Back-to-back w/ Ninja 650

[Grainbelt]

As you may know, I bought a Ninja 650 this summer amidst a myriad of issues with my GS500. With the GS all sorted, and the 650 broken in, I rode them back to back on the same roads to get a better impression of the riding experience.

For reference, the GS is a '93 w/30k miles on it and lots of recent TLC. Has a targa 1/4 fairing, progressive springs, and OEM tires.  The Ninja is also stock. Here they are in the garage:



Power: Obviously, the 650 has more power. The most noticeable aspect of it is that it pulls cleanly from 2k RPM to redline. No hiccups, no flat spots, and lots of torque. Launching the 650 is an afterthought. The GS feels fine, but doesn't have the refinement of the (admittedly brand new) 650.

Handling: Say what you will about that skinny 130 tire out back, but the GS is a treat at low speeds and for quick lane changes.  The wider rear and lower centre of gravity on the 650 make it feel more stable leaned over, but the GS is so damn flickable...

Suspension: Neither will win any awards. The Ninja was more composed, but both are a bit harsh.

Brakes: The dual disc setup stops faster, but the feel isn't much better.

Ergonomics: The GS actually has less windblast on the highway, probably becuase the screen is closer to the rider.  The 650 has a better footpeg-seat relationship for me, the bars on the GS feel lower and better than the Ninja. I may have to do something different with the 650's bars, I preferred the GS.

At the end of the day, I confirmed that I really want to buy a cheap dual sport or even a scooter for running around town. The GS really is that much fun.

[Chuck]

Appearance: The GS is less butt-ugly. 

[ducati_nolan]

I like the new ninja 650, it seems like a good value for a brand new bike. I wonder how it compared to the sv650? It's a little cheaper isn't it?

[metallic5spd]

i would def take the SV650s over the 65

[ducati_nolan]

That's cause exeryone here has a bias towards suzuki. I wonder how they actually compare though. I think one of the bike mags might have done a comparison.

[Grainbelt]

the EX650 vs. SV650 debate will rage on forever, just like EX500 vs. GS500.

My take on it:

As a platform for a trackbike, the SV makes more sense - the aftermarket is already there, lots of bolt-ons. V-Twins sound better with a less restrictive exhaust. not to mention, it is already so ugly that if you dropped it you wouldn't care  (apologies to the 99-03 models, they are nice looking bikes)

For me (commuter/tourer living in the flatlands), the Ninja was a better option out of the box given the full fairing, relaxed ergos (vs. SVS), and personal emotional attachment.

The stats on them are very close. stock-to-stock, the SV would win in a roadrace or at the dragstrip.  I never go to the track, so I bought the one I preferred.

May you all find the bike that makes you happy.  Cheers.

--Mike

[Grainbelt]

Appearance: The GS is less butt-ugly. 

I haven't yet had the desire to kick it out of the garage...

[cagedbunny]

I like the looks of the Ninja... now lets see it naked!   

[Grainbelt]

The don't sell it this way in north america, but here's what other folks get:

[Chuck]

I haven't yet had the desire to kick it out of the garage...

And if it rides well, I'd ride it.  I think it's trying too hard to look cool, with all it's curves and angles and sharp points.  I think the look will get dated really fast.  I'm sure it's a great machine.

[metallic5spd]

That's cause exeryone here has a bias towards suzuki. I wonder how they actually compare though. I think one of the bike mags might have done a comparison.

i could care less if the bike i own is honda, suzuki, kaw, triumph, even harley.  The sv650 has more get up and go.  i really like the Kaw 650, the looks are sweet i think.

[makenzie71]

I prefer the SV only for one reason...V-Twin...I actually prefer the GT650 over the SV650 because it has a beefier frot suspension, spiffier wheels, and it comes with a full fairing from the factory if you want.

Things like how the SV's aftermarket is "already there" will fade away as the Ninjette 650 stays around.  As it is it's not a superior bike, considering the SV's potential, on the street or on the track.  But in 5 years it'll be an even match.  When the SV650 came out it was lame, vague, and "squishy" too.

[Queso]

Nice bikes 

[TarzanBoy]

Wow... are you sh*tting me?    I can't believe that the GS500 has LESS windblast than the NInja 650R.    I'd always thought of the GS500 windscreen as more of a decorative accessory than functional part of the motorcycle

That 650R must be windy has hell if it blows you around even MORE than the GS500.   (I used to ride my GS500 with an HJC helmet.... double whammy on the wind-noise)

[MarkusN]

The don't sell it this way in north america, but here's what other folks get:

That is one sexy bike. If I ever have the necessary cash at my disposal for new wheels this will be a very hot contender.

[Grainbelt]

Wow... are you sh*tting me?    I can't believe that the GS500 has LESS windblast than the NInja 650R. 

My GS is a 93 with the Targa fairing. See pic above. 

[Grainbelt]

I came > < this close to buying a brand new V-Strom 650... Anyone have anything to say about that? It's all talk about the SV and EX, nothin bout the V-Strom...

