I rode Ninja 250s on freeways, highways, cities and roads for many years, so I agree that a 500 or 451cc engine Ninja could easily handle most situations when riding. Only thing the Ninja 250R wasn't great at was going up hills. It would level out at the speed I was going and then slowly increase in 5th or 6th gear if it was a long hill. The Ninja 650, no such issue and blasts up the hill if needed. I think a 500 Ninja and even the Elim 500 would be fine too.
Wow what good timing. I'm currently torn between the Ninja 500, and the Eliminator, but also considering the much more relaxed Royal Enfield 350 classic. I'm 6 feet tall and about 290 pounds. Planning on local roads, commuting to work and longer trips. My Dad and Sister live 2 and 4 hours away respectively, and I'd love to visit more. I don't really want anything crazy fast, or uncomfortable.
I’m a newer rider. Second season. I would look into the super meteor 650 given your size. I had a 200cc , now a 400cc but I want a little more. I’m looking at the rebel 1100. I don’t think the 350 would suit you for long if your thinking of doing highway sometimes
I found on my old ninja 250 that at about 60 mph I didn’t need any triceps to stay up because of the wind. At 75 I had to actually hold on a bit. I imaging the cruiser with no windshield requires a foreword lean to stay upright without effort.
Great comparison video. I like the looks of the Eliminator but want more horses. Wish Kawazaki make it in 650-700 cc that would be great. But it has to come standard with midpegs. Not interested in front pegs. The Indian and Harley Davidson bikes are insane expensive. Not interested in theese bikes. I think 650-700 or 750 is the sweet spot for bikes. For bying and insurance cost. Its good enough for me
Both nice bikes, thanks. 13:30 On my prior Ninja 250Rs, the raised exhaust pipes would sometimes melt the back heel of my shoes if I didn't keep them forward more on the pegs. It would smooth out the back heel to a rounded style. ;)
Had a 18 ninja 400 and that was a great bike. Have a 2024 ninja 500 SE 40th Anniversary ABS edition now. Such a fantastic bike. More tech and power than the 400. I imagine they are only making the 40th anniversary ninjas this year only. Or in limited numbers, anyone know if they are in limited production?
@@PeterLoweOne I only have 2 dealers near me in the DE/MD area and I have not seen one in stock at all till 2 months ago when I got this one. Neither has gotten another since. They have quite a few moon dust and black ones, but they are gone before the week ends.
Hi Peter, good to see you again. As always, interesting bikes, but not for me these days. Must say that I'm interested in the level of electronics on modern bikes.
I got to drive a number of bikes this morning and learned about some of the new technologies. I'll have more videos on the higher tech bikes in the near future.
@@PeterLoweOne new European laws for cars have forced technology into all new cars that automatically limits speed based on gps data… Wonder if they’re going to do the same for bikes? Do you suffer that, or do you escape adverse technology? I worry that we’re not being allowed control anymore… Intelligent speed limit assist et cetera.
Do you think this is too much CC for a brand new never been on bike? I was thinking about the yamaha r3 but its got much less power and i think i will get bored as i get better at riding.
would you say there’s a big difference between the base model ninja 500 vs the ninja 500 SE? i was planning to get a ninja 500 abs since it’s cheaper and more in my budget but now idk if i should just save up more to get the SE 😢
Other than the keyless ignition and improved display, everything else that makes up the SE is available from Kawasaki accessories. So, for example, if you really wanted the larger windscreen and radiator guard of the SE, you could just buy them with your regular 500. At some point, if you keep adding accessories, it just makes sense to move to the SE. They are the same bikes, at their core.
Just picked up the Eliminator SE as my first bike. So far I'm loving it!
I rode Ninja 250s on freeways, highways, cities and roads for many years, so I agree that a 500 or 451cc engine Ninja could easily handle most situations when riding. Only thing the Ninja 250R wasn't great at was going up hills. It would level out at the speed I was going and then slowly increase in 5th or 6th gear if it was a long hill. The Ninja 650, no such issue and blasts up the hill if needed. I think a 500 Ninja and even the Elim 500 would be fine too.
