Hey everyone....

Well, still looking for my first street bike..... fo sho it's going to be the Ninja 500!!! [8D]

Any advise on what year and price I should be looking for? Don't want to go any older then 3 years, most likely either a year old or new!
Any differences, plus, minues in getting newer or a year old or older 500??? (Of course if in good shape)

What's the color options on these?

Any help in deciding my purchase will be greatly appriciated!!!

Also, anyone in the SoCal area (SF Valley) that have ideas where I can get a good deal on one of these or where to look? > Many Thanks!!!

[sm=burnout.gif]


Also, should I post this in any other section here?

 

There hasn't been a major change to the 500 since 1994. That was when they changed up the plastics and the designation went from ex500 to the Ninja 500R (The actual numerical designation for the bike hasn't changed it is still EX500D1 thru D11). The california version of the bike as a slightly lower Fuel capacity than the bike manufactured for the other states in the union (darn emissions). The engine itself hasn't had a major change since its inception in the 80's. As a result any 500 you purchase post 1994 will basically be the same. I purchased a 2006 last september as my first bike and I have really enjoyed it. It is tame enough for a new rider but it handles well enough to keep you entertained (or scared witless) as your confidence grows. I would recommend that if you get a new (i.e. 2006 or 2007) that you get the first service done at 600 miles, otherwise the engine will start to run really poorly at about 3K (i know from experience). I ride pretty much daily as the 500 is my main commuting vehicle (perfect bike for commuting IMO) and had to get the valves adjusted at 7k, which is when the manual suggests getting them checked. I change the oil every 3k simply because I ride so much stop and go and back roads at high revs. I also just replaced my stock tires at about 7,500 miles, the rear was squared off from too much freeway riding, but the front had a lot of milage left. I replace both as a set becuase I wanted to try the perelli sport demons and I don't like to mix tire types (it could cause handling issues.) As a side note: a 140/70-17 tire fits the rear perfectly.

If you get a 500 I don't think you will be disappointed. The engine is near bullet proof, it will tour easily with some saddle bags, cruise freeway speeds (80+) without complaint and still turn about 50mpg. If you do buy one new off the showroom floor there are a couple of small suggested modifications, the first being to ditch the mirrors and replace them with a set of 1996-2001 ZX6R mirrors. THe stock mirrors on the 500 are too close to the centerline of the bike and all the rider can see is their elbows. EMGO makes affordable OEM replacement mirrors for the ZX6R, Which is what I used, less than $50 for the set I believe. The other is to get a fender eliminator (don't just cut it off with a hacksaw that is sooooo ghetto). The two small changes cleans up the look of the bike tremendously. There are quite a few other modifications you can make to the bike. There are a few in this forum and you can look at EX500Riders.com (that is when that site is actually up and running).

As far as color choices, I think 2006 was in wine red and Kawi green. I got the kawi green. Yuo can check out kawasaki's website for info on this year's color choices.

If you are getting a new bike you can probably get out the door for between 4900 and 5500. You can easily get a used bike for less than 4K if you shop around carefully.

Best of luck shopping!

 

Well techno pretty much covered it all! They are great bikes - you will be very pleased with the 500!

Good luck and I hope you find one soon!!!

 

damn, that's some great info there technophile!!! [sm=smiley20.gif]

after I get back from my trip late this month I will begin the hunt for my bike!!!
already see that it's going to be just like my car, mod heaven!!! [sm=alcoholic.gif]

 

Uh oh!!!! Mod alert, mod alert!!!! It is one heck of an addiction - just ask evil636!!!!

Have fun bike hunting!!!

 

Yeah, with the mods I know way too well..... for some time now my car is getting all the attention as well as most of my wallet!!!

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It is an addiction, I replaced the mirror, windscreen, fender, and turn signals within the first couple of months I owned the bike. That held me over for a while but last week I went nuts and put in stainless steel braided brake lines (much better feel at the brake lever, it isn't so mushy any more), race tech springs with gold cartridge emulators, and I have a set of vortex rearsets on the shelf that will be next once I decide how I want to mount them. I would already have an aftermarket exhaust, but I am a little reluctant to mess with jetting and such that mounting a 2into1 system. The bike runs great stock, I would hate to mess that up. You know, now the the front suspension is pretty well sorted, maybe a Works rear shock should be next...[sm=drooldude.gif]

 

I'm kind of surprised you haven't done the solo tail yet!

 

I originally wanted to go with the solo tail, but I use saddle bags ocassionally and I'm still trying to get the wife convinced she wants to ride pillion with me. Both of which are somewhat inconvienent with the solo tail. But if the wife continues to defer I may scrape together enough nickles and dimes to get that solo tail. It would look pretty sweet. [sm=bling.gif]

 

so I'm closer then ever to getting my 500!!!

I will start calling all dealers in my area next week to see what they have and what they can offer me!!!
Very exicted and happy to be getting on one of these bad boyzzzz soon!!!

question on colors:
this years colors are the yellow and titanium
last years, they were green and red I believe from an earlier post
is that mean that 2005 was the black and the blue?

not sure yet which I will get, but also depends on what I can find and at what price!!!