recommendations for best 500cc bike

[TechJinx]

I'm looking to book my DAS sometime in the next couple of months and have found out that my work runs an interest free loan scheme but for some reason the bike has to be 500CC or less.


I want some kind of protective fairing and don't want a "cruiser" style bike but otherwise open to suggestions.
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bikes: SV650S K5 that is making me do this 57 CBR125 RW-7 - sold ; 54 CBR125 - anyone wanna buy a project?

YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

[Rowey]

CB500S, GS500S, ER-5
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ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[Kal]

You would need to put an aftermarket screen on the er-5

I take it the bike would need to be new? If so then the same applies to the CB500, which is now the CBF500

Suzuki GS500f, Hyosung GT250R, Kawasaki KLE500, Kawasaki Ninja 250,
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[TechJinx]

[pyx_e]

I passed my DAS last year, learnt on an ER5 and went out and bought one, second hand.

+'s ; Sturdy and forgiving of newbie mistakes and I have made everyone, no fairings (so when you drop it it won't break, I dropped mine withing three weeks) Enough grunt, it is a 500, as a first bike it is more than enough. Subjective I know but I like the way it looks. Easy to get parts, easy to work on for owner or garage. Well balanced and responsive for city riding. Reliable, if looked after.

-'s ; No fairings so a bit windy on motorways. I have fitted a flyscreen over the headlight and it helps a lot. Gearbox a bit agricultural. And God forgive me for saying this but sometimes I get a little sort of feeling that some bikers are not keen on ER5'c cos riding schools use them, I could be wrong (but i'm not).

I love mine, in a way that troubles my wife. I will stick with it for a good while yet as it suits me for getting around the city and out into the country for a stretch. Though i recognise it is like your first real girlfriend, a special place in your heart, showed you the ways, but maybe not the love of your life. But maybe it is, still "in love" with mine.

P
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Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Would suggest a GPZ500. Better made than the GS500, and quicker than any of the others.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Keir]

NSR500?
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[Kal]

You are a very bad man Keir, but funny.

Irf you can go Secondhand then the CB500s & GPZ500s are real possibilities.

I am a relentless Honda fan boy and would love a CB500s myself if my misses would allow me to add to the stable but

the GPZ500s could tempt me away...
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[DynamiteBoy]

GPZ500s..... cheap second hand, cheap to run and faster than the cb/er/gs....
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"I dont like my Job anymore - I dont think i'll go" OfficeSpace

Honda CG125 (sold) - Kawasaki GPZ500s (sold) - Kawasaki Zephyr 550 (sold) - Kawasaki er6n (current work horse)

[rblanch]

i would say GPZ is the best of that bunch, only downside with any of those 500's is that you will soon master the bike and then you could start to get bored of the bike, would anyone like to chip in with some comments on the sports 400's ??
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just keep riding
CBT - November 2006, DAS passed - April 2007
Lifan samurai 125cc - Kawasaki GPZ500s - Suzuki GSX750F - Honda CBR600

[spadge]

rblanch you know the gpz rocks! i got a gpz500s as my first bike and have ridden it all year round and can't reccommend it enough as a first bike. Alright it does get lost on straights when out with bigger bikes but is plenty of fun on the twisties! It also suites commuting. Anyway that's my 2 pence worth! Happy hunting