[RICHARD DUMAS]

Its done

 

[Toxic_Ninja]

My guess is that Kawi is re-designing the 500, but it might not be introduced in 2010.

There's nothing that sez they can't re-introduce a class of bike later down the line. I makes not sense to bring a new 500 in 2010. The economy is down around the world. And they really just introduced the new 250R. That would squelch the 250R. The reason why they MUST kill the 500 is because of the emissions. But nothing sez they have to replace it with something right away.

My guess is that they aren't going to do without it forever. They own the 500 slot. But nothing sez they have to do it in 2010.

 

[exer]

You would think with the economy down, it would be time to promote the bikes that are cheaper to begin with?

 

[ducatiman]

My guess is that Kawi is re-designing the 500, but it might not be introduced in 2010.

There's nothing that sez they can't re-introduce a class of bike later down the line. I makes not sense to bring a new 500 in 2010. The economy is down around the world. And they really just introduced the new 250R. That would squelch the 250R. The reason why they MUST kill the 500 is because of the emissions. But nothing sez they have to replace it with something right away.

My guess is that they aren't going to do without it forever. They own the 500 slot. But nothing sez they have to do it in 2010.

i disagree in that its too close to the 650R. they don't need another rung on the ladder between the 250 and 650. A *huge* investment in design, engineering and tooling.....no way during worldwide depressed market.

I still contend the 650R IS the "updated" 500 if you will. And the 650 is a perfect step up from 250, from Kaw marketing viewpoint. Why put something between?

but hey, you never know what the future will be, can't deny you there... on that you are right on, sir.

 

[Snow]

Bottom line:
The 500r is STILL a very popular bike. You will find many dealerships are back ordered on them. Why discontinue something that sells so well?

 

[ducatiman]

previously mentioned...tightening emissions.

Why would Kaw market 3 versions of 650 twins, so closely related to the 500 if not to update and supercede it?

 

[boomerro]

You will find many dealerships are back ordered on them. Why discontinue something that sells so well?

around here they dont sell :\ but everything is not selling well in michigan with a 17% unemployment rate...

there are still 09 ex500's on the showroom floors.... not selling.


i dont know if its different where you are or maybe our salesmen just suck or something hahah. who knows.

 

[po18guy]

previously mentioned...tightening emissions.

Why would Kaw market 3 versions of 650 twins, so closely related to the 500 if not to update and supercede it?

SV650

 

[boomerro]

previously mentioned...tightening emissions.

Why would Kaw market 3 versions of 650 twins, so closely related to the 500 if not to update and supercede it?

SV650

sv650 >ninja 650 imo. So much more fun to ride. vtwin has silly amounts of low and midrange torque, which i think is more fun than high end power

 

[Snow]

You will find many dealerships are back ordered on them. Why discontinue something that sells so well?

around here they dont sell :\ but everything is not selling well in michigan with a 17% unemployment rate...

there are still 09 ex500's on the showroom floors.... not selling.


i dont know if its different where you are or maybe our salesmen just suck or something hahah. who knows.

Yeah, you don't live in Texas.

Houston Texas is still booming.

 

[boomerro]

Yeah, you don't live in Texas.

Houston Texas is still booming.

I wish lansing was booming, its such a shithole now that GM pulled its Oldsmobile plant. I want to take pictures of the demolished plants.... its so sad

 

[stafphoto]

I live in Michigan to and yeah there doesn't seem to be much moving in any of the dealers around me either. Lot's of good deals but nobody has money to buy anything.

 

[epThorn]

Regarding emissions, when new standards go into effect, does it just hit the manufacturers? Do owners get 'grandfathered in' so that they can still ride their 500s and sell them used?

 

[dragknee]

the 2010's are up on the kawasaki site. but the 500 is still listed as an 09 model.

 

[tylernt]

Regarding emissions, when new standards go into effect, does it just hit the manufacturers? Do owners get 'grandfathered in' so that they can still ride their 500s and sell them used?

I've never heard of retro-active emissions laws, even cars from the 60s and older are still legal without catalytic converters etc. So you should be fine. Except maybe in Cali.

Removal of factory-installed emissions equipment is illegal though.

 

[epThorn]

I've never heard of retro-active emissions laws, even cars from the 60s and older are still legal without catalytic converters etc. So you should be fine. Except maybe in Cali.

Removal of factory-installed emissions equipment is illegal though.

I guess that's the price for legal lane-splitting... I'm on the other side of the country though, and without plans on moving to that confusing state anytime soon.

 

[jrocket]

They can not make retro active emmissions laws. However the EX has not been sold in Cali since 2007 as a new model year. There has been a lot of rumor mill in the area about smog testing bikes but there is no infastructure for it right now and it would be a hudge waste of money especially since the state is broke.

 

[boomerro]

They can not make retro active emmissions laws. However the EX has not been sold in Cali since 2007 as a new model year. There has been a lot of rumor mill in the area about smog testing bikes but there is no infastructure for it right now and it would be a hudge waste of money especially since the state is broke.

they can make any stinkin law they want. lol. if they want to they can out law old cars whenever they want

 

[jimnet518]

i just had my car smogged the other day by my old high school buddy's dad's smog shop and his dad was telling me that on my older car with the older emissions that if I ever have to replace it it is required by law that shops have to replace it with a fully OBDII compliant system

 

[Melissa500ex]

Jim,

What year car, make and model are you talking of? I am very curious about this one. You are in a smog enhanced area for testing, right?

Melissa