Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP vs Kawasaki Ninja 500
Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and Kawasaki Ninja 500 are among the most cross-shopped sport bikes of 2026. The Kawasaki Ninja 500 undercuts the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP by about $23,700, so value is squarely on the table. On paper the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP leads on power with 217 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.
Our pick
Kawasaki
Kawasaki Ninja 500The verdict
The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP edges it overall at 9.1/10, but the Kawasaki Ninja 500 wins on best for new riders, so let how you ride decide.
Kawasaki Ninja 500
A2-legal, 51 hp, forgiving to learn on.
Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
217 hp and 1.08 hp/kg, the strongest here.
Kawasaki Ninja 500
Our 8/10 at $5,299, the most bike per dollar.
Kawasaki Ninja 500
172 kg with an 785 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.
Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
Our top score in this matchup at 9.1/10.
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 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP vs Kawasaki Ninja 500: your questions answered
Which is faster, the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP or the Kawasaki Ninja 500?
The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP makes the most power at 217 hp and 113 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.
Which is cheaper, the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP or the Kawasaki Ninja 500?
The Kawasaki Ninja 500 is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $5,299.
Which is lighter, the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP or the Kawasaki Ninja 500?
The Kawasaki Ninja 500 is the lightest at 172 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.
Which is better for a beginner, the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP or the Kawasaki Ninja 500?
For a new rider we'd point to the Kawasaki Ninja 500: A2-legal, 51 hp and 172 kg make it the most approachable of the group.
