Ariel VH 500 Red Hunter (1932-59) vs Kawasaki EL 250 Eliminator / ZL 250LX (1991-93) vs Triumph Thunderbird Commander (2017-18) vs Honda VRX 400 Roadster Special Black (1997) vs Kawasaki GPz 500S / EX 500R Ninja (1998-00) vs Honda VFR 750F-R (1997)
Comparison technical specifications
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| Make: | Ariel | Kawasaki | Triumph | Honda | Kawasaki | Honda |
| Model: | VH 500 Red Hunter | EL 250 Eliminator / ZL 250LX | Thunderbird Commander | VRX 400 Roadster Special Black | GPz 500S / EX 500R Ninja | VFR 750F-R |
| Years: | 1932-59 | 1991-93 | 2017-18 | 1997 | 1998-00 | 1997 |
| Engine: | Four stroke, stroke, single cylinder, OHV, 2-valves | Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. | Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, 270° firing interval. | Four stroke, V-twin, OHC | Four stroke, parallel twin cylinders. DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. | Four stroke, 90°V-four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder |
| Capacity: | 497 cc / 30.3 cu in | 249 cc / 15.2 cu-in | 1699 cc / 103.7 cub in | 398 cc / | 498 cc / 30.4 cu-in | 748 cc / 45.6 cub in |
| Bore x Stroke: | 86.4 x 85 mm (after 1936: 81.8 x 95) | 62 x 41.2 mm | 107.1 x 94.3 mm | 64 x 62 mm | 74 x 58 mm | 70 x 48.6 mm |
| Cooling System: | Air cooled | Liquid cooled | Liquid cooled | Air cooled | Liquid cooled, | Liquid cooled |
| Induction: | Carburetor, large bore down draught Amal | Carburetor | Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI , progressive linkage on throttle | 32mm VDD0 | 2x Keihin CVK34 carburetor | 4x 36mm Keihin CV |
| Ignition: | Magnet/flywheel | CDI | Digital, inductive type via electronic engine management system | Transisto | TCI (Transistor Controlled Ignition) | Digitalized full transistor ignition |
| Starting: | Kick start | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric |
| Max Power: | 17.9 kW / 24 hp @ 6000 rpm | 33 hp / 24.6kW @ 12500 rpm | 70.1 kW / 94 hp @ 5400 rpm | 60 hp / 43.7 kW @ 9800 rpm | 76.6 kW / 105 hp @ 10000 rpm | |
| Transmission: | 4-Speed | 6 Speed | 6 Speed | 5 Speed | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Final Drive: | Chain | Chain | Toothed belt | Chain | Chain | Chain |
| Front Suspension: | Grider front forks | Telescopic forks | Showa 47mm forks | Telescopic forks | 38mm Telescopic forks | 41mm Telescopic forks, no external adjustment |
| Rear Suspension: | Rigid, springloaded saddle (after 1954: dual shocks) | Dual shocks | Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload. | Swinging arm | Swinging arm, single shock adjustable for spring preload | Pro-link single sided swing arm, adjustable preload |
| Front Brakes: | Drum | Single 226mm disc 1 piston caliper | 2 x 310 mm floating discs, Nissin 4 piston fixed calipers, ABS | Single disc | Single 270mm disc 2 piston caliper | 2x 296 mm discs, 2 piston calipers |
| Rear Brakes: | Drum | Drum | Single 310 mm fixed disc, Brembo 2 piston floating caliper, ABS | Single disc | Single disc | Single 256 mm disc, 2 piston caliper |
| Fuel Capacity: | 14.8 L / 3.9 US gal | 11 Litres / 2.9 US gal | 22 Litres / 5.8 gal / 4.8 Imp gal | 11 Litres | 15.9 Litres / 4.2 US gal | 21 Litres / 5.5 gal |