1992 Kawasaki 500 EX

[JVRR]

I cannot really find anything online about this bike, it is hardly in tip-top shape or a newer model, but the price is really right, and it may be hard to tell from pictures but it appears to be a more standard style than sport bike. The price might even be good enough I could justify a purchase before I go back to work. But, as I mentioned, I cannot really find anything about this year/model online.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/2227121352.html

[totalmotorcycle]

You are definately on the right track with your idea here. In fact, you inspired me to spend an hour on a lazy Saturday morning to look at bikes for you (I went through about 1000 of them) and here are the VERY BEST ones you might want to consider. I chose nothing over $1500 or under $500. No bikes with problems or need fixing. Low milage and bikes that I know are reliable (even if old).


1980 XS 400 Yamaha Cash only - $875 (Marysville)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/2232922233.html

Price Reduction/1983 Yamaha Virago 500 - $1450 (Everett)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/2232236004.html

1979 Honda CX500D Runs and rides amazingly well! No leaks or smoke! - $895 (Wallingford / Seattle)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2230854002.html

kawasaki 1990 ex500(ninja)500r - $1500 (mc cleary)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/mcy/2229520874.html

***'82 Honda Nighthawk 750 - $500 (spanaway)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/2227307126.html

1994 Kawasaki Vulcan 535 LTD. - $1150 (BONNEY LAKE
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/2222925141.html

1986 Kawasaki ZL600 Need it Gone Quick! Running Strong & LOW Miles - $1495 (Redmond
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/mcy/2221926011.html


*** This one won't win any beauty contests but it will get you a bike for just $500 with no issues. You can find nicer looking parts on eBay as you go.

Best of luck. If you can, go see the ones that appeal to you most or them all. If you end up buying one you can always ask for the owner to ride it back to your home (I did that when I first started out).

[JVRR]

Thanks! I have seen most of those. It is hard to start shopping too hard since I will not purchase until I have some sort of job (even if I just go back to Papa John's), and obviously the job I get will dictate how much money I feel comfortable spending. I like the look of the Ninja you posted, the color doesn't do as much for me as the 92 I posted, and maybe that is unfair but I get nervous about all that "It's custom, I rebuilt it," stuff... but its way lower miles.

The other main contenders I have saved (will be at least a week or two before I purchase so who knows what will still be available... that being said in the $1500 and under range, I may be willing to purchase sooner).

The 92 EX 500 I posted in first thread. - $1300

2002 Ninja 500 - $2350
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/2225673998.html

2007 Suzuki GS 500 F - $3000 (top end of my budget for now)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/mcy/2227446256.html

Some others I have saved, definitely over the power I am looking for, but I suspect being older bikes the power is not equal to what it would be on a 10 year later model.

1996 Yamaha FZR 600R - $1500
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/2229067311.html

1998 Katana 600 - $2000
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2231281798.html

2003 Honda CBR600RR - $2000
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/2229007223.html

1998 Yamaha YZK 600 R - $2500
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/2227753981.html

None of these really fall into that standard category I am looking for, but obviously in the price range, season, and timeframe I will be limited.

Basically what I am looking for is something that is fun to ride around town, something I can actually learn on (I liked some buddies example that so many people do not know how to ride, they will give it a ton of gas but the second they get to a turn they have to slow wayyyy down to navigate it, they don't actually know how to ride- I want to learn ). But something that may be comfortable to take across the state, I got no qualms about stopping to stretch, but it seems a ride that would be unbearable on a true sportbike may be at least doable on a standard.

In the cruiser category, though I am pretty sold on starting sportbike/standard...

1983 Honda Magnum V45 750 - $1000
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/mcy/2227739801.html

1997 Suzuki Savage LS650 - $2200
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcd/2221581822.html

2001 Honda Shadow Spirit VT750DC - $2250
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2232211864.html

1999 Honda Shadow 600 VLZ - $2600
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/mcd/2225551282.html

[gsJack]

Check out these EX500 and GS500 forums for everything you want to know about them.
http://www.ex-500.com/
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php

[JVRR]

Little higher than my new/immediate budget, but maybe it is time to go back to Papa John's and pick up some hours.

2002 Suzuki GS500 - $2150
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/2236128353.html

[totalmotorcycle]

Here is something to think about... sure, everyone wants a newer bike, but sometimes just having a bike is better than having no bike at all. A riding a $500 or $1000 motorcycle can be just as fun as riding a $10,000 one that's newer.

If I was in your position I would rather grab a cheap bike and enjoy it now rather than working all those hours extra (and watching motorcyclists going by my window having fun while I work for more cash to buy a more expensive bike.)

Some others I have saved, definitely over the power I am looking for, but I suspect being older bikes the power is not equal to what it would be on a 10 year later model.

Yes and no. There is a lot of grey area here. For bikes in the 70's to 90's yes, bikes in the 80's to 2000's, somewhat, bikes from 90's to 2010's no.

Take the 1983 Honda Magna V45 750 for example, it will easily cream the 2001 Shadow Spirit VT750DC for power even though it's almost 20 years older, infact I'd put up that 83' bike agaist a 2012 as well.

The biggest difference really is the handling, not as much the power from the 80's to today. On the flip side I'd generally say bikes were built much better in the 80's (to last) than they are today as total weight wasn't such an importance back then. Today they use thinner frames, narrower gauge wiring and much more complex electronics.

You also mentioned lots of 250cc bikes around, the reason is they are super sellers and awesome starting bikes. Moving up in 2-3 years (or 11 years in some cases) is not an issue as riding a 250cc for a year is "like" ridding a 600cc for a few years in experience.

Most of all, have fun!

Mike

[JVRR]

I want something with staying power as well though. I don't want to buy something that I feel I have to upgrade in some relatively quick order. Being realistic it could be a long time before I am in a good job and have fluid money. I want to find something that I know is great for starting off, and will still be great in a few years if needed. A key factor here is the mountains, I know 250cc's deserve more credit than they can get, but I am super suspicious of any idea that they are going to get me over the mountain pass 30 minutes to my east at anything near the speed limit, comfortably. Not to mention I am a big guy, which will not be an issue I understand- unless I decide to put a passenger or a load on. 500cc seems to cover the bases better.

In the end it will come down to the deal. Whether I buy next week or in three months (unless I have a great job then ) it will be about the right bike for the right price. I am not going to sit around and wait for the exact bike I want, if its a cruiser, a sportbike, or a standard, 250cc or 500cc, that is right for the price, I will jump on it, and am also a little flexible on the price (let me put it this way, I have a nice chunk of savings, it was for a down payment on a house, but plans changed and I definitely will not be house-buying material in the near future so I am not about to "blow it all," but I have some cash I can dip into and replace slowly).

I am reallying liking what I see and read about the Suzuki GS500. But the next roadblock now is getting the parents on the same page. I'll win, it just might take time.

By the way, passed the class today!