...if you spend any time reading reviews and comments you'll end up thinking a 500 is a sissy bike. If you go into a dealership, they'll look at like you are mental if you express an interest in anything less expensive..err...powerful than a 650. I'm being unfair actually... when I explained to one salesperson that I had an 1100 at home but was looking for a starter bike he basically told me to ride the 1100 and not buy any bike from him. That's altruism, turning down a $3000-5000 sale because you think a 600lb, 1100cc, 66ft/lb of torque bike is as good a trainer as a Ninja 250, GS500, or the like!
If you read "sound advice" type writings, they talk about how everyone should start on a 125 or 250.
We're all confused. I'm bouncing between a GS500, a KLR650, a V-Strom 650, and a 250 like I started out thinking I was going to get.
Suzuki Sv650S v. Kawasaki Ninja 650R
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ZooTech
- Legendary 3000
- Posts: 3233
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 3:23 am
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 18
- My Motorcycle: Nomad / Ninja 500 / VLX Bobber / C3 / VS
- Location: Ohio
A 500 is not a sissy bike. The one I learned on was a '78 model and it had no problem keeping up with traffic. A modern EX500 would do even better. However, I wouldn't want to ride one out of state, and nobody races them. Bigger bikes are appealing for comfort and power. Get whatever you feel comfortable starting on.dieziege wrote:...if you spend any time reading reviews and comments you'll end up thinking a 500 is a sissy bike.
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jmillheiser
- Legendary 2500
- Posts: 2515
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 5:27 pm
- Sex: Male
- Location: Cheyenne, WY
Im 5'10" and around 200lbs. my 500 has NO trouble hauling me around, and no trouble keeping up with traffic. I would definately recommend a 500 to start on. Though its considered small and slow for a bike, I can still out accelerate most cages and it will get up to highway speed quicker than the typical cage.
My CX500 (same basic bike that zootech started on) may be a tad slower than a ninja 500 but its still no slouch.
I would definately recommend a GS500 or ninja 500 for someone wanting to get into sportbikes. The SV650 or ninja 650 would be doable for a more mature new rider but is going to be more expensive to buy and insure, especially if your under 25.
BTW the ninja 650 should be more expensive than the naked SV650 but cheaper than the SV650S
My CX500 (same basic bike that zootech started on) may be a tad slower than a ninja 500 but its still no slouch.
I would definately recommend a GS500 or ninja 500 for someone wanting to get into sportbikes. The SV650 or ninja 650 would be doable for a more mature new rider but is going to be more expensive to buy and insure, especially if your under 25.
BTW the ninja 650 should be more expensive than the naked SV650 but cheaper than the SV650S
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swatter555
- Legendary 300
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:21 pm
- Sex: Male
- Location: Saint Louis,MO
There should be a sticky about what considerations should be made when a new rider finances a MC.
Some people could care less about how fast their bike goes. Some people are obsessed with speed. Im sure most of us fall somewhere in-between.
If your a person who loves everything about sportbikes and dreams of getting a GSX-R1000 someday, then don't finance a Ninja 500 or a GS500. Im not saying dont buy those bikes, Im saying you dont want to finance those bikes for 3-5 years. If speed is your fix, then you will outgrow those bikes rather quickly. I have known too many people lose lots of money trading in a bike after a few months.
Then again, there are people on this board who have been riding on GS500s for years and love them. If your that type of person, then by all means finance that 500.
My advice would be to BUY USED. You might start out on a small clunker, but once you get past the akward initial learning stages you will be able to get a bike you truly want, without messing it up in newbie drops.
Some people could care less about how fast their bike goes. Some people are obsessed with speed. Im sure most of us fall somewhere in-between.
If your a person who loves everything about sportbikes and dreams of getting a GSX-R1000 someday, then don't finance a Ninja 500 or a GS500. Im not saying dont buy those bikes, Im saying you dont want to finance those bikes for 3-5 years. If speed is your fix, then you will outgrow those bikes rather quickly. I have known too many people lose lots of money trading in a bike after a few months.
Then again, there are people on this board who have been riding on GS500s for years and love them. If your that type of person, then by all means finance that 500.
My advice would be to BUY USED. You might start out on a small clunker, but once you get past the akward initial learning stages you will be able to get a bike you truly want, without messing it up in newbie drops.