1991 Kawasaki EX500

[happycommuter]

Yo Hangster, I got a Ninja!

In anticipation of my 700's impending demise, I picked this up from a friend of a friend.  The 1991 Kawasaki EX500 with under 11K on it.  The bike is superbly nimble and flickable, and makes the 700 seem like a cumbersome beast.  It doesn't offer quite the smooth unflappable ride of the 700 though.

I totally dig the pink stripes, so keep those comments to yo self.

Pro

• Hazard lights aka 4-way flashers - why don't all bikes have this?

• Parking light key position near On, not Off- no more accidental battery drains!
• Dual analog gauges - as God intended
• Ridiculously light weight- you can totally save this thing if you forget to put the side stand down.
• looow seat height - I can totally flat foot this bike

Con

• Drive chain - back to that maintenance
• Mirrors that won't show cars directly behind you - this is inexcusable
• 16" wheels - sonofabitch, again?  more years of bias ply tires in limited selection ahead
• Plastic - I can't inspect the carburetors or spark plugs without removing bodywork

[RobbieAG]

Wow, it looks to be in great shape - especially for a 91. Enjoy and ride safe

[ariwhiteboy]

Cool scoot!

[TDodge7]

I always liked the ninja 500's, I had a Vulcan 500 (same engine) a while back and was surprised how quickly it could haul my fat butt around. I was hoping that Kawasaki would update the looks so it would appeal to more people, most aspiring sport bike riders instantly write the 500 off as "not a real sportbike" so they go buy a busa and put it in the closest ditch. There should be more attractive fun sub 600cc bikes that aren't instantly written off by new riders. Shame Kawasaki gave the 500 the axe, here's hoping they have something cool to replace it with soon. 

[Brittles]

Congratulations, bike looks nice.

I'm tempted to make you an offer on the 700s but don't want to insult you. 

[happycommuter]

...was surprised how quickly it could haul my fat butt around...

Yeah, I first rode this thing when I had my Suzuki SV650 and was amazed how close it felt in power.  If they still sold the 500 new, I'd be very interested.  The Ninja 650 seems a bit overdone for me.

Wow, it looks to be in great shape - especially for a 91. Enjoy and ride safe

The camera was very kind to both of these bikes, I assure you.

I'm tempted to make you an offer on the 700s but don't want to insult you. 

As I've said, I long ago got my money's worth from the 700, and just want someone to keep her from going straight to the scrapper.  She's on craigslist now because nobody bit here.  I'm asking $350 obo there.  The right owner is more important than the cash, really.

[ailkel]

Nice 500, many happy miles to the two of you.

[Bernoodle]

...was surprised how quickly it could haul my fat butt around...

Yeah, I first rode this thing when I had my Suzuki SV650 and was amazed how close it felt in power.  If they still sold the 500 new, I'd be very interested.  The Ninja 650 seems a bit overdone for me.

Wow, it looks to be in great shape - especially for a 91. Enjoy and ride safe

The camera was very kind to both of these bikes, I assure you.

I'm tempted to make you an offer on the 700s but don't want to insult you. 

As I've said, I long ago got my money's worth from the 700, and just want someone to keep her from going straight to the scrapper.  She's on craigslist now because nobody bit here.  I'm asking $350 obo there.  The right owner is more important than the cash, really.

Saw your craigslist ad.  You're right around the corner from me.  My old man has some more room in his garage where my bike is currently sleeping for the winter.  Very tempting as a second bike or rebuild project.

Hmm, how mad would he be if I showed up with another....

[happycommuter]

So sorry Bernoodle, the bike has been sold to somebody that didn't already have a bike.

[Bernoodle]

So sorry Bernoodle, the bike has been sold to somebody that didn't already have a bike.

Haha, that's ok.  I'm sure the new owner is much more worthy.

