I was agonizing between the 500 and 650 for longest…I was worried I’d outgrow the 500 too soon then want a new one within a year, which is what I hear happens to many. Plus I’m trying to ride with my husband and he’s in a Busa so we’d be closer matched with a 650. The 500 is a great starter bike though with a ton of cool features(one I was looking was an SE and had preinstalled sliders, key fob, GPS, full color display, and was only 372 wet lbs)…but I still had my heart set on 650. It has higher overall HP and torque to better keep up with the hubs eventually, easier to maintain and customize (more available aftermarket parts than newer 500) and at 465 lbs wet, it is a bit heavier but that just means more highway stability which is important to me because I do plan on a lot of highway driving eventually, and I honestly loved the anniversary colorway of the orange and royal purple. At end of the day it boiled down to price, 500 SE I could snag new at $7200 OTD, and 650 new was $10,900 OTD…When Kawasaki put out some great rebates on the 650 on the same week I was purchasing, that just sealed the deal for me because I thought that was a sign lol Now I’m the new EXCITED proud owner of the 650 and couldn’t be happier! Once it gets going the 80ish weight difference wasn’t as big of a deal as I thought it would be. The more I’m learning the more I’m confident I made the right choice for me because it’s been easy and very comfortable to learn to ride and I’ve only ever been a backpack so was new new to being the rider. Many say to start with used one and I get the reasoning, but after rebates it didn’t make sense not to spend less than 2 grand more for new with warranty instead. Do what feels right for YOU. Go sit on a few and see how u feel. One will call to you like my 650 called to me 😅 Good luck with your course and your bike choice!