Suggestions for a 500cc sportbike

:D - LOL @ the 2-stroke crowd. First thing that popped into my head when I read the title was an RGV500 conversion, where they get the Gamma engine and stick it into a RGV250 frame. I'm surprised no one suggested the KR500.... OK... so there is only like 1 in Canada.... but it might just be THE BEST sounding bike of all time!

As for the original post - ya dude, EX500, GS500 or a grey market import such as an RVF400 or similar would be great bikes. The latter being a bit more of a difficult find.
 
Check out this handy link:

http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Buying_a_Used_EX-500

All the EX500's (Generation 1: 1987-1993) and the Ninja 500R's (Generation 2: 1994-2009) are virtually mechanically with the exception a few parts. For example fairings are different on both Gen's and the wheels are different sizes (16" on Gen 1's and 17" on Gen 2's). Also the rear brake on the Gen 1's is drum versus disk on the Gen 2's.

IMO, try to find a nice Gen 2 but either way both Generations of the bike are very good. There are plenty of parts and folks out there who know how to fix them. Sure, it may not be the best looking bike but it's still a fun little bike to ride and develop your skills on.

Good Luck.
 
You might want to sit on them both to find out which fits you better. I rode both and prefered the riding position of the GS500F. Did a few 650km day rides on mind with no problem. Also, last year SON sold new 2010 GS500F for $3999 plus HST. I picked on up and really enjoyed it. You might want to call them to find out if they have any left over.
Over 8500km with No problems, bought a Haynes manual and started doing my own service. Although I read it is cold blooded, never any problem starting it up even in below zero temps. Also, the fairing offer real wind protection, which I found helpful riding on a day like today.

If your set on owning a ninja you might consider raising the handle bars with riser blocks for a more confortable riding position.
 
Unless you're mechanically inclined and know where to get the parts from, I'd stick with the 2nd gen EX500. 1994-2009. You can find one for $2,000 or less in pretty good shape. Don't let some scrapes and scratches scare you either. They're good for negotiating and at least you won't have to worry about dropping your spotless bike. BTW, just because a bike has been dropped or has some mileage on it, doesn't mean it's a write off. Best is to bring someone with you. It works on a psychological level and it's always good to have a 2nd opinion from someone who's not emotionally involved.
 
DemonPig said:
Unless you're mechanically inclined and know where to get the parts from, I'd stick with the 2nd gen EX500. 1994-2009. You can find one for $2,000 or less in pretty good shape. Don't let some scrapes and scratches scare you either. They're good for negotiating and at least you won't have to worry about dropping your spotless bike. BTW, just because a bike has been dropped or has some mileage on it, doesn't mean it's a write off. Best is to bring someone with you. It works on a psychological level and it's always good to have a 2nd opinion from someone who's not emotionally involved.
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For $2000 you're getting a pretty used up EX500. I've been scouring the market for months for one before I landed mine.
 
got my ex500 for $1060, that's really the wonderful thing, they work well & you can get deals on them.
going on 2.5 years, she runs as well as when I got her. a 'beat up' ex500 will still run fine so don't discount anything that doesn't look new... if the price is right and you know the issues and whether they can be fixed. 'issues' are great counter bargains when someone just wants to unload their bike and get a new one.
just be careful of lemons clearly... but you could hit this bike with a bulldozer, drag it for 50feet, then hop back on and ride 4000km.

liquid cooled is good compared to the GS in traffic if it's a hot day. you'll have less heat on you and be more comfortable. THAT's one reason why it's important. esp if you're already in a jacket. I wouldn't want a steaming furnace sitting under me in 30 degree weather.

the ex500 won't win a beauty pageant, but at the same time, it has an awkward charm. I meant to get it for 1 year and 1 year only and.. well I think I'll finally replace her with the nc700, but only for looks and storage reasons. otherwise I'd just keep this bike until it rusted out, it's utilitarian. You'll be able to fix and learn on it, but you'll never, ever pose.

46,000km and she still starts up in -5 degree weather. can't advice you to not get it.
 
DoubleJ said:
I would be looking for a leftover 2009 EX500. They are out there.
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Not anymore, I got the last one in Ontario back in April.
 
I can sell you mine 2000 EX 500, if you like
for $2000+
it sits in one of the bedrooms whole year, rode it 3 times this yeas and twice last year
shoot me email: fireguy at post.com
 
"For $2000 you're getting a pretty used up EX500. I've been scouring the market for months for one before I landed mine."

Not if you look in the right places and know how to haggle. My friend bought a 2000 model for $1,450 last year. Needed new tires and the front fairing was cracked. 20K mileage. The key thing is to look outside Toronto, people tend to think their bikes are made of gold here.
 
Technically a 572cc engine. But this would work.

