Ninja 500r

[juicer44]

So i was very immature on my last posting, but i really am looking to get a bike. I was just wondering if the 500r is a bike that i will want to keep for awhile. I am not real concerned about speed, but as with every bike i was wondering if this has plenty of it? I know that is very much a n00b question, but i was just wanting to see if i was going to have fun while riding on it.


p.s. sorry if i pissed anyone off with my gay thread yesterday

[cycledesign]

The ninja 500r has plenty of power.

from Cycle Magazine

* Standing start ¼ mile: 12.73 s @ 102 mph
* Acceleration, 0-60 mph: 3.76 s

That's faster than pretty much any jerk's car. Don't worry about speed. It'll take a long, long time before you master the 500r.

EDIT: And I ride 2-up with my girlfriend all the time, both in heavy traffic and long distances and I never feel slow.

[RayOSV]

Originally Posted by juicer44

p.s. sorry if i pissed anyone off with my gay thread yesterday

Don't worry about it. It's much worse to develop a really naive and belligerent attitude, get pissed off, and leave mad.

As was indicated above, a 500r is faster than most cars on the road, will out-perform a new rider for quite a while, and should keep a grin on your face long enough for you to become competent.

Start with the msf course, proper gear, and a resonable bike (like the 500r). Then ride safe and have fun.

[mulcibre]

I think they are liable to do 13s in the 1/4 mile, but they are definitely fast. I'm on my second ninja 500r now, I chose it over an FZR600 if that means anything to you

It's a good reliable bike, that will kick ass for as long as you take care of it. Insurance is cheap, gas is cheap, parts are cheap. Upshot of that is, it is very inexpensive to own the bike per year. I plan to keep it as my only bike for a few years, then pick up an SS and ride both!

Especially if you're interested in working on your own bike, the 500cc parallel twin bikes are awesome, way easier to work on than just about anything else.

[bush]

Originally Posted by juicer44

So i was very immature on my last posting, but i really am looking to get a bike. I was just wondering if the 500r is a bike that i will want to keep for awhile. I am not real concerned about speed, but as with every bike i was wondering if this has plenty of it? I know that is very much a n00b question, but i was just wanting to see if i was going to have fun while riding on it.

You will get "bored" with a 500 quickly if your only concern is going fast in a straight line. It's not a supersport bike, it's meant to be a learning platform.

However, it will likely take years for you to become proficient enough with a 500 to be a good rider. Being bored with performance and being able to tap that performance on demand are two completely different things.

You'll have to decide if you want to be a good rider or go fast in a straight line. If it's any incentive, I know a few people on smaller bikes that will give an inexperienced rider on a 600-1k a good run on a twisty road. That's a lot more badass than speeding through a residential area or down a city street in a straight line.

[Bobarino]

i'm entering my fourth season on my EX500 and i'm just starting to want a bike with some more performance capabilities. its plenty fast with a competent rider and once your build your skill up, you'l be smoking past newbies on their 600's that are in over their heads.

on a side note, i commend you on your attitude adjustment. its wise to listen lots and speak little when amongst people with more experience than you. i knew everything at 19 too though. if i were to go back in time and run into myself at age 19 and listen to myself talk, i'd probably roll my eyes and then punch myself in the mouth.

Bobby

[kevin-ross]

Originally Posted by RayOSV

Don't worry about it. It's much worse to develop a really naive and belligerent attitude, get pissed off, and leave mad.

+1
I'm glad to see you came back. From everything I've heard here, the 500 is the way to go. Plenty of power to keep you entertained, forgiving enough to let you learn, and holds its value well enough that if you do want to trade up later on, you can recoup most of your money. They may not be the best looking girl at the dance, but they sure do put out! (Fun, that is)

[harleyxlc]

The 500 seems to never stop teaching. Trust me, I did not get another bike because I was bored with the ninja.... I just have an addiction

Not only is it a great learning platform, it is damn fun!

And I would much rather be impressed with my riding than be impressed with something I bought. Glad you opened up to it

[juicer44]

thanks for the insight guys.

I was so into getting a 600cc bike that it was the only bike i was into looking at. The reason being is that I come a from a forum where the guys on there say to only get a 600cc bike, and are also the guys that like to do wheelies down the interstate doing 100+.

This site really did change my mind about how to handle the hobby of riding a bike.

Thanks for all of the great tips on getting a good starter bike, and not having to make my parents bury me this summer for making a stupid decision.

[VermillionX]

Im glad that you came around. I was in the same boat as you were. When I was looking for a first bike I was so intent on getting a 600ss. I found a GS500 for a good price and fell inlove with it. That bike has taught me so. I can honestly say that I would not be in the position that I am in now with my bike if I had not started on that one.

[mssdrider]

not too sure what to think about your "attitude adjustment", but at least you came back...
as for you saying the other forum you came from...remember this:
everything that we say to you is based on generalities. There are more experienced riders here than most of the other forums I've been on. In truth, I've learned so much from these guys. If you come in with a attitude of where you really want their advice, then i don't think you will find a more helpful or more experienced group of riders anywhere. But if you came in with the know-it-all attitude like you did in your previous posts, then they'll be dicks, and rightly so.

It annoys me that many young people (including myself) don't listen to the wisdom that comes from years of experience. If I did, I wouldn't have started on a SV650S. (well, if i knew about this forum before i bought my bike i might have reconsidered...but probably not. I was young, stupid, vain, and naive...still am actually )

But think about it this way, you're driving on the freeway and you see two guys, one doing a wheelie down the freeway in traffic, acting the fool, while the other rides slowly behind, turning his head to take into consideration everything that is going around him. i'm sure your first instinct is "cool!" when you saw the wheelie. Now think about him crashing because someone decided to switch lanes right in front of him. Who would you rather be? And who would you rather take advice from?

Another thing, a true rider will never look down or talk shit about someone because of their bike is smaller. i'm not an experienced rider by any means but the only people i talk shit to are the guys on a brand new liter bike as a first bike, come talk to me about my bike (usually with NO idea what a RC51 is) and so i can admire his... talk to me like i'm an idiot becuase i'm a girl, and he's valentino rossi, then get on his bike and wobble his way down the street. REAL impressive!

and honestly, from your last post, you say how girls "dig" riders? most girls don't know the difference between a 250 and a ZX-14 anyway, as long as you ride. And the girls who know, are usually riders and most of the women riders (especially the ones you talk to in this forum) are awesome people who would never judge you (if you are a responsible rider) whether you ride a busa or a 250. Think about it.


P.S. wow, this was a long post about absolutely nothing at all... i need to get a life.

[Anthonyd5189]

500's are great GS500F or EX500, either one you will love.

[juicer44]

which is a better bike your guy's opinion the 07 gs500 or the 07 500r?

[Bobarino]

"better" is subjective but it boils down to the GS looks better, the EX performs better. both are bulletproof, reliable, fun and great starter bikes. sit on them both and go with the one that puts a toot in your horn. i've been very happy with my EX. its never let me down in any way. slap some good rubber on either one and ride the snot out of it. you can't go wrong with either one.

Bobby

[smakawhat]

I plan to upgrade at some point and I wish I could keep mine