This was my first bike, but much older. A 1994 ninja 500. Though they really didn't change these bikes at all over the years. I've ridden everything from super sports to cruisers and I always want to come back to this one.
Had like 12 or 13 street bikes but did have 3 big fast ninjas but this 500 ain't no beginners bike. Why do people keep saying that. I'm 50 so I love how light it is and it's pretty, fast, dependable and it's a Ninja! Can't go wrong. I have an 08. LOVE IT!!!!!!!
I've been riding street bikes for 49 plus years. You don't stop appreciating a beginner bike just because you're an experienced rider. The Ninja 250 requires more skill, the Ninja 500 has a wider power band and yet is very forgiving. I had my ninja 500 up to 120 indicated mph. It is an ideal beginner bike in my opinion for its power, weight, and overall ergonomics; Great commuter and yet quite sporty. By the way you can get a 1-in riser for those handlebars.
I have ridden every thing from 70s yamaha 60 2 stroke dirt bike to ZX11 and I have ridden a ex500, buddy hd one, it is not just for beginners damn good little bike and more bike than 90% of riders can ever use. EGOS sell 1000s and most 600s I own and have owned 4 total kawi 600s sarting in 85 first ninja 600 until latest zx6 own a 2010 zx6. The 500 is great bike for any level rider unless you are top notch rider on street it is fine up to its limits then maybe like me a zx6 or 600 of some brand. NO one needs 1000 on street total over kill if you track most tracks it is still more than you can use.
Yes, the experts can be "wrong" on the beginner bike recommendation. After owning street bikes from 100cc to 1,000 cc In the late '70s I realized then that the best beginner street bikes were the 450cc class (400-500cc twins). And they may very well be about as much street legal fun as you can have on two wheels. I have owned and ridden dozens of street bikes in the last 49 plus years. I currently have two dozen motorcycles, and have sold that many in the last 3 years. I understand if you don't believe me. I have owned three ninja 250s but only one ninja 500, and one ninja 650. Just for simplicity sake: both the 250 and the 650 require more skill than a beginner has to get everything you want or need out of them; The former because it lacks power, the latter because it has a little too much for a beginner. The Vulcan 500 and the Ninja 500 are ideal beginner bikes depending on the kind of riding you want to do. Just trust me on this one, I literally have motorcycle mania!
This would be perfect bike over all but it has one MAJOR flaw it sounds like all inline twins dull and fart can if you put on after market pipe to lose weight and go to 2 into 1. if only you could change the fart can sound it would be perfect bike. best one I heard was one with 2 into one header and guy put on aluminum supertrapp tip that has plates so he only put on a few to keep it quiet and so you do not get that farting burp of a inline twin.
The original EX500, that was produced from 1987-1993, was not a Ninja. It became the EX500 Ninja in 1994, when Kawasaki updated the bike with new fairings, new headlight, new taillight, new turn signals, a new swing arm, new brakes front and rear, with the rear disc replacing the EX 500's drum brake, new 17 inch wheels, which replaced the old 16 inch wheels of the EX500, a new digital ignition, to replace the EX500's analog ignition module, a new instrument cluster, new mirrors, larger front forks, new clip ons, and new switch gear. The majority of these items were not entirely new, as many of these items were borrowed from bikes such as the Ninja ZX6 and ZX7 models. So, in a nutshell, these EX500 Ninja's were NOT the same bike as the original EX500. They share the same frame, fuel tank, and engine, and that's about it. 2009 was the last model year for the Ninja 500R in America.
@@TheGoarReport Not all Kawasaki's !!!!! But, I was always drawn to these 500cc parallel twin sport bikes. I studied a lot about this bike and it's competitor, the Suzuki GS500E/F, back in the day. The Ninja 500R's "new" swing arm was actually sourced from the Kawasaki KLE 500 dual purpose bike !!!!! This was so that they could fit a disc brake to the rear. Kawasaki went, as they called it "parts bin shopping", in order to update the bike.
Wrong! A 250 requires quite a bit more skill to keep it on the pipe and get some performance out of it. It's also harder to get the hell out of the way when you need to. A 450cc class has always been the ideal beginner bike especially if you want to keep it and not have to upgrade in a season. Unless it's a dual sport or a scooter a 250 is NOT an ideal beginner bike!
This was my first bike, but much older. A 1994 ninja 500. Though they really didn't change these bikes at all over the years. I've ridden everything from super sports to cruisers and I always want to come back to this one.
