This
is bike is regularly designated 'Best Entry Bike' by the magazines.
It's certainly one of the best for those who already have spent
some time on a motorcycle. The Ninja 500's vertical-twin engine
produces 54 horsepower (8 more than Ducati's
Monster 620ie, for example), though that power
is delivered in a smooth, predictable manner. This is a fun, reliable,
agile motorcycle. Seat height: 30.5 inches.
If you
just gotta have a sport bike, and you just gotta have something
more than a 250cc bike, then this is it. Far more forgiving
than any inline four powered beast, the 500 Ninja has some
respectable performance thanks to the shared yet regeared
500 Vulcan motor and throatier carbs. I was a bit torn between
assigning an A or B rating, but after watching the terrorist
pulling wheelies on an EX500 in the Shwarzenegger flick "True
Lies" I have to drop that rating down to a B.
A good
beginner bike at the top end of the recommendation for the
sport range. Roomier than the 250R for a taller rider. However,
its $2000 price difference between it and the 250R isn't worth
it in my view. The only advantage is the 500cc engine but
is offset by a little less polish, a half-fairing and buzzy
mirror. Still, a great machine for those who feel a "250R"
is just too small for their egos. I give it a B.
Recommendations
made by Beginner Bikes Magazine, it's staff, team members
or riding club officers, are based on the skills of a novice
rider, of average stature and do not necessarily represent
the ideal for every rider. While Beginner Bikes encourages
safe, smart riding, we do not assume responsibility for
each individual. Please ride with care at your own risk.
Beginner
Bikes Buyer's Guide
