I'm sure this is already posted 1000 times over, but heck. I'm a new rider looking at purchasing a 2007 GS500F from a local dealer here in Denton, Tx. I was looking at a Ninja 250, but after reading up on it and the things I've heard about a 250 I'll get bored very quick apparently. So here I am, looking at the GS. Any comments, concerns! Anything and everything is welcome! Thanks in advance everyone! I can't wait to ride!

Welcome!

Have you checked into the difference of the cost of insurance between those two?  It may influence your decision.

And, how do you know you will get bored with it?  I used to have an even more underpowered 250 for 14 years, and wish I still had it.

But, it also depends on where you are located, where you're riding to, what kind of riding you 'think' you are going to do, and the frequency of turns (that's four questions to answer).

My answers are:
I'm located very close to some the United State's best motorcycling roads (so I don't need a big bike).
I thought I was going to do long-distance/touring riding/cruising, but ended up being a sport rider (no regrets, I like cornering speed (as opposed to just going fast)).
The roads that I enjoy most have many turns close together (that is: one turn every 390 feet, on average (1,081 turns in 80 miles)). 

Hope this helps.

Quote from: Kev on January 14, 2008, 08:57:14 AM
I'm sure this is already posted 1000 times over, but heck. I'm a new rider looking at purchasing a 2007 GS500F from a local dealer here in Denton, Tx. I was looking at a Ninja 250, but after reading up on it and the things I've heard about a 250 I'll get bored very quick apparently. So here I am, looking at the GS. Any comments, concerns! Anything and everything is welcome! Thanks in advance everyone! I can't wait to ride!

It's a great bike. I purchased a 2007 in October. The only problem I have had is the speedo cable coming unscrewed, but it's an easy fix.
Go check it out in person and sit on it and such! good luck, man.

For me, full coverage on a GS500E was about $350 a year, and I wasn't a hair over 18. So I don't think that insurance is gonna be a big deal

As a first bike, the GS is great. It has a slim, comfortable stance, and the wide handlebars make it very easy to control. It's a competent bike in the twisties and, while somewhat "underpowered" (compared to...almost any bike?) it can still hold it's own. I did a 2,500 mile tour on my GS, commute on it, and do some sport riding too. It's a good do-anything bike. Also, as far as bikes go, the GS, while requiring somewhat more frequent maintenance (esp. the valves, modern bikes have 20,000 miles intervals, GS is 4000-6000 realistically), is VERY easy to work on. Valves take me 2 hours on my GS, upwards of 4 on my GSX-R. Great choice for a first bike   

If you're a new rider and this is your first bike, I'd recommend getting something used.  Chances are good that you might make a mistake and crash or drop it just moving it in the driveway (ask me how I know about that!  )  If it's used you probably won't feel too bad about the drop.  Plus you can get some great deals on used bikes.

As for everyone telling you that you'll outgrow or get bored with a 250 or 500, I don't buy it.  Either is perfectly capable.  If you're looking for all out speed, or do a majority of your riding on the highway, then yes you'll probably want something bigger.  But for everything else I think the GS is a great bike.

Kev, I was pondering the same two bikes last Sept. or so.  You are Denton, correct? ...let me guess North Texas U?  All the above comments are great.  I looked at both, pretty comparable, 250 is lighter by ~90 lbs maybe, looks more like a squid bike to non-bikers (chicks).  You have big highways out your way, I know been out there.  So, you will be hitting those at times and may be commuting back and forth to school?  But here is the capper = cost. 

I just got a '96 that runs great and looks tough.  Now it has some scrapes and such that are only noticeable from far away, only had 10K miles when I got it for a measly $1,000 from a guy in Granbury, TX who had to pay off a guy he bought a huge bike from.   Now if you go that route with the Ninja you are trapped with a payment (or cash) of A LOT more right?  I have already paid this thing off a long time ago (hell, saved the money up) and it is all gravy now.  I can sell it for about same price but I don't want to.  If you get that Ninja you are paying more for a comparable bike.  Also, I gotta say I just love the bike.  Messing with it, learning things, etc. is just fun. And when I drop it (see my post about Harley rider knocking over my bike below hehe) I don't really care.

This crowd alone will help you with anything you need, cheers.  Join us for discussions if you get the GS!

Pete

I'll be looking to do mostly highway driving, commuting to and from school and work. Also going on the occasional road trip to my parents house out it the country. Some beautiful riding roads.  I grew up around motorcycles, my dad has a few harley's but I've always been more partial to the sport bike look and feel. I sat on the GS500 and it feels great! I also sat on a Ninja 250 and the bike felt too small. Seemed like it was more of a bicycle to me. So I think I'm going to go with the GS500...

more to come on the decison!

