First bike?

[chalolo]

I'm new to the world of motorcycling and am strongly considering a GS500f as my first bike. First off, how does it compare to the Ninja 500 and the SV60s? As those are the only other bikes I would consider.

And secondly, I've seen pictures of the GS500f with a black and silver color scheme but haven't been able to find it anywhere. Is it only sold that way in certain places?

Thanks

[girlracer]

ninja 500 is similar, but i think it has a bit more hp, its water cooled where as the f is air cooled with an oil cooler.

the sv650 is a hot ride for sure, but its not really a beginner bike, it has mid 70ish hp, its not prone to handle rookie mistakes like the gs and ninja will.

your not seeing the new '05 gs cause they don't come out til feb. 05

[Roadstergal]

The GS500 is a terrific first bike, but I'd consider a used GS500E.  My first bike, among other things, taught me what I like and value in a bike, so it's good to get a first bike that doesn't have much in the way of assets tied up in it.  If you love it, you can "upgrade" to a newer bike, or trick it out, or... etc.  Also, a first bike has a higher probability of being dropped than any others down the line, and an unfaired GS500E takes a drop pretty well.

A good first bike, like a good first car, should emphasize handling over power, and the GS does that.

[manofthefield]

And secondly, I've seen pictures of the GS500f with a black and silver color scheme but haven't been able to find it anywhere. Is it only sold that way in certain places?

The only place I know of for the black and silver is Canada.  US got yellow/black and blue/white for '04, but there are some new color schemes for '05

[iandunn]

The Ninja500 and GS500 are great choices for a first bike, but I wouldn't consider the SV650 until you've been riding for a season or two. A used GS500 or Ninja500 would be a great way to learn how to ride, and then you can buy a nicer bike afterwards.

There are a few articles in motorcycle magazines comparing the Ninja and GS that might be helpful (but I can't seem to find any at the moment, anyone else have some links?), and there's some discussions on that topic if you search through the forums. My personal opinion is that the Ninja is slightly better, but they're both good bikes. One big plus for the GS, though is this forum. It's a huge help with repairs and other information.

[Dom]

And secondly, I've seen pictures of the GS500f with a black and silver color scheme but haven't been able to find it anywhere. Is it only sold that way in certain places?

The only place I know of for the black and silver is Canada.  US got yellow/black and blue/white for '04, but there are some new color schemes for '05

How cute... a baby gixxer... just what I always wanted!

Cool thing is that we finally get a full fairing.  

[gryhound89]

I've never ridden a ninja 500 or an sv650 so I can't speak for them, but you really can't go wrong with a gs.  I bought a '91 gs500 for my first bike about 6 months ago.   these bikes are perfect for learning on, cheap to buy and insure, and very reliable.  I would also recommend buying a used gs500e rather than the new version, unless you're absolutely sure that you won't want a different bike after you've racked up some miles.  used ones in decent shape usually go for $900-$1600, give or take.  I paid $1400 for mine, with just over 9000 miles on it.  I would sell it but since you don't live close it wouldn't be worth paying to ship.

[SuZuki10]

A major plus for the GS is that unlike the Ninja, it is concidered a standard bike rather than a sport bike so the insurance is substantially lower.  It's the best of both worlds...the look of a sport bike and the insurance rates of a cruiser.  

If you get anything other than a GS you can't come to our message boards anymore though.   :nana:

Just KIDDING!  :kiss:

[se7enty7]

maybe I'm the freak among us but the ninja looks REALLY cheap to me.  In pics it's not bad; but in person I was like good grief!  rear drums?? even though the new ones have rear discs the fairing still looks like something from the mid 80's.  The gs, on the otherhand, is hard to identify what year.  I have a white 89 and people are stunned when I tell them it's an 89 and not a... 98.

[The Buddha]

Yea I used to get the "wowee what year" question on my 89 too ... until I trashed it ... then Kevin C's cherry blue body and a cherry blue tank and some nifty parts powdercoated brought back the wowee what year ... again... that is until they look at the large oil patch under it, and lower frame rails covered in crap and rear wheel slathered in chain lube and the chain itself dripping goo ...and they go eeewwww...
Pretty body work makes a great first impression ... its also plenty available cos it survives crashes well and so most of the crashed bikes are still running about...
Cool.
Srinath.

