Any 500cc touring friendly bikes?

[nyx]

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.

For me it's just insurance. And the initial price is sometimes lower too cause they're mostly old bikes. I'm sure the 650's are better for touring.

 

[shanekingsley]

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

That is a good deal! The bags alone are over $1000, the Corbin seat is $300+, the crash bars, skid plate, center stand, and windshield are $700. At 22,000km, that bike is just getting broken in and not to mention the stickers are sweet too!

 

[poomann]

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.

Ninja 500r is pretty much identical throughout the second gen (94-'09) Just different colours iirc. 500r kept the insurance low for me while i was quoted 2000+ for a 650.

 

[MacDoc]

That is a seriously good deal on the VStrom and excellent farkles. I concur with the just broken in comment as well. The Suzuki 650 motors just start to smooth out right about that mileage.
It's not beat up - it's been used for actual dual sport and some trail....lot more respect from that than shiny newbie look.

 

[00ninja]

Ninja 500r is pretty much identical throughout the second gen (94-'09) Just different colours iirc. 500r kept the insurance low for me while i was quoted 2000+ for a 650.

Exactly.

There is no change in the Gen 2 models (1994-2009). Just pick the colour you want and the price you want to pay.

As for the bags, I have the Cortech sport tri-bag system (saddlebags with matching tail bag). Plenty of room and all three pieces are expandable.

The bike is cheap to ensure and run. Maintenance is fairly easy. For example it takes 10-15mins tops to pull the carbs from the bike.

You can easily get ~300km on the tank before hitting reserve. The bike is happy on the highway at cruising 5500rpm or you can keep it up at 7000-9k where it comes alive in the twisties. It's up to you.

The 500R might not be a looker, handle like an SS or a technical marvel but it is a nice all around intensive sport tourer.

My 2 cents anyway.

 

[Ash]

The Ninja 500 was a great bike to start on. Plenty of power, and it did just about everything pretty well. I took it to Ottawa and back on weekends for a year or two. It was a bit cramped in the legroom for longer rides, and my hands and feet tingled all night long after an Ottawa trip, but it was cheap and cheerful.

I kept the 500r for a couple of years after I got the WeeStrom. The 500 was nice and light and fun to take out for a quick spin, but it really didn't get ridden much after the 650 showed up. The 650 is physically much larger and offers a lot more legroom. The stock seat didn't work for me, so I ended up building a monster of a touring seat. The 650 engine has lots of character without being buzzy

 

[poomann]

Exactly.

There is no change in the Gen 2 models (1994-2009). Just pick the colour you want and the price you want to pay.

As for the bags, I have the Cortech sport tri-bag system (saddlebags with matching tail bag). Plenty of room and all three pieces are expandable.

The bike is cheap to ensure and run. Maintenance is fairly easy. For example it takes 10-15mins tops to pull the carbs from the bike.

You can easily get ~300km on the tank before hitting reserve. The bike is happy on the highway at cruising 5500rpm or you can keep it up at 7000-9k where it comes alive in the twisties. It's up to you.

The 500R might not be a looker, handle like an SS or a technical marvel but it is a nice all around intensive sport tourer.

My 2 cents anyway.

Keep it shiny, that's the only thing i do. I rode to guelph using only highway 7; fun, plenty of power and it sure beats the damn 401 only going in straights.

 

[00ninja]

Keep it shiny, that's the only thing i do. I rode to guelph using only highway 7; fun, plenty of power and it sure beats the damn 401 only going in straights.

LOL, Nice! Depending on where you are, it's a nice ride across 7 to Guelph.

I keep it shiny (get a few compliments over on ex-500.com) but I enjoy it.

 

[poomann]

LOL, Nice! Depending on where you are, it's a nice ride across 7 to Guelph.

I keep it shiny (get a few compliments over on ex-500.com) but I enjoy it.

I always here someone saying something like: "ohh thats a shiny one" then they walk up and see its a 500r. love it.

 

[nyx]

Looks like I may need to stick to a 500 after all. Called TD and the rate online wasn't the same as the agent gave me.
If anyone else uses online TD quote; their year starts at march (march to march), so they won't charge you full year if you start now, and thats the quote you get. The 650's are out for now.