...how would those bikes compare?If the second hand 3 year old Ninja 650 was the same price as 1 year old CBR500/CB500F,which bike would you rather get?

Kawasaki.

Better made.

If you're thinking of buying one or the other, rent one out for a day first. Start with the bigger one, and see of you miss the power and build quality on the second day when you have the smaller, weaker Honda.

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by thamteak

Flip side of that is the Kawi has had 3x as much time to be abused and not serviced properly....

Plus in respect to build quality we haven't had any reports of the Honda engine throwing a rod through the engine block yet either.

Like previously posted renting both would be the best way

to see which "you" like

For a more sporty ride

For me the 650 hands down if it was in good shape & not too high mileage

30 lbs more but 25hp more. That equates to a 50% power to weight advantage over the Honda 500!

also has 47 lbs of torque compared to the Honda's 37lbs so roughly 25% more

Ride-ability for sport riding...The Ninja has An engine that likes to rev due to its 83x60 bore stroke

Compared to the Honda's 67x66 square engine longer stroke thinking

I do not really care for the aesthetics of either much but if I had to choose

the Ninja again would be the choice on looks but that is subjective

But in the end it is what do you like in a bikes characteristics?

What you will mainly use the bike for etc.

Good Luck bike shopping is always fun

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by mania

Thanks...and more please....I think,that the dam_n green color on the Ninja is what throws me off,but the rest looks good

It's not a good comparison. Why is it so important to you?

Thanks...and more please....I think,that the dam_n green color on the Ninja is what throws me off,but the rest looks good

The rest is really down to you

One thing about Thailand if it is just the color you dont like that is a pretty easy fix

Wrap or paint

Of course if you change the dominant color you must also go to the DMV

& tell them so they can change it in the green book

Or shop more & find the color you want. Both bikes come up daily for sale

as both were popular

Best advice is really go ride them both as both are easily rented

See which fits "your" needs

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by mania

Thanks...and more please...

Kawa - lots more power, lots more torque, also has more character. Also more engine vibes and heat. And weight.

Honda - less power, less torque, less character. A square low revving engine. Cheaper to run, more user friendly to a noob.

For me, I would only buy off a Western owner with the service book etc all done, so with that - the 3 yr old Kawa. I'd also trust Kawa Big Bike more than Honda Big Wing.

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by thamteak

It's not a good comparison. Why is it so important to you?

Because those bikes are in the same price range and I want a good upgrade from the CBR250.

Thanks...and more please....I think,that the dam_n green color on the Ninja is what throws me off,but the rest looks good

The rest is really down to you

One thing about Thailand if it is just the color you dont like that is a pretty easy fix

Wrap or paint

Of course if you change the dominant color you must also go to the DMV

& tell them so they can change it in the green book

Or shop more & find the color you want. Both bikes come up daily for sale

as both were popular

Best advice is really go ride them both as both are easily rented

See which fits "your" needs

Yes,I agree about color,I wasn't very serious about it...but coming from riding a CBR 250 (softly),I want something with more guts ...and still trying to make a best choice,since the price is about double than my bike,it's kind of a big decision...I've had a few Hondas before,but never a single Kawasaki...that's why I'm asking the pros of their opinion...

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by funcat

Both are really good value here bought used, as both have shockingly bad resale value now.

You will also outgrow the small, square Honda quicker.

The poor quality of the Hondas Chinese re-cycled parts (many Honda parts are made in China) and its below average build makes it difficult to compare this bike with anything other than the "pure" Chinese bikes that cost less then halfthe price. Honda is/has slid down a steep slope RE quality and service - has been for years.

Both are really good value here bought used, as both have shockingly bad resale value now.

You will also outgrow the small, square Honda quicker.

..or,do you mean 'quacker'..

I'll see,if I can rent the equivalent of those bikes,but still,with my knowledge about motorbikes, I may be just fooled by the speed,looks,or whatever...to justify the right bike will not come easy without experience...

^ Well then consider this:

You will out 'experience' the weak, boring Honda much quicker, and want for an upgrade much sooner.

^ Well then consider this:

You will out 'experience' the weak, boring Honda much quicker, and want for an upgrade much sooner.

I'll test the Ninja first...I know,this is a good recipe...for going for the best

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by funcat

Thamteak i couldnt have worded it better , boring and weak Honda ! The Kawasaki will still make you smile (and still be in good shape)many years from now - and still be worth something.

^ +10.

I have a cb500, I can tell you that you will get bored really soon if you come from a cbr250. In a few months...

Save your money and get the ninja650 or cbr650.

