2006 Kawasaki EX250 or EX 500

[miked78231]

would a 250 be okay for a beginner? are they fast? can i find a cheap used one or are they better to buy new? how much of a difference is the 500 from the 250? i know there are a bunch of random questions but thanks anyway for taking the time

[VermilionX]

price difference on new is about $2K.

both are great beginner bikes.

the 250 has about 35hp and the 500 has about 50hp.

250 can go highway speeds but if you're gonna take lots of highway then a 500 might better for you.

oh and if you plan on upgrading later, buy a used bike.

[miked78231]

well i found a brand new 2006 kawasaki EX250 for 2995 and im thinkin about going with that its just that im a little worried that im going to be disappointed with the speed. im 5'5 and weigh 150lbs. will this be a slow bike or will it have some kind of speed? it will go faster then 120mph or no. isnt 35hp slow?

[VermilionX]

well i found a brand new 2006 kawasaki EX250 for 2995 and im thinkin about going with that its just that im a little worried that im going to be disappointed with the speed. im 5'5 and weigh 150lbs. will this be a slow bike or will it have some kind of speed? it will go faster then 120mph or no. isnt 35hp slow?

from this website...

250

500

so based on that, get the 500.

[kabob983]

It won't do 120+, but when you buy this bike you won't be ready for that kind of speeds either. It will hit about 100 on the highway, and it'll do that with someone who weighs more than you.

35 horsepower seems low because you're probably comparing it to a car. The EX250 weighs just a little over 300 lbs while most cars weigh between 2000 and 3000.

The older ones actually had 5 more horsepower (99 and before I believe) than the current ones do.

The EX250 is a great starter bike, I'd go with a used one. Cheap insurance, enough power to learn on, and easy to sell when you want to move up.

[miked78231]

well how much do you think i could find a used 500 for? where would be the best place to look for a 500? hey man thanks for your help.

[CNF2002]

The 250 will go as fast or faster than a beginner needs or should be going.

The 500 isnt a super-bad choice but it has a LOT of horsepower (50)...make sure you at least take an MSF first.

If you can't go faster than pretty much all traffic with a 250, you are not riding it to its full potential (ie, you dont know what you're doing). Reviews of the 250 are mixed, but I notice most who claim it lacks power and can't go on the highway are inexperienced riders. Its not a touring bike to go 500 miles straight on, but it'll be a great learning bike.

My bike is a 500 but it has 35 hp. I could cruise to 85 all day if I wanted to (but I dont) and traffic management is a breeze on the freeway and in the city. The bikes are lighter than the high-end beasts so you will find them more managable at slow speeds, which is where your skills are going to need to be improved first and foremost.

Admittedly though if you are looking at only the Kawas, I think the 500 looks asthetically better than the 250, but thats just my personal opinion.

[kabob983]

EX500 is good too. The Suzuki GS500 is also a nice one. Good places to find used bikes...

Your paper's classified ads
www.craigslist.com
word of mouth (if you know riders in a club)
a dealer who also sells used bikes.


Where do you live?

[miked78231]

well do yall have any other suggestions as to what kind of bike brands i could check out? im looking only to spend 3000-3500. i would like it new but if a used is just as good then please let me know. thanks.

[miked78231]

i live in san antonio tx, do yall have a link to that suzuki