EN 500

1996 Kawasaki EN 500 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1996 Kawasaki EN 500 custom - cruiser motorcycle, Kawasaki pairs a 498 cc (30.4 cu in) twin, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 50 HP (36.5 kW) at 8,500 rpm while maximum torque reaches 40.2 Nm (29.7 lb-ft) at 7,300 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 100.4 HP per liter and a 1,200 rpm working window between peak torque (7,300 rpm) and peak power (8,500 rpm), the engine character is reflecting a performance-oriented street tune that balances strong mid-range pull with an energetic top-end rush.

On the scales, the EN 500 measures 187 kg (412 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.27 HP/kg (3.74 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 720 mm (28.3 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops.

Within MotoLibrary's Kawasaki archive, this model family spans 12 indexed model years from 1990 to 2002, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.