91 Kawasaki EX500

[sandman133]

Hey guys, I'm new on this forum, but certainly not new to forums in general. I've been into auto customizing for a couple of years now, and just recently I've gotten the motorcycle bug. That's why this spring I've been looking around alot for my first bike. A friend of mine is selling a 91 EX500 for $3000 cdn. It has 13,800 kms on it, and she says it runs great and is in great shape, although it needs a new chain and sprocket. Now, I'm not quite prepared to pay $3000 for a 91, so what do you guys think I should offer? I intend on checking it out and having my buddy, who is an experienced rider, test drive it, and it everything checks out, what should be a max that I should pay? Also, if this one doesn't work out, what would be another good starter bike to look for? I'm thinking CBR F3 or F2, or maybe an older ZX6... It'll only be something to learn to ride on for the first season or two.

I hope I'm not sounding like just another newb here, I did a search on the EX500 and didn't come up with much. Any ideas would be appreciated!

[Xv7vX]

I'm not so familar with that bike, who makes it, ? That sound ABOUT right for a 91, but it depends on condition. Sounds high if it needs chain and sproket, and that usually means owner didnt take very good care of it. But if you know the person....

Starter bikes are never great though, so dont sweat it.

[mysticsage]

Look through the cycletrader.com, and other papers. Find better deals. Unfortunetly, people are crazy right now and the prices of bikes have gone up drastically, so good luck finding good bikes at low prices. My suggestion is to stick with a b ike that is 600cc or below, if you go any faster of higher then that you will likely lose control and crash. You might want to concider a dual-sport; they are trust worthy, inexpensive, reliable, forgiving and great on mileage, plus they allow you to see over the cars so you can see obsticals ahead. You may want to concider the Suzuki DR400: good bike, also has adjustable suppension for those who are hieght challenged. Or a used 350cc dual sport. These bikes also have lots of torque in the low to middle range. You will find there speed satisfiying.

Good luck
Steven

P.S don't buy the Kawasaki EX500. Good bike but in less then a few months you might regret it.

[speediva]

The EX500 is a good starter bike... a better 500cc choice than Suzuki's GS500... If you like the bike, and can talk her down a little bit, then get it. I have a friend who has about 30+ years of riding experience, and he STILL likes taking his daughter's EX500 out for a spin!!! I don't know how CDN$ compare to USD$, so I can't offer any sort of monetary advice... Good luck, and welcome to what will probably be your new addiction.

[YellowMaranello]

Originally Posted by saturntangerine

The EX500 is a good starter bike... a better 500cc choice than Suzuki's GS500...

Yeah... Kawi > Suzuki, couldn't agree with you more.

[sandman133]

Heh, I'm already addicted.... and I have heard good things about the EX500, except from Steven.... can you elaborate what you don't like about the bike?

[speediva]

I personally bought the GS500 b/c I found one with a fairing (the bike is usually naked). I don't like the Kawi transmissions of that era. I test rode about 5 of them and the gear shifter just didn't "feel right" to me. Granted, some of them had been beaten on, but all of them just felt "wrong" to my personal preference. Since then, I've learned to be less picky about transmissions, and I now ride a 600 Yamaha with a "less than my favorite" tranny.

[mysticsage]

Originally Posted by sandman133

Heh, I'm already addicted.... and I have heard good things about the EX500, except from Steven.... can you elaborate what you don't like about the bike?

Dear Sandman,

First of all most people will sell this bike within the first year of riding it; they get so use to it that they feel they have to move up to a fast or bigger bike. Second, the price of $3000 is rediculous. In 1987, I bought a 1980 Honda CB450T for $500, it was in excellent condition, had 4000 miles on it. So, think about it, I bought a bike for as little $1.25 per cc. A Formula: When ever your buying a used bike consider how much you are paying per cc, ie 400cc, 500cc, 600cc, then consider the year and how old the bike is then deduct from half it's show room price, then deduct 10% for each year old the bike is. Now you should have the amount you want to pay. For instance 1980 Honda Hawk CB450T, Original price $2500 (approx.) in 1980, $2500 / 2 = $1250(half price)(remember, every bike loses half its value after it is taken off the showroom floor), $1250 / 10%(interest lost) X 7 years = $666,
$666 / 500cc = $1.33 per/cc. So, when I bought my Hawk, I got it for a great price, you should get a bike using this formula, I hope it help, keep me updated. Seriously, look in the papers. Another option is buying a bike that someone can't afford to pay anymore or they are recently married and have a new child on the way, they usually sell their bikes for a lot less then the actual valued prices.

Don't get a bike at some out rageous amount of $3000, that is insane to pay that much for a bike that is that small. $3000 should be able to afford you a much newer and bigger used bike like a 600cc.

[mysticsage]

Dear Sandman,

First of all most people will sell this bike within the first year of riding it; they get so use to it that they feel they have to move up to a fast or bigger bike. Second, the price of $3000 is rediculous. In 1987, I bought a 1980 Honda CB450T for $500, it was in excellent condition, had 4000 miles on it. So, think about it, I bought a bike for as little $1.25 per cc. A Formula: When ever your buying a used bike consider how much you are paying per cc, ie 400cc, 500cc, 600cc, then consider the year and how old the bike is then deduct from half it's show room price, then deduct 10% for each year old the bike is. Now you should have the amount you want to pay. For instance 1980 Honda Hawk CB450T, Original price $2500 (approx.) in 1980, $2500 / 2 = $1250(half price)(remember, every bike loses half its value after it is taken off the showroom floor), $1250 / 10%(interest lost) X 7 years = $666,
$666 / 500cc = $1.33 per/cc. So, when I bought my Hawk, I got it for a great price, you should get a bike using this formula, I hope it help, keep me updated. Seriously, look in the papers. Another option is buying a bike that someone can't afford to pay anymore or they are recently married and have a new child on the way, they usually sell their bikes for a lot less then the actual valued prices.

Don't get a bike at some out rageous amount of $3000, that is insane to pay that much for a bike that is that small. $3000 should be able to afford you a much newer and bigger used bike like a 600cc.

[mysticsage]

Dear Sandman,

500cc bikes are alright, Kawasaki used to make a 400cc dual overhead cam bike which I enjoyed riding, it wasn't fast but I could keep up with cars on the freeway, it sucked as a canyon bike. The 1980 Suzuki 450cc was a faster more nimble bike then the Kawasaki 400 but the Suzuki had too much under-steer and I found it to be clumsy through the turns. I have ridden the Kawaski 500's sister bike the 250 and I found even though I could rev-it-up to 14000 rpms without any glitches I still felt that it was an akward bike to ride, comfortable at low speeds, spooky at high speeds, somewhat unstable. Overall what matters it what you want to do with the bike: Commuting, Canyons, or Cruising. If you want a commuter or cruiser bike the Kawasaki is fine, for canyons its okay, but be careful, I have seen too many people push their limit with this bike. Fortunely, most have come out unscathed. The bike on the other hand, you may want to concider getting a naked first bike. They cost less to repair becuase they have no fairings, and insurance is low.