Hey I'm a Newbie here looking for some advice on a good starter bike. Sorry if this is a common post, but I did search on the EX500 and did not find much. I have never owned a motorcycle before and I am looking for personal advice on what bike would probably be best. I would be using the bike mostly for commuting, and general performance riding. I am around 190 lbs, and am looking for something that wont be overkill for my experience level, but also a bike I won't get bored with too soon. I was looking into the EX500, GS500, Bandit 600, Buell Blast (ehh not really), XJ600 Seca, or any suggestions for what would be best...

Thanks for any ideas

-Chris

You are posting in a gs forum, so.... we already made our decision.

The gs pre 04  is naked, no expensive plastics to mess with, cheaper to insure

The maintenance is fairly simple and it is very reliable

The bandit will cost you much more to buy and insure and it is water cooled (more stuff to go wrong)

Check them all out, see what fits you.  I prefer the naked bike and I also like a quiet bike, hence my stock exhaust that I don't plan on changing.  

The gs500e (naked) also doesn't scream out STEAL ME

That is why i bought it... i looked at a bandit, I'm glad I bought the GS, more than enough bike for me.  And when I'm ready for more power, my wife wants it.

here's an official comparison:
http://www.formatc.org/ex500vsgs500.htm

the ex500 just barely eeks out a bit more power but isnt nearly as easy to maintain. both good first bikes, probably the best first bikes out there. ex500 is also water cooled vs air cooled on gs500 (again easier maintenance).

hey chris. im a chris too.  and also from PA.  the ex500 is the most compared bike to the gs that i've seen.  you will find valid opinions on both sides, and obviously biased ones when u come here or go to a kawi forum.  

ex500 has a lil more power but its meaningless since u dont have both bikes.  gs500 will suit your size just fine.  its a more reliable bike with greater resources all in one spot. right here.

two of my buddies just bought ex500's.  They are solid bikes, but it's funny how each one of us think our bike is the best.  I love my naked little GS and wouldn't trade it for either of theirs.  The ex500 definitely has more torque, the GS just feels better to me.  Both bikes are pretty much evenly matched for speed.

here is my experiences on the the gs, ex, and bandit

for me they run in this order (1)gs, (2)bandit, (3)ex


gs

great insurance rates, very modible, comfortable for most short rides (approx 1 - 2 hours (gets a little cramped)).  selection of tires is a little lacking but what is available will do a superb job for someone who is learning, and they last a long time.  it is a nimble, flickable bike.  alltogether it is a really fun bike that gets great mileage.  
not to mention it has this great forum



bandit

the bandit is a really comfortable bike, lots of leg room (makes my gs feel like a toy).  heavy bike in the upper 400 lbs range.   seat is really comfortable comapred to my gs.  good power at most rpm's.  no idea about insurance or gas mileage.  has a huge selection of tires available (mmmmmmmm.... radials), oil cooled, and looks pretty sharp too.



ex

the ex is my least favorite.  the gastank is uncomfortable if you are 6' or taller.  has lots of power but it is mostly in the top end (in the last few thousand rpm's it will give you a kick in the ass). the clipons suck (way too high). has a drum brake in the rear.  16 inch wheel (compared to the 17's the others have).



take a seat on each of these bikes and see what you are most comfortable on.  if you are not comfortable sitting on it will be unfomfortable to ride.

and don't forget to pick up some gear.  helmet, jacket and gloves at the very least

GEEZ...not this again...USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION!!!!!

i used to own a EX...then i sold it and got a GS...is that a good enough answer for you?!?!?!?

Plus, the GS looks a hundred times better than any other sport/standard beginner bike. Sue me, I'm vain...

Honestly, first learn to ride with an MSF class or the like, then just see what's available. I had decided that the GS would be the best bike for me, but when it came time to buy I was limited to what I could in the local listings. I was lucky to have found a great GS for sale, but if there were noneand an EX popped up, I might be riding a butt-ugly bike right now.

If you're buying new then it doesn't matter as much, but still sit on a bunch to see what's comfortable. But, don't buy new. Buy used, and buy naked.

Quote from: miloPlus, the GS looks a hundred times better than any other sport/standard beginner bike. Sue me, I'm vain...

Heh.. That was the decinding factor for me.  Walked into the dealership and fell in love with an 04f.

ninja 500  10more ponies that show up if you rev enough.  My friend has one and we ride together all the time.  Chicks usually dig his bike more because of the fairing....you should have seen his face when he droped it the first time(plastic=expensive).

And yes I agree the clip-ons suck...they are actually risers...and they are way up...I hate the riding position.

My gs with srinath bars feels much better...

Jonah

did I mention maintenance is easier on the suzuki...no radiator...one less thing to break.

The EX valves wear .. intakes will wear into a tulip ... pathetic ... they put shitty material in it and its crap ...
Cool.
Srinath.

The GS500F and EX500 were the two bikes I was trying to decide between as I shopped for the first bike.

After sitting on them both, it was a no-brainer.  The GS felt like it fit in all the right places.  Now I'm 5'10" and 140 lbs, so it's gonna fit me differently than you for sure.

I met a lot of young guys at the motorcycle course who were starting on SV650's or CBR600's.  Every time I get on my GS I'm thankful I made the choice I did.

Neil.

Thanks to anyone who gave advice...I think despite the obvious bias in your opinions    , that I am going to look for a GS500 after I take the MSF class of course. Thanks again and when I do get one I will be sure to be back on the forums.

Every body is biased ... except me ...  :lol:  ...
I own 3 kawi's and only 2 suzuki's ... and the kawi intake valves are total sheite ... after 20K miles on a savage (a suzuki 1 cyl cruiser) that my friend broke the intake valve cos he let the cam chain run loose ... like very very loose for very very looooong even when it was rattling and screeching and he rode in spite of that for very very loooong and had the cam chain jump a and get the timing screwed up and ended up hitting the exhaust valve with the piston ... even it had valves that weren't as worn as the kawi old ZX series motors with under 10K ... Its just not even remotely funny to me. They wanted to save 10 cents a valve and used mild steel probably instead of hardened steel ... Pathetic ...  :x
However god news for the EX ... re jet it to run rich ... like very rich and you'd slow down the thing wearing ... to almost acceptable levels ... It seemed to have worked in the eli's ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Remember, the reviews are for 'stock' bikes.  If you're handy with the wrench, things change.  Everyone says to replace the fork springs with progressives, and once you do that, things are good.  Same with changing out the ignition advancer.  I haven't rejetted, but I can shut my choke off after 20-30 seconds from startup.  You won't be able to get the power up to what the EX500 has, but who cares You're on the bike to learn and get experience!