Engine:

• type: liquid-cooled four, counter-balanced, 8-valve, dual chain-driven overhead camshaft 180° parallel twin
• displacement: 498 cc (30.39045 in³)
• bore x stroke: 74.0 x 58.0 mm (2.913 x 2.283 in.)
• compression ratio: 10.8:1
• redline: 11,000 rpm
• power: 52 bhp (39 kW) @ 9500 rpm (103 hp/L)
• torque: 30.86 lbf·ft (41.84 N·m) @ 8000 rpm
• starting: electric
• carburetion: Keihin CVK34 x 2
• exhaust: 2-into-2
• ignition: transistorized, battery-powered, inductive, magnetically
  triggered (1987-1993),
  TCBI with digital advance (1994+)
• oil capacity: 3.6 US qt (3.4 L)
• fuel: unleaded or low-lead minimum octane 91 RON (~87 R+M/2)

Transmission:

• six-speed
• constant mesh
• wet-clutch
• primary drive: 23/61, 2.662
• final drive: 42/16 sprockets (2.625 ratio)pre 1994, 41/16 sprockets (2.5625 ratio)
  1994-2006, #520 chain
• gear ratios (transmission) (1) 36/14, 2.571
  (2) 32/18, 1.78 (3) 29/21, 1.38 (4)
  27/24, 1.12 (5) 25/26, 0.96 (6) 23/27, 0.85
• gear ratios (overall) (1) 17.87 (2) 12.37 (3)
  9.60 (4) 7.83 (5) 6.88 (6) 5.92
• maximum speed in gears @ engine redline (1)
  44 (2) 63 (3) 82 (4) 101 (5) 118 (6) 133

Chassis

• frame: high-tensile steel double-downtube, full cradle, steel, perimeter
  box section;
  steel swingarm
• overall length: 83.66 in (2125 mm) (1987), 83.07 in (2110 mm) (1988-1993), 82.5
  in (2096 mm) (1994+)
• overall width: 26.97 in (1987-1993), 27.6 in (1994+)
• overall height: 45.86 in (1987-1993), 45.7 in (1994+)
• wheelbase: 56.5 in (1435 mm)
• ground clearance: 4.9 in (1987-1993), 4.7 in (1994+)
• seat height: 30.81 in (770 mm) (1987-1993), 30.5 in (1994+)
• dry weight:
  373 lb except California (169 kg) 374 lb (170 kg) (1987-1993), 388 lb (1994+)
• wet weight: 409 lb (185 kg) (1987-1993), 437 lb (198 kg) (1994+)
• fuel capacity (main/reserve): 4.2/0.6 US gal (15.9/2.21 L)
• load capacity (GVWR less curb weight): 418.5 lb (189.8 kg)

Suspension:

• rake / trail: 27.5°/3.5 in (89 mm) (1987-1993), 27°/3.6 in (91 mm) (1994+)
• type, front: center-axle hydraulic telescopic 36 mm (1987-1993) or 37 mm (1994+)
  fork
• type, rear: UNI-TRAK® system with single shock, adjustable pre-load
• wheel travel, front: 5.5 in (140 mm) (1987-1993), 5.1 in (1994+)
• wheel travel, rear: 3.9 in (100 mm)
• wheel, front: cast, 2.15 in x 16 in tubeless (1987-1993), 17 in (1994+)
• wheel rear: cast, 2.5 in x 16 in tubeless (1987-1993), 17 in (1994+)
• tire, front: 100/90-16 in 54H Bridgestone Excedra G533 (1987-1993), 110/70-17 tubeless
  (1994+)
• tire, rear: 120/90-16 in 83H Bridgestone Excedra (1987-1993), 130/70-17 tubeless
  (1994+)

Brakes

• front: dual-piston hydraulic single (280 mm 1994+) disc
• rear: rod-actuated, single leading-drum (1987-1993), single-piston hydraulic single
  disc (1994+)

Electrical

• battery: 12 V, 14
  A·h, type 14LA2
• power source: AC Alternator, charge control solid-state voltage regulator
• headlight beams (high/low): 60/55 W
• tail/stoplights: 8/27 x 2 W
• instrumentation: speedometer, odometer, single (1987-1993) or double (1994+) tripmeter,
  tachometer with 11,000 rpm redline, water temperature gauge, indicators: oil pressure,
  high-beam, headlight off, turn signals, neutral

Colors

• Kawasaki Lime Green/Ebony
• New Candy Red/Ebony
• Metallic Violet Royal/Gray

Performance

from Cycle Magazine January, 1987 for 1987-1993

• Standing start ¼ mile: 12.73 s @ 102 mph
• Acceleration, 0-60 mph: 3.76 s
• Acceleration, 45-70 mph, top gears: (4) 4.08 s, 343 ft. (5) 5.92 s, 492 ft.(6) 6.62 sec., 589 ft.
• Braking, 60-0 mph: 115 ft.
• Power @ 60 mph: 9.58 hp
• Engine speed @ 60 mph, top gear: 4935 rpm
• Average fuel consumption rate 48 mpg (20.4 km/L)
• Cruising range (main/reserve) 202/29 mi. (237/46
  km)
• Speedometer error: 30 mph indicated, actual 29.50; 60 mph indicated, actual 57.53

from Motorcyclist Magazine for 1994+

• Standing start 1/4 mile: 12.98 s @ 99.0 mph
• Top speed: 118 mph

(User claim of 135 mph during 2006 run in England, according to clock)