Hi folks, thought I'd post a few comments and say hello.
I just picked up an low mileage, '04 green 500R for my son as his first bike and rode it home. Now I haven't ridden anything this size in a long time (currently riding a 10R myself) and I admit, I was expecting to be disappointed with the experience. Once I got home I had to completely revise my initial estimate--this is a fun and easy to ride machine. Granted it doesn't sound like much idling, but once you get into the power band it starts to growl. It also gets up to speed quite nicely. I didn't use a timer or anything, but it jumped to 70 when I pulled on the interstate in just over 4 seconds and was doing that handily at just over midway through 4th. I also noticed that the windscreen design pushes the wind blast almost completely over your head at these speeds when sitting upright and that is just cool.
It isn't twitchy, has good acceleration and power, it tucks in nicely on the curves and the seat is actually very comfy (more so compared to the stock crotch-cruncher on the 10R, ugh). I thought this would be a good first bike, but now... I know it will be an awesome one. All I am waiting on are the sliders from BRG and a little mod to the front turn signals (as per the FAQ, thanks!) before letting him cut loose on it.
I just picked up an low mileage, '04 green 500R for my son as his first bike and rode it home. Now I haven't ridden anything this size in a long time (currently riding a 10R myself) and I admit, I was expecting to be disappointed with the experience. Once I got home I had to completely revise my initial estimate--this is a fun and easy to ride machine. Granted it doesn't sound like much idling, but once you get into the power band it starts to growl. It also gets up to speed quite nicely. I didn't use a timer or anything, but it jumped to 70 when I pulled on the interstate in just over 4 seconds and was doing that handily at just over midway through 4th. I also noticed that the windscreen design pushes the wind blast almost completely over your head at these speeds when sitting upright and that is just cool.
It isn't twitchy, has good acceleration and power, it tucks in nicely on the curves and the seat is actually very comfy (more so compared to the stock crotch-cruncher on the 10R, ugh). I thought this would be a good first bike, but now... I know it will be an awesome one. All I am waiting on are the sliders from BRG and a little mod to the front turn signals (as per the FAQ, thanks!) before letting him cut loose on it.
