BMW
BMW R 1300 GS
$20395
Released 2026
Best Motorcycles · head-to-head
BMW R 1300 GS vs Kawasaki Ninja 500
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Kawasaki Ninja 500 is cheaper at $5299. Every spec and price links to its source.
Kawasaki
Kawasaki Ninja 500
$5299Cheaper
Released 2024
Which is better: the BMW R 1300 GS or Kawasaki Ninja 500?
The Kawasaki Ninja 500 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Kawasaki Ninja 500 is the cheaper at $5299. The Kawasaki Ninja 500 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | BMW R 1300 GS | Kawasaki Ninja 500 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $20395 | $5299 |
| Brand | BMW | Kawasaki |
| Released | 2026 | 2024 |
| Motorcycle type | adventure | sport |
| Engine displacement cc | 1300 | 451 |
| Engine configuration | boxer-twin | parallel-twin |
| Horsepower hp | 145 | 51 |
| Torque lb (ft) | 110 | 31.7 |
| Seat height (in) | 33.4 | 30.9 |
| Wet weight (lb) | 523 | 370 |
| Fuel capacity gal | 5 | 3.7 |
| Transmission speeds | 6 | 6 |
| Final drive | shaft | chain |
| Cooling type | — | liquid |
| Abs equipped | Yes | No |
Sources — BMW R 1300 GS: bmwmotorcycles.com (verified 2026-07-11). Kawasaki Ninja 500: cycleworld.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the BMW R 1300 GS and Kawasaki Ninja 500?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (10 of 12). Matching specs are omitted.
- Motorcycle type: BMW R 1300 GS adventure vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 sport
- Engine displacement cc: BMW R 1300 GS 1300 vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 451
- Engine configuration: BMW R 1300 GS boxer-twin vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 parallel-twin
- Horsepower hp: BMW R 1300 GS 145 vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 51
- Torque lb (ft): BMW R 1300 GS 110 vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 31.7
- Seat height (in): BMW R 1300 GS 33.4 vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 30.9
- Wet weight (lb): BMW R 1300 GS 523 vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 370
- Fuel capacity gal: BMW R 1300 GS 5 vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 3.7
- Final drive: BMW R 1300 GS shaft vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 chain
- Abs equipped: BMW R 1300 GS true vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 false