Kawasaki Ninja opinions...

I'm possibly looking to get a Kawasaki Ninja EX500R for a daily work driver because my new job is about a 30 min drive and it might save me some gas money...anyone have one of these or know how they run/handle? Thanks!

 

Something to think about is get a bike to have fun and enjoy riding while good gas mileage is just a benefit. If you're solely getting it to save money on gas it will take you years to save a dime over the cost of the bike. Unless you are buying a cheap used one.

 

True...Haven't ever had a street bike before, but from what i hear its a pretty good experience. Found a craigslist ad for an 05 ninja for $2500...sounds kinda cheap so i'm hesitant about it, but emailed the guy anyways.

 

While I've never had the EX500 I've had both Kawasaki brands around it. I had the Ninja 250R and now I have the Ninja 650R. The EX500 is an excellent bike more power than the 250 so it won't die out on the freeway but less power than the 650 so it'll get better MPG. However like said above, buying a bike for the sole purpose of saving gas is sort of misleading since it will take a long time to recoup. That being said the EX500 can be found used for cheap and given the right deal and the length of your commute you may be able to recoup in about 1-2 years.

I'd recommend the EX500 as a commuter bike and part-time fun bike

 

Thanks for the info! I'm not into the going fast, I just think it would be fun to cruise around once in a while. And it'll satisfy that need. I live in a wet climate anyways, so it would get the most use in the summer. Thanks again

 

last year i bought one as my first bike. This is a great commuter bike. it sits upright and still has plenty of power for the freeway. 250s rev pretty high at highway speeds (like 8 grand). mine sits around 5 grand. Great in the corners also. plus they arnt that much. i got mine for $3500 and this is in canada where everything is more.

oh and this will not run as smooth as a 600 or any other 4 cylinder. this is a 2 cyl so it shakes a little more, and sounds different as well.

 

If your just looking for a ride around/commuter you will be fine. You need to be aware that if you really get bit by the bug you will want something bigger sooner rather than later. I started on Yamaha Radian. It's a 600cc air cooled in line 4. I rode it for about 6 months before moving up to a Kawasaki ZG1000. I've owned the Kawa for almost 7 years now. It is a rock solid bike. Good luck and ride safe.

 

Yeah, thats why I'm looking at the 500 or 650R. I was thinking about the 250, but my buddy said i'd get bored with it quick...I'll probably never get up to a 1000...I'm not that much of a speed demon

 

I currently own an ex500 along with my 600. Gets about high 40's to almost 50 mpg on regular. Don't waste the money on premium with this bike. Stock exhaust is gutless. I made my own custom exhaust and pulls a lot harder 8K to redline. All the aftermarket ones sound like rattle cans. I also did the "airfilter mod", just need to rejet the pilot jet one size up. Freeway is a bit sketchy over 75mph. It is not cross wind friendly. I cut the fork spring 4 inches and add PVC pipe to make up the lost so the suspension doesn't dive at braking. For twisty roads I can ride faster on my 500 with those 2 mods than my 02 zx6r . Tires are a bit hard to find for the pre 94 models.

 

as others have said, getting a motorcycle purely to save money on gas is a bit of a fool's errand. there are a lot of additional costs that come with owning and maintaining a motorcycle -- gear, tires, oil, chain care, insurance. it all adds up very fast and will take a long time before you break even. i have a motorcycle as a "toy" and the better gas mileage is just a bonus.

 

Yeah, I realize its a big investment. But it should be fun to ride around this area. Still don't know what kind of bike i'm getting but i'm still looking. My Buddy might sell me his Mean Streak 1600.

 

oh they're definitely fun. i love mine to death and can't see ever *not* having a bike. i just don't want people getting into motorcycling thinking it's cheap. it's not.

welcome to your next addiction!

 

i went years without owning a car. just a sportbike as transportation. i got put in the hospital TWICE by foolish car drivers. the second time was a wakeup call. my riding diminished, and i eventually sold everything.

using it as my sole transportation, mathematically my exposure to danger was just too great. i got smashed in san francisco both times.

i will get a bike soon. i'm gonna buy a big BMW G bike. something i can sit up straight and see danger way ahead of me.

rain or shine, with the right gear, a bike is fantastic to commute with.

 

opps. the ninja 500 is a great bike. my first was a honda 500 interceptor!!

 

Great commuter as well as great starter bike! Good luck!