2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet vs 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE
Pick your favourite below and cast your vote — counts update right away and no registration is required. Sharing your choice helps others who read this comparison.
Scores, summary & seat (optional) Estimates and auto text from specs — open if you want them.
Technical score (estimate)
Weighted mix of power, torque, power-to-weight, top speed and lighter weight within this comparison only. Not a real-world verdict — riding style and roads matter.
Usage fit (estimate)
Rough scores for city riding, touring, sporty riding and new riders — mix of specs and bike category. Same caveats as the technical score: traffic, skill and tyres matter.
City / commute
Touring / long rides
Sporty riding
New rider friendly
Seat height (cm)
Figures are as in the database; boots, suspension sag and road surface change how tall the bike feels.
- 2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet 78.5 cm Lowest seat here
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE 78.5 cm Lowest seat here
Rough guide: comfortable flat-foot reach often needs inseam roughly in the same ballpark as seat height (varies a lot by ergonomics).
Auto summary from specs
Generated from the numbers in the comparison — not a review.
- Power spans 47 hp (2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet) up to 52 hp (2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE).
- Torque spans 42.6 Nm (2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE) up to 43 Nm (2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet).
- Weight spans 184 kg (2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE) to 188 kg (2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet).
- Engine sizes are very close.
All values look the same; turn off the filter.
| Specification | HONDA CB500 Hornet | Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | HONDA | KAWASAKI |
| Model | HONDA CB500 Hornet | Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE |
| Engine size | 500cc | 500cc |
| Power | 47hp | 52hp |
| Torque | 43nm. | 42.6nm. |
| Cylinders / valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves |
| Weight | 188kg | 184kg |
| Front brake | Dual 296mm x 4mm disc with Nissin radial-mount four piston calipers | Balanced actuation double piston Ø310mm |
| Rear brake | Single 240mm x 5mm disc with single piston caliper | Balanced actuation double piston Single Disc Ø220mm |
| Seat height (cm) | 78.5cm | 78.5cm |
| Front tyre | 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) | 110/70R17 M/K 54H |
| Rear tyre | 160/60ZR17M/C (69W) | 150/60R17 M/K 66H |
| Cooling | Liquid cooling | Liquid cooling |
| Front suspension | Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD forks, | Telescopic fork Ø41mm |
| Rear suspension | Prolink mono with 5 stage pre-load adjuster, Steel hollow cross swingarm | Uni-Trak with lower link, gas-charged shock and spring preload adjustability |
| Motorcycle type | Naked | Naked |
| Top speed | 188km/h | 195km/h |
| Fuel capacity / consumption | 17.7 L – 4 L/100km | 14 L – 3.8 L/100km |
| Service network | ||
| Service quality | ||
| Parts availability | ||
| Price | $6399 | $6399 |
| Brand price lists | View HONDA price list | View KAWASAKI price list |
| Extra features | -Assist/slipper clutch , 5-inch full colour TFT, Honda RoadSync -HISS (Honda Intelligent Security System), Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) |
Opinions
You need to vote for a model above before you can leave a short comment. Comments are published after editor approval.
No published opinions yet — you can be the first.
2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet vs 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE: listed specifications
The 2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet and 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE are closely matched in weight and torque, while the Ninja 500 SE has more peak power, and the higher listed top speed.
Engine displacement
CB500 Hornet and Ninja 500 SE have very similar engine displacement (500 cc vs 500 cc).
Peak power
Ninja 500 SE has a modest listed power advantage (52 hp vs 47 hp).
Torque
CB500 Hornet and Ninja 500 SE have very similar listed torque (43 Nm vs 42.6 Nm).
Listed top speed
Ninja 500 SE has a modest listed top-speed advantage (195 km/h vs 188 km/h).
Cooling
Both motorcycles are listed as liquid-cooled.
Weight and seat height
CB500 Hornet and Ninja 500 SE have very similar listed weights (188 kg vs 184 kg). CB500 Hornet and Ninja 500 SE have very similar seat heights (78.5 cm vs 78.5 cm).
Conclusion
The measurable differences are therefore concentrated in peak power and listed top speed, while displacement, torque, weight and seat height remain relatively close.
Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of HONDA CB500 Hornet vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE?
Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE is listed at 195 km/h (121 mph) vs 188 km/h (117 mph) for HONDA CB500 Hornet.
Which has more horsepower, HONDA CB500 Hornet or Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE?
Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE has 52 hp compared with 47 hp on the HONDA CB500 Hornet.
Which is lighter, HONDA CB500 Hornet or Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE?
Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE is lighter at 184 kg vs 188 kg for HONDA CB500 Hornet.
Which is better, HONDA CB500 Hornet or Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE?
It depends on your riding style. Compare top speed, weight, fuel use and price in the table on this page, then vote for the bike you prefer.
Similar comparisons
Other comparisons that share these bikes or were recently added.
