of GS500s and 500 Ninjas

[Birdmove]

I was pretty surprised when I heard recently that Suzuki had stopped making the GS500 for a year-and then I was surprised when the released the new, fully faired GS.I remember all the predesesors to the GS500.It all started with the GS400 way back in the 1970's.It was shortly followed by the GS425.That bike was then followed by the GS450.I bought a new 1980 GS450ST.This bike was a great looking 450 that came from the factory with a littel sports fairing that looked like an old BMW fairing-some called them a "bikini" fairing I think.It also had factory bar-end mirrors.This was a great machine, and I rode the heck out of it and easily got 66 mpg to boot.Then in 1989 came the modern GS500.When my nephew a few years ago wanted ti get a street bike, I found him a beautiful used GS500.Hes been totally happy with it too.
   I think the new, fully faired, GS500 looks fantastic.I looked at one to see if one could change oil and filter without having to remove fairings etc, and it appears you can.
   But now, with the price of the GS500 at $4999.00, it has a monster competitor.That would be the 500 Ninja.I owned a 1990 EX500(pre-"Ninja").That bike had a tremendous engine for a 500cc.The problem for the GS is the Ninja is now cheaper at about $4900.00.The Ninja gets about  10 more horsepower over the GS.My EX500 handled really good and also averaged 65 mpg in the process.The newre Ninjas have a rear disc brake and 17" wheels-mine had drum rear and 16" wheels.
   I love the new GS500, and I may very well buy one when I get my next street bike.But the GS used to be considerably less than the Ninja, and so was a great buy.The GS has the simpler, and very reliable engine, but the Ninja is faster and just as reliable, and now cheaper.I think maybe Suzuki should make the new faired version, but also have the naked version available-only with the oil cooler-to be an awesome deal, and less than the Ninja.
   If any of you have test rode a Ninja, you have to love that engine.But I remember a few years ago Motorcyclist road tested both bikes.They admitted the Ninja was faster with the stronger engine, but they actually thought the GS500 was the most fun to ride.Coming from Motorcyclist, I thought that was very cool as they have a history of picking the higher horsepower bike.
   I hope the GS will compete in the marketplace with the Ninja and have an even longer lifespan than it already has.

   Jon Neet

[pantablo]

The ex500 has always been called (nicknamed) the baby ninja or just ninja. I dont get it-is this years model actually changed name to Ninja 500 like it has been in the rest of Europe?

I'm glad to see the gs500 having a resurgence in popularity. hopefully now that it looks like the gixxer more new riders will be inclined to buy it instead of a gixxer 6.

[davipu]

SIDENOTE
the gs500 has came with a rear disc brake, and 17 inch alloy wheels since 1989, and is avaible in both naked and fully faired versions allthough not in the US as far as I know. ( for 2004 it is only avaible as a faired model in the US.)

[Birdmove]

IN the US the Kawasaki 500 is a Ninja.

   Jon Neet

[Old Mr. Wilson]

I think the GS has the Ninja beaten hands down in the looks catagory (at least the pre-2004 models---I can't stand the crotch rocket look). I read that report and others as well.  Seems that the Kawa's switches and levers are more cheaply made also and prone to breakage. It is more of a nuisance/maintenance child than the GS. Just my deux cents. Wilson

[Steve-C]

As a first bike though, I love the simplicity of the GS.  It's great to learn  to ride a big bike properly, and also how to do your own maintenance.

Following on from a previous thread though....damn I wish I lived in the US.  A new faired GS over here is around $6,200.  :x

[Cal Price]

I wish I knew which Kawasaki we were talking about. Currently there is no Kwacker of any displacement sold in UK (& probably rest of Europe) as a Ninja. They market two 500s, the rather sedate ER-5 a sit-up-and-beg naked twin with old fashioned rear suspension and the GPZ500S  with a 3/4 fairing, the middle bit is missing to allow the cooler space. They have the same engine, the former being detuned so I assume the GPZ500s equates to the US "Ninja"...Is that right??

[Steve-C]

From what I have gathered, the UK GPz, is our version of the US Ninja.  The 250 'Ninja' is our old ZZR250.  The US Kwak's tend to be given names, we get letters of the alphabet to play with....

[Cal Price]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah, I see. As opposed to Honda where the reverse seems the case. We have, Blackbirds, Fireblades, Deauvilles, Hornets, Varaderos, Firestorms etc, etc, and the U.S. seem to get the digitalised-numerics. Ta for that.