Argh.. Can't decide GS500 or Ninja 250

[ducati_nolan]

As far as 250s go the ninja is the only one that isn't totally worthless. It can actually go on the freeway, but you're wringing it out pretty hard. The GS500 or the ninja 500 is a much better choice because it can carry a passenger on the freeway without much strain. At 200lbs, forget a passenger on the 250.

Obviously everyone on this forum likes the GS500, but I would strongly recomend a 500 (ninja or GS) as a starter bike because it isn't so powerfull that you're going to have it wheelie away from you the first time you accidently dump the clutch, but it has enough power to cruise comfortably on the freeway.

If you start with a 250, as soon as you're comfortable with it, you'll move on to something larger, so you can take it on trips and have some fun. A 500 will do everything you need it to, and it'll be a while before you feel the need to move on.

The suspension on the GS and the ninja 250 is too soft, but it isn't terribly hard or expensive to fix.

Also the ninja has full fairings, and you know you'll screw those up in a couple of weeks.
Good luck 

[makenzie71]

The GT250 is also a pretty spiffy 250...

[ducati_nolan]

but it's still a 250

[pantablo]

I used to wring the gs500's little neck in the canyons and still pull 55mpg! at your "stature" you'd be better off with one of the two 500's (ninja or gs). if its a first bike dont think about performance mods. You WILL want to address the budget suspension (true for any of the three bikes discussed here). other than that you can just gas it up and ride it, repeat.

[makenzie71]

but it's still a 250

A superbly spiffy, badass sounding 250, though...

[pantablo]

hyosungs arent getting rave reviews. cheap(er) knock-offs of cheap bikes.

[makenzie71]

nah they get knocked because they're knock-offs.  The GT650, for example, has mass reviews of crappy brakes and a REALLY crappy rear shock.  You know what the first things SV owners tweak and replace are? lol  Odd that that bikes suffer the same shortcomings as their name-brand varients, but there's little else listed for them being problematic.  Only other complaints I've heard is the the fit and finnish isn't as up to snuff as the zooki...but it's $2000 cheaper.  Go figure.

[pantablo]

actually there is more shortcomings to them. their build quality is sub-par. motorcyclist (?) did a review of the gt650 and found things falling off, finishes done poorly, etc. its not just the same low spec stuff on the sv, its actually an inferior product and its not priced low enough to compensate for that, IMO.

[makenzie71]

IIRC their review was of the "R"...I remember reading it.  Having dealt with the R's in person yeah the finnish quality on them is crappy.  The fairings look pretty slick from about 30ft or in pics...in person the paint is crappy and the seams aren't fitted very well.

Outside of that there things like the casting seams on the wheels and calipers aren't filed down and I don't like the way the front of the tank buckles down...standing over it makes it look "odd" but I don't know how to explain it.  The plastic guage pod and the small "filler" pieces would never survive a wreck and I wouldn't give them longer than a 10yr use life, but they do the job.  The tail and the tank, though, have decent paint and finnish...you can tell when in person that they paid close attention to these two things and getting them propperly fitted up.  The fairings and instrument cluster were complete after-thoughts.  Originally they were going to have to big round guages like the GS...metal casings and all.  The engine and exhaust and pegs are all tight...finnish quality there is pretty good, but the seams are poorly finnished on the frame just like the wheels.

I want one, though...but I won't have it for a week before there's an ohlins on the back, tokico's and a 3/4 master on the front, SV guages and an Akro SV exhaust...all of this stuff, incidently, cab be pulled right off an SV and slapped on.  Motors are even interchangeable.

The only thing I would really worry about is the weld quality on the frame...but hell I'll ride K5/K6 GSXR's so living on the edge isn't new lol.

I've not dealt with the 250 but I can't see too much difference being between them...and the frame's solid...same as the GS.

