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I'm just looking for owner's here who can tell me how they like the bike, and perhaps give a review.
I'm thinking of the 2009 to 2011 model, but I'm willing to go with the older one. Is there any difference besides body style between the older model and the newer ones? Anything you want to tell me about the bike is useful in my choosing, so if you own it let me know.
Welcome to the wonderful world of motorcycling! Congrats on passing the MSF course, and now, the real learning will begin!!! Trust me, and everyone else that chimes in - Riding on the street will be very different from the training environment, so take everything they've told you, and attempt to build your and gain your riding skills as time progresses.
As to the Ninja 650R, i'm not a rider of that bike, but i've read numerous reviews on it. The horsepower seems comparable to the SV650, another naked 650cc sport bike. The SV has been recommended to lots of new riders, as a great entry level sportbike that will last a person as their riding progresses, not forcing them to move onto a inline four as their next upgrade.
I'm sure the 650 twin from Kawasaki will be very similar in it's power delivery to the Suzuki 650 V-twin. The power shouldn't come on to fast, like all the modern four cylinders on the market, but it should have enough torque to keep you occupied without getting to crazy. Plus, the actual horsepower figures are high enough to entertain you while you grow into a more mature and experienced rider.
What I say most about first motorcycle purchases though, buy cheap! The cheaper the better! Long as it runs, and you can get a clymer manual to figure out how to fix some of the small stuff, you should be set. First bikes are often the victim of premature falling (aka, you'll drop it). Don't feel bad though, everyone drops their machines, but a new rider is even more apt to do so, despite how careful you are. If the Ninja 650R is your ideal first bike, it might do you well to make it your second bike...learn to ride on something you can purchase for $1000 or less in cash, buy yourself some EXCELLENT riding gear for almost the same price...ride for a year, sell the bike a year later for about the same you purchased it for, then move on...used bikes are cheap, and you can lose your bacon on a fairly new used bike, or even worse, a new bike. gah!
Good luck ,the hunt is always fun...and its' the right time of the year to pick something up for a decent price!
The latest issue of Motorcyclist magazine has a write up on the 650. It looks to be a total redesign for 2012, chassis and everything. This should drive prices down on older models.
A Ninja 500 from a few yrs ago can be had for a steal, ride the hell out of it, sell it for the same you bought it for a yearr later. Then buy a used 2012 650. Bada boom bada bing.
sorry, thought it was w/o fairing...either way, i liked dport suggestion...it's a more solid approach than having that first bike, then attempting to sell it a year or two later when you want a 1000 cc machine...
That new Ninja 1000 (not the 1000 Z) is pretty badass looking. Cycle World or Motorcyclist named it the bike of the year. I like it cuz its a standard but looks sporty as hell.
A Ninja 500 from a few yrs ago can be had for a steal, ride the hell out of it, sell it for the same you bought it for a yearr later. Then buy a used 2012 650. Bada boom bada bing.
They are one of the best commuter bikes in the market no question.
So, the 650R is considered a second season bike? I like the Ninja 500, but I fit better on the 650. I read it's a good first bike, and the older models are going for 2k up to 3.5k in my area, so I figured it would be the better buy.
yeh, i wouldn't consider 2k breaking the bank for a first machine...6k+ i'd totally skip on. You could probably spend 1.5k on a used Ninja 500, i've managed to purchase four motorcycles for a combined total of less than $3500. I rode the first one, a 79' CM400T from 05-09 before I felt a total need for a bigger machine...and this was coming from a 210 lb guy, who did 100 mile round trips on the bike during college...with a backpack strapped to the rear seat, and my feet on the aftermarket highway pegs...and i never felt cooler, or more free! Gah, i miss those days!
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