Kawa EX250 vs. EN500

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lunchmeat · Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:31 am

In Florida, damage insurance is recommended but not required. However, if you crash or have an accident, then you are required to pay damage insurance. I don't think that personal insurance is a requirement at all for motorcycle riders. I'll have to reread the documentation....but this is what I've heard from Florida riders.

It's also legal to ride without helmets, though, so I guess this state is just lax.

The Vulcan 500 is a 2003 model. I think the dealer is selling for $3300, which is $50 above the KBB price, so it doesn't look as though he's trying to screw me over with the bike purchase...but thanks for the warning, whomever it was, about the tacked on prices (profit enhancements). I will be wary of that.

As for the 30-day thing, I don't know if it was a money-back thing, but it was definitely a warranty. I don't really know what that means, though; you're right, I need to get it in writing. The place I went to does repair bikes, though, so maybe they meant they'd do checkups and fix anything if necessary, at reduced cost or something. I don't really know. Quite possibly, however, it probably means that if there's anything wrong with the bike that isn't my fault, I can take it back and they'll fix it. I doubt that will happen, though. Only time will tell - any problems with the bike are likely to be my fault.

I'm still not sure what decision I'm going to make - money also plays a factor. I think I can honestly see myself being fairly happy on both bikes. (Although, for whatever reason, the Vulcan 500 seemed a bit cramped - I'm 5'11" with long arms and I felt the handlebars should've been higher and a bit farther out. Is that normal? The Vulcan isn't a big bike, but it's not really small, either...maybe I'm just sitting wrong?) Man....I am actually stuck, now.

NorthernPete · Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:50 am

Unless you actually ride the bike a bit, you wont get an exact feel. On a cruiser, your stretched out, youll notice when your feet are on the pegs. Im close to 6 foot and feel quite comfortable on the bike (have a look at my blog entry and youll see some pics, how it fits and what not)

gsJack · #13 Unread post by **gsJack** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:39 am

Here's an experienced Busa rider having fun on a Ninja 250:

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread ... =ninja+250

#14 Unread post by **t_bonee** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:44 am

Keep in mind that the Vulcan 500 is the exact same engine that is in the Ninja 500. So performance wise, you looking at a choice between the Ninja 250 and the 500, either of which are a great choice for a starter bike. It is then a choice of your budget and style preference.

I would recommend spending a little extra and get the Vulcan 500. You're getting a solid bike that will probably give you a longer time until you feel the need to "upgrade". Especially since you stated that you are looking for a cruiser style bike. And insurance cost shouldn't be whole lot on a 500cc cruiser. Of course your age and driving record will play into that as well. The insurance on my 06 Vulcan 900 is only ~$30/mo. But I'm 36 and have a clean driving record. YMMV.

TXClassic · Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:37 am

I own a V-Star 650, and I am selling it right now (this week actually), and getting a Ninja 250. It is all about personal preference like other posters have stated. I was in love with cruisers when I bought my 650. So much I just went on a whim and bought it one day. After a year I still thought I was in love with them but.... A shedevil in the form of a Ninja 250 came to my house and I rode it for a while(no pun intended...hehe). Now I am hooked on the Ninja, and I plan on getting at the very least a year out of it, then when I do get ready to upgrade, I can sell it for practically what I paid for it. Plus the gas mileage is freakin awesome on the 250. Oh by the way I'm recomending the 250 in case you got lost in my rambling. Good luck, and have fun.

lunchmeat · Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:03 am

Well...

After looking at the price for the Vulcan 500, and adding in sales tax, and thinking about registering the bike with titles and tags...and buying insurance...and paying for the motorcycle license...I realize that this might not work too well. There's a lot more at stake here than this bike, though- this has to do with a lot of personal stuff, so I really have to get a bike as soon as possible.

I do currently work a full-time job (although I'm going to try full-time and school during the fall, hopefully, we'll see or something) and so buying the Vulcan is feasible, but it's really going to put me out of a bit of my money. Thing is, I just hope I haven't missed my chance with the EX250.

Another thing - registration - is it really gonna be close to $150? I'm doing all the math and figuring out all the stuff I have to pay for...that's kind of insane! Am I doing my math wrong? I have no experience with this (which REALLY gets on my nerves, since I'm 20...I should've been dealing with this stuff since I was 16) and I find this a bit odd. Is this really correct?

I guess, honestly, I'm just hoping that this really will happen. There are too many things in my life that were planned, yet put off, and put off, and put off, things that weren't under my control (like a car, for instance....any sort of transportation, or freedom) and I really don't want this to go the same way. I will fight to ensure that it won't.

#17 Unread post by **Wrider** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:01 pm

Yeah, registration is nasty... Here in CO it cost me 200 to register my bike, and 485 to register the cage (2004 Dodge Intrepid SE)
Wrider

IcyHound · #18 Unread post by **IcyHound** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:43 pm

Registration depends on state. In MD my veh tags cost me about 125 every two years. In VA they cost me 36 a year.

You also have to add in matinance. Things like tires which you are going to go through a lot of and various wear.

#19 Unread post by **Wrider** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:11 pm

IcyHound wrote:Registration depends on state. In MD my veh tags cost me about 125 every two years. In VA they cost me 36 a year.

You also have to add in matinance. Things like tires which you are going to go through a lot of and various wear.

True, tags are much cheaper every year, but I was talking about the initial registration...
Wrider