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From: tylernt on 20 Apr 2010 00:06
> > So I'm looking for a good old single or twin "standard" with no frills
> > that I can get for $2000 or less.  
>
> Kawasaki EX500 (Ninja 500R).  I just bought a low miles (10k) 1995 model
> for $1700 on Craigslist.  Or a Suzuki GS500, perhaps.  Either one has

Whoa, this sounds just like my story. My '81 Yamaha XS400 was getting
a little long in the tooth and parts were starting to dry up, so I got
a lightly used Ninja 500. I took the lower fairing off to make it look
less "sporty" and it's the perfect bike for me for the same reasons
Mark cited -- plentiful and cheap parts, and an upright riding
position (plus of course, a low acquisition price). Since the OP is
looking for a "standard", is of course possible to "streetfighter" a
Ninja, i.e. delete the fairing(s). If the camel gas tank is a
dealbreaker, buy a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD (or the older version, the
454 LTD) which shares basically the same engine retuned a bit for more
midrange torque. I really like this motor -- it's a fair bit more
refined than my Yamaha paint shaker thanks to a counter-balancer,
though admittedly it's a lot more high-strung. I do miss having a
kickstarter, though I suppose I could always push start if it really
came down to it.

The older GS500 is also a little more "standard" styled as it lacks a
front fairing. It was on the shortlist when I was bike shopping in
case the Ninja 500 didn't pan out. Plus the GS500 is aircooled if
that's your thing.
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