The Kawasaki Z500 motorcycle specifications include a 498 cc (30.39 cu in) engine, power of 50 hp (36.5 kW) @ 9,000 rpm, a 6-speed gearbox, and a listed weight of 210 kg (463 lb).
Key specifications
The 1979 model is treated as the standard specification. Only later model years with a different supplied value are shown below.
How the Kawasaki Z500 compares
This compares the motorcycle with all Kawasaki models in this specifications database. The blue marker is this model and the grey line is the Kawasaki database average.
About 32% lower than the Kawasaki database average. Around the 45th percentile across Kawasaki models.
About 27% lower than the Kawasaki database average. Around the 37th percentile across Kawasaki models.
Very close to the Kawasaki database average. Around the 52nd percentile across Kawasaki models.
Very close to the Kawasaki database average. Around the 41st percentile across Kawasaki models.
Kawasaki database percentile rankings
Percentiles show where this motorcycle sits across the Kawasaki specifications database. They are descriptive database rankings, not performance ratings.
50 hp — more powerful than about 45% of Kawasaki models with power data.
498 cc — larger displacement than about 37% of Kawasaki models.
210 kg — heavier than about 52% of Kawasaki models, or lighter than about 48%.
15 L — larger than about 41% of Kawasaki fuel tanks in this database.
Mechanical overview
Additional useful specifications
| Front tire size | 3.25-19 |
|---|---|
| Rear tire size | 3.75-18 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 0.238 hp/kg |
| Power-to-weight | 238.1 hp/tonne |
| Specific power | 100.4 hp/L |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.05:1 (Oversquare) |
Model information
| Category | Naked bike |
|---|
Engine specifications
| Engine type | In-line four, four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 498 cc (30.39 cu in) |
| Power | 50 hp (36.5 kW) @ 9,000 rpm |
| Bore × stroke | 55.0 x 52.4 mm (2.2 x 2.1 inches) |
| Compression ratio | 9.5:1 |
| Valves per cylinder | 2 |
| Cooling system | Air |
| Fuel control | Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
|---|---|
| Final drive | Chain (final drive) |
Brakes, wheels and tires
| Front brakes | Dual disc |
|---|---|
| Rear brakes | Single disc |
| Front tire | 3.25-19 |
| Rear tire | 3.75-18 |
Dimensions and weight
| Wet weight | 210 kg (463 lb) |
|---|
Fuel and emissions
| Fuel capacity | 15.00 L (3.96 US gal) |
|---|
Performance
| Top speed | 180.0 km/h (111.8 mph) |
|---|
Disclaimer: Specifications may vary by market, trim, production date and optional equipment, and scraped or historical data can contain errors. Comparison and percentile values are calculated from Kawasaki models in this specifications database. Always double-check important specifications against the motorcycle owner’s/service manual and official Kawasaki information before relying on them. Visit the official Kawasaki website.