Entertaining ideas for a new bike

[MattR302]

Your Ninja500 will out-accelerate 98% of cars on the road, and guys race them and run them up to their 11k RPM redline all the time and don't worry about "straining the motor"

How many miles/years have you had your 500? I had a 2001 EX500 and then got a 2000 ZX6R (600cc)... and honestly, for the mostly commuting that I did, the EX500 was a way better bike, cheaper gas/tires/insurance, and you can wring it out a lot more without exceeding the speed limit (as much).

My suggestion is to paint your bike electric blue.

[jasnmar]

SV = Suzuki SV 650. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SV650

This board loves the SV, and for good reason I hear. I've not been on one so can't comment, but it is a well loved bike. Not currently being manufactured as I understand it, but available used if you stay on the look out.

If the Versys interests you, you should also be looking at the Suzuki V-Strom.

As others have mentioned things like the 650's and the "street" designed bikes are "more tolerant" for street purposes. The 600 and 1000's are more purpose built for racing and have power bands that aren't always the most tolerant by commuters (mostly, there are cases where there are 600's and 1000's tuned for street).

[aldend123]

aldend123: I'm not quite sure how to explain it. My boyfriend said that I should be putting my bike through its paces, so instead of switching gears at 4-5 rpm interval, I try to do it at 6 and 7. But when I go up higher, it just produces this higher pitched noise and I don't like it. It feels like I'm pushing the bike too much. It just feels very, very wrong when I switch at higher.

I understand what you mean. It feels buzzy, loud, and you have to constantly stay on the throttle otherwise it induces heavy engine braking. Almost as if your brain is shouting at you "Shift! Shift! Shift!"? If you're holding each gear that high during regular, casual riding, I'd say skip that and shift at whatever feels natural and produces the acceleration necessary.

If you're concerned about high RPM shifts under heavy acceleration, then what MattR302 said.

[luukasama]

Your Ninja500 will out-accelerate 98% of cars on the road, and guys race them and run them up to their 11k RPM redline all the time and don't worry about "straining the motor"

How many miles/years have you had your 500? I had a 2001 EX500 and then got a 2000 ZX6R (600cc)... and honestly, for the mostly commuting that I did, the EX500 was a way better bike, cheaper gas/tires/insurance, and you can wring it out a lot more without exceeding the speed limit (as much).

My suggestion is to paint your bike electric blue.

I've had it for about 3 years now, I think. I would have to go home and take a look at the mileage, but I think it's something close to 15k now, give or take.

I don't know many places that paint motorcycle fairings. I once went to Maaco, and they were going to charge me several hundred dollars for that. And I have actually taken them off myself. I think it was something close to $300 or more, and the price he was giving me was based off of a car. I think that the price for this should be a little cheaper, or am I just bullshitting myself? How much does painting already taken off fairings usually cost?

[TheIglu]

Let that engine rev. Shifting at 8-9k on an EX500 is in it's happy zone. No wonder you think it's a pig.

[xrocket21]

Let that engine rev. Shifting at 8-9k on an EX500 is in it's happy zone. No wonder you think it's a pig.

yeah, if high revving bothers you....... thats a tough situation to be a motorcycle rider!

It should be noted that twins generally rev lower than inline 4's, so maybe you should be looking that direction? But more importantly, you need to get over your feelings of high rpm!

[Kenn157]

SV = Suzuki SV 650. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SV650

This board loves the SV, and for good reason I hear. I've not been on one so can't comment, but it is a well loved bike. Not currently being manufactured as I understand it, but available used if you stay on the look out.

If the Versys interests you, you should also be looking at the Suzuki V-Strom.

As others have mentioned things like the 650's and the "street" designed bikes are "more tolerant" for street purposes. The 600 and 1000's are more purpose built for racing and have power bands that aren't always the most tolerant by commuters (mostly, there are cases where there are 600's and 1000's tuned for street).

The SV still lives in the form of the SFV650 formally known as the Gladius. Suzuki revived it for 2014, dropped the Gladius name and upped the price from $6800 to $8150.

I loved my 09 "Stinger". it safely resides in the ownership of Kelli S. <3

[TheIglu]

Most any twin will be making the meat of it's power in the 7-10K range, SV's included. Only bikes that will be lower than that will be things like the 2v Duc's.

[R7]

If it's blue you must have, there is only one brand that makes a real killer blue color...that is YAMAHA! So your choices are, an R1 or an R6. End thread

[Garandman]

If it's blue you must have, there is only one brand that makes a real killer blue color...that is YAMAHA! So your choices are, an R1 or an R6. End thread

There's another company that is so fond of blue they have it in their logo.

[Kenn157]

The Stinger in blue

[r1dermon]

The new Hondas are low revving, torquey parallel twins. Nc700 cb500f...etc. Good commuters with a touch of edge. The Yamaha fz07 or fz09 have more torque, more power overall, and are electric blue. Although I hear the gray one is the fastest. What Bout something like a triumph Bonneville?

[jasnmar]

Get a Goldwing. It red lines at 6500 (OK it red lines at 6000 and you hit the Rev limiter at 6500).

Otherwise you will have to deal with some revving.

[Tunertype]

Get a sensible liter bike. Ninja 1000 or FZ1. About 50hp less than a full on super sport liter bike, but all the torque and a budget price. I'm not sure you would notice a huge difference in power from a 500 to a 650. It's only a 5 to 10hp difference. You will notice a difference in the chassis going from 80's tech to 90's tech though.

[luukasama]

Thanks guys, I will take all this into consideration.I haven't looked into bikes in a while, so I'm going to poke around and take a look at what is available.

[mzdagrl]

Thanks guys, I will take all this into consideration.I haven't looked into bikes in a while, so I'm going to poke around and take a look at what is available.

BTW, i was only asking about your height because if you're going to be in tons of traffic, it's nice to touch both feet. at 5'6"ish, you should be fine on pretty much everything, i'd imagine. i'm 5'6" and haven't had trouble touching both feet on anything i've sat on. for reference, i could flat foot my SV650 with the rear suspension at its stiffest, but i tip-toe the Daytona (I also need to soften the back a bit....it's a bit too stiff for me).

[FirstDuc-1098]

The Stinger in blue

Kenn, THAT was the sexiest bike you've had !!

[RandyO]

Btw, what are you guys' opinions on the Kawasaki Versys?

as soon as I read your first post, I was thinking the Versys as an obvious consideration

I have never heard any thing bad

[Kenn157]

Kenn, THAT was the sexiest bike you've had !!

Thank you Steve! And almost everyone on this board hated it when I first go it...

[Karate.Snoopy]

Versys http://providence.craigslist.org/mcd/4423757414.html

[loudbeard]

I honestly can't imagine anything better than a Triumph Street Triple for your purposes. I haven't been on an FZ09 but from what I hear it's a great bike.

I'd stay well clear of the Bonneville and other small cruisers. They're billed as good beginner bikes but I don't think that could be further from the truth.

[Karate.Snoopy]

I honestly can't imagine anything better than a Triumph Street Triple for your purposes. I haven't been on an FZ09 but from what I hear it's a great bike.

I'd stay well clear of the Bonneville and other small cruisers. They're billed as good beginner bikes but I don't think that could be further from the truth.

+1 I came to the street triple from a FZ6, trumpy is very comfortable, flickable, lighter, wayyyyy better power delivery but not insane power for a newish rider like its elder the iconic Speed Triple. All around great bike with good looks. Also the R version has a fully adjustable suspension and upgraded brakes, since 2012 they have ABS on them too.