KAWASAKI NINJA 500r vs SUZUKI GS500f

[beginnerman]

Hello everyone. First time poster long time lurker so sorry if this seems long. I am wondering the difference's between the KAWASAKI ninja 500r and the SUZUKI gs500f.

I am more interested in which is more fun to ride than which is fastest. My short history- Im 5'5 and 225 pounds. I have been riding my brothers SUZUKI rm80 for a long time. I understand that dirtbike experience DOES NOT translate into street riding experience.I am not really looking into dual sport models, but who knows. I am in total research mode. I do not plan to ride for a while.

I have read some reviews that most people favor the ninja 500r over the gs500f. If i can find the exact review i will post it. In this review the author spoke something of the ninja 500r following its own path in the road, while the gs500r follows imperfections in the road. They also spoke of the extra horsepower in the KAWASAKI ninja 500r being an advantage over the SUZUKI gs500r for highway acceleration. The review also spoke of the gs500f having much better brakes. I also know that how comfortable they feel is a deciding factor. The gs500f sure looks nice though. But i dont mind the ninjas look. Also, should i look into cruisers? I havent really considered them.

I know you guys are QUITE knowledgeable so any input would be appreciated. And I mean ANY input!

A million thanks!

[The Buddha]

The GS is more fun ...
2 simple reasons ...
1. GS motor spins the same way the wheels do ... the EX motor spins backwards with respect to the wheels ... the GS vibrates and its all logical ... an EX is weird and sometimes its vibe free, and other times just a few rom on either side its horrible ...
2. GS has better suspension and tires and brakes and they are easier to upgrade ... The EX 96+ had the same tires but they are way behind for suspension and brakes. Yea the CW idiots rated it as better but back in 95 or 96 they rated the GS as better on both aspects ...
I have a soft corner for Kawi's Honestly ... Kawi's outnumber Suzuki's by 4 to 2 in my current possession and I dont remember a time when it was the other way around ... Kawi was pretty smart in one respect ... they made a reverse spinner in a EX, but I have a Eliminator 1000 whihc is sorta the 2 X EX motor and that spins forwards ... also Kawi put shitty intake valves on the Eli and EX ... so the intakes wear out and need to be replaced ... The exhaust does not do that ... they knew the intakes will run cooler so they decided to put shitty material in them ... but after EPA strangled the carburetion these started running hotter ... and boom the valves were wearing faster ... GS no such problem ... being air cooled ... they had to have hard material ... so they are fine ... GS is a better motor, better frame ... suspension and brakes are ~ even and the GS is easier to work on too ... + this site ... = No contest.
Cool.
Srinath.

[Eisenfaust]

Well, my GS is my first bike, and I couldnt be happier, even though mine is a cantankerous 15 year old example. I'm slowly working out all the issues it has, bringing back up to full spec (by myself... I'm not going to pay someone to do work I should do myself), and learning how to ride better in the process.

The ninja is a nice bike... but I think the mechanical simplicity of the GS is a big factor. I dont think there's anything that can break on this bike that I couldnt fix myself.

One thing I would also say is in the GS's favor... the GS is available naked. I'd reccomend a naked model as opposed to the faired F, simply because it will be easier to maintain for a beginner, and it wont get damaged as easily when its  dropped.... and it will get dropped (nothing to be ashamed of, either )

[tdan553527]

I shall agree here, the gs is a great bike. I have a buddy that bought a ninja at the same time I bought my F. I've ridden both, the ninja does have more power, other than that, the F is a far better bike. Looks, handling, and everything else. If you haven't ridden the ninja then you will not miss the power. I ride mine 100 mile round trip to work on interstates, and it has plenty of power for that. In the twisties, all I can say is, it's a blast, it handles great. Both bikes are great beginner bikes, so the choice will come down to you. Go sit on both, check the comfort level, you'll be pleased with either.

[scratch]

Looking at it from a mechanic's point of view (thanks srinath), I favor the Suzuki for the ease of maintenance, longevity of motor, stiffer frame, better sidestand, yes, sidestand; the sidestand on the EX500 Ninja tends to stand the bike up far too verticle to be left alone in a gust of wind, just ask my freind who had one.

You had mentioned cruisers and there are a lot out there to choose from. The Yamaha 650 V-Star comes to mind. But, here's a link that may help shed some light, but a word of warning, the author tends to be a bit forward and brash in the use of his words. Please do not take offense.
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=06134daba4a9b9f1035540f60fd97a59&threadid=60180&highlight=cruiser

[TOMIMOTO]

I hae an article from Cycle World that I'll scan and post later. It's a comparison between the 2. If anyone else has it go ahead and post it.

[Jake D]

TOMIMOTO may be selling his GS.  Maybe you could pick that one up?  

They kill the GS in that CW article.  Only gets props for appearance (stylish but cheap = GS, outdated but well made = Ninja).

In every other way, they say the Kawi is better.  Who knows?  I'm sure they are pretty much the same.  GS much easier, mechanically.

