I have ridden for 4 years now, i started out on a kawa ex250, a year later the ex500 then and now, 3 years later kawa ninja z-1000 Do you know how to ride? That gsxr has 110+ hp, while the 500r has 80hp-max(swag method). The 500r is a much better starting out bike. You are more likely too pay less and less likely to eat pavement do 75 mph in 1st on the 500r.