What do you think of this bike as a first starter/practice bike?

Question

http://lansing.craigslist.org/mcy/355743821.html

I was thinking I would give him $650 for it. I was going to buy a 99 EX250 for $1150 but came across this one. What should I get for practice? Oh by the I'm 5'1 so is the EX500 one going to be taller?

A lot of people say a 250 or 500 is good. I've been told a 500 would be better because I wouldn't feel the need to upgrade later.

Joe E. These are sportbikes. Not dirtbikes. This is a Kawasaki Ninja EX500

Oh and I have completed the MSF course. It was great. I'm going to get my license and hopefully this bike tomorrow

I weigh 102 lbs. So does the 500 weigh more? Would this weight be to much for me?

I don't know if things have changed for the old bikes. But the seats height for a new 500cc is 30.5" and the seat height for the 250cc is 29.3". Does anyone know know if these heights are consistent with the older bikes?

Answer 1

if you can pick it up when it falls over... you can ride it...

worked for me ,, my daughter & my sister....

take it slow.. youve ridden a 250... but the 500 will suprise you as it has a lot more go...buy the 500.. learn in small steps(lol)..

remember the front brake is your best freind.. learn to use it fast & hard..( without lockng the front wheel) it WILL save your life.. keep the tyres pointed at the road..(black side down)..

& HAVE FUN.. its what riding a bike is all about..

Answer 2

I had an EX500 and it was a great bike, but it weighs a little over 200 lbs. and has a pretty high seat. It might be a little too big for you. You might be OK with the 250.

I would never buy a used bike. You don't know how many times it's been wrecked and repaired, and you don't want to inherit someone else's problems.

The best thing to do is to go to a dealer and get a new bike with a warranty. Ask the sales person to lay the bike down and let you pick it up, not off the ground, but back on it's wheels. Don't buy a bike that's too big for you to pick up. Secondly, sit on it, and if you can't touch the ground with both feet, it's too tall for you.

Answer 3

I would go with the 500. The 250 has almost the exact same power as the bikes you rode during the rider training course. (99% of the training courses use a 250cc bike). While the 250cc may be lighter, I can almost guarantee that you will be fed up with how little power it produces after about a week. Just think, you will have to be full throttle on the interstates and merging with interstate traffic. They really don't have enough power to get you out of harms way either, in case a car were to jump out in front of you. The 500cc bike makes just enough power, not too much and definately not too little. Go with the 500cc.

Answer 4

Go with the 500. If its too much power for u, u can have a mechanic set the carb up so it go to Wide open throttle. I had a 800cc bike as my first bike. The first couple of days it had lots of power, then after that i was just right. Remember, take the MSF rider safetly course, it will keep u alive.

Answer 5

Stick with the 250 its a great starter bike. Ride it until you can do all the basic rider course events then move up. wear your safety equipment and know your limits.

Answer 6

depends on the height of your inseam. you can be 5'1" and have a long inseam. Im 5'1" but have a 24" inseam, which makes all bikes for me,. too tall

a 250 is a good starter bike. the cheaper and well maintained it is, the better.

Answer 7

It was once a females motorbike as a results of fact females wore clothing everywhere and the diminished bar helped save the gown down. I used a million to stay away from the intense leg raise with undesirable hips. the impressive call is a step via physique.

Answer 8

go for the 250cc. for a dirtbike that is more than enough power for your size. in fact it might be a little to much bike. go look at some 125cc bikes and some 250cc bikes. you shouldn't even be considering a 500cc bike for a dirtbike. now if you were looking at sportsbikes (Streatbikes) that would be a different story and I''d say go for a 600cc. but dirtbikes are different, and a 250cc bike might be to much bike for you.

Answer 9

no its not really any bigger. just twice as much power. i'd go with the 250 because thats about all the power a noobie can handle. either that or just take it REALLY easy with the 550....and remember...always wear a helmet!

Answer 10

that one has too much power for a novice
my first bike was a Honda Nighthawk