I am looking to get a beater bike. Something like a Ninja 500 or anything along those lines. Cheap and ridable. thanks.

In the Maryland area would be great.

 

Can you find a Ninja 500 at that price? I was thinking below $1500 you'll have to reach back to mid-80's Nighthawks, Magnas, and such for something in decent shape.

 

maybe there would be a deal out there. My friend just bought a 89 Ninja 500 in pretty good shape for $700.

 

A co-worker, in Catonsville, MD has a 1980 Kawi KZ 500 LTD with 18k miles. It starts quickly and runs well, never dropped or crashed and it has shiny chrome and paint. He

 

I am in MD and have a 88 yamaha FZR400 for sale, I bought it for a track bike, just haven't had the time to use it much.

Its been returned to street legal. I was going put it up for sale this spring.

I would consider $ 1600 for it.



More pics here

Frame sliders, Fox shock, race tech front springs (new 30wt oil), steel brake lines, jetted, D&D exhaust, etc. drilled and safety wired. BT56ss tires with 2 days on them. Shop manual, owners manual, clean title. extra rear wheel and some extra parts

Its in very good cond, all major wear items are relatively new (chain, sprockets, fork seals, bearings,) Also the Engine was rebuilt at about 25K (clock shows 37K)

Great for entry level race bike or track days, very stable and easy to ride. Low seat height.

PM me if you are interested.

 

^ Those things were the $hit back in the day. Gave most 600's a run for the money, especially when things got twisty. Cool Vintageish Machine.

 

compared to like a 97cbr600, how fast is this bike?

 

To be honest, it would lose in a drag race or top end contest. It's pretty good at taking corners though.

On the street it will feel down on power, the bike is lightweight and was ahead of its time in the late 80's.

They have about 60 HP vs 80-90 or so for the CBR, and need to be reved over 9K to get any power.

I would bury the speedo at 135 about 3/4 down the straight and bounce off the rev limiter in 6th. The faster guys on the 600's would pull me on the straights, but usually wimp out in the braking zones.

On the race track I ran 1:30-1:31s at Summit Point main, vs 1:25-1:26 on my R6.

It's a good bike to learn on.

 

just that $1,600 sounds a little steep for a bike that old.

 

OK, no problem. I am in no rush to sell it.

I am curious What else have you found?

You will not likely find a better handling or running bike for less.