Would you trust taking an EX500 LA to Chicago?
 

I think I'm going to drive/ride to Chicago this year, but I wanted to take the bike (2000 miles). I have an 07 EX500 with 23k miles on it (I replaced the plugs, air filter, brakes, tires and chain/sprockets), but there is some noise cold coming from the clutch basket (that is what is sounds like).

Would you trust this bike to go 2k then another 2k back from Cali to IL?

Being what it is I wiould go for it.

Go for it, it will be plenty comfortable but I'd sure want a bit more power for such a long trip personally. You plan on taking interstate the entire way or finding some back routes?

Sure, go for it.

Oh yea a 500 would be okay.

Well first, what kind of noise is coming from the clutch? When i had a 500, I started to get a funky noise from the clutch area, turned out that one of the clutch plates had sheared in and and was sorta just bouncing around in there. The clutch though is pretty robust and was lifted right off the GPZ1100, but apparently mine just failed. I wound up buying a used clutch basked and just swapped the old for the new and the bike has gone almost 10k since.

Other than checking the clutch noise I say go for it.

do it.

LA to chicago? yeah, its entirely doable on an EX500. I'd do any service work that hasnt been done prior before you head out, but aside from that, its totally able to get you there. its not a 2 stroke that will break down every 200 miles needing plugs or a rebuild, unless you ride your 500 at 10k+rpm all the time.

go for it

Exactly why I won't take the 250 that far, especially on the freeway. You have to have it almost pegged to get 80-85 mph out of it.:lol:

Interstate....I'm figuring 6 days just in travel 1.5 weeks there, but I have to go to Detriot towards the end to meet with one of my vendors.

It moans at 70, but sings nicely at 90.

when did you get a 500, and why?

Bill, buddy. Take your own advice, get rid of that crap ass ex500, and buy something American to make that trip with. :wtfru:

cuz he's a pansy ass little bitch. :damn:

I will say this. it all depends on the maintance done to said bike.

The EX500's are great, long lasting, proven bikes. The motors are bullet proof.

lol, did him and inferno get matching 500's?

ROFL

compared to most bikes, the 500's motor is a short lived pile. and far from bulletproof. theres SO FREAKIN many weak points, and no rev limiter, where 10k should be the limit, its not. 11.5 is about where the cdi stops generating spark on a schedule, and it turns random, plus the bottom ends open up at that speed pretty easy.

sorry I just cant help but laugh about it. yes they're great bikes, and very comfortable, but long lasting is totally crap. by 30-40k they're done. and dont get me started on first gens.

Odd because my 250 definitely had a rev limiter. I have never ridden a ex500 though.

rev limiters... come on, those aren't needed.

I loved my ole EX500. I know of guys that race these things and say they are industrutable.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...00/Mar3105.jpg

I know a guy who did an iron butt on a 250... so yeah, on a 500? Should be cake. :lol:

The only major complaint I know of is, IF they are run on their side, ie:crashed and still running, they don't tolerate it very well. They don't blow up right then, they wait until you have repaired all the other damage and get everything fixed, then the engine blows up. If they don't get run horizontal they seem to do OK.

interesting... was92v

I think it would suck on the interstate for the simple fact that the revs are gonna vibe you really bad. Backroads shoudl be fun though. Are you trying to make time? Or just going on a ride?

clearly they've never run north of 10k rpms for long. theres a guy on the EX-500 forums who for MANY years ran the EX500 as a trackbike, and rebuilt several. design wise, they leave a lot to be desired. and I do mean a LOT.

weak bottom ends, shit starter clutch hubs, gen 1 models have a shitty flywheel design, and awful transmissions. they're a 454LTD that was already bored and stroked to within an inch of its life, and basically cant take any additional modding safely without a failure. plus some idiot thought the cam chain should go down the center of the engine, and the crank is way too long and easy to snap(fairly common issue too)

so many issues, I'll do cross country on a 250 first, then come back and grab the GS500 myself.

Don't hold back Bob, tell us what you really think! :)

I had one for a little while. Too slow and way too much money to make it otherwise... But seemed like it could make a decent street bike.

I don't see why not, but I've driven cross-country many times, even once in an air-conditioned car. I would rather take a liter bike like my CBR so I can pack stuff for camping once or twice. I would make my route so I could visit at least a half-dozen nation parks or monuments. Then I would bring my bike to a dealer in Denver or Cheyenne for oil change and new tires. Then I would fly to Chicago, do my business, and fly back to Denver or Cheyenne. Then I would take a different route and visit six other parks on the way back to LA.

I'd love to have a 1000F for a cruising machine, just have to modify the cylinder block a little for an external cct to replace the original design.

Except the cam chain tensioner is almost in the middle of the engine. But get a 1000F anyway. I've seen 'em on CR for under $3K. I think the 90-91's are best. Unless you like linked brakes, then get a 93-96. Or even better, get a Blackbird. It has one of the smoothest engines in motorcycling.

To commute on?

I still have the 07 600rr for cayons/track. The Honda gets ridden hard every Sunday.

I'll prolly get a Nightrain early next year, but I have to pay off a few things first.

The Kawi dealer (who also races) that I bought my ZX10r from said they are pretty bulletproof. I got this thing for 2600 bucks used to commute 32miles each way and its been great. I had another 07 I put 15k on in a year and a half, the sold when I moved closer to work.

LOL...he has an 08 R6. Shit is tight.

Make time....I've tried to run the EX500 in the canyons a few times...thing felt like the tires have 0 sidewall. Not to mention the suspension AND brakes suck ass.

No vibration is minimal actually pretty good IMO. The problem is the engine moans at 70mph, but around 85 is smooths out.

its not JUST the suspension that sucks on the EX500, the frame is the next weak point because the engine isnt a stressed member, which makes the frame flex like hell. with sticky tires in a 140 size on the rear, this becomes overly evident, as does the shitty suspension.

fortunately, the suspension is fixable with progressive front springs and an SV650 rear shock, but the frame isnt unless you can do two things: 1. make the motor a stressed member, and 2. gusset the living SHIT outta the frame to strengthen it.

but hey, its REALLY old tech. the engine design is somwhere in the 30 year old tech range, considering the motor its based off of, combined with 80's tech frame and undersprung suspension. its an entry level/commuter though, so its kinda a take it or leave it design. does its intended job fairly well and gets decent mileage, so yeah.

why not? :shrug: