I know the ninja 500 is supposedly a second faster according to magazines in the 1/4 mile. Anyone here ride both? Is the GS really that much slower?

Do a search - those two have been compared in many threads.

Quote from: answerI know the ninja 500 is supposedly a second faster according to magazines in the 1/4 mile. Anyone here ride both? Is the GS really that much slower?

If speed is so important, why are you comparing two 500cc bikes?

the ability of the person riding it will have a bigger impact on the outcome of a race between the two.

Im not that much of a speed junkie to get anything with a larger displacement, I just want to have a little fun. Of coarse handling is also important, but from what I have read, the two are pretty much the same. Braking is better for the GS, but the speed is more towards the ninja.

They both have more than enough power to get you in trouble.  I keep coming back to the GS.  

ya what is this number 3

I've ridden both the GS (non-faired and faired models) as well as a Ninja 500. The Ninja 500 definitely had more umph, but a lot of it was top-end power. However, it didn't handle NEARLY as well as the GS, ESPECIALLY at low speeds. It was not very comfortable to ride at parking lot speeds and below. The Ninja has more power, but the GS is lighter, handles better, and is easier to maintain. The Kawi's four-valves-per set-up might be good for more top end, but as soon as you want to do valve checks and adjustments, it's an absolute pain in the ass. Not only that, but the Kawi's radiator makes it look ugly. Plus, the GS just looks nicer. The Ninja 500 is downright UGLY.

Another thing is that there are more rescources for the GS500 (i.e. this board) as compared to the Ninja 500. The Ninja 500 boards barely answer any questions, and don't have members with nearly as much spunk as we have !

Quote from: ajgs500ya what is this number 3

*whistle*

I know it's an individual thing, but the Ninja never moved me.

I was seriously considering an 05 Kaw 500R. But I couldn't find one between the two dealerships here in San Antonio and about 5 others in surrounding cities. I was willing to travel about 150 miles to get one. (If I could find one that is) The local dealership called around for me and found one in Victoria, Tx but the guy didn't want to give it up. So I went home sad. The salesman called me up and suggested the GS500F. I never even considered it until then. I checked it up on the net and decided on it. Well the next day when they delivered it and it was sitting in the drive way, I was SO GLAD that I got the GS. It looks ALOT better!

And about the GS being slower...really....come on, who really travels more than 90 mph all the time. Like roadstergal said, it has more than enough power to get you into trouble.

I think you might get some bias opinions here.
I think the GS looks cooler!

If you aren't a talented and experienced rider, you won't be able to tell the difference. I know that doesn't seem true, but once you buy a bike and ride for 6 months, you'll agree with me.

The GS500 looks better. I haven't met a single person who says otherwise.

anecdote: Today I parked my bike at a popular biker hangout and sat down. 5 minutes later a guy on a Speed Triple stops and starts talking to me. This guy is grey-haired, and he's definitely experienced. First question he asks me: hey, is that a 1000? (liter bike).  

Finally, if you are really interested in speed, then you won't have either bike for very long. Buy which ever one is easier to find, learn to ride well enough, then buy something bigger.

nothign against the ex500's... but I think the entire reason they sell so well is that they have the word 'ninja' in the name... which makes people think of the *much* more modern looking ZX line.

I too think the GS looks better, which is what i based my choice of the GS on.... there was also the fact that people were asking $700 more on average for their ninja *250's*.  

GS all the way!  Whoo hoo!

Does the GS really handle better than the ninja? I just read an article, http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/NinjaGScomparo07a.pdf
and it says the ninja has the better suspension.

answer - the only way you are going to find out if to test ride both of them. I think handling is an awful subjective term. As was mentioned before, the Kawi may handle better at higher speeds but the GS handled much better at lower speeds. Someone else might feel differently. They seem so close in specs, it is more a choice of style, price, comfort, and personal preference.

On a stretch, not to be bias but i would say the gs is a total package for a 500, I know its been said but if you want to get into performance get a faster bike thats when all this really comes into play.

Just my 2cents!

I road the ninja 250 at the MSF class, and it's setup the same as the 500, just with the smaller engine. All in all I thought that it performed just fine. I wanted to buy a ninja 500R, but could not find one at any of the local dealerships, so I bought the GS500F instead. Since I'm new to riding it seemed very similar to all the other bikes that I had ridden. Since I've been riding it awhile I really like how it handles at low speed, high speed it gets a little bouncy, but then again I have not adjusted the suspension at all. Power wise, it's more then adequate for all of my riding (freeway, twisties, and around town.)
I also read the comparsion articles between the GS and Ninja and they usually tend to favor the Ninja because it produces 11 more Horse Power, handles better at high speed, and has a slightly larger engine. Both bikes have been around and virtually unchanged for years, and so are easy to find replacement parts and aftermarked mods.
So why did I get the GS, because I wanted a 500cc bike to learn how to ride. I'm sure I would have been just as happy with the ninja but I think that the GS looks better. Also, I don't feel as though I would have benefited much from the additional HP and the 12cc larger engine becuase I don't plan on racing my bike, and I don't drive faster then 90MPH. (The increase in power band is most noticable at the higher RPM's, and is largely due to the increased engine size. Yes the ninja is also liquid cooled, but that can be bad because that adds one more failure point.) Also, since I like the way the GS looks I won't be in as big of hurry to get a bigger better looking bike.
As others have mentioned the most important difference between 500cc bikes is the rider. Both models are small, lightweight, bikes that fit the bill of a learn-to-ride bike so get which ever you want more.

Quote from: answerDoes the GS really handle better than the ninja? I just read an article, http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/NinjaGScomparo07a.pdf
and it says the ninja has the better suspension.

Do not confuse "suspension" with "handling". An'89 Yamaha FZR400 has really harsh suspension (for the street), but was voted as the "Best handling bike in the World" by Motorcyclist. Suspension does help a bike handle better, but a sportbike will outhandle a cruiser, purely due to geometry.

I'm one of the many who went with the intent of getting the EX500. I had read about how these 2 were so similar and both were apt beginner bikes, but the GS sitting next to the EX really changed my mind; the EX's bodywork is extremely outdated. The GS looks more modern; in fact, people like my mom and ex-wife point to bikes "exactly like mine" when we are driving together...but guess what they are pointing to? Yep, Blue/white GSX-Rs. People who aren't super-knowledgable about bikes think ours are the same. I heard the EX's get mistaken for 1981 Kawis...  

Kidding there, but honestly, for me it was pure asthetics. Once I knew the two were so similar and then I saw the GS in person, I decided it was for me. I sat on it, and I was sold. Add in the help you get here...I'd say it's a no-brainer.

Dave  

Starting seisoulys looking around craigslist and cycletrader, and I found a total of 1 500R and over 3 GS500's. The 500r is also more expensive and doesnt look as good, so I think ill go with the GS500. You guys have been really helpfull, I just wanted to get all the facts straight cause this is going to put a dent in my wallet.