EN 500

2001 Kawasaki EN 500 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 2001 Kawasaki EN 500 custom - cruiser motorcycle, Kawasaki utilizes a 499 cc (30.5 cu in) twin, four-stroke layout. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 34 HP (24.8 kW) at 7,000 rpm while maximum torque reaches 39 Nm (28.8 lb-ft) at 4,200 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 68.1 HP per liter and a 2,800 rpm working window between peak torque (4,200 rpm) and peak power (7,000 rpm), the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the EN 500 measures 198 kg (437 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.17 HP/kg (5.82 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 715 mm (28.1 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops, combined with a 1,595 mm (62.8 in) wheelbase engineered for planted straight-line stability. The 15-liter (4 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 145 km/h (90 mph).

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.