# Kawasaki Ninja 500, Z500 and Eliminator Key Replacement

Kawasaki's 451 cc twins split into two key systems.

Source: https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-500-z500-eliminator/

Business: The Motorcycle Locksmith, mobile motorcycle locksmith. Phone and text: (619) 775-1858 (San Diego side).

> Kawasaki's 451 cc twins split into two key systems. The standard Ninja 500, the Z500 and the Eliminator use an ordinary cut key that we can make at the bike. The Ninja 500 SE uses KIPASS, a fob the bike must detect before the ignition knob will turn, and Kawasaki's manual sends fob registration, and an all-fobs-lost situation, to the dealer.

**Kawasaki Ninja 500, Z500 and Eliminator key quick facts**

- The US parts catalog lists plain key blank 27008-0662 for the 2024 Ninja 500 and 2024 Z500, and blank 27008-0688 for the 2024 Eliminator.
- The Ninja 500 SE diagram lists two blanks: a fob key blank and a separate key blank, plus its own ignition switch.
- Kawasaki's 2024 manual says up to five KIPASS fobs can be registered on the Ninja 500 SE at one time.
- The SE fob holds a mechanical key that opens the fuel tank cap and the passenger seat.
- The fob runs on a CR2032 battery with a normal life of about two years, and talks to the bike within about 100 cm.
- The Z500 and Eliminator owner's manuals have no immobilizer or KIPASS content at all.

## Kawasaki Ninja 500, Z500 and Eliminator key types by year

| Years | Models | Key type | Chip | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-present | Ninja 500, Ninja 500 ABS, Z500, Z500 ABS | mechanical cut key | no | Both bikes share ignition switch part number 27005-0718 and blank 27008-0662 in the 2024 US catalog. Separate seat, fuel cap and helmet locks are listed. |
| 2024-present | Ninja 500 SE, Ninja 500 KRT Edition SE | KIPASS fob with fold-out mechanical key, plus a spare key | yes | The ignition is a fixed knob with no keyhole. The manual says the spare key has an immobilizer function and can stand in for the fob when touched to the ignition switch. |
| 2024-present | Eliminator, Eliminator ABS, Eliminator SE ABS | mechanical cut key | no | Blank 27008-0688. The catalog lists an ignition switch, a seat lock and a fuel cap lock; the helmet lock is sold as an accessory. |

## Plain key or KIPASS: how to tell

Look at the ignition. A standard Ninja 500, a Z500 or an Eliminator has a keyhole, and the manual describes a three-position switch where the key comes out in OFF or LOCK. A Ninja 500 SE has a knob that stays on the bike. Push it in, and if the fob is close enough the knob indicator lights and the knob turns.

The SE manual explains that the fob and the bike confirm each other by radio before the engine will start. If the fob battery is flat, the knob will not release. Kawasaki's instruction is to touch the fob to the ignition switch, push the knob, and wait about three seconds.

**Need a key for your Ninja 500?** Call or text with the year and where the bike is parked. Call or text (619) 775-1858.

## Locks on the base bikes

On the Ninja 500 and Z500 the key does four jobs, and the seats come off in a set order: passenger seat first, then the rider seat.

- Ignition switch and steering lock
- Fuel tank cap
- Seat lock, which releases the passenger seat or the pillion seat cover on models that have one
- A helmet lock on the left side of the bike, opened by turning the key clockwise
- Helmet hooks and a small storage space under the passenger seat
- Eliminator: the seat lock releases the rider seat, and the helmet hook is used with that seat

## Lost a Ninja 500 SE fob

If you still have one fob or the spare key, you are in good shape. The manual says extra fobs are registered by an authorized Kawasaki dealer, and that you bring the bike and all the fobs you have so they can be re-registered together. It also recommends re-registering after a fob is lost so the missing one stops working. The spare key that came with the bike is its own item: up to two of those can be registered.

Losing every fob is the hard case. Kawasaki's manual says that if all fobs are lost, an authorized dealer will have to replace the ECU and register new fobs. Call us before you book a tow. We will tell you plainly what we can do for your bike at the roadside and what has to go through the dealer.

## Lost the key to a base model

This one is simple. With your photo ID and the registration or title in hand, we cut a new key to the bike's locks where it is parked and check it in the ignition, the fuel cap, the seat lock and the helmet lock. No registration step is involved because there is nothing electronic in the key.

These are new bikes, so the selling dealer may still have your key number on file, and the key number tag is worth finding if it is in your paperwork.

## Where to find the key code

The keys come with a key number tag. Kawasaki's manual says you need the key number or a spare key to have a duplicate made, so keep the tag away from the bike.

## What to have ready

**Have this ready when you call or text**

- Year, make and model of the bike
- Where the bike is parked
- Whether you have any working key, a broken key or a key code
- Photo ID and registration or title (we verify ownership before making a key)

## Kawasaki Ninja 500, Z500 and Eliminator key FAQ

### Does the regular Ninja 500 have a chip key?

No. The standard Ninja 500 and Ninja 500 ABS use a plain key in a normal ignition switch. KIPASS is fitted to the SE versions only.

