Will I LOVE a GS500 after Ninja 250??

[Holly]

Have my eye on a 2004 GS500F because I LOVE the looks and gotta' have a yellow bike.  I've been riding a Ninja 250, am in my 1st year of riding, commute 55 miles 1-way on 55 mph roads with a couple towns between, and it's been fabulous.  Will I notice the difference going from a 250 to a 500?  And in what way?  We have lots of 20 mph wind; will the extra weight feel more secure in the wind?  I see the GS500 as a Ninja 250 grown up (no frills, but great looks, price & reliability).  FYI, I'm also just under 5'2" and know the extra height & weight will be a challenge at first, but think (hope) I can handle it.

The only other faired bike in the running is the Katana 600, but  they're even heavier & I don't see where I would gain enough for the extra $$$.

Any & all  input appreciated.
Chao,  
Holly

[girlracer]

my brother has a 99 ninja 250, and i like my gs better, the fairing comes out more and protects you legs from the wind more, you will notice that it is a much bigger bike. you will most likely have to try to lower the gs, as i'm 5' 4" and I can't flat foot mine.

[tt_four]

heather's about 5'3 i think, and she's alright, you're nto supposed to be able to flatfoot bikes, if you can, once you start riding you usually feel really scrunched up, which is the mistake i made when i bought my 250, it was the only bike in the dealership that felt good the first time i sat on it, all the 600 felt huge, but after i got used to riding and was on it more, i was scrunched up like a raison on it,

the gs is a little top heavy, but you'll get used to it, i think the only main differences, will be the better fairing, better looks, and the handlebars are a lot higer on the gs, i know the ninja isn't too leaned over either, but the gs doesnt' even have clipons, it just has normal bars,

PM sukigirl85 and see what she says, she's about your size, she's never ridden a 250 to compair, but she'd stlil be more than happy to talk to you about it

[MarkB]

I have both a GS500E (unfaired) and a Ninja 250 and I wrote this comparison: http://www.beginnerbikes.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=review_bd;action=display;num=1031344241 .

The GS is a more comfortable bike at highway speeds.  It probably does better in crosswinds, but I don't think there is a huge difference there, the weight (or larger tires or whatever) seems to help with the ride, but all motorcycles are affected by wind.  The GS is quite a bit taller and more top heavy than the Ninja 250 which may be a concern for you at 5'2".

[ollie357]

How about trying out a Ninja 500 also? When I was sitting on it, it felt considerably lower to me. + It' s got more ponies too. Whatever you get try to go to the dealer and actually sit on all the models. Helps ALOT.

[cernunos]

He** I love the Baby G after an Electraglide! The GS500 does seem to have a lot of soul (you can talk to it and it listens you know), has decent acceleration, handles great, gets good mpg and maybe most of all it's a fairly simple machine what with being air-cooled and having a 2-valve vs 4-valve head. I love my little GS and I love this forum too.

C.......

[Holly]

the fairing comes out more and protects you legs from the wind moreyou will most likely have to try to lower the gs, as i'm 5' 4" and I can't flat foot mine.

I noticed the fairing comes out more too, and was hoping that would help protect the legs.  Glad to hear it will.

I think I have relatively long legs for 5'2", so I'm hoping (with some caution) I won't need to lower it.  I guess we'll see.

Thanks for the info!
Holly

[Holly]

heather's about 5'3 i think, and she's alright,

the gs is a little top heavy, but you'll get used to it

PM sukigirl85 and see what she says, she's about your size,

Glad to know there's hope for it to work.  I'll PM sukigirl85 and get her input too.
Thanks!
Holly

[Holly]

I have both a GS500E (unfaired) and a Ninja 250 and I wrote this comparison: http://www.beginnerbikes.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=review_bd;action=display;num=1031344241 .

The GS is a more comfortable bike at highway speeds.  It probably does better in crosswinds, but I don't think there is a huge difference there, the weight (or larger tires or whatever) seems to help with the ride, but all motorcycles are affected by wind.  The GS is quite a bit taller and more top heavy than the Ninja 250 which may be a concern for you at 5'2".

We actually had your comparison in our Favorites!! What a small world the internet is!  It is very helpful.

I was thinking the GS would do better on my windy coastal ride.  I was moved over a foot or so early on with my Ninja 250 & didn't panic.  Since then just see it as part of the excitement.  I was actually surprised how easy the GS felt when I finally got to sit on one.  The Ninja felt like a lot at 1st too, but feels like a piece of cake.  I THINK the GS would be the same.  It's just time in the saddle.

Thanks for the feed-back.
Holly

[Holly]

How about trying out a Ninja 500 also?

try to go to the dealer and actually sit on all the models. Helps ALOT.

I did get to sit on a 2005 Ninja 500.  Very pretty...but so NOT yellow.  I know, I know...it's a girl thing.  I definitely felt sitting on the GS was helpful.  Kinda like the little 125 Kawi Eliminator I sat on in April...my 1st thought was.. I could do this (ride motorcycles)!  Got the Ninja instead & found out I could do that too!
Geez it's good to be alive!  
Holly

[Holly]

He** I love the Baby G after an Electraglide!

I love my little GS and I love this forum too.

C.......

Only 1 post, no Baby G (yet), & I agree whole-heartedly.  

Chao,
Holly

[tt_four]

did i mention someone was selling lowering links on the site for $50?
that's not a bad deal, they should be super simple to put on too

[Teecegirl]

I just got my GS500 yesterday and I absolutely love the bike.  It's my first and it's VERY forgiving for us newbies.  I think you'll love it.

Regarding your height, I am also 5'2" and I had them lower the bike an inch.  They used a dogbone to lower it, which is what they were talking about when they said you could purchase something to lower the bike for $50.  Since I knew nothing about the bike, I went ahead and asked the dealership to do it (to the tune of $200).  Oh well ....  Live and learn!

After it was lowered, I'm STILL up on my toes.  But if you wear boots with thick soles, it seems to be OK.  I haven't had any problems holding it up while I'm sitting on it.

[Holly]

I just got my GS500 yesterday and I absolutely love the bike.  It's my first and it's VERY forgiving for us newbies.  I think you'll love it.

Regarding your height, I am also 5'2" and I had them lower the bike an inch.  They used a dogbone to lower it, which is what they were talking about when they said you could purchase something to lower the bike for $50.  Since I knew nothing about the bike, I went ahead and asked the dealership to do it (to the tune of $200).  Oh well ....  Live and learn!

After it was lowered, I'm STILL up on my toes.  But if you wear boots with thick soles, it seems to be OK.  I haven't had any problems holding it up while I'm sitting on it.

Fabulous news Teecegirl! You're just the person I wanted to hear from.

Just think of the $200 as an investment in prevention of broken parts.  Yesterday my Ninja fell off the stand & the parts are $60.  Every drop costs!  

I'm still hoping I can manage the Suzi without lowering.  My boots are thick soled & has substantial heels which leave my heels only about 1/2" off the ground.  I'll need to be careful, but I THINK it's do-able.  I feel like I've gained some good experience on the Ninja, and will gain the skill to handle the Suzi too.

Now I just need a buyer for my Ninja & I'm all set to go get that GS500!  You guys are getting me excited now!
Thanks,
Holly