Tis' the season for newbie like me to ask the "question" which entry level bike should i get?...

250cc or 500cc?

I believe that 250cc will be more forgiving and a good teaching bike...

On the other i would rather get the same experienced on a 500cc bike(gs500f)....

Please present both bikes equally both pro and cons...(certain amount of bias is accepted)

Thank you for taking your time and replying to this post...

I'm a newbie myself, and I purchased a 1993 GS500E as my first bike.  I've had no trouble handling its power, and the first time I rode it was the second time I'd ever ridden a motorcycle.  In fact, I've heard arguments that 250cc bikes can be harder sometimes because you have to rev them higher.

For another thing, I'm 6'2" and about 150lbs.  If you're close to my height, I've heard that most of the 250's are really cramped.  The GS seems to fit me pretty well, although I haven't been on any long rides yet.

Well, I can't speak on 250cc bikes, because I've only owned the GS, but if you want a "forgiving and a good teaching bike..." then look no further.  The GS is definitely both of those, and you won't grow out of it too quickly.  However, if you do go GS...get a naked GS500e first, or remove the fairings from your F because you WILL eventually drop it while learning, and you don't want to replace expensive plastics.

Oh, and with the GS you get the use of this fantabulous site!!  

i was in your position a couple months ago looking for my first bike.

after reading this site and a couple others i decided on a GS500F because the 250 was just too small and i figured i would grow out of it too fast.  with the GS i can see years of riding and if i dont have the money to upgrade in the future, i dont have to cuz its so great 

i think the only pro about the 250 was the price but that wasnt enough for me. 

only con i can think of about the GS500 is that my girl cant ride it cuz she's too short(5'2") but thats fine by me...less chance of it to be dropped 

3dss

It also depends on where you are located, what kind of riding you plan on doing, and if there are serious twisty roads near you (actually, the first and third are the same).

I used to have a Yamaha 250 (22hp vs. Ninja 250 @ 33hp), and found it to be a great bike!  Had it 14 years.  But, I'm 125lbs and have seriously technical twisties near me.

The GS has the same linear power delivery of my ol' 250, just a little more.  Oh, and my little 250 (@315lbs) could haul me everywhere, including the freeway, comfortably, reliably and willingly (95mph topend tested repeatedly, and it could have still gone faster).

I was also in your shoes back in July. I had never ridden a motorcycle in my life, nor had I ever driven a car that was not an automatic. I took the MSF and rode a Kawasaki 125 cc intruder. I knew I was hooked but also knew that I needed more practice so I started looking for a 500cc bike(I'm kinda heavy at 6'0'' 205 lbs so I thought a 250cc would be way to small for me.) I bought the GS500F and rode it around my neighborhood with my permit.  I also took the additional practice class and rode the Ninja 250cc which was a pretty cool bike. In fact, I wanted to get a Ninja 500R originally, but got the GS because that's all that was available in my area.

Comparison between the ninja 250 and my GS500.
I didn't see much difference in handling between the two. They both feel different, and I have the 2004F with the fairings so that makes a difference, but it's not huge like the difference between a Honda Rebel or Intruder and my GS.
Powerwise the Ninja 250cc seemed like a pretty capable bike. There are several posts here about the difference between the Ninja500 and GS500, and the Ninja 250 seems to put out enough power for any newbie rider. The only thing that I'd worry about is how the smaller 250 would do at freeway speeds considering that it would be hauling at least 205lbs of me and not counting additional stuff like bags. Again, that's why I went for the 500.

Things I like about the GS500
It's really fun to ride and is a go anywhere do anything bike. There are people on this site that race their GS's and a few that have done some adventure touring. Now it's not going to win any awards for most HP, fastest top speed, or most comfortable bike, but it is more then enough to teach how to do things correctly and provide you with an adequate platform for learning any style of riding that you wish to do. I've gone from never touching a motorcycle in my life to 2200+miles in 7 months (and remember it rains all the time in WA.) The GS has helped inspire confidence in my riding in that it is predictable and very forgiving when you do make mistakes (and believe me they will happen.) Also, I don't see myself upgrading because I've outgrown my bike anytime soon (that's not to say I won't just buy a new bike because I happen to like motorcycles. I bought my GS before I even passed the MSF class and got my endorsement.)

And most of all, the best thing about the GS is this site. When I first got mine I thought that the dealer had screwed me over and sold me a lemon because the throttle didn't work right(funny because I have the yellow one.) Thanks to this site I found out that all I needed to do was adjust the throttle stop screw and that fixed my problems. You can find tutorials, write ups, step by step instructions w/ pictures, and even videos on how to do everything to keep your GS running in top shape. If you can't find something, then just post a question here and in minutes you will get responses from very experienced and knowledgable people.

Anyways, of all the 500cc bikes out there(I know of 3 the GS, Ninja, and Buell blast) they are all very similar. Total performance probablly goes to the Ninja. Worst quality to the Buell blast (at least from what I've heard.) However best overall value considering simplicity of the bike/engine, good learning tool for riding or wrenching, looks(this is big because who wants to ride an ugly bike and bikes you don't want to ride usually get replaced quickly), handling, power, and COST would be the GS. That my biased 2 cents. 

If you are debating between a Ninja and the GS one other thing to consider is the engine design. GS is an air cooled twin. Ninja is a water cooled 4 cyl. Lots more going on with the ninja and more likely/more costly to repair.

