A buddy of mine is getting his first bike in the next week or so. He's taken MSF last year and is taking the smart route and starting out small. He's looking at an 89' EX500 for $600 as his starter bike. He's real excited but having never dealt with an EX500 myself http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif I was curious if those of you who have could shed some light on inhert problems or things he should look out for when looking over the bike. Any common problems to keep an eye on? Any insight into the handling characteristics, etc... that would be helpful will be greatly appreciatted. Thanks a bunch guys! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

My first bike was a 2000 EX500. Solid bike, more or less neutral handling and enough power to have fun with, without inadvertantly endangering my life. I don't know of anything peculiar to the '89.

Okay thanks. I can't believe that of all the people on here preaching about starting out on a 250, 500cc, etc... that only one person actually owns one. Where is everyone?