Awesome first bike
Written: Jun 14 '04
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Pros: Easy to ride, stable and predictable.
Cons: A little small for tall people, typical of many sportbikes.
The Bottom Line: Ideal beginner bike. Great price, plenty of power, comfortable, simple and attractive.
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| tsienville's Full Review: 2004 Kawasaki Ninja 500R |
As I approach middle ages, I finally decided it was time to get a bike if I was ever going to get started in the sport. After looking at a number of sport bikes, I narrowed by decision to the Ninja 500R or the Suzuki GS500F. Both are excellent machines, but I found the Kawasaki to be more comfortable, as well as about $700 less expensive. The sacrifice is looks - the silver / black / orange isn't eye-popping, but hey, appearances can be easily changed.
When I picked up my Ninja, it was the first time I had been on a bike in 23 years since dirt riding as a teen. I had so many fears - it is big, the engine is more powerful than I am used to, would I be able to corner a sport bike, etc. The dealer was meticulous in walking me through the bike's features and sent me to a parking lot up the street to practice. Within 15 minutes, I was out of the parking lot and on the freeway home. As another user indicated, it handles so easily, you can get overconfident very quickly.
The bike is incredibly easy to ride and begs to be ridden. It is an older design, and there are no frills or thrills, but it does what it does well. For a beginner, this is exactly what is needed - predictability and stability. The riding position is quite comfortable, but a little tight for a tall person (6'4") like myself. Nonetheless, I can ride it for a few hours without cramping or otherwise. Acceleration is solid and the clutch / transmission are very forgiving. All in all, I am very happy with my decision - total kid at Christmas feeling.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 4799
Condition: New
Model Year: 2004
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Epinions.com ID:
tsienville
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Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 0 members
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