I personally would go with an E model because of the lack of front fairings. They look great, but with the first bike there's always that good chance of a drop. Don't want to break plastics learing to do that parking lot turn and have to spend all yer $$$ on fixin it up.

Also think about how long you are planning on keeping this first bike. Lots of people have had GS's for a long time and have no plans of upgrading, never known someone to ride a 250 ninja and never want for that bigger bike.

Quote from: hhgsm31 on February 22, 2006, 11:12:46 AM
If you are debating between a Ninja and the GS one other thing to consider is the engine design. GS is an air cooled twin. Ninja is a water cooled 4 cyl. Lots more going on with the ninja and more likely/more costly to repair.

Actually, the Ninja 500 is a liquid-cooled TWIN, not a four-cylinder...

I just got a HYOSUNG GT 250 COMET [ neked ] and am very impressed with it. Price and warranty cannot be beat in my opinion. It is another option anyway.  CHEERS !

I don't know much as I'm in the same shoes as you. But I have a friend at work I asked this very same question to. He's currently got a TL1000 and a long history of different bikes (enduro'ed his way across Australia at one time). He said that a lot of the 250cc bikes he's ridden are very light to the point that windshear was a major problem on highways when passed by a large truck or SUV going at any appreciable speed.

Currently my research leads me to believe the GS500 is an ideal beginner's bike that will still be interesting and useful for a long time. (which is why I'm frequenting this board :-7)

Hope this helps.

-James

If you want to go on the freeway -> 500
If you don't -> 250.

Yes... You can ride some 250s on the freeway... I know... So, don't tell me...  'cause I know...  OK?  250s are just pretty small for going 70 MPH on a busy highway...  They make it a little harder to get away from stupid people...  And I like getting away from stupid people...  Don't you?

Personally, I've never had problems with windsheer, I've always been able to compensate for it.  I think it comes with some experience or training.  If you're used to riding in windy areas, like I am, it's not a problem.

You also might also want to ask this same question on a  Ninja 250 Board http://www.ninja250.com/home.htm to get another viewpoint. Also read the faq on the Ninja 250 board as they answer some of the same questions and replys. The Ninja 250, 500 and the GS500 are all good bikes.
Tony

i also just came out of that same situation...and bought a 96 GS500. i opted to pass on the 250s, since i'll be spending a lot of time on the freeway...and have future plans of my wife on the back. i bounced around between the EX500 and the GS500 for awhile too. It seems like the EX500 outperforms the GS500 (from some comparison reviews i read)...but the final deciding factor for me was the insurance. Someone here mentioned in a thread about checking out www.bike-line.com for insurance...and they seemed to have the best insurance at by far the best prices. i got quoted $364 for the Ninja, and only $154 for the same year GS. And personally i think the GS looks a whole lot better. Everybody knows - bikes look better naked.

Just thought i'd throw my two pennies into the pot as well. Have fun shopping!

Quote from: TonyKZ1 on February 22, 2006, 01:24:12 PM
You also might also want to ask this same question on a  Ninja 250 Board http://www.ninja250.com/home.htm to get another viewpoint. Also read the faq on the Ninja 250 board as they answer some of the same questions and replys. The Ninja 250, 500 and the GS500 are all good bikes.
Tony

Went to that ninja250 site and found this link

http://www.cmgonline.com/articles/CMG00/bikes/Kawasaki/Ninja250R/home.html

"So what's the final word, well I guess it would have to be: unintimidating. In fact this bike is so unintimidating that it turns you into a bit of a terror, racing around town, taking corners faster that you would on a heavier bike (since you just know you could save it if anything went wrong), and darting in between and around stopped traffic, because you're suddenly so darned light and nimble."

that's sooo true, people drive the hell out of the 250s. if you're buying used, that may be something to take into consideration.

The things that keep me on a GS500 four years after I bought it is the fact that not only is it a great bike for anyone getting into riding (or as in my case getting back into riding) but four years later it holds it's value as a commuter, a day ride bike, and just something you don't see everyday. The fact that we have a ton of folks on this site that know boatloads about the bike make it an easy choice.

More important info has been documented in the three years that the board in it's current incarnation (and the old gstwin board before that) than any other board that I've found.

Give me a "Gee"
Give me an "Ess".......

I've known a couple people wishing they had bypassed the Ninja 250 for a 500 of some kind.

I've turned my GS500 into a commuter bike.  If I had a 250, I probably would have just sold it instead.

A Ninja 250 is probably the only commonly available 250 I'd look at.  A Honda Rebel 250 or Suzuki GZ250 would be way too underpowered for highways, in my opinion.

I think the Comet 250 could be fun to throw around.  As for freeway... I've ridden a 150cc on the Crosstown Hwy62 and passed people .  Neither the 250, nor the GS is really tuned to purr on the freeway; in both cases, you'll be working the gears to pass cars.  In the GS' favor, it is going to be easier to get a good shock for passable 2-up riding.  Whatever you buy, be prepared to tip it over at least once at a stop, or in the driveway; the GS is forgiving when you do that.

i'm 5'11" 195 lbs...

It seems to me that it's easier to find a 250 then trying to find gs500( i live in san fernando valley about 30 mins north of Los Angeles)

Is there any specific year that i should focus on....my initial budget is around 2500.