Kawasaki 500?

Question

I am looking to purchase this bike brand new. I am a new rider. The dealer told me this is a good bike for a beginner. Anyone have one and no this for sure?

I mean "know" this for sure?

My bad. Ninja is the model.

Answer 1

The Ninja 250 and 500 are both excellent bikes for a new rider. I would personally guage which one you buy off of your budget and your size, as the excess weight and size of the 500 make any performance advantages very small. The 250 is nice and light, easy to toss around corners and therefore inspires confidence in a new rider. The 250 will also hold it's value a little better for resale, as the bike's value can't drop THAT much with how cheap it is new.

Don't listen to those saying "how much of a difference can 100ccs make" in reference to getting a 600. They make a HUGE difference. The modern 600cc bikes like the Ninja 636 are pushing over 100 horsepower, double that of the Ninja 500. They also have much more sensitive brakes, which can cause problems for the new rider. There are a ton of things to learn when it comes to surviving the roads on a motorcycle... why add a bike with a lot of difficult quirks for a new rider on top of that? If you want to be successful and still be riding years down the road, start small and work your way up.

I'd even suggest looking for a USED 250 or 500. Providing you don't wreck it, you can keep it for your first year of riding, and then turn around and sell it for what you paid for it. Providing you actually ride it instead of making it a garage queen, you should be ready and wanting to move up by that time anyway. Also, don't forget to add safety gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and pants) to your budget. Your skin will thank you.

Whatever you decide, good luck and keep the rubber side down!

Answer 2

I had an '89 ex500. It was very reliable, easy to fix, good on gas and reasonably quick as well. 55 horsepower can give a really good sensation of speed on the back roads up to about 70, although on the big open highways it doesn't feel all that strong. I would definitely recommend one. I really don't think a beginner should be riding around with 100 horsepower between his legs. BTW the bike I had, which is now called the Ninja 500, is still being made and is basically the same exact bike they made back in the day.

Answer 3

It depends on your comfort level. I started out with a Kawasaki 600 back in 1994. 100cc's isn't enough to make THAT much of a difference.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend anything higher than a 600 for a beginning rider. Some may press thier luck and try out a 750, but in my personal opinion... I don't think that's the smartest thing to do.

My second bike was a Suzuki 600 and my third was a Yamaha 1000. After 11 years of riding sport bikes, I switched over to a Harley Road King last year... but never get too cocky with what you THINK you can handle. If you do... that's about the time accidents happen.

Ride safe bud...

Answer 4

EX500 is a great lightweight bike for beginners. I raced one from 1994-1996 before moving up to a middleweight. They turn well and there are plenty of spare parts around.

Answer 5

Yeah, perfect to start out on. I have the 250 just to kick around on for fun. They are easy to ride and manuver. Also a good bike to take the road test on.

Answer 6

take that money, buy a good used 500, proper clothing and safety gear, and a rider safety course, and use the rest of the money for a few months worth of gas for ridin around.

Answer 7

How about specifying a model? are you buying a cruiser style or more of a road racer style bike?