Kawasaki EX500

[Greywolf]

Hello, Im new to the biking scene, and ive been looking into this bike for afew. I think this is not a bad bike because its low on insurance and its not a "rocket" and not over powered. But if anyone has any advice for me and this bike, it would be greatly apreciated
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"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid."
- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)

[Kickstart]

Hi

We have one at the moment, and have had another in the past.

Which model of EX500 / GPZ500 are you thinking of?

They are great on petrol. We manage over 200 miles on a tank full and over 60mpg easily (that is imperial gallons, not sure if you are in the USA as you call it an EX500).

Riding position is a bit too upright for me. Brakes are OK on the current one we have, dire on the first one.

Handling is OK. Fairly easy to work on except pulling the rocker cover off is a pain due to the water pipes.

Early (A model) ones had alternators that disintegrated, leaving magnets all over the inside of the engine. Well known problem, and has happened to both of our GPZs

All the best

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

[Greywolf]

yea well im thinking of the older models, because it is used. i was thinking 1989/1990. Im living in canada btw
____________________
"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid."
- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)

[Kickstart]

Hi

Well, main thing to watch out for is general wear, and also the alternator. When this goes it often takes out the stator. That means around £500 in parts to fix, and being honest if it is an early model one it WILL go wrong. The replacement parts have now been revised and if you fix it properly it should not reoccur, but being honest that means spending 2/3 the value of the bike in spare parts.

All the best

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