Can we talk about my 1991 EX500?
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:13 am
Hi guys. Hope im not the annoying new guy, but I wanted to talk about my bike.
I bought it in 1997, for 1800 bucks. It was my first bike. I learned to ride on my neighboor's KZ1000 (ridiculous, because I am only 5'6" and at the time i probably weighed 130 lbs). for about 2 weeks, and then decided I wanted my own, appropriate for my size.
I pretty much bought the 500 because it was one of the first smaller bikes i saw for sale on craigslist. I only learned later that the ex500 is in fact an ideal learner bike and that many people swear by it as a GREAT little bike, and that there are lots of ex500 amateur racing circuits. I made a dumb-lucky decision I guess.
Anyways...When I bought that bike back then, I hardly rode it. I probably put 500 miles on it. I never even got a license or insurance. All I had was a permit. Also, I never wore any gear except for a good helmet. No leathers, armour, gloves, boots, pants...nothing! Pretty stupid I know.
After about 6 months, I gave it to my friend who wanted to buy it. This friend never had jobs and never had money, so he never paid me. I basically let him have it for free. Why did I do this? Because, I think, I wasn't really into riding. I was such a poseur. I don't know what motivated me to start riding, and I don't know why I bought a bike in the first place.
It is now almost 10 years later, and I have started to become interested in bikes. I want my 500 back from my old friend. I think he is going to give it back to me no problem. I called his dad a few days ago (dad said "sure come and get it!") and, I think even that my friend rides it once in awhile...so it may be in running condition still.
Sorry that was so long-winded. My question. I am thinking about getting the bike back and playing with it for awhile, maybe customizing it a little, and then buying up to maybe a...SV650? Does that sound like a good plan? Is it lame to "customize" an ex500? I feel like a poseur. I am just so excited to work on it and have fun with it.
One thing I've never liked about the 500 ( i LOVE the way it runs, handles though) is the fairing. I don't like the standard look, I like the full fairing racing bike look. I have seen online that you can buy a middle fairing piece for the 500, and the lower cowl (i dont have it. i only have upper)...and even some nice tail cowling. To give it a more sporty look. Is that a bad thing to do, and is it really lame that I care how the fairing looks?
Has anyone tricked their ex500s in the past? I saw this picture posted online, and the guy says that it is his old 1992 ex500:
That is just gorgeous. That is the kind of body I like. But nowhere online does a body kit like that seem to be for sale for 500s. It appears that he used the kit that I have seen sold for SV650s. Is it possible he modified it to fit the 500? or maybe that bike isnt an 500 at all? If it is, it is customized to the point that it only has the soul of one. even the frame seems different. yet, he says here: http://www.ntsracing.com/index1.htm that it is a 500. emailed him but he didnt respond.
Sorry for the long post and all the questions. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Kevin
I bought it in 1997, for 1800 bucks. It was my first bike. I learned to ride on my neighboor's KZ1000 (ridiculous, because I am only 5'6" and at the time i probably weighed 130 lbs). for about 2 weeks, and then decided I wanted my own, appropriate for my size.
I pretty much bought the 500 because it was one of the first smaller bikes i saw for sale on craigslist. I only learned later that the ex500 is in fact an ideal learner bike and that many people swear by it as a GREAT little bike, and that there are lots of ex500 amateur racing circuits. I made a dumb-lucky decision I guess.
Anyways...When I bought that bike back then, I hardly rode it. I probably put 500 miles on it. I never even got a license or insurance. All I had was a permit. Also, I never wore any gear except for a good helmet. No leathers, armour, gloves, boots, pants...nothing! Pretty stupid I know.
After about 6 months, I gave it to my friend who wanted to buy it. This friend never had jobs and never had money, so he never paid me. I basically let him have it for free. Why did I do this? Because, I think, I wasn't really into riding. I was such a poseur. I don't know what motivated me to start riding, and I don't know why I bought a bike in the first place.
It is now almost 10 years later, and I have started to become interested in bikes. I want my 500 back from my old friend. I think he is going to give it back to me no problem. I called his dad a few days ago (dad said "sure come and get it!") and, I think even that my friend rides it once in awhile...so it may be in running condition still.
Sorry that was so long-winded. My question. I am thinking about getting the bike back and playing with it for awhile, maybe customizing it a little, and then buying up to maybe a...SV650? Does that sound like a good plan? Is it lame to "customize" an ex500? I feel like a poseur. I am just so excited to work on it and have fun with it.
One thing I've never liked about the 500 ( i LOVE the way it runs, handles though) is the fairing. I don't like the standard look, I like the full fairing racing bike look. I have seen online that you can buy a middle fairing piece for the 500, and the lower cowl (i dont have it. i only have upper)...and even some nice tail cowling. To give it a more sporty look. Is that a bad thing to do, and is it really lame that I care how the fairing looks?
Has anyone tricked their ex500s in the past? I saw this picture posted online, and the guy says that it is his old 1992 ex500:
That is just gorgeous. That is the kind of body I like. But nowhere online does a body kit like that seem to be for sale for 500s. It appears that he used the kit that I have seen sold for SV650s. Is it possible he modified it to fit the 500? or maybe that bike isnt an 500 at all? If it is, it is customized to the point that it only has the soul of one. even the frame seems different. yet, he says here: http://www.ntsracing.com/index1.htm that it is a 500. emailed him but he didnt respond.
Sorry for the long post and all the questions. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Kevin