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by brfsa2

I can't speak for the Honda but have a Ninja 650, a bright orange/red metallic colour, and have been delighted with both the bike and Kawasaki servicing. I also upgraded from a CBR 250, which I found a most disappointing bike. My advice is always to go with the most power you can afford. I've "met " a few of these CBR 500 on the road and the performance difference is quite noticeable. S

get a versys ,ive had two ninjas and an er6n but the versys is in a different league for a little bit more money

get a versys ,ive had two ninjas and an er6n but the versys is in a different league for a little bit more money

Haha....that's what good about bikes...there is always an upgrade coming...for a bit more money

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by funcat

Im sure the CB 500 is ok for pottering around town but if you want some enjoyment in your life (and i dont mean doing 300 KPH )there are far better built bikes now available , and for less money. Gone are the days the easy choice was Honda.There is now such a good choice out there - for those that dont have their heads in the sand - i really cant see why anyone would buy a Honda !. Their build quality is suspect , dealer service appalling , and re-sale values take a big hit - something that is often overlooked. Honda has recently knocked 20% off some of its models . Can you imagine having just bought one at full price !.After just a few months your Honda has gone down 40%!.Very risky buying one with such wild pricing.Smacks of desperation sadly.

I'd go for the Ninja. I probably prefer the looks of the Honda but 470cc isn't really a huge step up from what you're riding now and owners I've spoken to have said it feels a bit underpowered once you get out of the city. I think you'll get bored of it within 6 months and end up buying something bigger again (most likely a Ninja 650) so may as well save yourself the hassle and get it to start with.

Some really good deals on second hand 650's now. I'd go for one with under 20,000 kms and service history, ideally from someone you know.

get a new honda cb/cbr650f if you can. best value in Thailand right now.

If cannot, set your priorities first.

What do you want from the bike? commuting, touring, track day, an easy bike to ride?

If commuting, best is cbr500r or f with low weight, telepathic turn ins, light front end. kawa is porky in the city.

Touring, i prefer kawa er6f, more grunt of course. But then it is vibey and noisy, 500 series is much more refined on the highway and anyway both bikes can climb 160 kph easily.

If track day and if you are a beginner, prefer a less powered bike that is easy to turn which is cbr500r. If experienced, of course ninja 650 with more power.

If you are looking for an easy bike to ride, honda 500 series is way to go. It is a forgiving bike with ABS, it is light and enough powerful for thailand.

Dont get fooled by cc. 500 series is enough blast for Thailand.

And, i see 2009 - 2010 models with more than 25 k kph around 160 - 170 k thb. 2011 models, add 10 k more.

For that price you can get a new cb/cbr500r nearly if you add a mere 20 k more. That way, you get a new bike with warranty and no previous owner paranoia.

Edited May 26, 201412 yr by ll2

Will be hard to sell the Honda for a reasonable amount when you want to upgrade to the Er-6 a few months later.

Tiz a buyer's market with these bikes.

I enjoy commuting quicker on my CB500F than the 650 Kawas I see on the roads of Chiang Mai. But for touring, it has to be the CB650. Honda service has always been spot on, plus I met the chief designer (not sure the faceless Kawas had an actual designer). I could never bring myself to buy a Kawasaki; it'd be like buying a Chevy *shudder*

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

Honda service has always been spot on

The two worst cases of customer service I've ever recieved anywhere in the World were at Honda in Thailand. One included attempted fraud and theft. The other included a staff member treating my bike in such a way that I was lucky to be so shocked as to freeze and quite believe what I was seeing, if it wasn't as bad as it was I wouldn't have frozen and would have went for him with the largest, heaviest tool there was to hand.

I also remember reading shocking things about the staff and management in the Chiang Mai and Udon branches.

Edited May 26, 201412 yr by thamteak

Honda service has always been spot on, plus I met the chief designer

What was his name?

get a versys ,ive had two ninjas and an er6n but the versys is in a different league for a little bit more money

Ha! Totally agree with that.

Recently let a friend try my shiny new Hypermotard while I went back on the Versys... we did some twisties... absolutely no issues keeping up. There's clearly a big difference between the Hyper and the Versys but the Versys can hold its own with pretty much anything once there are some curves. That's a bike that's much more than the sum of its parts thanks to a very clever setup, low weight, good suspension, great gearing. Way better than ER-6n or Ninja 650 thanks to the suspension.

The Honda 500s are OK too if you're not going to go very fast anyway. I found them to be just a bit too weak on the highway though. Passing cars takes some setup and effort whereas on the Kawa 650s you just twist it...