Well my wife is ready to step up on the motorcyle, she currently has an 03 Ninja 250 and is ready for something just a little larger and a little more powerful...I suggested the GS500 and she loves it....I think it is the best looking 500 and I think it would be the best fit for her...
She doesn't want a bike that can get her into trouble with a quick twist of the throttle...and I think the GS500 would be a perfect match....quick enough, but not too dangerous....it is a larger bike than her 250 so it will be much more comfortable on longer rides....She loves the look of the bike, as do I...
So I guess I will begin with the ???? WHat HP rating does the GS500 have....I believe her 250 had between 30-35....WHat type of MPG and range are they getting....Are they quick????
SHe is very worried about getting something with a touchy throttle....she hated my R6...tried riding it once and couldn't get used to how quickly the RPMs rose....so if any of you have any suggestions please feel free to reply....I am new to the GS500 and am more familiar with larger bikes....but from the looks of it this seems to be the best fit for her....thanks in advance...
The GS has less top end HP than the 500 Ninja. Actually, I believe that on the GStwin.com homepage, there is a dyno chart for a GS 500. I think it makes like 45 hp.
GS would be perfect for her, I'd guess. Much more difficult to get into trouble.
39Hp stock, with a little modding you can get it up in the forties. I usually get about 60 mpg. These little bikes are very quick, nothing compared to an R6, but this will smoke that little 250. If you want it quicker, just go to a 15T front sprocket. The throttle is not that touchy either, compared to that R6.
When you said looking for a GS for your wife, I thought you meant a trade. :lol:
Ideal step up from a 250, and some people believe the ideal bike.
From everything I've read it looks like the Baby ninja puts out around 32 BHP and around 28 Net HP. The Baby GS puts out around 42 BHP and around 38 Net HP. The torque curve of the GS looks to be quite a bit broader than the ninja also. The GS weighs about 70 lbs more than the ninja and I think has a bit longer wheelbase so it is a bit more stable for longer high-speed rides. Ergos are similar it would seem. I think the Baby G is a great step up from the little ninja. I love my Baby GS and this forum.
C.......
My GS is no Baby...... :lol:
I think that would be a great bike for her. They are extremely easy to work on, and fun to ride.
The 500 Ninja makes closer to 50 hp. Do you mean the 250 Ninja?
As a woman I have to say I love this bike. This was my first bike and really the only one I've ridden outside of the the one at the MSF class. Since I am still a novice I have to say that the bike has enough power to get you going without the worry of doing something to stupid. I commute to work almost everyday on the Interstate and it has no problems keeping up. Also I have laid the bike down twice and was able to pick it up by myself both times so it is light enough for your wife to pick up if she needs to.
With all the engine mods to my GS (jetted, pipe, advanced, K&N) it was dyno'd at 48 HP. That was at a high elevation though, it ran really rich when I brought it back into the valley. But they are great bikes, I will certainly miss my 01 :). Hope devon and heather are enjoying it!
The GS was/is my first bike and in the last two years, I've put on thousands of trouble free miles (aside from a lowside I had in my first months). It has enough power to keep you ahead of most cars but not scare you to death. In the hands of a skilled rider, you can easily keep up with people on much larger bikes in the twisties. Maintenance is a snap and this is the first bike I've ever put a wrench to
It's great in the city, mountains and with that fairing, I bet it tours well too. My wrists typically start cramp up after an hour but I have a low drag bar installed. My mileage is typically in the 50s and my bike is a '90 with 20 some-odd thousand miles. I have a slip-on and ignition advancer. My BT45's have well over 6000 miles and look like they've got that many miles left. It's just been a solid bike to learn, and have fun on. After a couple years I'm itching for something new but it's not because I think I've outgrown this bike. just something new and shiny, and oh yeah, more power :lol:
Thanks for all the advice...we are trying to track down an 04 GS500 in Yellow and have a few dealerships looking....From what I read this is a perfect bike....I know her 250 Ninja can run well....but riding with some of my buddies has given my wife a complex having a 250 that strains when in the mountains...plus the bike is just tiny....when I ride it I actually sit on the passenger seat to stretch out...
This forum has really made up my mind...and I know my wife made up her mind...she said they looked good and she wanted a Suzuki to be like me...(thats love)....I've riden a 500 Ninja, and it was pretty quick....a little quicker than the GS, but I think it looks like crap compared to the GS500...
I am really into bikes and I love the fact that my wife wants to keep riding...we have a huge group of friends riding with 600's 750's 1000's and my Busa...it will be nice for her to be proud of her new ride...
I'm already looking to get her a nice pipe....we all have nice exhausts...and she said she would love to get a nice setup too...thanks for all your opinions and please keep them coming....I am glad there is a good forum for me to get some nice info for this ride...I can't wait until we find the bike for her...thanks
The GS is two bikes in one. Stay below 6,000 rpm and you get what exactly what your wife wants. If you rev it 6,000-9,000 rpm you get the the other one. Gas is 50 mpg plus of minus a little if you push it. If you take it easy it can get a lot more.