, has a taller seat height due to more travel, then the nc700. I'm sure the 500x will get the same treatment. It will have a bit more travel, I would think.
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) wheels and the like but I am wondering if the frame geometries and suspensions might vary or will the differences be mostly cosmetic, limited to fairings and windscreens (or lack there of)...