### My Ninja 500 SE fob battery died. Am I stranded?

Not necessarily. Kawasaki's manual says to touch the fob to the ignition switch and push the knob; after about three seconds the knob can be operated. The fob takes a CR2032 cell.

### How many fobs can a Ninja 500 SE have?

Up to five fobs at one time, according to the 2024 owner's manual, plus up to two of the separate spare keys. Adding one is done by a Kawasaki dealer with the bike and every existing fob present.

### Is the Eliminator key the same as the Z500 key?

No. Kawasaki lists a different blank and a different ignition switch for the Eliminator, even though the engine is shared. Both are plain keys with no chip.

### Can the SE's fold-out key start the bike?

No. The mechanical key inside the fob is for the fuel tank cap and the passenger seat. Starting depends on the bike recognizing the fob or the registered spare key.

## The immobilizer system on this bike

- [Kawasaki Immobilizer and KIPASS: Keys, Fobs and Lost Keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/immobilizer-systems/kawasaki-immobilizer-kipass/): Kawasaki has two electronic key systems: a transponder immobilizer with coded keys, and KIPASS, a fob system used on the Concours 14 and a few newer models.

## More Kawasaki models

[Concours 14](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/concours-14/), [KLR650 and KLR250](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/klr650/), [KLX230, KLX250 and KLX300](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/klx230-klx250-klx300/), [Ninja 1000, Z1000 and Z800](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-1000-z1000-z800/), [Ninja 300 and Versys-X 300](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-300-versys-x-300/), [Ninja 400 and Ninja 250R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-400-ninja-250r/), [Ninja 500R and Ninja 250 (EX250F)](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-500r-ninja-250-ex250f/), [Ninja 650 and Z900](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-650-z900/), [Ninja 650R and ER-6n](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-650r-er-6n/), [Ninja H2, H2 SX and Z H2](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-h2-h2-sx-z-h2/), [Ninja ZX-10R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-zx-10r/), [Ninja ZX-11](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-zx-11/), [Ninja ZX-14 and ZX-14R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-zx-14r/), [Ninja ZX-6R and ZX-4R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-zx-6r-zx-4r/), [Ninja ZX-7R, ZX-9R and ZX-12R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/ninja-zx-7r-zx-9r-zx-12r/), [Versys 650 and Versys 1000](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/versys-650-versys-1000/), [Vulcan 1500, 1600 and 2000](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/vulcan-1500-1600-2000/), [Vulcan 1700](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/vulcan-1700/), [Vulcan 500 LTD, 750 and 800](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/vulcan-500-750-800/), [Vulcan 900](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/vulcan-900/), [Vulcan S](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/vulcan-s/), [W800 and W650](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/w800-w650/), [Z125 Pro, Z400 and Z650](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/z125-pro-z400-z650/), [Z900RS and Z650RS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/z650rs-z900rs/), [ZRX1200R, ZZR1200 and Concours](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/zrx1200r-zzr1200-concours/), [All Kawasaki keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/kawasaki/)

## Services for this bike

- [Lost Motorcycle Key, No Spare](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/lost-motorcycle-key/): No key at all? We make a working key at the bike.
- [Motorcycle Key Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-replacement/): New keys cut by code or from the lock, for all major makes.
- [Transponder and Immobilizer Key Programming](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-programming/): Chip keys and fobs programmed to your immobilizer.
- [Motorcycle Key Duplication and Spare Keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-duplication/): A spare now costs far less than a lost only-key later.
- [Motorcycle Ignition Repair and Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-ignition-repair/): Sticking, worn or damaged ignitions repaired or replaced.
- [Broken Motorcycle Key Extraction](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/broken-key-extraction/): Snapped key removed and a new one cut from the pieces.
- [Gas Cap, Seat, Steering and Saddlebag Locks](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-lock-repair/): Gas cap, seat, steering, helmet and saddlebag locks.

## Related guides

- [Motorcycle Key Fob Battery Replacement by Make](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/motorcycle-key-fob-battery-replacement/): Most motorcycle key fobs run on a single 3 volt coin cell.
- [Keyless Motorcycle Not Detecting the Key: Causes and Backups](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/keyless-motorcycle-not-detecting-key/): Owner's manuals give a short list of reasons a keyless bike fails to detect its fob: a weak fob battery, the fob carried against a phone, laptop or metal object, strong radio interference nearby, the fob switched off or out of range, and a low battery on the bike itself.
- [Adding a Spare Motorcycle Chip Key: Who Can Program It?](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/adding-a-spare-chip-key-who-can-program-it/): First check that your bike has a chip at all: many Japanese motorcycles sold in the US use a plain key, and a spare for those is simply cut.
- [Mini Motorcycle and Moped Keys: Grom, Monkey, Ruckus](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/mini-motorcycle-and-moped-keys/): A lost key on a mini motorcycle is usually one of the simpler key jobs.

## Where we come to you

[San Diego County](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/), [San Diego](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/san-diego/), [Chula Vista](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/chula-vista/), [Oceanside](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/oceanside/), [Escondido](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/escondido/), [Carlsbad](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/carlsbad/), [El Cajon](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/el-cajon/), [All service areas](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/)