Lawn Mower on Steroids
Written: Jan 22 '06
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Pros: Great bike for a new rider, and enough fun you won't quickly out grow it.
Cons: Too quiet, on freeways nobody can hear you. Limited lean angle.
The Bottom Line: I would recommend this bike to anyone wanting to explore the world of sports bikes.
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| Jrocket's Full Review: 2000 Kawasaki Ninja 500R |
I can't say enough good things the EX500R, but I have to start somewhere. Which is a lot like riding a motorcycle, you need to start somewhere, and the EX500R is a great place to start.
I'll now try to outline several reasons why this is a great bike for new and experienced riders alike. While some may argue this bike is outdated, I would have to say Kawasaki got it right in the beginning and had the common sense not to make drastic changes. Since few changes have been made over the years, Kawasaki can produce and sell these Bikes at a very reasonable price. Not to mention, they hold their value very well, so your not going to lose your money by investing in one.
The bike has not had any major mechanical problems in it's long history. So you can spend your time learning to ride this bike instead of trying to fix it.
The 500's built in centerstand is another great feature not seen on most true sports bikes. This makes maintaining the bike like lubing the chain, oil changes, cleaning easy without the need to purchase another bulky stand you leave in your garage. It also makes parking safer on hot summer days, you don't need to fear the bike will fall over on it's own kickstand because it sank into the hot blacktop. I know it sounds silly, but it is a very nice feature.
The EX500R's tried and true engine also shines. In low RPM it putters along with the sound not unlike a lawn mower. It has enough torque to help new riders get moving without stalling. Just around 7K on the tachometer the engine picks up and pulls very nicely all the way to redline. The power shift is smooth and gradual and won't get a new rider into trouble quickly. You won't win any drag races with bigger sports bikes, but the EX500R has no problem getting out of it's own way, with acceleration that many cars would have trouble keeping up with.
The riding position is VERY comfortable for a sports bike. I would go as far as to compare the position to a standard motorcycle. You can sit quite upright, a long rides and commuting (I commute on mine).
The EX500R handles nicely as well. Direction changes are almost as simple as thinking about where you go and the bike follows. All summer long I ride with other riders on bigger bikes (ZX6R, ZX7R, CBR600RR and so on). I have never had a problem keeping up if not leaving behind these riders in our local canyons. I feel the EX500R encourages the rider to explore their bikes limits and rewards them with confidence.
The only downside I can think of on this bike other then how quiet it is, is ground clearance. If you are a experienced rider who knows how to lean a bike over, and your looking for your next canyon carver, this may not be it. I have in the 1 years time since I purchased my EX500 got so far, put the bike at such a lean angle in a turn to drag the plastics and foot pegs twice. You really do have to be pushing really hard to get it there, but once you hit that limit, it really can not go any farther over. Does this make the bike dangerous on back canyon roads? No you simply have to learn the bikes lean limits, and learn how to use your body weight as a counter weight to keep the bike more upright. Which makes this a great bike to hang off of when you are first learning.
Some may complain the steering is too quick for a novice, but I disagree. While it is quick, I don't feel it is dangerous. It simply requires a soft touch, which is a important skill to learn on any bike. On bigger bike learning to use small smooth inputs on the bike are needed to keep control and ride safely (mostly in accelerating and braking). While they are different controls, the value of learning to be smooth is something the EX500 teaches very well. As this was my first bike, I learned how to steer this bike before other bikes could influence my opinion. I feel I am a far better rider today having started on the EX500 instead of a older 600.
Another factor most new riders should consider is insurance. Sports bike can have higher insurance rates then some other bikes, especially for new riders, mostly due to their nature. The EX500 has this handled as well. Most insurance companies class bikes by CC ratings. Since this bike is below 600CC's it usually gets lower insurance premiums.
Simply put the 500 is a excellent bike all around. It is sporty, quick (not fast), inexpensive, dare I say stylish, comfortable, and the list goes on and on. I plan on keeping mine for a long time. I use it all year round to ride to work and back even though I own larger faster bikes.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 3000.00
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2000
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Epinions.com ID:
Jrocket
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Member: Josh
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 8 members
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