Hi, I realize this has probably been beaten to death elsewhere and I will get very biased opinions.. I mean this is a GS board afterall..

I can get either a ninja 250 ('07 model year) or an '04 GS500 for about the same price. I would have a passenger from time to time, and this bike would be used for commuting to/from school or just cruising. I have read through the FAQs on this website and I see that I can squeeze probably another 10-15hps out of the GS500F.

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?

GS500.  The 250 is, to me, a little small for anything except the most cluttered urban riding.

Quotea. Can the GS500F be geared differently, for example .. lower "cruising gears".. perhaps a lower final drive?

Yes.

Quoteb. 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?

55~60mpg.  Modifications will effect your economy on anything.

Quotec. Is the GS500F on average a fun bike (for those boring nights)

Yes

Quoted. 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).

The 500 will do around 100~110.  At those speeds, to me, though the bike felt a bit light and unsteady...it's obviously not it's element.

Quoteere does the passenger rest their feet?

ummm...on the pillion pegs.

Quotecost 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 is a better bike to start on unless you live like in the middle of down-town Houston and do not intend to ride out.

Quote from: makenzie71 on October 04, 2006, 07:45:46 PM

Quoteb. 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?

55~60mpg.  Modifications will effect your economy on anything.

Also your riding technique affects this.

Quote from: J0HN on October 04, 2006, 07:49:44 PM

Quote from: makenzie71 on October 04, 2006, 07:45:46 PM

Quoteb. 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?

55~60mpg.  Modifications will effect your economy on anything.

Also your riding technique affects this.

Please elaborate

If you "Ride it like you stole it," your gas mileage will go down.

If you ride like you're "Driving Miss Daisey," your gas mileage will go up.

I ride it like I stole it and I average about 50 MPG with a 15T front sprocket (Stock is 16T, so a 15T makes you ride in Higher RPMs to reach the same speed).

meh I can't figure out how to word it propperly so I'll come back to it...

Oh and...

Like the others said, the 250 is cool for around town and twisty riding (it can go on the freeway, but it's spun pretty high)...  
The 500 is better for higher speeds (such as Highway).

The GS is a forgiving bike, so learning on it is a lot easier than the bigger bikes out there.  But, it's still big enough to ride for years and hang with the "big boys" in the curves.

Dude, PLEASE do not get a ninja 250. WAY too underpowered. The GS500 leaves PLENTY of room to grow for year and handles well with 2 people, your 250 will struggle enough to notice with 2 people. Please do yourself a favor and do not get a 250.

Quote from: tussey on October 04, 2006, 07:59:04 PM
Dude, PLEASE do not get a ninja 250. WAY too underpowered. The GS500 leaves PLENTY of room to grow for year and handles well with 2 people, your 250 will struggle enough to notice with 2 people. Please do yourself a favor and do not get a 250.

Alright, that was subtle *sarcasm*

Okay, I heard the ride was really soft, is there adjustable suspension?

Quote from: rowingdude on October 04, 2006, 07:40:58 PM
I have read through the FAQs on this website and I see that I can squeeze probably another 10-15hps out of the GS500F.

Only with MAJOR mods. You'll be lucky to squeeze 5 or 6 out with the standard intake/exhaust mods.

Get the GS.

Quote from: rowingdude on October 04, 2006, 08:00:25 PMOkay, I heard the ride was really soft, is there adjustable suspension?

It really depends on how much you weight...  Under 150ish and you'll be fine.

Over...  Get new springs up front.  Progressives or Race Tech (or similar) straight rate springs.

That will make a HUGE difference.

And if it's still not enough, get a Katana (or similar) rear shock.

I paid about $70 for the front and $25 for the rear.

So, I should start looking at suspension upgrades immediately after purchase? I'm ~200lbs

it's not a bad idea.

Thanks for your replies.

What price should I work toward on a 2004 GS500(F??) with 5-7k on the clock?

$3k~ish

I think it's marked just over $3kish

without knowing specifics it's hard to give you a good idea of what it should cost.  Brand new '04's will run about $4100 out the door.  Less than 5000 miles and she should be almost $3000 even...but it's all dependant on condition, modifications, and owner attachment.  If it's in mint condition, $3400 doesn't seem unreasonable.

And if it's Yellow...  That's worth at least another $500...  Well, at least to me.   

I know plenty of people have given you advice, but I frequently ride with a friend with a Ninja 250....

Its rough for him on the freeways.... He's around 8k in 6th, compared to me around 6k in 6th.  His is very manuaverable, but no more so than mine, and just like the GS... Ninja's suspension is problematic.  Also, he has a problem with oil going into the airbox when its on its side stand.  I've never dug for specifics, but he always parks it on the centerstand.

Overall  Both bikes will serve you well... its just that one will last you alittle longer.... and I think you know which one.