I think the Kawi looks dumb.   Reminds me of that old TV show Nighthawk, where the guy rode around on a bullet proof motorcycle, solving crimes.

[beginnerman]

Thanks for the replies everyone. You have given me some info to think about.

[se7enty7]

I agree about the looks.  The GS with a front chin and small headlight fairing looks MUCH better than a ninja.  I brought my gf with me to the local bike shop and she didn't like the way the ninja's looked... she said they all looked "old" whereas the GS doesn't.   :dunno:

[Mhaddy]

I'm in the same boat as beginnerman.  I'm looking for my first bike and it's been narrowed down between these two bikes and I'd like to know more opinions on both, thanks guys!

[CirclesCenter]

GS Air cooled

EX Liquid cooled

Which has more shaZam! to break?

[pandy]

Everyone's made some excallent points all ready, so I'll just come in with the tiebreaker....

It's no contest....Ninjas come in green... bleh...

GS's come in purple..... 

I rest my case! 

And welcome beginnerman and Mhaddy! 

[Mhaddy]

Thanks for the warm welcome, Pandy.

And while we're on the subject of air-cooled vs. liquid-cooled.. what really is the difference (besides more stuff to break ).  What are the pros and cons of each (or can you point me to an article with details?).  Thanks!

[pantablo]

I have a link to a comparison done a couple years ago, I'll post it up when I get back to the office. the ex usually comes out on top, but only barely and usually only because of the additional 3-5 HP it has over the gs. In real world terms both bikes are good, both are really good first bikes, both have intrinsic issues (soft/budget  suspension being the biggest), and the differences between them are so minor as to not really be a factor to a new rider. It really should come down to which one turns your crank...so to speak.

google has quite a few items for you to read:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2005-15,GGLD:en&q=ex500+vs+gs500

[rangerbrown]

the 650, all ready has more after market parts than the gs has had in the past what? 15 years.

so there you go. the gs is out dated, and relly need a major engine and frame up grade.

if nothing else a alum frame to lose some weight. and 4V per cly.


as for vibration, the gs vibrabes like a jack hammer, if nothign else this should have been fixed years ago.


go witht he kawi it is a better bike and has more power, power the gs500 should have had years ago

[ducati_nolan]

Air cooled vs liquid cooled. There are a couple of pros and cons to each. An air cooled engine is easier to work on and it's usually lighter as well (all other things being equal) but the major disadvantage to the air cooled bike is that it's more likely to overheat in traffic. When you aren't moving, you have no air flowing over the engine to cool it. In reality most people don't have problems overheating, but if you're stuck in traffic for a long time and it's really hot out, it can happen.

A liquid cooled bike is a little harder to work on sometimes, and there are more parts that could break (radiator, water pump, hoses, thermostat, etc) but it's less likely to overheat (so long as nothing is wrong with the cooling system) because the radiator has a fan that cools it when it isn't moving. Since the operating temp of the engine is more controlled and less variable, the engine can have higher compression ratios, with less risk of detonation or preignition. So generally a liquid cooled engine has more potential to make more power, that's why all the really fast bikes are liquid cooled.

Recently the EPA has been trying to get rid of air cooled bikes because of suposedly higher emmisions. I can't really see how this could be except that an air cooled engine will usaully use a little bit more oil, but that seems so little that it wouldn't make a difference.

When comparing bikes like the GS500 and the ninja 500, it really dosen't matter too much. The GS is probally a little easier to work on, but the ninja may be a better choice if you're going to spend lots of time stuck in traffic in the summer. Other than that, just get the one you like more.

[pantablo]

no one is talking about the new kawasaki 650. the discussion is about the older ex500 and gs500, neither of which have any real aftermarket support but both have excellent online discussion forum support and grassroots aftermarket.

[groff22]

I like both.. But for some weird reason, every time I see a ninja 500 it's got a "for sale" sign on the front

[paihao]

I like both.. But for some weird reason, every time I see a ninja 500 it's got a "for sale" sign on the front

I agree totally ... I almost bought a ex... I repeat... almost... But, how many posts in favor for the ex do you think you would find on a gs website?

[fallout]

When comparing bikes in the same class rating basically it all comes down to just picking what you like the most visually/ergonomically really.  There are slight give and takes here and there but they are generally so close to each other that over any decent stretch of time the equal each other.  If you look at any of the frontliner bike numbers they are generally so close on any given aspect (hp, bracking, suspension, acceleration) that it more or less comes down to you that the bike that feels the best to you is the bike that you will do the best on.  Such close numbers only really apply to someone on top of the game and depends on certain statistics to match their riding style to stay competetive... (read: local club riders and above).

The bikes you listed are both considered learning bikes and both do that job well.  They are both bikes that once you learn on and sell to finance a better bike... you will miss.
I learned on a GS500f and moved up to a K6 GSX-R 600.  I could have just as easily learned on a Ninja 500 and moved up to a ZX-6R. 

But staying in the realm of the two bikes lised, both can have their suspension upgraded for pennies really.

The best learning to still wanting bike is the SV650 (in whatever form)... followed by the Ninja 650R.