MunchEasiest question first…do I still have it… no. Mostly due to the fact that I have 2 kids that want to ride with me and the V500 is capable however suffers a lil with added weight. I have since graduated to a 900 that will be well more than enough for me for a long while.
To better explain the V500… it has the same engine as the Ninja 500. However the compression is set different and the gearing in the transmission is also different. The engine focuses more on low end torque rather then top end speed. It will get up and go but with a forgiving amount of throttle input from you. Meaning if you sneeze your not gonna end up standing in a horse riding stance whilst the bike is headed for the trees after dumping you. It gives you the low end torque for passing slower traffic with ease. Its top speed on the speedo if I remember is 110….though after about 95 mph it will take a decent stretch of flat top to get you maxed.
It is tame enough to give you a good learning curve yet has enough to keep you on it for a while, especially single seat without necessarily needing to get bigger.
I am 175 lbs and 5’10” have a 31-ish inseam…though thats hard to judge since I always wear boots and get longer legged pants. Don’t make enough to get the custom stuff done or really do anything fancy enough to justify trying. Anyway, I nearly layed it down my first week coming to a very slow stop. My driveway is a 5 foot climb in the space of about 3 feet. In addition to a 6 inch lift onto the blacktop off my gravel driveway. I have to stop to check traffic and do it on a incline, first weeks there was much to learn to do this… I made the mistake of too much front brake and fron wheel turned…. bike started to go over… now… I must say I am a mechanic so I am decently strong in my upper body… mid fall I caught and man handled her back upright. The pegs never even hit the ground.
So I guess that will also illustrate if your unfortunate and end up laying it down for one reason or another you will likely be capable of righting her if your by yourself. I got around 48-51 mpg. Scootworks.com is the only reasonably priced place to find accessories for it though for your first bike you would be more wanting to learn and get skilled rather then personalizing too much.
With your understandable caution I would definitely feel comfortable recommending it as a good and lasting first for you.
