Any 500cc touring friendly bikes?

honduhmatic said:
...Vulcan 500...The Ninja 500 version is supposed to be quite comfty too.

Honda VT500 Ascot is is another potential choice, but it has a small fuel tank: http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/1984-honda-ascot-vt500.aspx
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All three are supposed to be good bikes.

The counterpart to the Honda VT500 Ascot is the Honda VT500C Shadow. It has the same engine as the Ascot but with minor differences to the bike, like a larger gas tank. V-twin, shafty, 6 speed, with 6th being a cruise, 25kpl/60mpUSg/72mpIg, <400lb, 50hp, pretty bullet proof and easy on insurance. Both these bikes are 491cc v-twins with good low end acceleration, 0-60mph in 5.2s. The VT500 Ascot was made for 2 years '83-84 and the VT500C was made for 4 years '83-'86. They do pop up used.

The Ascot is more upright, taller and mid-controls. The Shadow is more cruiser, mid-controls and good for shorter riders. Parts are still available for both, as many parts are shared with other bikes.
 
My 650R will probably be for sale soon. Not sure if that at all meets what you're looking for, at all. It has sport bars on it, though, which aren't great for the comfort you need but you can get a riser or go back to stock bars easily. PM me if you are at all interested.
 
Thanks guys for the input! I'm going to visit some dealerships soon, and try to decide on the newer 600/650 vs old 500 bike. Going from the low cruiser seat, to KLR might feel weird, but I'm 5 9' so it's probably just an adjustment.
I won't be able to insure any bike older than '85, so I'm limited to a smaller selection there.
 
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e. 'Stroms are known for being durable, but a 2005 model for $4500-5500 doesn't seem like smart money to me.
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Depends on the mileage and the farkles. That seems a very decent price for a 2005.
My sense is the 650 is a low stress motor and liquid cooled so should be good for a long life.
That seems where that range of dual sport twins reside in price point.
GS650 etc
The KLRs you can get the newer model 2008 for that nicely equipped. The KLRs did not change for 20 years and then the new model came out in 2008.

You start putting on the toys on a new 2011 or 2012 and it adds up right quick.
 
Is it safe to assume that you are in the same situation as myself, with state farm and want to keep it under 600 cc to keep the cost low? If so I know where you are coming from, and as nice as some of the bikes mentioned are they will more than double our payment. Good luck in your search! :-)
 
Going on 41, perfect driving record, have a 2011 ninja 250, looking to get a vstrom 650. I am going to give TD a call this week and might just switch everything over, 2 cars, house and bike.
 
Hey, now there's a familiar face I haven't seen around in quite a while!

V-Strom DL650 (the "Wee" Strom as it's known to fellow StromTroopers ;)) is an excellent sport-tourer, I've owned my '05 since Nov 2011 and I absolutely love it. Picked up with 23.5k, now sitting around 48k. Very sturdy bike, they'll take a lot of abuse and keep on going (though the KLRs are probably more known for that.) I would probably agree that it'd be on the tall side for a 5'9 rider (I'm about 6'1 myself and the seat height is just perfect for me) but you can get it lowered a tad if need be.

Mine came with a center stand too, which makes most maintenance much easier. So many mods/farkles for this bike too if you're into that...

I'm 31, insured with Intact (formerly Jevco) and pay about $850 for the year, and that's still a bit on the high side apparently. Coming from a Ninja 650R and a 250R before that, it's easily the most comfy ride for longer trips, and still quite capable of some 507 "fun". ;)

If I ever see you out at any of the meets this year, you're welcome to try the seating position if you haven't already tried one out by then.
 
If you're looking at TD insurance, see if you can leverage a group discount. Virtually any university/college alum works, as well as professional associations and many workplaces - probably some bike clubs too. I get a great deal because I'm a PEO member.

I've never had to make an auto claim, but I had to make a house claim once with TD. The experience wasn't too bad and the service was OK.

On balance, I'd sooner have a broker but TD's rates make them a worthwhile option.
 
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honduhmatic said:
Oh agreed, V-Stroms are great. I really enjoyed the demo ride on the one I tried, it did everything great. The long travel is nice but I could see it being quicker than expected in the twisties.

I heard the 2012-on model is even a bit more refined and nicer - and WAY better looking.

I'd love to try a KLR, but I'd think that for more touring and pavement duty a V-Strom would be the better bet.

If the OP were really intent on a V-Strom, I'd find a local dealer selling a brand new 2012 bike for low $9k + tax, or a new 2011 model for $7500 (the Thunder Bay dealer is advertising this right now) rather than spend more than $4k on a miled-up 10-year-old bike. 'Stroms are known for being durable, but a 2005 model for $4500-5500 doesn't seem like smart money to me.

