Kawasaki updated their website this week to include the 2009 Ninja 500R. There was quite a bit of anticipation that the 500R would receive a similar face lift to the 250R. I guess now we know it is clearly not happening in the 2009 year.

I’m guessing that Kawasaki feels that it would be competing with it’s ZZR and ZX lines if it did a face lift on the 500R, or, they will upset the more conservative economical audience the 500R attracts? (Ie. Some people don’t like the ‘crotch-rocket’ look..)

I would personally put an Updated 500R as a nice upgrade path for 250R owners looking for a lil more freeway ooomph, without having to jump directly into a Supersport bike. I guess thats why the ZZR is still around, but at 2K less, a sexy 500 would be a nice option…

Thoughts?