Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I am a freshly minted rider (just completed the safety course and got my license 1pm today). I've gone looking at bikes and think I have found a very good deal (I can afford it!!) on a bike. It is a 2003 Kawasaki EN500 (Vulcan), 3100 miles and it looks beautiful. I have looked at a dozen bikes today and this one seems to me to be the best of the bunch. I didn't think I could get out of the early 90's for the price I can afford ($1800) although this bike will take every penny of the money I have saved thus far.

I need an honest opinion on this bike from the more experienced and perhaps jaded rider. I may think this is such a great deal only because I am so new and haven't had time to look, but....

Well there is my situation...... Anyone have a comment??

Without knowing more about you, it's tough to say much. The Vulcan 500 is certainly appropriate for new riders, and might be a good bike for you as long as you fit comfortably on it. Without knowing approximately where you live, we can't run a Kelly Blue Book search so can't say much about that price. By the way, make sure you have enough money left over to buy some decent gear.

You didn't say if this bike is at a dealer or a private party. Especially if it's a private party, consider this checklist: http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

Well, I sat on the bike and squared it up, seems to fit me well. Was very comfortable in the showroom. This bike is at a dealer and I live in Woodbridge Va (just south of DC). The dealer says that the bike has been looked over by their shop and is road ready. Are there other questions I should be asking?

I tried several bikes during the safety class (sport(ninja250), crusier(nighthawk250), and an enduro/dual sport (suzuki something)) and I decided I definately want a cruiser for my first bike.

Thank you so much for the checklist.

Well, according to KBB, $1800 is a bargain for that bike in your neck of the woods. So much so, I have to think that either there's something wrong with it, or they're just very motivated to sell it. Seriously, if that dealer seems reputable (ask around in your area), go for it.

One hint: check to see how OLD the tires are. Even if they have plenty of tread, if they're the original 2003 tires, the sidewalls are dried and not so flexible anymore. That's not good for riding, especially for a noobie rider, so if they're original, they need to be replaced.

Vulcan 500's are pretty simple bikes with a bulletproof engine. Excellent choice for a first bike.

Congrats on the new license & enjoy

Brian to the Total Motorcycle forum community and a big congratulations on getting your motorcycle licence!

The Kawasaki Vulcan 500 is a great bike, the engine is proven and reliable. In fact, it's the same engine Kawasaki put into their Ninja 500R series, so you will have cruiser looks with "sportbike" power. The best of both words.

Take a look at our (Total Motorcycle's) Beginner's Guide to Motorcycling: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm it will offer some great tips on used bikes, picking a bike and lots of other questions...

...and don't forget to ask questions here in the forum, we are all happy to help.

Mike

I know that it is so tempting to buy this bike. But do you have protective gear? Have you checked out what insurance will cost?

P

Hi and welcome!



Have you asked any further questions of the seller - i.e. why it's asking price is so low? I'm not suggesting anything about the bike you are looking at, but one time I looked a fairly recent Yamaha at a car dealer who didn't know it had been in an accident but after I looked it over and took it for a short test ride I could tell it had. They hadn't priced it accordingly (because they really didn't know) but this goes to show that you really have to look closely, especially if the price is screaming too good to be true.

Do you have your gear yet, or at least a budget for it?

Good luck and feel free to ask any further specific questions from us.

Cheers!