Kawasaki Ninja 500 Insurance

In 2024, Kawasaki introduced the Ninja 500, a successor to the popular Ninja 400. Displacement from the liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine has been stroked from 399cc to 451cc, and with new “full volume bodywork,” the Ninja 500 bears a closer resemblance to its larger superbike brethren.

The Aprilia RS 457 has reignited the arms race in the lightweight class, and Team Green has met the challenge with a more potent Ninja.

“The new Ninja 500 is a small evolutionary step-up from the Ninja 400. Kawasaki already knows that the lightweight and affordable Ninjas are a beloved fan favorite, and it moves huge volumes of them. All it needed to do was tweak the winning formula with just enough spice… More power, sportier styling, and upgraded electronics and connectivity all check the boxes…” -Cycle World

While the Kawasaki twins are generally less expensive to insure than the four-cylinder ZX machines, they’re still classed as sport bikes or supersports by most insurers, which can translate to high insurance rates. The bump in displacement with the Ninja 500 may only exacerbate insurance costs. For that reason, it’s more important than ever to shop around for the best rates for your Ninja. Fortunately, we can help.

Ninja 500 Insurance Rates

Ninja 500 rates are expected to be only slightly higher than the Ninja 400, whose insurance costs we’ve previously documented at around $300 to $600 per year. It also may be significantly cheaper than some of the slightly larger displacement twins on the market. One rider reported the following the quotes when shopping for a new bike:

• Honda CB650R: $2300 / year
• Suzuki SV650: $2400 / year
• Suzuki GSX-8S / R: $3000 / year
• Kawasaki Ninja 500: $1400 / year
• 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401: $1400 / year

We’ve also heard of new Ninja 500 owners being quoted up to $2200 / year ($185 / month) from some insurers! It’s true that insurance rates vary widely based on a vast array of factors — location, age, driving record, etc. — but they also vary from one company to the next. That’s why it’s so important to compare rates from a range of companies before settling on your policy.

Ninja 500 History

The Ninja 400 arrived in late 2017, a successor to the Ninja 300. The Ninja 400 boasted 103cc more displacement, 10 more horsepower, and was nearly 18 pounds lighter. Meanwhile, beefier forks and wheels made for better handling and cornering stability, and the bike came with a slipper clutch.

The new Ninja 500 — not to be confused with the old Ninja 500R or EX500 — represents another step in the lightweight Ninja’s evolution, albeit a less aggressive one. The bike retains the same steel trellis frame, 41mm Showa forks, bottom-link KYB rear shock, and Nissian dual-piston caliper front brake as its predecessor. With half a liter more displacement, however, the Ninja 500 now makes 51 horsepower and 32 pound-feet of torque, and the new styling recalls the bigger, badder ZX models.

Kawasaki Ninja 500 Coverage

If you financed your Ninja, your bank or finance company will require you to carry a full coverage policy, which will include Collision, Comprehensive, and possibly a rider for Uninsured/Uninsured Motorist coverage.

If you own your Ninja outright, a liability-only policy may be the most inexpensive option, but it offers zero protection for damage to your bike in case of an accident, theft, acts of God, and other threats. And with so many drivers uninsured these days, we highly recommend all motorcyclists carry as much coverage as they can afford, including Uninsured Motorist.

While increasing your deductible is a quick way to reduce your monthly premiums, there are longer-term strategies you can take to keep your insurance from breaking the bank. These include taking a safety course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF-USA.org), keeping good grades if you’re student (nearly all insurers offer a “Good Student Discount”), and of course avoiding speeding citations.

Probably the single most effective way to reduce the cost of insuring your Ninja 500? Comparing rates from a range of different companies. Fortunately, we can help. Enter your zip code to begin researching rates from a variety of respected motorcycle insurers in your area.