potential problems with 1998 Kawasaki ex500 with 20K

[sam_j]

hey guys,
I was interested in buying a kawasaki ex 500 as my first bike. It has 15K miles on it, but from what the seller has told me, its in good shape, doing any necessary maintenance. I was wondering if any potential problems may arrive on a bike with this many miles, and at this age. Anything in particular I should look out for looking at the bike?
Thanks!

[ZooTech]

It has 15K miles on it.

I was wondering if any potential problems may arrive on a bike with this many miles.

15k is just broken in.

and at this age.

What's the age?

[sam_j]

sorry forgot to post, its a 1998
any major upcoming work that might need to be done?

[ZooTech]

The Ninja 500 is a very simple, dependable design. There is always potential for crash damage, engine neglect, a clutch that's about to go out, etc. - but that's the risk you take buying used to save some dough. If you're worried about the bike failing due to age or mileage, don't be. But do listen to it run and shift, and inspect the frame for repairs, bends, or cracked welds. Ask for receipts from maintenance, if he has any (I don't quite honestly).

Good luck!

[J.R. Bob Dobbs]

That's not alot of miles at all, really. You may expect to have to change the tires, if they are worn OR show signs of sidewall cracking. That's all I'd worry about, other than checking for remaining brake pad thickness, fluids, etc, but that's normal maintenance stuff anyway.

EDIT: And age-wise, it's alot newer than my bikes, which have been totally dependable (1986 and 1995 Hondas). I think the ex500 would be a good beginner bike as well, as long as you take it easy. You shouldn't outgrow it soon either.

[safety-boy]

Hi sam_j,

I bought an '86 EN450 with 27,500-ish miles on it. This is basically the same as the EN500, which is, I believe, the EX500.

The EN450 is a tough engine, and I image the same is true of the EX500. Is it a Ninja or a Vulcan? A Ninja is more likely to have been ragged-out, but I ride my EN450 pretty hard.

Good thing about Kawas - they are pretty easy to work on. I replaced the clutch lever seal (at the gearbox) on mine - no book, no advice... Undo one screw, lever back, remove. Looked at my wife's Suzi and wouldn't know where to start.

--Dave

[Jthmeffy]

as a starting biker looking for his first bike, this is good to know.. I keep looking for really low mileage bikes (EX500's mostly) but they are all out of my price range.. Good to know I can get something a little older with a few more miles on it and it wont blow up on me in a month.. In case u havent noticed, i dont know much about bikes as of yet.. but i am researching.

I want to find a good starter bike that will be fun but not insane.. and i want to get rid of it by next summer or so and move up, if I feel comfortable in doing so.. thanx guys

[safety-boy]

I don't have anything bad to say about Kawas, and they have a strong cult base. There are a few postings in either the New Biker or TM Talk forums with people asking about Ninja 500Rs, and have not seen a "don't do it" yet.

I am on another message board for 454 LTD riders, and so far have seen no one posting a "my bike doesn't run" issue. Mainly general maintenance questions, and the 454 LTD was only made between '81 and '90 (or '89...?), so the newest bikes are 15 or 16 years old.

I find, as I look at used bikes, that there are very few stellar deals out there... Once in a while, but if you ever look at Cycle Trader, you'll see people selling three to five year-old 250cc bikes for near sticker price. Sure, they have low mileage, but for a little more money why not get a new bike with a warranty? I'd say, if you like the EX500, either Ninja or Vulcan, and find one that looks good (enough ), runs well (far more important), and is in your price range, then you are going to be happy with it.

Good luck, and lets us know how it turns out.

--Dave

BTW: Cycle Trader's site has a parts search function, that has part diagrams by section. Even if you are not sure what you need, you can see what is involved... I am going to replace my fork seals, and never knew how much hardware was inside of them!

Part Search by Bike at:
http://cycletrader.bikebandit.com/parts ... _id~CT.asp

[SuperRookie]

Hey

The bike in my avatar is a '94...just over 9k on the clock, all stock. The EX's are practically bulletproof...well, the engine anyway. Great first bike. Careful with that front fairing tho, you smash it up and it's $7 bones.

[h2o]

Hey

The bike in my avatar is a '94...just over 9k on the clock, all stock. The EX's are practically bulletproof...well, the engine anyway. Great first bike. Careful with that front fairing tho, you smash it up and it's $7 bones.

Pretty avatar mine is equal but black with 2 front disc. in miles almost 50k...but its not working, carb problems, I think its the diafram the turn solid...I talk about that in the proper forum.
Neitherless the compression of cilinders is great.
I now of an iqual bike that with 34k miles was sold to a girl that was very entusiastic in entering to the motorcycle world...but it was a bike that never has known a mecanical intervention...not even to change oil acordin to the mecanic of the girl !!!So, off course, it was miserable, with 1/2 a liter of oil in it, (it carries 3,4 litres)