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A Little bit of EX500 history: The Kawasaki EX500 lineage began with the 454LTD cruiser. Apparently the 454's engine was very well liked, and it was decided to make it bigger and faster for a sport bike. There seems to be another source that says the EX500 engine is derivative of the ZX1000 - Hmmmm....... Kawasaki needed to fill a gap in their line-up as the Ninja 250 and 600 already existed. The EX debuted in Europe in 1986 as the GPz500. It was an instant hit! Later it made it to the US as the EX500 and had remained virtually unchanged until 1994 when it underwent some slight cosmetic surgery, received larger wheels with disc rear brakes, larger diameter forks, slightly redesigned transmission and a few other minor things. The EX500 was also officially added to the Ninja line in 94 and has once again remained unchanged to the present. The EX was designed to be an econo-sportbike, but ultimately the finished product worked out to be greater than the sum of its parts. What's
so good about the EX? It's light - And very maneuverable
- trounces bigger bikes in the turns - esses are the besst!.
It's fast - Especially for a 500cc
engine.
It's inexpensive - Used examples
run from as low as $600 to $2400, and brand new is around $5000.
Lower insurance rates - My insurance
company considers the EX500 a standard and not a sportbike, and the
rate is priced accordingly. Some insurers might raise the rate if your
bike is "officially" called a Ninja (94 and up).
Its reliable - So "bullet-proof"
that Kawasaki has been producing it for over a decade!
What's
wrong with the EX? Tricks
you can do with your EX: If you have an EX you might be eligible to try the "Mirror Trick" (I believe Jim Twyford invented this trick, and deserves due credit) for improved rear visibility. First you need two stock EX mirrors and a pre-94 EX as this will not work on other models. Simply rotate the mirror stalks 180 degrees so that they are now backwards - Do not switch sides. Then rotate the mirrors so that they are facing forward again. Install Late model Suzuki Katana parts, Kawasaki ZX6 parts and a Honda F2 front end if you like to tinker. Install a Muzzy exhaust and a jet kit, try different body work, or none at all. Put a hood ornament on the front or a spoiler on the rear. Paint it PURPLE! Don't let the Harley owners have all the fun, customize your EX and make it a unique and personal thing.
Chassis Double-downtube, full-cradle perimeter frame: box section steel swing arm Wheelbase 56.6 in. Rake/trail 27.5°/3.5 in. (89mm) Seat height 30.3 in (770mm) Ground clearance 4.9 in (124mm) Fuel capacity (main/reserve) 4.2 (0.6)gals. (15.9/2.2l) Curb weight (full tank) 408.5 lbs (185kg) Brakes Wheels Suspension Performance Speedometer error Engine Transmission Electrical
Page created by James Woodley © 1998. Last updated July 21, 2003. |