...but then again, it's a slippery slope and don't I know it too :D
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I bought a 2006 DL650 V-Strom at the end of July of 2006. I rode it for 202,000+ km. I retired in in March of 2012 when I brought home my new 2012 DL650 V-Strom. The 2012 currently has about 48,000 km on it. The 2006 is still licensed and rideable but I like the 2012 so much I don't feel like riding the 2006. My Stroms dairly ride on highways, backroads, and gravel roads and are retty much my daily vehicle from March until November/December. (WHere i currently live is a bit north adnd I am subject to lake-effect snow. I may be riding home tonight in snow if the forecast is close to correct.)

The V-Stroms are great riding bikes that can do almost everything very well - whether commuting with it, doing gravel roads, keeping up with sport bikes in the twisties, or piling on a ton of crap and going on long tours (in 2011 I rode my 2006 for 57,000 km with trips to the east coast and to Grand Canyon/Death Valley.) It's basically a bike that doesn't limit you from doing what you want.

Unfortunately the OP asked about 500cc bikes so Stroms aren't in that category but I suspect a nice Standard bike like a Suzuki GS500 would be a good all round bike if you have to stay in that displacement range.

..Tom
 
honduhmatic said:
A friend quite liked her Vulcan 500. Apparently it had good punch for a 500cc cruiser, and was comfty. The Ninja 500 version is supposed to be quite comfty too.

Honda VT500 Ascot is is another potential choice, but it has a small fuel tank: http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/1984-honda-ascot-vt500.aspx
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The Ninja 500r have a nice platform and there's plenty of comparison between the Ninja 500r and the Gs500. Even though the ninja 500r is discontinued. If you want to tour with it, you might want to change the windscreen because it is relatively low to block any wind if you're not tucked in.
 
have you looked at the Katana 600 or 750

They are cheap to buy and and very comfortable...

also classed as a sport touring so you aren't paying SS insurance rates
 
poomann said:
The Ninja 500r have a nice platform and there's plenty of comparison between the Ninja 500r and the Gs500. Even though the ninja 500r is discontinued. If you want to tour with it, you might want to change the windscreen because it is relatively low to block any wind if you're not tucked in.
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Agreed.

Add a touring windscreen and a Corbin seat and you are good to go.
 
DraginMiFeet said:
It says 15,400 km on the ENGINE, it could have gone around the meat packing plant a few times.
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Well now, that makes sense!

I'm not sure the v30 would even work for me anymore. I haven't noticed the foot peg is close to underneath the seat. The seating is already low to begin with.
 
00ninja said:
Agreed.

Add a touring windscreen and a Corbin seat and you are good to go.
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What about luggage and hard cases?

It seems only the 90's ninjas are cheaper in price. On 2004+ models add extra $1300 and you get a 600cc with no carbs.
I'd rather get a fuel injected bike, but are the 2000's models similar to the newer ones? I'd be willing to overlook the carbs if the price difference was right.
 
TekNinja81 said:
Hey, now there's a familiar face I haven't seen around in quite a while!

V-Strom DL650 (the "Wee" Strom as it's known to fellow StromTroopers ;)) is an excellent sport-tourer, I've owned my '05 since Nov 2011 and I absolutely love it. Picked up with 23.5k, now sitting around 48k. Very sturdy bike, they'll take a lot of abuse and keep on going (though the KLRs are probably more known for that.) I would probably agree that it'd be on the tall side for a 5'9 rider (I'm about 6'1 myself and the seat height is just perfect for me) but you can get it lowered a tad if need be.

Mine came with a center stand too, which makes most maintenance much easier. So many mods/farkles for this bike too if you're into that...

I'm 31, insured with Intact (formerly Jevco) and pay about $850 for the year, and that's still a bit on the high side apparently. Coming from a Ninja 650R and a 250R before that, it's easily the most comfy ride for longer trips, and still quite capable of some 507 "fun". ;)

If I ever see you out at any of the meets this year, you're welcome to try the seating position if you haven't already tried one out by then.
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Hiya! I have barely gone to any rides or meets due to my work schedules and engine displacement size. But now that I lost many hours and lost one job, I have more time to ride. But have to stick to a budget.

Really like the idea of a vstorm, td insurance quoted me $1500/year on a 650. Haven't tried Jevco yet as they always gave me bad rates. I'm not sure if I should invest in an older vstrom or pick up cheap old 500 right now. There's a beat up 2009 for a price of 2004;
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...gged-for-adventure-touring-W0QQAdIdZ477093529
 
Is there something about the 500R that makes it more suitable for touring than say a 650R or Versys? Just wondering for my own information.
 
nyx said:
Hiya! I have barely gone to any rides or meets due to my work schedules and engine displacement size. But now that I lost many hours and lost one job, I have more time to ride. But have to stick to a budget.

Really like the idea of a vstorm, td insurance quoted me $1500/year on a 650. Haven't tried Jevco yet as they always gave me bad rates. I'm not sure if I should invest in an older vstrom or pick up cheap old 500 right now. There's a beat up 2009 for a price of 2004;
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...gged-for-adventure-touring-W0QQAdIdZ477093529
Click to expand...

That's farkled up very nicely. Lot of bucks went into all that.
 
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