Thanks to everyone for their input.

For highways, I can vouch for the GS. It is not a whole lot of fun but capable. Really recommend getting a windscreen for lots of high-speed riding, I picked up a national cycles F-16 for under 70 shipped and it helps a LOT with wind blast at speed.

Also, I can get above 70mpg on the highway. Definitely good on the gas...

Quote from: Kev on January 14, 2008, 08:57:14 AM
I'm sure this is already posted 1000 times over, but heck. I'm a new rider looking at purchasing a 2007 GS500F from a local dealer here in Denton, Tx. I was looking at a Ninja 250, but after reading up on it and the things I've heard about a 250 I'll get bored very quick apparently. So here I am, looking at the GS. Any comments, concerns! Anything and everything is welcome! Thanks in advance everyone! I can't wait to ride!

Welcome new rider. Have you seen the pictures of the NEW model 250r ? Holy smokes that's a wild looking upgrade. People that fit on a 250 rave about their cheap, fun goodness.

The gs is a fine machine to enjoy riding. It's air cooled, so a fairing is silly, but some people like them. <shrug> For commuting and twisties it's a real blast, figuratively and literally. Those comments about a windscreen are right on.


neither bike is one that you want to go out and kill concrete slabs on (interstate), but either will serve you very well for commuting, sporting the twisties, or just plain enjoying riding. keep in mind they're light bikes, easy to work on, and the design hasn't changed for a looooong time, so parts are cheap-ish.

Keep on top of your maintenance and either will last you a long time.

I'm surprised though, you didn't consider the ex500 , aka 500r (ninja). It's also a fantastic machine, and the guys over on ninja forums can attest to it's fun value.


Either way, enjoy your ride, and let us know how you chose. 

i recommend a used gs, preferably an old school, non-fairing gs.

not saying that you'll drop your bike, but there's less visible damage on a dropped naked bike than a faired one.

the gs is a great first bike and it's more fun than the ninja.

New rider here since July 07. Almost got a 250 which I was told by some that it was the perfect starter bike. An MFS instructor recommended a GS500 or a bandit. Wound up getting the GS and so glad that I did. The power felt a bit much for the first month or 2 but 7 months later it feels very controllable and never boring. I could live with this bike for a very long time. If you're over 200 lbs, a 250 might not hold your interest for too long.

Barry

Quote from: houston_gs500 on January 14, 2008, 11:09:47 AM

I just got a '96 that runs great and looks tough.  Now it has some scrapes and such that are only noticeable from far away, only had 10K miles when I got it for a measly $1,000 from a guy in Granbury, TX who had to pay off a guy he bought a huge bike from.   Now if you go that route with the Ninja you are trapped with a payment (or cash) of A LOT more right?  I have already paid this thing off a long time ago (hell, saved the money up) and it is all gravy now.  I can sell it for about same price but I don't want to.  If you get that Ninja you are paying more for a comparable bike.  Also, I gotta say I just love the bike.  Messing with it, learning things, etc. is just fun. And when I drop it (see my post about Harley rider knocking over my bike below hehe) I don't really care.

Pete

I don't mean to thread-jack but I would rather not start a new thread about the same thing.  I'm finally in the market for a first bike (in the spring) so I'm considering the new Ninja 250 and the GS500F.  I hear everyone say the GS500 is a good first bike but are they talking about both models or just the GSE?  I only ask because if they only recommend the GSE because it's naked (with the assumption that newbies drop bikes) then I'd rather go a different route since I'm not a fan of the GSE (no offense).

Also, just for a bit of context, my wife and I both took the MSF course last year but couldn't afford to get bikes because of the wedding.  Now that it's getting close we're just recovering financially so we're gonna have to finance one of the bikes but we can probably save up enough to pay cash for one.  I'm looking to finance the GSF (for me) and pay cash for an older Ninja 250 for her.  We're looking to buy in April or May so prices probably won't be as good as they are now but what can you do?

My first was the F model. Haven't dropped it yet, but I could see the point in getting a naked bike. They are both very easy to learn on. I just like the pretty fairings!

