Whats a good 500cc starter bike?

[Pocket]

defiantly if your set on the above bikes my recommendation would be the VF500, my cousin let me ride his for 200km and wow its comfy, light, enough power and the power delivery is exceptionally smooth.

[slowbird]

I have this bike, .... and it's cute looking ,

Awwww.....don't say THAT!

[Snot]

If you can settle for a 400, there's lots of classic 400s, such as the Bandit 400, the CB-1, CB400, and the SRX400.

[Pocket]

don't forget xs400 lol

[Matt03rsx]

No matter what anyone says get the Ninja 500. Its your only option. It has the most balls of the three yet u wont kill yourself if u crack the throtle. It can take the 2 up faily well, but is best for single rider use. No matter which one u buy be prepared to sell it come next spring cause ull want something bigger. Just a thought Yamaha offers a beginer friendly 4 cylinder 599cc bike which u might actually keep for a couple seasons. It was new last year so u should be able to grab one for under 7000.
hope this helps.

[slowbird]

No matter what anyone says get the Ninja 500. Its your only option. It has the most balls of the three yet u wont kill yourself if u crack the throtle.

I will disagree:


(Assuming all bikes are well maintained)
2001 GS500E:

Pwr: 49hp
Trq: 40nm
Weight: 420lbs (wet)

2001 Ninja:

Pwr: 60hp
Trq: 46nm
Weight : 437 lb (wet)

1986 VF500F:

Pwr: 69hp
Trq: 44nm
Weight: 454lbs (wet)

The VF500 most likely has the "most balls".....it also has a smoother, more broad powerband unlike the Ninja where the power comes higher in the rpm range.

It can take the 2 up faily well, but is best for single rider use.

Can be said about ALOT of bikes including the GS500 and VF500

No matter which one u buy be prepared to sell it come next spring cause ull want something bigger.

Not always true....everyone is different. I enjoy my 500 very much and I'm going on 3+ years with it.

[DemonPig]

You could also try FZ600 if you like older bikes and have some mechanical inclination in case wrenching's required. They were good reliable bikes and in my opinion - great looking. There are always a few of those, cheap, on Kijiji or Autotrader.
That bike had around 55HP so it's pretty much in same class as today's 500cc, albeit slightly heavier. Probably around 460lbs wet.




As far as insurance is concerned there's usually quite of a bit of a difference between a 250cc and a 500cc but not so much between a 500cc and a 650cc (sport touring). So if you really feel confident I would also suggest that you look into a Ninja 650 and my personal favourite - SV650.

[slowbird]

That FZ is gorgeous

[ChrisR]

No one "outgrows" a 500cc in one season. Saying that they did is a stupid internet macho thing, pay no attention to it. Most people, in person, will admit that they didn't really grow out of their 500 by exceeding it's capabilities, they just wanted a cooler bike once they had learned how not to drop it. (which is fine...)

Having a cheap bike you don't care about scratching/denting vs. having a good looking and sounding, cool bike are opposing goals. You can't have both.

They're all good bikes and do what they're meant to do. Just get a good, well maintained, reliable example, that's the most important thing, and go ride a lot.

And I really like my VF500 too, +1 for the miniceptor. I'm thinking of upgrading to something else, but don't have much motivation to sell it, it's a fun bike, and I've put a lot of TLC into it.

[slowbird]

No one "outgrows" a 500cc in one season. Saying that they did is a stupid internet macho thing, pay no attention to it. Most people, in person, will admit that they didn't really grow out of their 500 by exceeding it's capabilities, they just wanted a cooler bike once they had learned how not to drop it. (which is fine...)

Having a cheap bike you don't care about scratching/denting vs. having a good looking and sounding, cool bike are opposing goals. You can't have both.

They're all good bikes and do what they're meant to do. Just get a good, well maintained, reliable example, that's the most important thing, and go ride a lot.

Well put.

[junk301]

If you really really really want to start with a 500 I'd go for the gs500f. However, in my opinion all off the current 500cc sport bikes look like crap. Who ever said starting with a 250 is a waste of time is lying, i doubt that they have really brought the bike to it's limits. A couple of my friends started with 500's, and their technique is lousy. I have never seen them lean anywhere close to where I've gone. They are too scared, can't fully control the power. I bet by the time they have fully exceeded the bike, they'll probably already of had the bike for 3-4 years .Unless you plan on taking tons and i mean tons of passengers and do alot of highway riding or both, consider a 250. IMO they look better. :P.

..waiting for the honda cbr400rr 2011.

[ANDRASTA]

This was my first bike and I loved it. Katana 600 paid 3800 bucks for it ,only had 6000kms, and contrary to popular belief, Katanas can handle.




and contrary to popular belief, Katanas can handle.

[junk301]

This was my first bike and I loved it. Katana 600 paid 3800 bucks for it ,only had 6000kms, and contrary to popular belief, Katanas can handle.




and contrary to popular belief, Katanas can handle.

thats one unique helmet.

[bzd]

..waiting for the honda cbr400rr 2011.

there is going to be a cbr400 in 2011?

got anymore info on this? links? sources?

[adri]

Try looking at General forum:
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum...d.php?t=108858