The Yamaha R3 and Kawasaki Ninja 400 are entry-level twin-cylinder sport bikes, but Kawasaki's current US sport lineup lists the Ninja 500 instead of the 400. New-bike shoppers are choosing between the 2026 R3 at $5,499 and the 2027 Ninja 500 ABS from $5,899. The Ninja 500 has 130cc more; seat heights and fueled weights are close.
| Specification | 2026 Yamaha YZF-R3 | 2027 Kawasaki Ninja 500 ABS |
|---|
| Base MSRP | $5,499 | $5,899 (some colors $6,099; SE ABS $6,599) |
| Destination charge | $650 | $650 |
| Engine | 321cc liquid-cooled DOHC twin | 451cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin |
| Published power | Not listed by Yamaha | 51.0 hp at 10,000 rpm, 31.7 lb-ft at 7,500 rpm (ISO measure) |
| Transmission | Six-speed, assist and slipper clutch | Six-speed, assist and slipper clutch |
| ABS | Front and rear | Front and rear |
| Seat height | 30.7 in. | 30.9 in. |
| Weight with fuel | 373 lb wet | 377.1 lb curb (374.9 lb 49-state model) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 gal | 3.7 gal |
| Ground clearance | 6.3 in. | 5.7 in. |
| Wheelbase | 54.3 in. | 54.1 in. |
| Tires, front and rear | 110/70-17 and 140/70-17 | 110/70-17 and 150/60-17 |
Prices are base MSRP and exclude destination, taxes, title, registration and dealer fees. Figures come from Yamaha's and Kawasaki's US websites, read on 15 October 2026, for the newest model year each brand lists. Browse sport bikes and other motorcycles for sale on Searchshop to see what dealers near you are asking.
The comparison uses published data, not test rides. Every specification and price comes from the manufacturer's own US website or specification sheet, read on 15 October 2026, and dealer asking prices come from Searchshop's own listings on the same day.
- The newest model years are compared: the 2026 YZF-R3, the newest R3 on Yamaha's US site, and the 2027 Ninja 500 ABS. The Ninja 400 is covered as a used bike, using Kawasaki's 2023 specification sheet.
- Yamaha does not publish horsepower or torque for the R3, so the bikes are not compared on power, only on displacement.
- Yamaha's 373 lb is a wet weight with a full tank of fuel. Kawasaki's curb weight includes a tank more than 90 percent full and the tool kit. The two are defined slightly differently, so treat a gap of a few pounds as a tie.
The Ninja 400 is now a used-market choice, and the Ninja 500 is the Kawasaki to compare with a new R3. Kawasaki's 2024 Ninja 500 press release says the bike builds on the foundation of the Ninja 400 and adds 52cc, using a 6.8mm longer stroke.
Kawasaki's 2023 Ninja 400 specification sheet lists a 399cc liquid-cooled parallel twin with fuel injection and a six-speed gearbox, a 30.9-inch seat, a 3.7-gallon tank and a curb weight of 366.0 lb with ABS or 361.6 lb without. The 2023 base MSRP started at $5,299 without ABS. The chassis numbers on that sheet are close to the Ninja 500's: the same 41mm fork with 4.7 inches of travel, 5.1 inches of rear travel and a 310mm front disc.
A used Ninja 400 therefore shares the Ninja 500's listed fork, rear travel, front disc, seat height and tank size with a smaller engine. Check service records, crash damage and tire age on any used sport bike, as the used motorcycle buying guide explains.
The 2026 YZF-R3 starts at $5,499 base MSRP, $400 less than the 2027 Ninja 500 ABS at $5,899. Both brands list a $650 destination charge, which brings the totals to $6,149 for the R3 and $6,549 for the Ninja 500 ABS.
- Yamaha YZF-R3: prices start at $5,499. Yamaha also offers a 2026 70th Anniversary Edition with special styling and does not list its price separately on the model page.
- Kawasaki Ninja 500 ABS: $5,899 in Metallic Flat Spark Black or $6,099 in the two other 2027 colors.
- Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE ABS: $6,599, with a full-color TFT display, keyless KIPASS ignition, a large clear windshield, frame sliders, a USB-C outlet, a tank pad and knee pads.
The comparison mixes model years because each brand's newest US model is used. For the 2026 model year, Kawasaki's specification sheet lists the Ninja 500 at $5,399 without ABS and $5,799 with ABS in the base color.
The Ninja 500 has the larger engine by 130cc, and both are liquid-cooled, fuel-injected DOHC twins with six-speed gearboxes. Yamaha lists the R3 engine at 321cc with a 68.0 x 44.1mm bore and stroke and an 11.2:1 compression ratio. Kawasaki lists the Ninja 500 at 451cc with a 70.0 x 58.6mm bore and stroke and an 11.3:1 compression ratio.
Kawasaki rates the Ninja 500 at 51.0 hp at 10,000 rpm and 31.7 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm, measured under ISO standard 4106, and notes that this can read higher than a measurement to SAE standards. Yamaha publishes no power figure for the R3 on its US specification page.