Go to www.advrider.com/forums. I hang out there waaaayyy too much. The 'beasts' forum has all the wee strom data you could ever want. Basically everyone loves it.

The main speculation lately is whether the US will see the Kawasaki Versys, which is the strom/multistrada version of the ninja 650. Here's a pic.

[scratch]

Grainbelt - thank you for the review, very informative.

[Speedy500]

Hi Everyone!

I also bought an 07 Kawasaki 650R (completely stock).  I have the 05 GS500F (stock) and an 03 Suzuki Burgman 650.  I have about 3 years of riding experience, so I still consider myself a newbie.... Here's my impression of the Kawasaki 650R.

The Kawasaki does indeed have more power. The 650 twin is fuel injected and its 4 valves per cylinder allows it to breath more efficiently.  It has a strong pull from 4000 RPM all the way to redline (11,000 RPM).  Perhaps for a brand new rider, it may be startling to take off as fast as it does, assuming you can control the clutch engagement properly.  The very first day of riding the 650R, I cranked the throttle full like I normally do on the GS500F and the front wheel lifted off the ground slightly and I almost launched the bike out from underneath me.  The power output feels more than adequate.  Top speed so far on the 650R is about 140 MPH indicated on the speedo.  Top speed on the GS500F is 115 MPH indicated on the speedo.  The 650R's throttle response seem very abrupt.  Very little throttle movement produces major speed change.  My GS500F throttle response is smoother without any surprises even in low gear.  The engine on the 650R is more refined with substantially less vibration than the GS500F.  At 6000+ RPM, my GS500F buzzes... hands and feet tingle after a long ride, but on the 650R no such problem.

I like the suspension on my GS500F better than the 650R.  The GS500F seems to absorb bumps better and feels more "soft" but still with enough damping to ride the bike hard and fast.  The 650R feels very stiff.... you'll feel just about every bumps and uneven surface on the road.  Now having said that... the 650R can enter sharp turns faster because the front end doesn't squat down as much when braking hard.  Rear suspension adjustment on the 650R is a snap.  The shock adjustment collar on the 650R is very easily accesible on the right side and access with the tool is straightforward (just look at the pics available of the 650R). Overall impression is that the ride is "softer" on the GS500F than on the 650R.

Brakes... the GS500F with a single rotor front still feels better to me than the 650R.  There have been many discussion about the lack of braking power experienced by other 650R owners (www.ninja650.com).  I am under the impression that the brake pads on the 650R is inferior to that of the GS500F.  By the seat-of-the-pants feel, I believe I can actually out-brake the 650R when riding the GS500F.  My 650R is brand new, so time will tell if the brakes will even out and feel better, but as of now, I feel more confident in the stopping power of my Suzuki.  On a side note, the front calipers on my 650R looks IDENTICAL to the one on my GS500F.

The 650R comes with 120 tire in the front, 160 in the rear.  On high speed turns, I feel more confident being on the 650R rather than the GS500F.  The bike feels more "planted" on the road.  The rear doesn't wiggle like my GS500F does.  The GS500F with the 130 rear is better at lower speed when doing quick manuevers like splitting lanes and quick "avoid-the-pot-hole" moves.  GS500F feels more "flickable" when moving at slower speed.  I do like the wider tires of the 650R though.  My experience with the manuevability of the bikes are as follows:  I ride up on Glendora Ridge Road near Mt. Baldy in Southern California.  The road is nicely paved asphalt road that has many sharp turns.  The GS500F rides very well and turns in sharp as long as you keep your speed reasonable.  Ride faster than "reasonable" and the rear wants to slide out.  On the 650R, I am able to go a bit faster around the turns and still feel fairly solid on the road.

The windshield on the 650R directs the airstream right at my shoulders. The helmet isn't buffeted by turbulance.  The GS500F directs the airflow from my belly on up.  My helmet seems to hit air turbulance more often on the GS500F than the 650R.

I like the seating position of the GS500F better than the 650R.  I can flat foot the GS500F but not the 650R.  The GS500F has more leaned forward feel to it and I like the reach to the handlebars... feels more natural. The 650R has more upright feeling to it and the reach to the handlebar feels shorter.  The ergonomics of the GS500F feels more natural to me and encourages speeding... LOL.

The mirrors on the 650R is absolutely horrible.  The position of the mirrors allow zero rear visibility.  They need to be moved out farther, or down lower so that I don't see my elbows when I do a rear check.  If there is a rider behind me, I can't see them at all.  On the GS500F, a slight body lean away from the mirror at least allows me to see who's behind me.

My 650R is my weekend ride, fast and furious....  my GS500F is my daily commuter, sometimes fast and furious... my Suzuki Burgman 650 is my long distance tourer which, by the way, can reach 115 MPG indicated on the speedo.  Don't know what a Burgman 650 is? Check it out!      All bikes have different personality and love them all.

[scratch]

Welcome!

Nice write up!