Currently commuting on a 650R now after a 12 year hiatus, so it feels like being a newbie rider again. I'm a heavier rider at 5'10" 212 lbs, but the bike doesn't seem to have any problem with it. I like the upright stance for the comfort and a FOV similar to what an SUV would have. Comes in real handy when you're stuck in that crawling parking lot we call the 60 with people zipping in and out of the gaps.
I used to ride an EX500 myself and always thought it was the best starter bike. But after riding around in my 650R, I think newbie riders (or re-riders like myself) would be just fine in it. The extra displacement doesn't really give that much "oomph" that would make it get away from you. Besides, if you're silly you can get yourself hurt in a 80cc bike anyway. Also, the 650R has an easy "friction zone" to negotiate...something that new riders probably worry about most. It only took me a ride around the block to figure it out. Overall, it's a very forgiving bike.
I think the only thing I don't like about it is I'm refueling every 3-4 days. My commute from Queen Creek to Tempe is 50 miles round trip. So I go through that 4.x gallon tank pretty fast...
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