[bobmelvin]

I am also a new rider. I had the decision before me. I finally went with the gs500. I am 6'2, 190 lbs, and the bike was a better fit. It has been very stable for me, and easy to control. I have commuted to work from Baltimore to D.C., and it performs very well. I can imagine bikes with more power, but this bike has no problem at any legal (an 10mph over legal) speeds. I haven't made any changes, although the comments about the suspension are true. It is a bit squishy for me. I purchased a 2001 with 2,000 miles in perfect condition, no marks, clean, for 3200 out the door (this included tax, title, inspection, regitration) I could have gotten the same bike for less, but I didn't have any of the hassles of the DMV (not so great here in MD). Anyway, I am very happy with my choice. I am a very "driving miss daisy" rider. I get over 55mpg - and this has been with a lot of city riding.

[gmingst]

When I bought my GS (Sept 06) I originally went in to buy the 250.  Once there the dealer wasn't really moving on the sticker and so I became interested in the Ninja 500.  They were able to move alot more on that.  I had them down to $4200.  Then as we talked and talked and talked (you get the point) the sales guy asked if it had to be a Kawasaki to which I replied no.  He had an 06 GS on the floor with 200 miles on it.  Someone bought it and traded it back in.  I got him to extend the warranty another year and for $3100 I got a just slightly used NEW bike.  So I would recommend shopping around if you have various dealers in your area.

Regards
Graham

[gmingst]

Oh and BTW the best deal they were offering on an 06 Ninja 250 was $2850.  So the GS at $3100 was really a no brainer.  Besides aircooled is one less thing to worry about. 

Regards
Graham

[Jarrett]

Besides aircooled is one less thing to worry about.

I worry about it alot here in Texas durring the summer. 

[Rhandom]

I just made almost the exact same quandry a week ago. I went with a 98 GS500e that my bother in law had just finished fixing up. with only 4 days of riding under my belt, I feel like I've made a good choice. If the bikes I road during my Motorcycle Safety course were any indicaiton, the 250 wouldn't have liked pushing my 200lb frame around much.
I have a 20 minute highway commute, and it's fine for that. I also try to hit some country roads for lunch, and they've been a ton of fun. A great first bike IMO

[gmingst]

Right, not one less thing to worry about if it's hot or not, just one less thing to worry about in complexity

Radiator
hoses
coolant
electric fan
relay (thermoswitch)
waterpump
etc..

You know, That type of one less thing to worry about..

[thirdman]

Simplicity is one of the major reasons that I bought my GS.  Like mentioned earlier, no radiator, coolant, pumps, fans, etc.

[juno]

I was in the exact same situation when I bought my bike a few years ago.  New Ninja 250 or 2 year old GS.  I bought the GS and never regretted it.  No Plastic, and feels more like a proper motorcycle.  Odd thing was, the Ninja 250 felt more comfortable leg-wise than the Ninja 500.  The GS felt best of all.  You will definitely be happier for a lengthier amount of time with the GS.  Good luck with whichever you decide on though.

[bobmelvin]

I agree about the fit. The 250 is a better fit if you are taller.

[Jace009gs]

plastics and liquid cooling = major $$$$ for repairs, asprin for those DIYers.  In order to do anything you have to dissassemble the body, drain the coolant, take the hoses off, then get in to maintence. I own a Fizzer and HATE the fact it's water cooled. Spark plug changes became an afternoon event....

I ride in the city ALOT (ok like 80% of the time) and i'm always the one to hit all the lights red. Needless to say yes I experienced overheating on extremely hot days. with my 92' GS.  It is very simple to drill a bracket to hold a 120mm cpu fan over the oil cooler/head fins. I am conveniced that the GS will not overheat (no matter what conditions) as long as you are moving at a 25mph pace. It's the ideling in traffic that burns it up. AKA-you'll have the change the oil more often.

If I had to do it all over again I would not hesitate on a Ninja 500, nor would I hesitate on a GS500. I'd buy whatever bike I could work out a deal on.  ........IMHO the ninja250 is for those bikers that don't know what a clutch is, are height deprived, or have the mentatility that a big Ninja sticker is cool

[rowingdude]

Okay.. I went to the dealership, and looked at both bikes. I talked to the salesman and he said he'd give me the GS for 3100 otd, so, just waiting on the banks now!