2024 Kawasaki Z500 vs 2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet
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 Kawasaki Z500 78.5 cm Lowest seat here
- 2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet 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 Z500).
- Torque spans 42.6 Nm (2024 Kawasaki Z500) up to 43 Nm (2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet).
- Weight spans 181 kg (2024 Kawasaki Z500) to 188 kg (2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet).
- Engine sizes are very close.
Reader votes so far — total 10: 2024 Kawasaki Z500 (3); 2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet (7).
All values look the same; turn off the filter.
| Specification | Kawasaki Z500 | HONDA CB500 Hornet |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | KAWASAKI | HONDA |
| Model | Kawasaki Z500 | HONDA CB500 Hornet |
| Engine size | 500cc | 500cc |
| Power | 52hp | 47hp |
| Torque | 42.6nm. | 43nm. |
| Cylinders / valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves |
| Weight | 181kg | 188kg |
| Front brake | Single semi-floating disc Ø310mm Balanced actuation double piston | Dual 296mm x 4mm disc with Nissin radial-mount four piston calipers |
| Rear brake | Single disc Ø220mm Telescopic fork | Single 240mm x 5mm disc with single piston caliper |
| Seat height (cm) | 78.5cm | 78.5cm |
| Front tyre | 110/70R17 M/K 54H | 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) |
| Rear tyre | 150/60R17 M/K 66H | 160/60ZR17M/C (69W) |
| Cooling | Liquid cooling | Liquid cooling |
| Front suspension | Telescopic fork Ø41mm | Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD forks, |
| Rear suspension | Uni-Trak with lower link, gas-charged shock and spring preload adjustability | Prolink mono with 5 stage pre-load adjuster, Steel hollow cross swingarm |
| Motorcycle type | Naked | Naked |
| Top speed | 190km/h | 188km/h |
| Fuel capacity / consumption | 14 L – 3.8 L/100km | 17.7 L – 4 L/100km |
| Service network | ||
| Service quality | ||
| Parts availability | ||
| Price | $5599 | $6399 |
| Brand price lists | View KAWASAKI price list | View HONDA 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 Kawasaki Z500 vs 2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet: listed specifications
The 2024 Kawasaki Z500 and 2024 HONDA CB500 Hornet are closely matched in torque and displacement, while the Z500 has more peak power, and a lower listed weight.
Engine displacement
Z500 and CB500 Hornet have very similar engine displacement (500 cc vs 500 cc).
Peak power
Z500 has a modest listed power advantage (52 hp vs 47 hp).
Torque
Z500 and CB500 Hornet have very similar listed torque (42.6 Nm vs 43 Nm).
Listed top speed
Z500 and CB500 Hornet have very similar listed top speeds (190 km/h vs 188 km/h).
Cooling
Both motorcycles are listed as liquid-cooled.
Weight and seat height
Z500 has a modest listed weight advantage (181 kg vs 188 kg). Z500 and CB500 Hornet have very similar seat heights (78.5 cm vs 78.5 cm).
Conclusion
The measurable differences are therefore concentrated in peak power and weight, while displacement, torque, listed top speed and seat height remain relatively close.
Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of Kawasaki Z500 vs HONDA CB500 Hornet?
Kawasaki Z500 is listed at 190 km/h (118 mph) vs 188 km/h (117 mph) for HONDA CB500 Hornet.
Which has more horsepower, Kawasaki Z500 or HONDA CB500 Hornet?
Kawasaki Z500 has 52 hp compared with 47 hp on the HONDA CB500 Hornet.
Which is lighter, Kawasaki Z500 or HONDA CB500 Hornet?
Kawasaki Z500 is lighter at 181 kg vs 188 kg for HONDA CB500 Hornet.
Which is better, Kawasaki Z500 or HONDA CB500 Hornet?
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.
