Ninja 500R or Suzuki GS500?

[beer]

I posted a thread asking about the best 500cc bike, and after doing some more research I decided that the only two models worth considering are the Ninja 500R and the Suzuki GS500.

Here's what I think -

- From what I can tell, the Suzuki seems to be a faster bike, and cheaper.
- The GS500 just got restyled in 2001 (I think), the previous generation looks pretty un-sporty
- The Ninja hasn't been restyled in several years, so I can go a bit farther back and get a better-looking bike.

I know nothing of motorcycle reliability, but it looks like I can get '00 versions of each of these bikes for around $3K with low milage. Anyone got any input?

I talked to someone last weekend who recommended a 600cc as a first bike because the 500s just get blown around too much, they're too small for highway driving. He drove a Bandit 600 and said that I'd probably like a Katana 600 if I was so inclined to go with his advice. Any truth to this?

 

[amnesiac]

I hung around motorcycle forums for a good while asking for advice and it was a nearly unanimous suggestion to get a GS500.
Though, if I were you I'd spend less and get an older GS500.. OMG it's not "sporty enough" :Q :Q Heaven forbid! You're a n00b and ALL n00bs have to start somewhere.. get good at it, drop your bike a couple times..it'll be less painful when you do. Then in a year when you get proficient you can buy a new one.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
I hung around motorcycle forums for a good while asking for advice and it was a nearly unanimous suggestion to get a GS500.
Though, if I were you I'd spend less and get an older GS500.. OMG it's not "sporty enough" :Q :Q Heaven forbid! You're a n00b and ALL n00bs have to start somewhere.. get good at it, drop your bike a couple times..it'll be less painful when you do. Then in a year when you get proficient you can buy a new one.

I'll second that. No bodywork to prang up is a good thing. There are a gazillion aftermarket bits for the GS500 as well since it's a popular entry-level club racing bike. Buy one, ride it for a year, develop some m4|) 5k1llZ and then get something nicer once you're past the "likely to drop the bike or run it off the road" phase.

Fausto

 

[chickendinner]

I'd get the ninja, but that is just me. they are both great starter bikes. Go down to the shop and get the one that you fall in love with. Get whatever one you like better.

 

[Dooling37]

I dropped my friend's '95 GS500 the first time I tried to ride it. Didn't feel too light when it was pinning me to the ground.


Seemed like a great bike, though, and my friend loved it -- it definitely felt sporty enough to me when I was riding on the back at 85mph.

 

[Instan00dles]

If you do plan on starting with an older bike first dont get a suzuki made inbetween 82-87 cause they had horrible regulator problems and atleast with my bike 3rd gear was also a problematic part. I would a fix on the internet for the regualtor. I am glad I started out with this beaten up bike cause I would shat myself if I dropped a new bike as much as I have with this beaten up one.

 

[beer]

'Older' as I am looking at it is late 90s to 00...

 

[beer]

up - appended

 

[max105]

just curious, how much of a weight/size differnece is there between a 500cc and a 600cc. I was thinking of getting a used 600cc later down the road as my first bike.

 

[beer]

From the little I've read, there is a huge power difference between 500 and 600....weight is probably no more than 50 lbs more, I think?

 

[Atrail]

The Ninja is faster.. Look at the specs on those bikes. Quite a difference in horsepower between the two.

 

[The Stigenator]

First the Ninja500R has a 10HP gain over the GS500 (pre 2001 models - the 2001 models and above are more powerful than the ones before).

The weight of the bike isnt that big a deal. The difference between the 500 and 600 in weight isnt much, infact stuff like the R6 is actually lighter than the GS. But either case they are both around 400 pounds with fuel. The 250's are lighter and they do get blown around a bit but they exggarate too much. Even with my GS I get blown around at 65, I know people who get blown around on a harley.. its just a matter of how fast the cross wind is at.

Personally I woudl say go the GS because i got one, but then the GS has advantages over the Ninja. Stuff like no body work to deal with, its cheaper too. The loss of power and its styling may not be upto par but the GS makes up for it by its handling and its brakes. THe GS has better brakes than the Ninja. Older ninja's had a rear drum GS has all dics's. Mind you both are good in braking just that the GS will stop sooner.. its brakes are oh so strong..

Personally go with either one. Though I might have to mention the GS's riding postion needs a bit of getting used to, for me the NInja's riding position was more comfy but in the long run I think I have got used to the GS's riding position.

Since your buying used just get either one, but if you were going new, then I would say get the GS you can always mod it and it will still cost lesser than the Ninja brand new.

 

[andylawcc]

abit off topic here... would 500cc be too much for a starter bike? would 250cc be a better choice?

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
abit off topic here... would 500cc be too much for a starter bike? would 250cc be a better choice?

Well a 250 bike is lighter and more confidence inspiring.. but it does loose out of steam rather quick (about 95 mph for the ninja 250). BUt that's not bad, its still a good learner bike. Learning to ride is learning to throw the bike around. Had I started with a 250 I would have been more comfy, cause when you take curves that is when you throw your bike around.. and a lighter bike helps.