Market gap in the 500cc class

[PostHuman]

While Kawasaki could basically port some of the 650R technology into the 500R, I think it's inevitable someone is going to jump on the 500cc bike market gap.

Even the 650R is a bit robust of a bike for a new rider, to say nothing of the SV-650, while the EX-250 is basically a less dorky scooter that is really... *ahem* a girl's bike.

So for riders who want a bike that's reasonable to learn on but won't get old in a month, the 500 class is ideal.
Sadly it seems to be neglected by manufacturers.

Suzuki offers the GS-500F but that bike is pretty lame, with its air cooling and weak engine.

Kawasaki's venerable EX-500 is to this day a good bike - fast as any sane person could need and reliable as a Bell rotary phone, but it's still an ancient motorcycle, barely more up-to-date than last year's KLR.

If one of the japanese Four or even Aprilia or Triumph were to jump on this opportunity, we'd see a little shakeup in the market, and maybe fewer imbeciles (read: rich POS) starting off on GSX-R1000 rolling cruise missiles.

The next-generation 500cc bike looks a bit like this (use the EX as a reference):

- Fuel injection. This one is a no-brainer... carboration went out with the 80s.

- Compact oversquare inline twin, c.f. 650R.

- Dual discs.

- Digital gauges.

- Pre-load adjustable rear suspension.

- Modern suspension design with much more rigidity than the squishy EX-500.

- Easily removeable fairings so novice riders can easily access their engine for maintenance.

- Snap-together design for pretty much everything to make any modifications idiot proof to allow aforementioned novices to quickly upgrade their bikes, thus making this vehicle more appealing to companies which would sell the aftermarket goodies.

- For once, an attractive body. The EX-500 was good looking and contemporary in 1987, but today looks ridiculously dated, and actually the redesign in 1994 made it look even uglier. Better yet, those said snap together parts could include the body which could come in different mix-n-match combinations which are stupidly easy to put on.



That is my hope for the next generation of 500cc semisport bike.

[VermilionX]

If one of the japanese Four or even Aprilia or Triumph were to jump on this opportunity, we'd see a little shakeup in the market, and maybe fewer imbeciles (read: rich POS) starting off on GSX-R1000 rolling cruise missiles.

LOL!

i dislike yuppies bec they make me feel bad about myself.

but you look like you have a lot of hatred and jealousy towards them. anyway... it's their money, who cares what they spend it on.

and oh since kawasaki has updated both the KLR and concours... there might be hope for the EX500 yet.

[PostHuman]

That seems to be a common refrain... "people spend their money on what they want".

[Mintbread]

The US isn't "the market".

There are many other countries that bikes are exported to and many of them have size restrictions for learner and provisional riders.
Once that time is spent on smaller bikes learning how to ride people don't want to take a very small step up to a 500cc bike. They will always have a limited market and coupled with the fact that there is no 500cc racing class interest is weak at best.

[TechTMW]

I agree w/ Minty on most of his points. I'd like to add that many riders in other countries don't necessarily ride for the thrill of being on the biggest cc bike out there. Many folks ride smaller cc bikes for the practicality (Like better mileage, low insurance, and practicality - like being able to haul stuff on the bike.)

The US Market is dominated by 2 types - the Sportbikers and the cruisers. But like Minty said, the USA isn't the world. However, you are placing yourself squarely into the "Sportbiker" realm with your post. You want a bike with full fairings. Why? You want an engine that is easily accessible but covered up with plastics. Have your cake and eat it too?? Let me clue you in - the motorcycle manufacturers don't want you to have easy access to the engine!! Why? They need a way for their dealerships to make money, and they do that through the service department.

You want a firmer and adjustable suspension. Modifications which are obtained easily enough in the aftermarket. The big companies could put out 500cc bikes with this type of suspension, but why? It would simply jack up the price of the bike - defeating the purpose of a small affordable bike. Oh not to mention the fact that the mass majority of people who buy adjustable suspensions have no clue how to set them up properly. It's just braggin rights.

The 2 bikes you mentioned (The Suzuk and the Kwak) are within points of seconds of each other off the line, and have comperable top speeds. Yet you disparage the Suzuki as being "Lame" while the Kawasaki is "Fast as any sane person could need." Have you even compared the 2 bikes?

Anyway. The 500 class is firmly in Commuter territory. The manufacturers know it. That's why they won't build your bike. They don't even sell the Ninja500 in most of the World. Just America. Because America is the only country with consumers dumb enough to want a commuter bike dressed up like a supersport. Kawasaki has the ER-5 or the KLE500 in most countries. Suzuki DOES market the GS500F in most of the western world, but it still offers the ever popular NAKED version. People who want access to their engines don't want to have to take off plastics to do it. Honda offers the CBF500 (oops another Naked, what were they thinking!?) But they don't offer a 500 cc streetbike in America.

And that's not counting the "Dorky" scooters. Hello. Yamaha makes the T-Max - propbably the best handing scooter in the world. I'll bet it outhandles any of the 500 motorcycles currently on the American market. But you'll never know, because it's too "Dorky"

If you'd lose some of your jaded opinion and move to a country that cares more about motorcycling than posing, you might have a more rounded opinion.

[crazy5dave]

The Japanese already make the bikes you want. They just dont export them. They are all 400cc bikes. Why 400? Because of the llicenses that they have. There are 4. 50cc scooter(or a 50cc bike can be riden with a car license), 250cc, 400cc, and then a unlimited class license. All have part two tommarrow i must leave now. sorry

[MotoF150]

I have been waiting for 5 years for Yamaha to come out with a 500cc dual sport, street legal dirt bike, looks like its never going to happen, Yamaha is expanding its street bike and ATV line. I have always associaited Yamaha as the king of dirt bikes, and not a serious street bike builder.

[VermilionX]

I have always associaited Yamaha as the king of dirt bikes, and not a serious street bike builder.

i have always associated yamaha w/ musical insturments until i got into riding.

[crazy5dave]

The Japanese make great little bikes in this market. Mostly 400ccs. Only 10-15% of people have that "big Bike" license. 400ccs is the biggest class of bikes in Japan. Most are cool UJMs like CB 400 super four. They used to make 400 race bikes, like CBR400 or ZRX400, but they stopped a coulpe of years ago. this class is limited to 53hp though. They just stopped selling 2 strokes two years ago with a update in their enviromently laws. a friend has an 86' NSR 400 two stroke. They also sell lots of 250s. Most are styled to look like 70' dirt bikes. great for shortys and beginers. some of the bikes in America have a smaller japanese cousin to fit better with the licenses requirments here. Examples Suzuki SV400 or a Yamaha 400 Drag star. There arent exported to America because Americans wont buy them. Bikes in other countrys are are transportation. in America they are mostly Toys. Americans wont want anything that small because they got to have the biggest badest bikes made.

[VermilionX]

Bikes in other countrys are are transportation. in America they are mostly Toys.

yes mostly... bec it depends a lot on what bike you buy.

my bike is a toy. a high performance toy. it's not ideal for commuting.

i'll buy a comuuter bike in the future if the Crimson Funds allow it.