Kawasaki Ninja 500R reviews

Pros: Comfortable, reliable, great bang for the buck, economical, fast, this list could go on for a while. Cons: Exhaust sounds a bit like a Briggs and Stratton, Suspension is not adjustable. I bought this bike in 2007 simply to save money. I wanted a bike that was fuel injected and affordable. The "little" Ninja 650 fit my needs perfectly. I didn't have anything to compare it to but after riding just about everything out there I'm fairly certain that the clutch action on the 650 is about the smoothest in the industry. I knew that this bike wouldn't have "supersport" power but I was pleasantly surprised the first time I opened the throttle fully and about flattened my eyeballs. It moves. Yeah, a good rider on a CBR will beat it but he'll have to try pretty hard. It's fast enough to keep a rider of any skill level entertained but tame enough for a beginner. MPG is around 45-50 or so. Sometimes a little better, I saw 59 MPG once being really nice. Got as low as 39 on a tank whilst beating it like a rented mule. The reliability is amazing. I didn't do anything to it except for a couple of oil changes and maintaining the chain. It's a great bike, I cannot recommend it enough. I did eventually sell it and bought a 2007 CBR. While I love the CBR I do miss the Ninja from time to time. Show less

This is my third bike and I love it. It's a real multi-purpose bike. It's light on gas, smooth commuter and touch of power when needed. It feels real good when you stop less at gas stations, light on pocket (save some bucks) and smaller carbon footprint. I use it as my commuter to office and back. Simply awesome. Show less

This bike had a Scorpio Alarm w/pager and Throttlemeister Cruise Control when I sold it. The photo shows the cruise control still on it. This bike has never had a bad day. No crashing, burnouts, stunts. It's a very good bike. I just got too old for it. MPG was mid 40's and the top speed...over 130. Show less

After completing the MSF course, I bought an '09 as my first bike and it has never let me down. The throttle and brakes are very forgiving and I never felt as if I was out of control. But don't underestimate it's capabilities. I had no trouble keeping up with a pack of middle-weight supersports on the highway and whipping around twisties. My only complaint is that the wind really buffeted me around at speed because I am a taller rider. The handle bars allow for a very comfortable, upright ride, but it was awkward to duck behind the windscreen. Simple solution though: I bought new handlebars which allowed me to lower my riding position, and gave me more of a supersport feel. Show less

I grew up riding dirt bikes and have always wanted a streetbike. This bike is perfect even for someone whose had the offroad experience, but not the street experience. It has enough power to get me around town and to let it out on the highway, plus it looks just like the big bikes but has better gas mpg!! I love this bike and plan on keeping it a long time!! Show less

I wanted a sportbike that I could sit up, afford the insurance and would be a great starter bike that will keep me happy for a bunch of years. I found it - my '09 650R. What a great bike, it looks great, feels great and handles well on the road. At a street light I blow away cars behind me with no effort. I tool around on it every chance I get and have driven it to work a few times in D.C. rush hour traffic, which is horrible. I've ridden well over six hours with little to no discomfort. It's fun in the twisties and does a good job keeping up with my friends 1000cc bikes. My only complaint is that the bike is too quiet but I love that the exhaust is under the bike (no chance of getting burned when I get off). Show less

I just purchased this bike and I love it! It is comfortable driving long distance as well as short distance. I am 5'4 and have no problem riding this 250! Show less

I love this bike so much. It handles like a dream. The first thing you will want to upgrade is the tires. Get rid of those battle axes immediately. I upgraded to Michelin pilot power 2ct after 1000 miles and wow what a difference! An increase in cornering speeds was a major impressing factor. This bike is the perfect balance of power and handling. Unfortunately for me, it's not an all-day rider like other bikes I've had. The aggressive seating position and hard as a rock seat prevent me from going more than 90 minutes without as short rest. Also the vibration from the handlebars may make your hands go numb after extended periods but I still highly recommend it. Show less

I chose this bike as my first, due to the seating position and low power. The price was a big seller, too. I recommend this bike to any learner or commuter but those looking for power or performance should look somewhere else. It's a blast to ride but tops off too quick for us "speed freaks". I traded it in for a ZX6R after a few thousand miles but owe all my first riding experiences to this great bike. Show less

I bought my Ninja 650 in September 2008 with 1300 miles on it, and couldn't be happier. It's a great commuter, weekend warrior, and with the right mindset, a light sport-tourer. Most of my miles are commuting when the Colorado mountains allow it, but I've done long multi-day rides on it as well. It has a comfortable seating position. The seat isn't the best, but is acceptable. On long days a couple ibuprofen make the seat a bit better ;). The engine is a fantastic, flexible real-world street engine. Great midrange make it an ideal traffic commuter. I get 50-55 MPG on average, but have gotten as high as 75 on multiple tanks during long days where the speeds were kept at 55 or below. The bike is not expensive, but that does not mean cheap. My only complaint is with the fairing, it does create a "buzz" at certain RPM's. Other than that, it is a basic, but great bike that is more than the sum of it's parts. It's also a great value that won't break the bank to own. Show less