Kawasaki Z500 First Domestic Test Ride — Riding the Nimble 451cc Parallel-Twin Middleweight Naked

451cc is such an odd displacement — I wonder why they landed on that exact number.

With this kind of middle-class naked bike, you really can't judge the true value unless you factor in the price plus optional insurance too.

I'm curious whether that 'light, nimble chassis' description actually comes from riding it back-to-back with other 400cc-class bikes.

So the Sugomi design language has trickled all the way down to the middle class now — quite a shift in impression from the Z1000 days.

So it's basically a displacement bump from the Z400 — I'd love to see a comparison piece against the MT-03 or CB400X.

A 451cc parallel-twin this light could handle more than just city riding — seems like it'd be fine for the occasional longer trip too.