What has happened to the 500cc bikes?

[Ppanepinto]

I know I said this, thank you. This is a very helpful place to be. As for the V-storm, it is one of the two bikes I'm looking in to. I really like the feel of the R1200RT, we had a police motorcycle rodeo where I work a few months back, and one of the officers let me sit on his bike to try it out. Loved it, but I am nowhere near ready for that size bike yet. I really want to work up slowly and do things the right way. And who knows, I may find out that a different bike might be better for me as I learn about the style of riding that is right for me.

[sfalexi]

I know I said this, thank you. This is a very helpful place to be. As for the V-storm, it is one of the two bikes I'm looking in to. I really like the feel of the R1200RT, we had a police motorcycle rodeo where I work a few months back, and one of the officers let me sit on his bike to try it out. Loved it, but I am nowhere near ready for that size bike yet. I really want to work up slowly and do things the right way. And who knows, I may find out that a different bike might be better for me as I learn about the style of riding that is right for me.

The R1200RT is essentially my dream bike.  THe only reason I haven't bought one is cause of a fear of the final drive.  There are reports of it failing, and it's so bad that people are carrying spares during long distance rallies.  If there was no fear of the final drive burning up, I'd be on one right now.  That thing is just everything I want in a bike.....minus the reliability that, unfortunately, is my #1 concern.

The V-strom seems fine.  Whatever you buy, buy used.  Just in case you find that the V-strom isn't your "dream" bike and want to move on, you don't take a big hit on depreciation.

Alexi

[kless001]

500cc bikes like the GS500, Ninja 500 or that old Kawasaki EX500-based cruiser wouldn't fit you much better. The dual sport 650s (Kawasaki KLR650, Honda XR650L, Suzuki, DR650) are all good bikes that are very forgiving, fun to ride and cheap to own. The V-Strom 650 is a great suggestion.

I have to second this. I don't believe it's possible to outgrow a 650cc bike (unless you decide you want to get into drag racing).  I have 12,000 miles on my KLR650 and absolutely enjoy riding it more than I did my Harley or Ninja 1100.  The reliability, fuel economy, height (great vision and security feeling) mod options, and the dual-sport community are second to none IMO.  

[Nodaclu]

and now to watch my reputation drop......

Nope....I repped you up one in fact. It's a great suggestion, and one I followed back in 2006.  

The only potential issue is that it's a smallish bike physically.

[Grainbelt]

They're back!!!  

http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/11/12/preview-2013-honda-cb500/

[expatbrit]

along with the X and a naked, al coming to the USA, FI and at a very reasonable looking price point.

/Awesome/. Go Big Red.

[HipGnosis]

along with the X and a naked, al coming to the USA, FI and at a very reasonable looking price point.

AND..  with ABS available!

Also;
Honda managed to get the CBR500R, parallel twin budget bike to be the weapon of choice in the European Junior Cup — displacing the KTM 690 Duke.

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/honda-cbr500r-race-bike/

This means there will be race bits to upgrade the budget bits!!

[KingCast]

Funny you should mention that as in undergrad I remember 500s were all the rage and the Suzuki and Kawi stepped up to 550 and Suzuki cheated even more and went to 572 (I know, I had a "550" ES).... but guess what? Honda has a new range of CB 500s on the market that are decent commuter and great first time bikes
http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/11/12/preview-2013-honda-cb500/

If you don't like that try a used Kawi 650R it might be big enough I had one of those and LOVED it. Its cousin, the Versys, is one of the best bikes on the road and more like the V-Strom, a little taller 4ya.

[buls4evr]

  Or the NX700 series bikes from Honda which seem to be 700s with 500 power...............


  Actually this thread is so old this guy probably has purchased a bike and had his wreck on it already.