kawasaki 500r

i'm looking at buying a kawasaki 500r for my first bike. any opinions or suggestions? i have taken a safety course allready. so that is out of the way. my liscence is endoresed. i have protective eqipment(jacket and helment). any tips or suggestions you can give would be welcome  

Yo, jserio,

I'll give you the long and short of it.

The short first -- If you can swing it I'd say look hard at the 650R before making a purchase (assuming you want to stay in the Kawasaki family).

The long -- there are many variables that could influence an answer that I don't know.  What's your budget?  What preconceptions do you have?  How much and in what environment do you see yourself using the motorcycle?  Are you stuck on Kawasaki?

I was a very successful Powersports salesman for several years.  I'll give a quick rundown on things to consider.

1) Regarding the bike to be purchased: are you looking at new or "gently used"?  This makes a dif if we're talking about picking up a 500R vs a 650R.  The technology on the 500R dates to the '80s.  If you are set or decide on this bike then you could save some coin by looking for a late '90s or early '00s.  The bike is the same and if you're not sure of the bike's condition you can always spring for a few dollars to have a local dealer check it out for peace of mind.

2) In contrast the 650R is much more bike for the money.  New technology, better performing in every aspect and only 13 Benjamins more than the 500R (at least MSRP).  It'll give you a higher ceiling to start with and yet is not that much more to handle for a first bike.  It's breaks, tires, suspension, and motor are all better.  If you pop for a 500R you will most likely outgrow it quickly (assuming you end up enjoying cycling in the long run).

3) Dinero.  Rubles.  Pesos.  Euros.  Money.  The 500R is less money and if you're financing a large part, or all, of the purchase this adds up over the life of the loan.  Insurance is also and issue.  Some, if not most, insurance companies will charge a higher premium on a larger displacement bike of the same category (cruiser, sport, tourer, etc.).

4) What is your intent in getting into motorcycling?  Do you just want to putter around the neighborhood and stop at the local Sonic Drive In for an ice cream?  Or do you see yourself taking it on the road for a trip once in awhile and want to take a passenger sometimes?  The larger Kaw will accommodate a more involved motorcyclist.

These are just a few things to consider.  If we were meeting as a salesman and prospective rider I would take more time to explore your interest and share some of my experience to help you come to a decision that you feel good about.

Here are a few last thoughts.  As a general rule I recommend getting something someone can grow into over time, not that they'll grow out of sooner than later.  Also, if you're not set on Kaw then look at Suzuki's SV650 -- it's a great bike, has a lot of soul (with it's V twin rumble), is proven, and has a great aftermarket for parts to keep the bike fresh and help the bike to grow with you in performance as you gain experience.

I think you are taking a thoughtful approach to this.  Don't rush it and think it through.  Count the costs as best you can and then do it and most likely you won't have regrets.  Last recommendation -- buy good gear: helmet, gloves, boots, and leathers (or at least a good riding jacket).  It's worth it.  Hope you get into this sport and love it.  I've been at it for over a quarter of a century and have no regrets.

Peace.  

If your set on the 500, join this list (see below). It is an EX500 owners forum. LOTS of good info. Plus someone on their might be selling one used. The nice thing about the 500, decent after market for parts, plus it has minimal bodywork so when you drop it it wont be as bad, the 650 has more bodywork.  IT has also been around since the dawn of time so its gremlins are all well known. Of course the 650 hopefully being brand new has some more positives.
Tires size for instance, the 500 has relatively small tires, a 110 front and a 130 rear, wheras the 650 has 120 front 160 rear, which is more in line with other newer bikes and therefore there are more choices in tires.


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i have done countless hours of research trying to find the "right" bike to start out with. i took my safety course on a honda rebel 250. the reason i picked the kawasaki 500 was because for the money, and value i'd recieve it looks on paper to be the best option for a beginning bike. after talking to countless people on the matter i had narrowed my choices down the the suzuki gs500 and the kawasaki 500. at a glance the bikes look identical. they are not. the kawasaki is cheaper. maybe only by 150 bucks but still cheaper. the kawasaki has more power. only 10 or so hp but more is still more. the kawasaki also is lighter, giving me the impression that for a first time buyer, it will handle better. i read a magazine comparisson of these two bikes and the kawasaki won 8 of the 10 comparisson points. the only things the suzuki had better was styling and brakes. but the suzuki is heavier so you would expect the brakes to be better.  they noted the kawasaki gets much better gas mileage. the engine in the kawasaki is liquid cooled, and the suzuki's is air cooled. from input i gathered from other people, liquid engines will last a lot longer thereby lowering my maintenence cost. now, i had looked at the sv650 and the ninja 650 also. they are by size bigger bikes. i'm not that big a guy. only 5'5 maybe 5'6 in my work boots. so i figured the smaller bikes would be more comfortable for me to ride on. honestly if i could have any bike it would be either a gixxer 600 or a cbr 600rr....maybe even a busa or zx-14....but those bikes are a long ways off in terms of my abilities. not to mention the insurance costs. well...i've rambled enough...hope this gives you a better idea of why i'm looking into this bike. thank you for your time.