2006 Kawasaki EX250 or EX 500

[CNF2002]

In Houston the 250 ninjas seem to be going for a dime a dozen. Check cycletrader.com

[miked78231]

thanks man im checking them now. as for learning, is it pretty hard? ive been on a dirt bike about 2-3 times and thats it. and each time was only for 30-60min each time. can you goto a class not knowing anything?

[VermilionX]

thanks man im checking them now. as for learning, is it pretty hard? ive been on a dirt bike about 2-3 times and thats it. and each time was only for 30-60min each time. can you goto a class not knowing anything?

yeah, a bunch of my fellow BRC classmates have never ridden motrobikes before.

they teach you like you have never ridden before so everyone on the BRC gets taught the same way regerdless of exp.

about being hard to learn... that's all up to you, every person is diff.

[miked78231]

well after hearing from you guys and researching all day i think im going to go with the kawasaki EX500. the thing is i cant find it used anywhere. ive tried my local papers and ive tried the cycletrade.com and still nothing. if i can find one thats around 3000 then im going to have to go with the 250.

[kabob983]

Once again, I'd go with the EX250 or the GS500 before the EX500, but that's a personal preference. The EX500 does have a good amount of horsepower for a beginner bike, maybe even slightly too much.

I really wish that Kawasaki still made the ZXR250, it was like a much sportier version of the EX250 with 45 hp or so and a lil' more torque, twaz nice. They stopped making it in '99 though...

[SuperRookie]

well after hearing from you guys and researching all day i think im going to go with the kawasaki EX500. the thing is i cant find it used anywhere. ive tried my local papers and ive tried the cycletrade.com and still nothing. if i can find one thats around 3000 then im going to have to go with the 250.

If you really want the 500, KEEP LOOKING! The reason they're so hard to find is that they're great bikes. Took me about 3 weeks of searching day in and day out on CL to find my 500. They're out there, but when one becomes available, you have to move FAST...have someone you know that knows bikes to kick the tires and check it out and bingo...ya got yourself a bike. I was on CL when the bike I ended up getting was posted...I called the seller inside of two minutes of the posting...he was like wtf? dood I JUST posted that...

[totalmotorcycle]

Good choice the EX500 (Ninja 500R) as there are a lot worse bikes to get. I do recommend it in our Reliable Used Motorcycle Guide as it has been around forever (mostly unchanged), parts are common, insurance cheap and it goes for a long time. I think they will be discontinuing this model in the next couple of years as they introduced the Ninja 650R... But don't let that stop you.

The EX250 (Ninja 250R) or the GS500 (GS500E or GS500F) are also good choices as suggested. The Ninja 250R is about the same as a 400cc from the early 80's in top speed (145 km/h). The GS500E has been around for a dogs age, but its reliable as a stone.

Any of these bikes will give you a very good start to your riding career!

Goldstar for asking advice before you buy.



Mike.

[miked78231]

well if any of you could help me find a used Kawasaki EX500R in or near san antonio, TX that would be awesome. i have been searching all day and havnt been able to find anything in my area. im either not typing the right stuff or there really isnt any used EX500R's over here. i might have to just pay for a new 250R because like i said i can only spend about 3000 wether its for a used or new.

[VermilionX]

well if any of you could help me find a used Kawasaki EX500R in or near san antonio, TX that would be awesome. i have been searching all day and havnt been able to find anything in my area. im either not typing the right stuff or there really isnt any used EX500R's over here. i might have to just pay for a new 250R because like i said i can only spend about 3000 wether its for a used or new.

if you really want the 500 then why don't you just make a $3000 down payment and your monthly will be very very small.

but then again, if you plan to upgrade on a 600cc or higher supersport later then yeah, go w/ a cheap used bike like a used 250.

[CNF2002]

Yeah but financing means he has to get full coverage, depending on his situation (age/gender/history) on a 500 ninja that could be pretty steep.