I'm picking up the eliminator base model thursday aug. 1. Love the sporty cruiser style.
I own the eliminator and I love it
Great review packed with useful info for making a difficult decision, thanks!
Wow what good timing. I'm currently torn between the Ninja 500, and the Eliminator, but also considering the much more relaxed Royal Enfield 350 classic. I'm 6 feet tall and about 290 pounds. Planning on local roads, commuting to work and longer trips. My Dad and Sister live 2 and 4 hours away respectively, and I'd love to visit more. I don't really want anything crazy fast, or uncomfortable.
I’m a newer rider. Second season. I would look into the super meteor 650 given your size. I had a 200cc , now a 400cc but I want a little more. I’m looking at the rebel 1100. I don’t think the 350 would suit you for long if your thinking of doing highway sometimes
I found on my old ninja 250 that at about 60 mph I didn’t need any triceps to stay up because of the wind. At 75 I had to actually hold on a bit. I imaging the cruiser with no windshield requires a foreword lean to stay upright without effort.
Great comparison video. I like the looks of the Eliminator but want more horses. Wish Kawazaki make it in 650-700 cc that would be great. But it has to come standard with midpegs. Not interested in front pegs. The Indian and Harley Davidson bikes are insane expensive. Not interested in theese bikes. I think 650-700 or 750 is the sweet spot for bikes. For bying and insurance cost. Its good enough for me
Both nice bikes, thanks. 13:30 On my prior Ninja 250Rs, the raised exhaust pipes would sometimes melt the back heel of my shoes if I didn't keep them forward more on the pegs. It would smooth out the back heel to a rounded style. ;)
Had a 18 ninja 400 and that was a great bike. Have a 2024 ninja 500 SE 40th Anniversary ABS edition now. Such a fantastic bike. More tech and power than the 400. I imagine they are only making the 40th anniversary ninjas this year only. Or in limited numbers, anyone know if they are in limited production?
They are limited to this model year only. I can't remember how many Canada is getting, but it's absolutely a limited edition.
@@PeterLoweOne I only have 2 dealers near me in the DE/MD area and I have not seen one in stock at all till 2 months ago when I got this one. Neither has gotten another since. They have quite a few moon dust and black ones, but they are gone before the week ends.
Can you review the 2024 Honda CBR 500r please maybe do a direct comparison video vs the ninja 500.
I'm still working on a Honda connection. Once I land that, I'll have lots of Honda content.
Nice bikes, but insurance in UK about 1,000 dollers the z650 was 1500 dollers insurance
Hi Peter, good to see you again. As always, interesting bikes, but not for me these days. Must say that I'm interested in the level of electronics on modern bikes.
I got to drive a number of bikes this morning and learned about some of the new technologies. I'll have more videos on the higher tech bikes in the near future.
@@PeterLoweOne new European laws for cars have forced technology into all new cars that automatically limits speed based on gps data…
Wonder if they’re going to do the same for bikes?
Do you suffer that, or do you escape adverse technology? I worry that we’re not being allowed control anymore…
Intelligent speed limit assist et cetera.
Can’t believe how different the new Eliminator looks compared to the original ZL900 and ZL1000.
Yeah. It's back in name only. It's a completely different bike.
Do you think this is too much CC for a brand new never been on bike?
I was thinking about the yamaha r3 but its got much less power and i think i will get bored as i get better at riding.
would you say there’s a big difference between the base model ninja 500 vs the ninja 500 SE? i was planning to get a ninja 500 abs since it’s cheaper and more in my budget but now idk if i should just save up more to get the SE 😢
Other than the keyless ignition and improved display, everything else that makes up the SE is available from Kawasaki accessories. So, for example, if you really wanted the larger windscreen and radiator guard of the SE, you could just buy them with your regular 500. At some point, if you keep adding accessories, it just makes sense to move to the SE. They are the same bikes, at their core.