Hello, everyone! This is my first post here. I've been considering getting back in to motorcycling, and today I made the rounds of some of the local dealers to see what's out there. My previous (and first) bike was a 1988 Kawasaki EX500 that's currently in pieces in my garage (and has been for the last decade, some of the pieces are missing).
While walking the floor at the local Kawasaki/Suzuki/etc dealer, I happened upon the EX650. Wow. I didn't take it for a ride, because I've let my motorcycle endorsement lapse in the interim, so here's just a few impressions.
1. This is exactly the sort of bike I'm looking for. I loved my EX500, and the Ninja 650R is like a modernized version. A lightweight, mid-displacement, liquid-cooled, inline twin with good looks and a relatively cheap price.
2. $6300 is more than double what I paid for my 1988 new in October of 1988. Not a complaint, just an observation. It's still quite a bit cheaper than most other bikes.
3. I'm 6'1" tall. I wish Kawasaki hadn't tried to make this bike easier for shorter people to ride. I have a 34-35" inseam (long legs), and the seating position slightly cramped my legs. I also think the seat could be a little more plush for my 37-yo rear. Other than that, I appreciate the upright seating position and the design of the bike that still lets you lean over on the tank farily comfortably. Maybe an aftermarket seat is just the ticket. I could live with the stock one, though.
3. It's fuel injected. Yay!
4. Replacing broken plastic when you drop your bike is expensive, but I still want the plastic. Count me as the "have crashed" type of rider...but a bruise on my leg and a 1/4" hole in my AeroStich suit, plus replacing every protruding part on the left hand side of the bike was all I had to show for it...
5. I'm not sure I would recommend this bike for a new rider, especialy a youngish new rider. My EX500 and my invincibility complex got me into plenty of trouble--I bought it when I was 19. The dry weight of the 650R is about exactly the same as my EX500, with even more power. Even though I thought I would be very careful with my EX500 when I got it, it wasn't long before I was pushing the limits of the bike (not to mention my skills). I'd say the EX500 or EX250 would be a better choice for a younger rider who wants a sporty-looking bike. For someone in their 30's, though, it's perfect.
6. I like the handlebars of the EX500 better.
7. I hope they keep this model around as long as they kept the EX500 around.
Now to dust off the old AeroStich suit and Shoei GRV...
While walking the floor at the local Kawasaki/Suzuki/etc dealer, I happened upon the EX650. Wow. I didn't take it for a ride, because I've let my motorcycle endorsement lapse in the interim, so here's just a few impressions.
1. This is exactly the sort of bike I'm looking for. I loved my EX500, and the Ninja 650R is like a modernized version. A lightweight, mid-displacement, liquid-cooled, inline twin with good looks and a relatively cheap price.
2. $6300 is more than double what I paid for my 1988 new in October of 1988. Not a complaint, just an observation. It's still quite a bit cheaper than most other bikes.
3. I'm 6'1" tall. I wish Kawasaki hadn't tried to make this bike easier for shorter people to ride. I have a 34-35" inseam (long legs), and the seating position slightly cramped my legs. I also think the seat could be a little more plush for my 37-yo rear. Other than that, I appreciate the upright seating position and the design of the bike that still lets you lean over on the tank farily comfortably. Maybe an aftermarket seat is just the ticket. I could live with the stock one, though.
3. It's fuel injected. Yay!
4. Replacing broken plastic when you drop your bike is expensive, but I still want the plastic. Count me as the "have crashed" type of rider...but a bruise on my leg and a 1/4" hole in my AeroStich suit, plus replacing every protruding part on the left hand side of the bike was all I had to show for it...
5. I'm not sure I would recommend this bike for a new rider, especialy a youngish new rider. My EX500 and my invincibility complex got me into plenty of trouble--I bought it when I was 19. The dry weight of the 650R is about exactly the same as my EX500, with even more power. Even though I thought I would be very careful with my EX500 when I got it, it wasn't long before I was pushing the limits of the bike (not to mention my skills). I'd say the EX500 or EX250 would be a better choice for a younger rider who wants a sporty-looking bike. For someone in their 30's, though, it's perfect.
6. I like the handlebars of the EX500 better.
7. I hope they keep this model around as long as they kept the EX500 around.
Now to dust off the old AeroStich suit and Shoei GRV...
