Ninja 500R {Good first bike?}

I am looking at an '04 Kawasaki Ninja 500R. I have been on dirt bikes and 3/4 wheelers as a kid, although no motorcycles. I was talking to the salesman and he said that after awhile I could reach the bikes potential and have some fun, by pushing the bike. Where if I bought a ZX-10R I would always have to ease onto the power and take it easy cornering due to the increased weight. I may buy this bike in a couple of months or wait untill next year, but I would like to hear opinions.
Thanks.

 

It has 60 hp! Hahaha! That seems way low. I would have a power to weight ratio of 0.154 {Which is better than a Viper. } 60 hp / 388 lbs {dry} = 0.154
The bikes price is $6,500, it's the grey model not the better looking blue.
www.kawasaki.ca/sportbike/500R/#
Insurance from Primmum is $1160/ year with $1000 deductables. {Or $416/ year with no coverage!!!}
Seems like a cheap way of having some fun, since I can't find an Alfa to buy.
Now all I need is a license!

 

A friend of mine bought an EX500 for a first bike (what became the Ninja 500). I was experienced at the time and rode it quite a bit, and still enjoyed it. If you only plan on keeping it until next year, try buying used to save many $$$(CAD) in depreciation. Those bikes have only changed a small amount over the last several years and are very reliable.

If you want a sporty bike to learn on, also look at some of the small naked bikes or older sportbikes. Without full bodywork they will probably be cheaper to insure also. There are many bikes built in the last 15 years or so that would give equivalent performance to the Ninja 500 of 2004. Just a few are:

Honda CB-1
Suzuki Bandit 400
Suzuki GS500
Yamaha FZR400 (full bodywork)

 

I'v been looking at bikes myself. (I'm a noob to the sport bike thing) Anyway I asked around to some other bike riders and looked at a handful. From what I'v heard the Suzuki SV650S is a really good bike for a beginner. Has a lower center of gravity, rides smooth, and is much easier to control from what I'v been told. That's probably what I'll lean towards. (no pun intended)

 

Great choice, although the non "S" is felt by a lot of folks to be friendlier, more comfy and a better all-round bike. Thats what I would get in your position, used..

 

Thanks guys. I don't know too many people with bikes, so getting info about reliability is hard. I don't really like the colour of this bike, so that's a strike.
I was looking at this puppy.
www.kawasaki.ca/retronaked/Z750/#

No windscreen. {Maybe they forget }
I have some time to look around so I'll background the bikes listed. Thanks. I just thought of somthing. I don't want to "lay" a new bike down. Perhaps a used bike in good condition is the way to go.

Do you guys have any suggestions on equipment? Good makers of jackets/ pants/ gloves/ brainbox? I will wear the garb, even if I'm just going around the block. I'll take any comments?

Which bikes come with cup holders?

Thanks again!

 

After reading this thread, it got me interested in bikes. I like the idea of that Suzuki SV650S mentioned above.

What do you guys think of a '99 Ducati SuperSport 750 F?



-DC

 

For a first bike, the EX500 is a good choice. A friend at work bought one about 6 months ago and he likes it, though he is planning on going bigger in another year. It's a good bike to learn on. I would rather have the SV 650. I like the styling better, looks a bit more sporty. Any first bike you get you will need to be careful with. Just take it slow and you should be fine.

As far as gear is concerned, a lot of it comes down to how much you want to spend. Shoei and Arai helmets are great, some of the best even. However, they tend to be a bit pricey. But some people will ask you how much your head is worth. All helmets sold in the U.S. have to be Dot or Snell approved, so it comes down to what fits, what's comfortable, and how much you want to spend.

For other gear, it's pretty much the same. There are a lot of good companies out there. I'm on my second pair of Joe Rocket GPX gloves and I love them. I have a Joe Rocket textile jacket which I have mixed feelings about. I want to get a nice leather jacket soon, maybe an Alpinestar.

There is literally a TON of info online about all of your questions. Topics ranging from bikes to gear. Check them out. Also, shopping for gear online can save you a lot of cash. Good luck. Get a bike and get riding!

 

Jacket: Any leather or Kevlar jacket designed for motorcycles would do fine. Avoid "fashion leather" this is the soft thin stuff that will not protect you in a crash. Go to a dealership and feel the leather jackets, you'll be able to tell easily which ones are intended to protect and which ones are to look nice.

Gloves: Even in a low-speed crash your fingers and palms can get mangled. I would personally put gloves above a jacket on priorities, although both are important. Try a few on, remember that as you break them in they tend to loosen up a little. I like the ones with Kevlar protection for the knuckles. They range in price from $70-200.

Pants: Unless it is leather or Kevlar, they will do very little to protect you. Jeans do not do squat for protection. With that said I ride in jeans 99% of the time. Buying a two-piece leather suit can give you a jacket when you want or both pants and jacket if needed.

Boots: You don't really need any fancy motorcycle boots with replacable toe sliders or Kevlar plates. My motorcycle boots are fairly uncomfortable when not on the bike, if I go anywhere I do not use them. Any high-top work boot will do fine.

Helmet: Prices range from $100-600 (US). Try many of them on before buying. The inner shape of each is different. People say they have a "Shoei head" or an "Arai head". There are many other brands, and all protect about the same. It is the features, weight, paint job, brand name, etc that changes the price. I guess I have a "Bell head", I have 4 of them and they all fit very well.

Couple of other nice things to have:
tank bag
disc brake lock
rain suit

 

This one?
http://goldwing.bikepics.com/duc-750ss-99-bikepics-08474.jpg
It looks mean... and fast.

 

93-95 ducati 900 ss...looks great and has room to grow.

will not intimidate!!

go find a good one and buy it...trust me!!

pcb

 

This is a newb thread. I think it's too late for me to enter in the Moto GP this year.

That bike looks... tough.

 

It has 64hp, so it can't be that fast. I thought it was styles more "sporty" than "racey", although that's arbitrary.



-DC

 

The Ninja 500 is an excellent first bike! It's what I started with and it is very forgiving. Buy one used off ebay or out of the local paper. I bought mine used, rode it for a year, and then sold it for what I paid for it. I replaced it with a Triumph Daytona.

 

I thought it had 84 hp.

www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=510

All of my info is second hand, so it could be off.

 

I would recommend buying a bigger bike.
The reason is that you'll get used to the power fast. If you get a used 600 cbr, zx-6, or gsxr 600, or r6, you'll have a great bike at a reasonable price, and you won't get bored with it in two months.

 

I was looking at this:

http://goldwing.bikepics.com/suz-gsx600-00-bikepics-23420.jpg
http://goldwing.bikepics.com/suz-gsx600-01-bikepics-15222.jpg
I mean, wow, I just love the way it looks.

 

Katanas have been around for a long time.
They're good bikes. What are your intentions for riding?
The katana I guess is more of a sport 600, rather than a true 600 sportbike.
The honda cbr 600' s are comfortable bikes, and if you want to sell it, it would be easier to do when the time comes. The katana's are good bikes, but I think their resale is a little lower. Plus the CBR has more kick to it, and will handle better.