Honda CBR500R vs Kawasaki Ninja 650
Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
The Honda CBR500R and Kawasaki Ninja 650 are among the most cross-shopped sport bikes of 2026. The Honda CBR500R undercuts the Kawasaki Ninja 650 by about $900, so value is squarely on the table. On paper the Kawasaki Ninja 650 leads on power with 68 hp. Below we put them head to head on price, performance, weight and seat height, then give our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
Honda
Honda CBR500R
Our pickKawasaki
Kawasaki Ninja 650The verdict
The Kawasaki Ninja 650 edges it overall at 7.8/10, but the Honda CBR500R wins on best for new riders, so let how you ride decide.
Honda CBR500R
A2-legal, 47 hp, forgiving to learn on.
Kawasaki Ninja 650
68 hp and 0.35 hp/kg, the strongest here.
Honda CBR500R
Our 7.6/10 at $7,399, the most bike per dollar.
Honda CBR500R
192 kg with an 785 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.
Kawasaki Ninja 650
Our top score in this matchup at 7.8/10.
Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.
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Honda CBR500R vs Kawasaki Ninja 650: your questions answered
Which is faster, the Honda CBR500R or the Kawasaki Ninja 650?
The Kawasaki Ninja 650 makes the most power at 68 hp and 64 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.
Which is cheaper, the Honda CBR500R or the Kawasaki Ninja 650?
The Honda CBR500R is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $7,399.
Which is lighter, the Honda CBR500R or the Kawasaki Ninja 650?
The Honda CBR500R is the lightest at 192 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.
Which is better for a beginner, the Honda CBR500R or the Kawasaki Ninja 650?
For a new rider we'd point to the Honda CBR500R: A2-legal, 47 hp and 192 kg make it the most approachable of the group.
