The Kawasaki Ninja 500 offers value for money as you get more features, refreshed styling and a larger, more powerful engine at the same price. However, the made-in-India Aprilia RS 457 is at loggerheads with the Kawasaki Ninja 500. Here is a detailed comparison between Kawasaki vs Aprilia.

Kawasaki vs Aprilia: Design

Boasting a contemporary design, the Kawasaki Ninja 500 adheres to motorcycle manufacturer’s current supersport aesthetic. The motorcycle features a sharp-looking front end, split LED headlights, layered side fairing, while the tail section is reminiscent of the Ninja ZX-10R. However, it is offered in an attractive standard black option in India, it would’ve been great had the SE variant been available in Kawasaki’s iconic racing team colours.

The Aprilia RS 457 is a true stunner from every angle. Its sculpted fairing, a beautifully exposed frame and a short yet stylish tail section demonstrates the perfect blend of form and function.

Features

Both Kawasaki Ninja 500 and Aprilia RS 457 get dual-channel ABS, all-LED illumination and instrument clusters with Bluetooth connectivity. However, the Aprilia RS 457 is better equipped and offers more modern-day features such as ride modes, traction control and colour-TFT display.

Engine

A newly-built 451cc, parallel-twin engine powers the Kawasaki Ninja 500 and manages to deliver 45bhp at 9,000rpm and 42.6Nm at 6,000rpm. The motor is mated to a six-speed gearbox with slip and assist function.

The Aprilia RS 457, on the other hand, also gets a parallel-twin engine. However, the 457cc motor with a 270-degree crank provides a notably different sound and character as compared to Ninja. The engine churns out a power of 47bhp at 9,400rpm and a peak torque of 43.5Nm at 6,700rpm. In this department, RS 457 undoubtedly has more powerful engine, paired with a six-speed gearbox. Also, an additional advantage is that you can also buy a quickshifter as an accessory.

Hardware

The Ninja 500 gets a steel-trellis frame, offering a rigidity and flexibility balance. A 41mm telescopic fork and a link-type monoshock with preload adjustability handle the suspension duties. A 310mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear take care of the braking duties.

The Aprilia’s dual beam aluminium frame is lighter as compared to the one used on Ninja. It features a 41mm USD fork and monoshock, both preload adjustable. The brakes are larger than Ninja’s.  a 320mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear perform the braking duties.

Price

Kawasaki Ninja 500’s pricing is on the higher side with a tag of Rs 5.24 lakh, ex-showroom. This is because it is brought to India via the CBU route, resulting in significantly higher taxes compared to those levied on made-in-India motorcycles.

The made-in-India Aprilia RS 457 is manufactured in Maharashtra which is why its price is Rs 1.14 lakh less than what Ninja costs. It is available at Rs 4.10 lakh, ex-showroom.

The Verdict

The price difference might be an important factor for some customers as they choose between Kawasaki Ninja 500 and Aprilia RS 457. Also, the Aprilia clearly gets the more powerful engine. Still, choosing between the two motorcycles also depends on individual preferences in terms of design and features.

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