[hangster2]

What have you done  , it's your dime HappyC but i think the Honda was a much better looking bike , not too crazy about them exhaust pipes and it looks like it has some road rash but it should clean up nice .
What are you gona do for luggage?
I hope she doesn't give you any trouble mechanically , i honestly can definitely see you riding this (it's totally your style)


If i were to buy a Kawi that would be the one so next time you buy another bike get a zrx 

[Burgi]

Nice, I like the 500's, think they quit selling them in CA before anywhere else cause they didn't meet our emissions. 
You get used to the chain maintenance, it is just very painful at first....reminds me, I'm due for a cleaning again. 

[happycommuter]

...i think the Honda was a much better looking bike , not too crazy about them exhaust pipes and it looks like it has some road rash but it should clean up nice .
What are you gona do for luggage?
I hope she doesn't give you any trouble mechanically ...

Yeah, I'm not the most style-conscious guy around.  I could've ridden the 700 till death, but the prospect of it throwing a rod 20 miles from home some freezing night seemed like something to avoid.  I always prefer stock exhaust, but beggars can't be choosers.  Yeah, this bike has been dropped/crashed more than once.  

I'm stuck bungeeing crap to it like with the 700, but daily tank bag works fine.  I unfortunately had to sink a reasonably hefty amount to sort things out, but the engine is sound...unlike my 700.

The reverse snob appeal of crummy old little bikes does something for me.

[fishball]

Sorry to here about the 700 HC.  I like your new Kawi, happy roads ahead!

[Rebel13]

Nice bike. Sorry, but the 2 major cons you forgot, no power and lack of design. Throught it's life, it hasn't changed body style! Hell even the 250 is modern and looks like a super sport now, but their narrow tires give it way. Glad it's dead now, maybe it will be completley redesigned~ I had the ninja and vulcan 500. I'm 5' 11'' at about 140, there is no power on both, vulcan hurt my legs due to small. Ninja was a joke with a sport style with no power. It's a beginner bike. Riding full throttle most of the time is never a good thing.

[Option13]

Riding full throttle most of the time is never a good thing.

I believe the quote goes:

"It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow."

The same applies to motorcycles. When the twisties come you can absolutely wail on a smaller bike, but on a big bike most every mortal is holding it back.

[Rebel13]

However, on a bike, when not scene, power is a must to get out of bad situations! Known from experiences...

[Option13]

It's almost as fast as a 650 Nighthawk. Hardly a slowpoke.

[Rebel13]

That's funny! Have you ridden either? Um-NO!!!

[Option13]

I have not a single clue how you would know what I have ridden. Should I?

Seeing as I own a 650 Nighthawk that runs, I would have to say that yes indeed, I have ridden one of them. The EX500/Ninja 500 puts up a high 12 second quarter mile, while the 650 has a 12.1 second quarter mile. Am I missing something?

[Rebel13]

You would be super lucky to pull any 12's on a 500, they are weak! I had jet kit, filters, etc, only lacked gears, and still was weak as s???. On the vulcan, you have to run full throttle to get anywear period. Like I said, beginer bikes in both classes.

[Stitch919]

However, on a bike, when not scene, power is a must to get out of bad situations! Known from experiences...

yes power helps but more than anything in my experiences on dirt and street bikes its the riding ability that you have that will get you out of bad situations more than anything but like i said power can help

[Rebel13]

True, tell that to a harley owner! LMAO

[Stitch919]

seems to me that generally not all but generally harley owners go for bark rather than bite with an exhaust

[happycommuter]

The EX500/Ninja 500 puts up a high 12 second quarter mile, while the 650 has a 12.1 second quarter mile. Am I missing something?

Yeah, my research and seat of the pants similarly failed to find any vast power/weight gap.  Which is all armchair racing anyway, I've ridden the thing as fast as (formerly) my 700 and it seems comparable in acceleration.  More importantly, it's fun.  Low end torque is anemic on small engines and that's just a fact of life.  That first second or two from a stop won't snap any necks.

My suspicion is that either these steeds were not in the best state of tune (and the jets/filter talk is why I suspect this) or poor technique is being blamed on hardware.  Or just the fact that we love the bike we have the most.

I must quote some car writer that drove a BMW Isetta (Steve Urkel's egg-shaped microcar) and quipped that he "raced everyone on the road on his way to work.  They just didn't know it."