Kawasaki Ninja 500 / Z500 (EX500G) — OEM Fluid, Tire Pressure & Maintenance Specs
451cc Liquid-Cooled Parallel-Twin DOHC 8-Valve (Assist & Slipper Wet Clutch) · Source: Kawasaki Ninja 500 (EX500G, Manual #99805-0621) Official Owner’s Manual
According to the Kawasaki Ninja 500 (EX500G, Manual #99805-0621) Official Owner’s Manual, the 2024–Present Kawasaki Ninja 500 / Z500 (EX500G) (chassis EX500G/EX500H/ER500E) requires 1.6 L (1.69 US qt) of SAE 10W-40 (JASO MA2, API SG/SH/SJ/SL/SM) engine oil for a drain-only change and 2 L (2.11 US qt) with filter service (16097-0008 / HF303). Standard solo cold tire pressure is 200 kPa / 2.00 bar / 29 PSI front (110/70R17 M/C 54H) and 225 kPa / 2.25 bar / 33 PSI rear (150/60R17 M/C 66H), paired with 2× NGK LMAR9G spark plug(s) and a YTZ10S / YTX9-BS battery.
Drain only: 1.6 L (1.69 US qt)
R 225 kPa (2.25 bar)
Est. Range: ~364 km (226 mi)
1. Engine Lubrication, Filter & Clutch Specifications
| Clutch Architecture | Wet Multi-Plate Manual Clutch NEVER use JASO MB |
|---|---|
| Recommended Viscosity & Grade | SAE 10W-40 (Alt: SAE 10W-50) · JASO MA2 · API SG/SH/SJ/SL/SM |
| Oil Volume (Drain / With Filter / Overhaul) |
• Drain only: 1.6 L (1.69 US qt) • With filter/strainer: 2 L (2.11 US qt) • Complete dry overhaul: 2.3 L (2.43 US qt) |
| OEM Oil Filter Code & Type | 16097-0008 / HF303 |
| Correct Oil Level Check Method | Hold bike upright on level ground 3–5 min after warm shutdown; read crankcase sight glass |
| Oil Drain Bolt Torque | 30 N·m (22.1 lb-ft / 3.06 kgf·m) — Use fresh crush washer |
2. Cold Tire Pressures, Wheels, Ignition & Drivetrain
| Front / Rear OEM Tire Sizes | Front: 110/70R17 M/C 54H · Rear: 150/60R17 M/C 66H (Tubeless) |
|---|---|
| Cold Tire Pressure — Solo Riding |
Front: 200 kPa / 2.00 bar / 29 PSI Rear: 225 kPa / 2.25 bar / 33 PSI |
| Cold Tire Pressure — 2-Up / Loaded Touring |
Front: 200 kPa / 2.00 bar / 29 PSI Rear: 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 PSI |
| OEM Spark Plug & Quantity | NGK LMAR9G × 2 (Gap: 0.7–0.8 mm) |
| OEM Battery Code & Rating | YTZ10S / YTX9-BS (12V 8.6Ah MF AGM) |
| Final Drive Maintenance | 520 Sealed O-Ring Chain — Maintain 20–30 mm slack |
| Brake Fluid & Coolant | DOT 4 · Kawasaki Aluma-Cool Ethylene Glycol Coolant (~1.3 L) |
3. Ergonomics, Range & Scheduled Service Intervals
| Displacement · Max Power · Peak Torque | 451 cc · 45.4 hp @ 9,000 rpm · 42.6 N·m (31.4 lb-ft) @ 6,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Seat Height & Wet Curb Weight | 785 mm (30.9 in) · 171 kg (377 lbs) |
| Fuel Tank & Est. Real-World Range | 14 L (3.7 US gal) · ~26 km/L → ~364 km (226 mi) |
| OEM Scheduled Maintenance Intervals |
• First Break-In: 1,000 km • Engine Oil / Filter: 12,000 km / 12,000 km • Air Filter / Spark Plug: 18,000 km / 12,000 km • Valve Clearance Check: 24,000 km |
4. Generation Cutoffs & Real-World Wrenching Gotchas
Model-Year & Chassis Generation Notes
Replacing the 399cc Ninja 400 (EX400G), the 451cc Ninja 500 strokes the parallel-twin by 6.8 mm for stronger mid-range torque (shared with Z500 and Eliminator 500) while keeping the same 2.0 L filter-change oil volume and HF303 filter.
Oil & Clutch Mechanical Engineering Note
Kawasaki’s light-pull Assist & Slipper clutch relies on crisp friction engagement; stick strictly to JASO MA2 SAE 10W-40 oil and proper clutch cable free play (2–3 mm at lever perch).
Garage Wrenching Gotchas
- Wrap a sheet of aluminum foil over the front exhaust headers before spinning off the oil filter so spilled oil doesn’t smoke on startup.
- Kawasaki specifies a tighter 20–30 mm chain slack window on the side stand than Yamaha’s 35–45 mm; check the swingarm decal before adjusting.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the actual cc and oil capacity of the Kawasaki Ninja 500?
Displacement is 451cc, requiring 1.6 L (1.7 US qt) without filter or 2.0 L (2.1 US qt) with a spin-on oil filter change.
What cold tire pressures does Kawasaki specify for the Ninja 500?
Cold inflation baseline is 200 kPa (29 PSI) front and 225 kPa (33 PSI) rear solo, up to 250 kPa (36 PSI) rear with passenger load.
What spark plug does the Ninja 500 use?
The Ninja 500 uses two NGK LMAR9G spark plugs gapped at 0.7–0.8 mm.