[se7enty7]

Yea I used to get the "wowee what year" question on my 89 too ... until I trashed it ... then Kevin C's cherry blue body and a cherry blue tank and some nifty parts powdercoated brought back the wowee what year ... again... that is until they look at the large oil patch under it, and lower frame rails covered in crap and rear wheel slathered in chain lube and the chain itself dripping goo ...and they go eeewwww...
Pretty body work makes a great first impression ... its also plenty available cos it survives crashes well and so most of the crashed bikes are still running about...
Cool.
Srinath.

yeah I liked the color of your bike a lot..

[milo]

The GS makes a great first bike - I couldn't imagine a better bike to have learned on. The Ninja 500 is also supposed to be great, a little more powerful but in the same class. It's butt-ugly though, I just can't get over the ancient styling.

I would not discount the Ninja 250. I'm told that its abilities are far greater than what you'd expect from something with such meager displacement.

The SV is generally considered a second bike. Don't let a dealer looking for a better commission talk you into something you shouldn't be riding. For that matter, don't go to a dealer at all. Buy a used GS500e. It will cost less to buy, cost less to insure, you won't have to deal with the break-in period, etc. etc. I believe your first bike, like your first car, should always be bought used. Once you've spent some time driving/riding, then you can decide where to throw wads of cash for a new model.

[MarkusN]

I can only underline the importance of ging unfaired for a first bike. You are bound to drop that baby once or twice, and with pretty plastic that hurts a lot more.

[pantablo]

You'll hear people tell you the SV is a good first bike (you'll hear that about 600cc sportbikes too! ). Its a good first bike but the gs and ex are far better bikes. You'll learn more, faster. You'll become a far better rider, which translates to your next bike too. Most people want the SV because they want a bike they can grow "into" or that they wont "outgrow" quickly. This is flawed thinking.

The best way to approach Motorcycling is to think of it in the long term. You want to be riding 20 years from now. So, your first bike doesnt have to be a new shiny bike. It doesnt have to be fast (they all feel fast at first). It just has to be a good learner bike. The GS/ex are better than the sv in that regard. As a new rider its best to buy a used naked GS instead of the fancy faired version. At least a used faired gs is better than new. Biggest reason is depreciation. Since it IS a first bike and most use it as a stepping stone to a 'proper' bike you dont want to get hit with the big depreciation. I bought my 2001 almost new for $3500 and 16 months later I sold it for $3000. So that learner cost me about $32/mo to own. Not a bad investment in a learning tool. If you can get past the fact that new riders are statistically more inclined to drop their bike (meaning you might be pushing it around the garage or riding at a walking pace in a parking lot and lose your balance, etc) then you'll be fine with a used faired gs. The plastics cost alot of money to replace...but then you can just leave it be. Cosmetically challenged first bikes are the norm.

I've ridden an SV and it feels heavier to steer (slightly). Power is deceiving on the vtwin-you are always going faster than you think you are. Thats not good for a new rider. The SV is a great bike. It makes a better second bike or a first bike for a returning rider, or a first "street" bike for someone who might have ridden dirt bikes as a kid.

Also, one last thing. Most people think the smaller first bikes are a bad idea because you "outgrow" the bike quickly. Thats not true. What most people think of as outgrowing is simply the idea that as a new rider you have gotten over the fear of navigating the new machine in traffic. It means you have gotten comfortable with the basic mechanics of throttle/brakes/etc. but it doesnt mean you are ready for a bigger bike. On the contrary, then is the best time to really learn to ride.

[chalolo]

Thanks alot for your responses. I'm going to start looking for a used gs500. I was only thinking about buying new because I really like the look of the faired version. I know I'll probably drop it a couple of times, though, so the wise decision is to go with something used and unfaired. Thanks again and I'll update you when I find a bike.

[Roadstergal]

I was only thinking about buying new because I really like the look of the faired version.

A used unfaired is luuuuuuvely.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/500/223353.jpg
http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/500/22334.jpg