I'd like to consider a Ninja 500 as my first bike. I'm 6'1, about 190 pounds.

It fits well except for the fact that my knee's are higher than the sides edges of the tank. Just sitting on it in the shop makes me feel like my knee's will be bruised a lot. I have no contact with my legs on the rest of the tank, only my knee's touch the top edge. I tried sitting more forward, or more back... this doesn't change the distance between the foot controls and the tank edge.

My questions:

Has the tank changed much over the years? Do older models have less of a harsh side edge of the tank, perhaps?

Does another Ninja model have a compatible tank with Ninja 500, but is smoother on the sides? Something I can interchange onto a Ninja 500?

How about seat height adjustment? I guess I need the seat lowered so that my knee's will become flush with the sides of the tank. But this will change how my feet hit the foot controls.

Is there some kind of modification I can do to hug the tank better? Maybe fill out the grooves of the tank? (glue/tape foam?).

Any other bike recommendations? I'd like to stay at 500cc. For principle I want to stay below the number "600" just so I can have cheaper insurance.

I've sat on the Suzuki GS 500 F 2004, and it fits great... but I can't get that used for cheap. It only started in 2004, prior years are this ugly looking sport cruiser style (which I don't mind), but the previous GS 500's just look ugly to me. I would like a Ninja 500 only because they're so popular, so parts, repairs, knowledge and resale may be easier.

 

Hi! Welcome to the forums! I don't believe that the tank has changed, the 500 has pretty much stayed the same throughout the years.

Try searching this site, you might be able to find more answers there. Good luck - I hope you are able to find some answers, the Ninja 500 is an awesome bike

Keep me posted on how you make out!