Both bikes use an assist and slipper clutch. Kawasaki says it gives a light clutch pull and reduces rear-wheel hopping when downshifting; Yamaha says it reduces lever effort and engine braking on downshifts. Yamaha lists the R3's fuel economy at 56 mpg; Kawasaki's specification sheet gives no fuel economy figure, so the two are not compared on range.
The two bikes are nearly the same size on paper, with seat heights 0.2 inches apart and wheelbases within 0.2 inches. The R3's seat is 30.7 inches and the Ninja 500's is 30.9 inches. Yamaha lists a 54.3-inch wheelbase for the R3 and Kawasaki a 54.1-inch wheelbase for the Ninja 500.
The R3 uses an inverted fork with 5.1 inches of travel and a single rear shock with adjustable preload and 4.9 inches of travel. The Ninja 500 uses a 41mm telescopic fork with 4.7 inches of travel and a preload-adjustable rear shock with 5.1 inches of travel. The R3 has a 298mm front disc and the Ninja 500 a 310mm semi-floating front disc; both use a 220mm rear disc and ABS.
The R3 has more ground clearance, 6.3 inches against 5.7 inches for the Ninja 500. The Ninja 500 runs a wider 150/60-17 rear tire, against a 140/70-17 on the R3; both use a 110/70-17 front.
Weight is effectively a tie. Yamaha lists the R3 at 373 lb wet. Kawasaki lists the Ninja 500 ABS at 377.1 lb for the 50-state model and 374.9 lb for the 49-state model, and the SE ABS at 381.5 lb and 379.3 lb.
Both bikes come with LED lighting, an LCD instrument panel and a smartphone app connection, and the Ninja 500 SE ABS adds the most extras. Yamaha lists LED headlight, position lights, tail light and turn signals on the R3, an LCD display, a USB-A port and Y-Connect app support for call, email and message alerts.
Kawasaki lists an LED headlight and taillight, a high-contrast LCD meter and smartphone connection through its RIDEOLOGY app on the Ninja 500 ABS. The SE ABS steps up to a color TFT display, KIPASS keyless ignition, LED turn signals, a large clear windshield and a USB-C outlet.
Yamaha lists a one-year limited factory warranty for the R3. Kawasaki's warranty terms were not part of this comparison, so the article does not compare coverage.
Searchshop dealer listings on 15 October 2026 put the median asking price of a new 2026 YZF-R3 at $5,499 and a new 2026 Ninja 500 at $5,799. Counts are listings whose title matched the model name, and prices are dealer asking prices.
- New 2026 Yamaha YZF-R3: 80 listings, median asking price $5,499.
- New 2026 Yamaha YZF-R3 70th Anniversary Edition: 19 listings, median asking price $5,699.
- New 2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500, with or without ABS (not SE): 59 listings, median asking price $5,799.
- New 2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE ABS: 15 listings, median asking price $6,499.
The new 2026 R3 listings came from 9 dealers in 8 states, and the new 2026 Ninja 500 listings from 10 dealers in 9 states, so local prices can differ. Used Ninja 400 and used R3 listings were too few to give a reliable median. Listings change daily, so ask each dealer for a written out-the-door price that shows destination, fees and taxes.
Choose on budget and displacement, because the published size, weight and seat figures are too close to decide it.
- Choose the Yamaha YZF-R3 if you want the lower base price, an inverted fork and 6.3 inches of ground clearance, or the 70th Anniversary styling.
- Choose the Kawasaki Ninja 500 if you want 130cc more displacement with a published 51.0 hp rating, a wider rear tire, or the SE ABS extras such as the TFT display and keyless ignition.
- Look at a used Ninja 400 if you want a smaller-engined Kawasaki and are comfortable inspecting a used bike.
Still deciding on a style? Read Searchshop's sport bike buying guide, the list of best motorcycles for beginners and the comparison of cruisers and sport bikes on the same engine. To see current asking prices side by side, open the Ninja 500 SE ABS vs YZF-R3 price comparison. When you are ready, compare R3 and Ninja listings from dealers on Searchshop.
No, the Ninja 500 has a larger engine, though Kawasaki says it builds on the Ninja 400. Kawasaki's 2024 press release says the Ninja 500 adds 52cc with a 6.8mm longer stroke, for 451cc against the Ninja 400's 399cc. The seat height, 3.7-gallon tank and front fork are listed with the same figures on both bikes.
Yes, Yamaha's 2026 YZF-R3 specification page lists ABS on both the 298mm front disc and the 220mm rear disc. Kawasaki's 2027 Ninja 500 ABS and Ninja 500 SE ABS also have ABS front and rear, and the earlier Ninja 400 was sold with or without ABS.
The two are within a few pounds, so neither is meaningfully lighter. Yamaha lists the 2026 YZF-R3 at 373 lb wet with a full tank. Kawasaki lists the 2027 Ninja 500 ABS at 374.9 lb for the 49-state model and 377.1 lb for the 50-state model, with a tank more than 90 percent full.
Both the 2026 Yamaha YZF-R3 and the 2027 Kawasaki Ninja 500 hold 3.7 gallons. Yamaha lists the R3's fuel economy at 56 mpg. Kawasaki does not list a fuel economy figure for the Ninja 500, so ask a dealer or owners about real-world mileage before comparing range.