Quote from: SeqArtMark on January 17, 2008, 02:08:34 PM

Quote from: houston_gs500 on January 14, 2008, 11:09:47 AM

I just got a '96 that runs great and looks tough.  Now it has some scrapes and such that are only noticeable from far away, only had 10K miles when I got it for a measly $1,000 from a guy in Granbury, TX who had to pay off a guy he bought a huge bike from.   Now if you go that route with the Ninja you are trapped with a payment (or cash) of A LOT more right?  I have already paid this thing off a long time ago (hell, saved the money up) and it is all gravy now.  I can sell it for about same price but I don't want to.  If you get that Ninja you are paying more for a comparable bike.  Also, I gotta say I just love the bike.  Messing with it, learning things, etc. is just fun. And when I drop it (see my post about Harley rider knocking over my bike below hehe) I don't really care.

Pete

I don't mean to thread-jack but I would rather not start a new thread about the same thing.  I'm finally in the market for a first bike (in the spring) so I'm considering the new Ninja 250 and the GS500F.  I hear everyone say the GS500 is a good first bike but are they talking about both models or just the GSE?  I only ask because if they only recommend the GSE because it's naked (with the assumption that newbies drop bikes) then I'd rather go a different route since I'm not a fan of the GSE (no offense).

Also, just for a bit of context, my wife and I both took the MSF course last year but couldn't afford to get bikes because of the wedding.  Now that it's getting close we're just recovering financially so we're gonna have to finance one of the bikes but we can probably save up enough to pay cash for one.  I'm looking to finance the GSF (for me) and pay cash for an older Ninja 250 for her.  We're looking to buy in April or May so prices probably won't be as good as they are now but what can you do?

For the sake of short explainations, the 500e and 500f are the same bike. Same reliability, same power, etc with the only exception being the fairing. The e stays nakked all day and doesn't mind it, while the f only takes it off for you in private, maintenance shall we say.

That being said, I like mine nakked all day long. The F model just looks like -almost- a gixxer, with no offense to the folks taht prefer the F. It's a personal preference thing.

You stated you want the wife starting out on a 250, but before you go and finance anything, keep in mind she may just love hanging out on the back of your gs, and you may be able to skip the financing that way. 2up times are the best, no phones, no kids screaming (oh, you're not there -yet- ) and she can see the first 'wave' you get from other bikers. It's tha coolest !

Whatever bike you decide on, keep us posted how the two of you enjoy it. 

A used bike is a great way to go.  You can get some very low milage bikes, only 2 or 3 years old for half the price the dealer wants new.

As for E or F, I say don't worry - just buy the best deal you can get.  If later down the track you decide that you dont want the fairings (or you scratch them up) it is really easy to convert an F to an E.

Thanks for all the great advice, folks.  I'm actually falling in love with the GS all over again thanks to you all.  The only way I won't end up on one is if I can get a good deal on a Ninja 650r or just can't find a good deal on a GS.

On that note, I'm wondering what you all think is a "good" or "fair" price on a used GS?  I've seen a few at dealerships that are a few years old that have low miles (around 3k) for what will probably end up as $4k OTD.  Does that sound right to you guys or should I keep looking?

By the way, I live in the Chicagoland area so everything is a bit overpriced (which I'm willing to accept).

Quote from: SeqArtMark on January 17, 2008, 11:57:31 PM
Thanks for all the great advice, folks.  I'm actually falling in love with the GS all over again thanks to you all.  The only way I won't end up on one is if I can get a good deal on a Ninja 650r or just can't find a good deal on a GS.

On that note, I'm wondering what you all think is a "good" or "fair" price on a used GS?  I've seen a few at dealerships that are a few years old that have low miles (around 3k) for what will probably end up as $4k OTD.  Does that sound right to you guys or should I keep looking?

By the way, I live in the Chicagoland area so everything is a bit overpriced (which I'm willing to accept).

$4 OTD, for a gs a couple of years old with 3K miles on it ? HECK no man. IF they could document all the services that SHOULD have been done, $2500-2700 would be my OTD price. Right off the bat, you're going to want to replace those tires that have been -sitting- for two or more years, change the oil, brake fluid, possibly brake pads, adjust the chain and valves, etc, and if you take it to the dealer for all that, it will co$t.

Living in Chicago area is something I can't really relate to, but my being a complete cheapskate most people can. Take that into consideration with my opinion about prices

Don't forget about ebay and craigslist. Both are -fine- resources for finding barely used rides, without the dealer overhead included.

Good luck !

exactly ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I bought an 04 with 4000 miles for $2400 from a guy in Dayton OH. It was approx. a 45minute drive to get the bike. I would check craigslist for surrounding cities near you.

i paid 1000 for my 04 with 50 miles on it.  typical front end crash damage it took 4 hours and about 200 bucks to get it on the road.