Ducati_Supermono_1.jpg
 
Yeah, if you're looking for a used up EX500 with fairing damage and potential work that needs to be done on them, then you can surely land one for $2000. That goes for any used up/beat up bikes, a drop in price. I see a 1990 EX500 for $1200 on Kijiji as we speak. If you're willing to put work into something like this and don't mind fairing damage, go for it!
 
fyrebug said:
got my ex500 for $1060, that's really the wonderful thing, they work well & you can get deals on them.
going on 2.5 years, she runs as well as when I got her. a 'beat up' ex500 will still run fine so don't discount anything that doesn't look new... if the price is right and you know the issues and whether they can be fixed. 'issues' are great counter bargains when someone just wants to unload their bike and get a new one.
just be careful of lemons clearly... but you could hit this bike with a bulldozer, drag it for 50feet, then hop back on and ride 4000km.
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Your EX500 also came with a whole lot of fairing damage. You practical rebuilt the whole thing (awesome job by the way!). You can get a whole lot of bikes at pretty good bottom bargain prices with the same kind of fairing damage. The question for OP is whether he's willing to buy a bike and put time into it. Not everyone is interested in a project bike.

On that note, EX500 owners: don't ever jet your carbs. Mine came jetted with full Hindle system. The jetting makes the bike run way too rich and makes things worst. I ordered some stock parts with the help of 00ninja and converting it back.
 
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Some fairing damage is not equal to a project bike and it doesn't mean the bike's used up or beat up.
You can easily find a mint EX500 for around $2,000, don't be sour just because you weren't able to get a good deal.
I bought my 2001 SV650 3 years ago for 2,800... Last year I got a 1997 CBR900rr for 1,600. Just because YOU cannot find a good deal, doesn't mean OP won't.
 
DemonPig said:
Some fairing damage is not equal to a project bike and it doesn't mean the bike's used up or beat up.
You can easily find a mint EX500 for around $2,000, don't be sour just because you weren't able to get a good deal.
I bought my 2001 SV650 3 years ago for 2,800... Last year I got a 1997 CBR900rr for 1,600. Just because YOU cannot find a good deal, doesn't mean OP won't.
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Why do you assume I am bitter/jealous/sour and that my comments are motivated by this? Wow, way to make this about me and personal. What a blind assertion. I'm pretty damn happy about my purchase, after months of looking/waiting. I got a good deal based on what I was looking for.

I'm not sure how you define a used up/beat up bike then, if it's not fairing damage. I'm not interested in arguing semantics. You can throw in any case-to-case scenarios out there how people have gotten gems deals. There are plenty of gem sales to grab on any bike. Anecdotal.

I'm not sure how you claim to be able to get a mint EX500 for around $2000. Have you watched the market for them closely? Or this is what you've heard. Because I've watched pretty closely for a bit. I've seen plenty of $2000 EX500, that I have chosen to pass on. They are not mint as you claim. Look at fyreubugs bike when he got it. That's what I call a project bike. Not sure how you define "mint'. Maybe you mean fairing damage = mint. Because mint means exactly what it is... mint. Mint $2000? Stop talking garbage. I've checked out a number of EX500 in person from $2000 to $4000

There's a 2000 EX500 selling for $500 right now. Another 2001 for $2500. If you have a good understanding of an EX500 and know what issues to look for and can deal with repairs on your own. Go for it. It the end everyone has their own points that make up a buying decision. Some people want a clean fairing and will wax/clean the bike after ride, while some don't care about any sort of fairing damage, as long as it runs, even if it runs rough. The OP is free to arrive to his own decisions on what is valuable to him. My contribution to this post was to +1 on EX500s and to tell him what I have seen from doing the research on this bike and having gone through the process of looking/waiting for the right one for me. I looked for MINT fairings and a good riding EX500 that has been properly maintained, and a bunch of aftermarket upgrades. Maybe the OP doesn't? But I'm not going to claim there are a bunch mint $2000 EX500s out there that are easy to find.

Also, I wanted only a yellow bike, which limited me to a 2007 model. Maybe the OP has a preference for certain colours? Some people care about how their bikes look, and a lot of other factors, and not just on $2000 price tag deal.
 
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DoubleJ said:
Paulhv1 did you grab that blue one out of Brantford, if not then there is still another loose!
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Kahuna, They done a dealer search and it was the last one in stock. I guess one popped up in Brantford too.
 
Anyone would be stupid to pass up that $500 ex-500.

you could part out 20% of that bike for more than that.

a little work and that thing would be fine. new battery, new clutch plates,

that looks like better condition than mine and for less $$ than what I got mine for, and by no means do I feel I had to put in more money than it was worth to get it up to shape.

that looks like a great deal, though I ahven't seen it in person
 
For $500 it's a give away. I'm not sure what's up with that. I'm curious to see the bike and talk to the guy to see what's going on. I'm passing up on it though :)
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