Argh.. Can't decide GS500 or Ninja 250

brett · October 05, 2006, 10:57:25 AM

It may be a bit late, but honestly, go with whichever bike is more comfortable to sit on. The GS is better for highway driving and two-up, but the Ninja is lighter. That's about all the difference you will actually notice between the two. Both are very fun bikes.

nArKeD · October 05, 2006, 12:11:08 PM

You would be crazy to go with the 250. Even the GS with K&N, Rejet, and Vance & Hines is not very powerful. I spend a good deal of time with the throttle most or all the way open.

pookiebear · October 05, 2006, 03:36:24 PM

Wife had a 250 and with a 16tooth front sprocket it did 65 easy at around 7000 rpm took 10 minutes to change the sprocket. Would get up to 90-94 before there wasn't enough HP. It wasn't even working hard with me on it. Only mod was pod filters and a little better jetting config. Also did a valve adjustment. I weigh 200 lbs and it ran me around no problem. Put the ninja 500 shock on the back and progressive springs in the front of the ninja and it flew through corners with ease. the 500 is like that but stronger engine and chassis and less maintenance. Both = you will want to up the suspension from stock. Gearing changes are easy and cheap if you only have to change the front sprocket. Ride either for a year or 2 and sell it for almost what you have in it. I sold her 250 and made $400 profit on it after 2 years. You need to get the one you feel comfy on. The ninja you can't change the handlebars on very easy. They are proprietary mounts. The GS you just get a different height bar and you are ready.

rowingdude · October 05, 2006, 09:58:52 PM

Quote from: RVertigo on October 04, 2006, 08:36:34 PM
And if it's Yellow... That's worth at least another $500... Well, at least to me.

It is yellow. I'm really nervous about buying a bike now! It's like, I've always wanted one and now that I'm in the process of getting one.. my feet are getting cold

makenzie71 · October 05, 2006, 10:00:23 PM

cold feet last about 2 minutes into the first ride.

rowingdude · October 05, 2006, 10:02:23 PM

Well, any tips?? I should know how soon I am getting the bike tomorrow.

I have read all the riding FAQs, but those are generic, are there any GS specific things I need to know??

makenzie71 · October 05, 2006, 10:03:35 PM

ummm...the GS FAQ's are generic because the bike's generic. It's simplistic, 30 year old tech. If it runs, it's probably golden.

rowingdude · October 05, 2006, 10:38:00 PM

What I meant was, how to master these 100000000 functions on the bike easily... my understanding is this:

Left hand: Clutch, turn signals & horn
Right hand: Front Brake & accelator

Left foot: Transmission shifts
Right foot: rear brake..

Anything I'm missing?

brett · October 05, 2006, 10:53:03 PM

Quote from: rowingdude on October 05, 2006, 10:38:00 PM
What I meant was, how to master these 100000000 functions on the bike easily... my understanding is this:

Left hand: Clutch, turn signals & horn
Right hand: Front Brake & accelator

Left foot: Transmission shifts
Right foot: rear brake..

Anything I'm missing?

Other than that stuff, the choke is on your left handlebar, the killswitch is on your right handlebar, and the petcock is on the left side of the bike. The petcock controls whether you are running from your main fuel line or the reserve line. Since the GS doesn't have a gas light, when you are low on gas and feel the engine cutting out, you need to switch the petcock to reserve to get to the reserve portion of your gas tank. Practice reaching for this and switching to reserve until you can do it without looking.

Take the bike to an empty lot and work on anything you feel uncomfortable with. If you haven't already, take the MSF course.

wildbill · October 05, 2006, 11:20:09 PM

Quote from: rowingdude on October 05, 2006, 10:38:00 PM
What I meant was, how to master these 100000000 functions on the bike easily... my understanding is this:

Left hand: Clutch, turn signals & horn
Right hand: Front Brake & accelator

Left foot: Transmission shifts
Right foot: rear brake..

Anything I'm missing?

aslo take a MSF course, you'll appreciate it. Im from NY but live in Philly, PA and the course is free, yes free hahahaha. But i started yesterday and im taking it to get my license and learn afew things and be a safer rider. I know how to ride and all but trust me the course is priceless.

Killermarmot · October 05, 2006, 11:35:45 PM

Quote from: rowingdude on October 04, 2006, 07:40:58 PM
Questions:

a. Can the GS500F be geared differently, for example .. lower "cruising gears".. perhaps a lower final drive?
b. Are the 50-70mpg fuel guesstimates reliable? What sort of economy do you folks see? Will modding (exhaust, jetting, ingition timing, etc) adversely effect my fuel economy?
c. Is the GS500F on average a fun bike (for those boring nights)
d. How does the bike feel at speed? One of the biggest turn offs about the 250 is that it DIES after 80mph (highway cruise speed).
e. Where does the passenger rest their feet?

and finally..

f. The cost of the GS will be about 2700-3500, is it overall a better buy for a FIRST TIME motorcyclist than a $3000 ninja 250R?

The GS would probably be better suited to a passenger.
+1 on what people said about the ex250 possibly being underpowered unless you do primarily in town riding.
b) I did a long highway stint just the other day, wound up being around 170 miles and a filled up and it worked out to over 65 mpg. Averaging around 75-80 on the freeeway.
d) bike is very comfratable where I cruise around 80 mph and most important (to me) still has power to scoot up to 90 to get around people, etc.

If you are just starting out I would STRONGLY suggest doing the MSF. It will give you 6-8 month head start on learning. Those 6-8 months can be a very painfull learning curve if you don't know what you're doing.

Beyond all of it please get full gear. I have to say it, I've seen a lot of friends learn that the hard way, and one that didn't get a chance to learn from his mistakes.

bobmelvin · October 06, 2006, 10:43:33 AM

So, did you get the bike? I have just passed my test. I am taking a safety course next month. My suggestion is a lot of parking lot practice. I have a lot just down the street. It is big, hilly, and half empty. Good for practicing starts, stops, slow turns. My limited experience has been that these are the toughest things at the beginning. Particularly slow turns. My biggest learning experience was when I realized I was tense and putting too much weight on my hands. I loosened up, grabbed the bike with my legs, and everything was 100% easier. Good luck man.

RVertigo · October 06, 2006, 01:39:15 PM

Quote from: wildbill on October 05, 2006, 11:20:09 PMtake an MSF course

++ MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF!!!!!

Oh yeah... MSF!!!

RedShift · October 07, 2006, 03:29:57 PM

Quote from: rowingdude on October 05, 2006, 09:58:52 PM
Quote from: RVertigo on October 04, 2006, 08:36:34 PM
And if it's Yellow... That's worth at least another $500... Well, at least to me.

It is yellow. I'm really nervous about buying a bike now! It's like, I've always wanted one and now that I'm in the process of getting one.. my feet are getting cold

Ya gotta love a yellow bike. Sigh.

But the right answer is buy the bike that fits your needs. I fit better on the GS500 than any of its competitors (6'4", 36" inseam, 225 lbs) and still love my Metalic Abyss Blue 2001, but it would be even better if it was yellow.

RVertigo · October 09, 2006, 11:17:38 AM

Quote from: RedShift on October 07, 2006, 03:29:57 PMstill love my Metalic Abyss Blue 2001, but it would be even better if it was yellow.

++ on both.

News:

Argh.. Can't decide GS500 or Ninja 250