Need some bike advice

[nancejd]

Hey guys, I just got my motorcycle license, and I'm looking for my first bike. I've narrowed my search down to two bikes, a '05 GS500F and an '05 EX500 Ninja.

The GS has about 7K miles on it and the dealer is asking $4000 for it.
The EX has about 250 miles on it and that dealer is asking $4700.

I've sat on both bikes, but not in the same day, and I'm planning on test riding both tomorrow.

It seems to me that I'm best off picking the one that feels best riding since they are so close in price (and who knows what I can negotiate down from their asking price).

Any thoughts?

[Bill Howell]

Ride both for more than 5 minutes, around the block. Both are back killers if you plan or riding far. But then, I am an old man and fat too. Go ride a BMW, and you will buy it. This coming from someone that has owned several HDs in the last 10 years.

[BA.]

I dunno, You think they are back-killers Bill? I didn't think they were as bad as the 600cc+ true crotch-rocket kind of bikes.
My buddy is facing the same decision for these two bikes.

I noticed that the GS sits just a little lower which is nice for us shorter guys. I also think it looks a little better than the dated Kaw 500.

I have ridden the Kaw 500 a lot though and I must say that I did like it and it sounds pretty darn good with a pipe or slip-on/muffler on it. I just think it looks odd.

I was pushing my buddy for the GS simply because it's shorter.


Both are good bikes, as long as you dig the styling and color, you won't go wrong with either one.

[MonzaRacer]

If I was gonna buy a first bike I would get a cruiser first and get some road miles, nothingthat you lay on.
My buddy got his first bike a Suzuki Bandit, very fast but still sits a lot like my Shadow.

[Jim Nilsen]

Find a bike that you can get cheap and insure that way too. You will inevitably wreck it somehow even if it just falls over while parked. So if you can find a bike for 1 to 2k you will b better off and then buy what you want in the upcoming off season to get the best price and deals from a private owner.

Drive careful and have fun

[vanzuuk1]

Those are both great beginner bikes in my opinion, pick one and get a good, helmet, jacket, boots and gloves. Have fun and be safe, learn to use your brain and your front brake.

[WS6]

I wouldn't buy either. Reason being is their price is too high and it will fall like a brick in value. No one wants a 500 cc bike unless they physically can't reach the ground on anything bigger. Go out and find an SV 650 and sit on it see how you like those. For the type of money you're talking, you can get a fantastic SV that will hold it's value and be more than just a beginner bike. Both those two bikes really aren't good for much more than being a beginner bike. Word of caution though, the SV is a great starter bike. However, it's quite capable of being a whole lot more. You'll get addicted to it, but you could also get yourself into trouble quickly with it. So progress slowly with one if you get one. You can kill yourself on any bike though even a rebel 250. I still think something like an SV would be better money spent though.

As for getting a cruiser first. That's not a bad idea atr all. However, they ride and handle completely different than a standard or any type of sport touring bike. So if ultimately you desire a sport style bike just start out on a sport style bike. SV insurance is very low also. I pay $350 a year mid level full coverage. 27 single male and I rent. I'm like in the worst catergory possible but I have a great driving record.

[brn agn]

I'm with WS6. I had two 600 cc sport bikes for several years, but decided I wanted something different. I bought an 03 SV650S in 2005. It was a fun, fun bike. I liked it better than my ZX-6 and CBR. I sold the SV 2 years after I bought it and sold it for only $300 less than I paid for it. I recommend crusing over to www.svrider.com for more information.