Had like 12 or 13 street bikes but did have 3 big fast ninjas but this 500 ain't no beginners bike. Why do people keep saying that. I'm 50 so I love how light it is and it's pretty, fast, dependable and it's a Ninja! Can't go wrong. I have an 08. LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Lol my first bike and I’m vibin
I've been riding street bikes for 49 plus years. You don't stop appreciating a beginner bike just because you're an experienced rider. The Ninja 250 requires more skill, the Ninja 500 has a wider power band and yet is very forgiving. I had my ninja 500 up to 120 indicated mph. It is an ideal beginner bike in my opinion for its power, weight, and overall ergonomics; Great commuter and yet quite sporty. By the way you can get a 1-in riser for those handlebars.
Well done and well said .
Had a 2009 as a first bike. Super easy and forgiving. Fast enough to cruise on the highway and to keep up with Ninja 650's or similar.
About to but my first bike, same year and model super excited. Im sure itll be great to learn on.
You’re going to have a blast with it!
You are going to fall in love with it. I kept mine and it's still my daily rider.
Also looking at a Ninja 500R so I appreciate the video.
I have ridden every thing from 70s yamaha 60 2 stroke dirt bike to ZX11 and I have ridden a ex500, buddy hd one, it is not just for beginners damn good little bike and more bike than 90% of riders can ever use. EGOS sell 1000s and most 600s I own and have owned 4 total kawi 600s sarting in 85 first ninja 600 until latest zx6 own a 2010 zx6. The 500 is great bike for any level rider unless you are top notch rider on street it is fine up to its limits then maybe like me a zx6 or 600 of some brand. NO one needs 1000 on street total over kill if you track most tracks it is still more than you can use.
Yes, the experts can be "wrong" on the beginner bike recommendation. After owning street bikes from 100cc to 1,000 cc In the late '70s I realized then that the best beginner street bikes were the 450cc class (400-500cc twins). And they may very well be about as much street legal fun as you can have on two wheels. I have owned and ridden dozens of street bikes in the last 49 plus years. I currently have two dozen motorcycles, and have sold that many in the last 3 years. I understand if you don't believe me. I have owned three ninja 250s but only one ninja 500, and one ninja 650. Just for simplicity sake: both the 250 and the 650 require more skill than a beginner has to get everything you want or need out of them; The former because it lacks power, the latter because it has a little too much for a beginner. The Vulcan 500 and the Ninja 500 are ideal beginner bikes depending on the kind of riding you want to do. Just trust me on this one, I literally have motorcycle mania!
great bike 🎉
This would be perfect bike over all but it has one MAJOR flaw it sounds like all inline twins dull and fart can if you put on after market pipe to lose weight and go to 2 into 1. if only you could change the fart can sound it would be perfect bike. best one I heard was one with 2 into one header and guy put on aluminum supertrapp tip that has plates so he only put on a few to keep it quiet and so you do not get that farting burp of a inline twin.
That’s the best color they ever made the ninja 500!
Is it the metallic titanium?
Were the burgundy and the blue colors.
Hello, if someone knows, is this the kaw177 metallic titanium color? Thx
It sure is!
@@TheGoarReport thank you very much
The original EX500, that was produced from 1987-1993, was not a Ninja. It became the EX500 Ninja in 1994, when Kawasaki updated the bike with new fairings, new headlight, new taillight, new turn signals, a new swing arm, new brakes front and rear, with the rear disc replacing the EX 500's drum brake, new 17 inch wheels, which replaced the old 16 inch wheels of the EX500, a new digital ignition, to replace the EX500's analog ignition module, a new instrument cluster, new mirrors, larger front forks, new clip ons, and new switch gear. The majority of these items were not entirely new, as many of these items were borrowed from bikes such as the Ninja ZX6 and ZX7 models. So, in a nutshell, these EX500 Ninja's were NOT the same bike as the original EX500. They share the same frame, fuel tank, and engine, and that's about it. 2009 was the last model year for the Ninja 500R in America.
I honestly did not know all of that! Thanks for the great info! You most definitely know your Kawis
@@TheGoarReport Not all Kawasaki's !!!!! But, I was always drawn to these 500cc parallel twin sport bikes. I studied a lot about this bike and it's competitor, the Suzuki GS500E/F, back in the day. The Ninja 500R's "new" swing arm was actually sourced from the Kawasaki KLE 500 dual purpose bike !!!!! This was so that they could fit a disc brake to the rear. Kawasaki went, as they called it "parts bin shopping", in order to update the bike.
same damn bike just different name bike changed very little over it full run
LOL. Yeah, they had the same engine and frame. Nothing else. But yeah, same damn bike. LMAO.@@RT22-pb2pp
Definitely not a beginner bike, 300’s and 250’s are the best beginner, this is great for a 2nd or 3rd step if no experience
Wrong! A 250 requires quite a bit more skill to keep it on the pipe and get some performance out of it. It's also harder to get the hell out of the way when you need to. A 450cc class has always been the ideal beginner bike especially if you want to keep it and not have to upgrade in a season. Unless it's a dual sport or a scooter a 250 is NOT an ideal beginner bike!