GS 500 vs Ninja 500

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deejizzle

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Hey guys, looking for your input.

I'm in the market for my second bike. I would like to pick up an sv650, but SF rates are ridiculous, and desjardins gave me outrageous quotes too. So I think that between these 2 bikes, one of them is going to be the choice. I've done my research, and they seem to be pretty much the same bike. I have been on my bud's GS500, feels solid, a little bit taller but overall I felt pretty comfortable. I have sat on a ZZR250, don't know if the height and feel are similar to the Ninja 500. Hopefully someone can provide some insight on the bikes and which is the better choice. For both bikes, I am looking at the latest generations.

Some of the stuff I will be doing with it, and aspects I am looking for are:

- 2-up riding (long distance)
- Touring (obviously)
- Daily commuter from Etobicoke to downtown Toronto
- Minimal maintenance (pretty sure maint. scheds are the same for both)
- Tank range (the longer the better, (that's what she said))
- Possible givi case (rear mounted)

Thanks for your future input.
 
I vote for the Ninja, here is mine setup for touring,
 

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check around for other quotes on the SV. It's classified as sport touring with Intact, so you might find you'll get a better rate than SF where they only go by CC.
 
Both bikes are bullet proof and great rides. The Ninja has more power etc, as it is a liquid cooled 500 twin vs. the suzuki air cooled power plant. Both run 17" rubber and have been around for a long time so used parts, mods etc. are all plentiful.
 
I'm happy with my Ninja500. For touring I would grab some heavy bar-ends, and a touring windscreen, like Paulhv1 has. I have never stretched a tank of gas, but I would think I could make 300kms off a tank.
 
deejizzle said:
This is pretty close to the set-up I had in mind. Have you tried 2-upping with the same equipment?
Click to expand...

The side bags are a little too far forward for a passenger to sit comfortably, that is an easy fix but my wife is pregnant and not riding 2up so I haven't bothered moving them back.
 
urutuma2.jpg
Bagman said:
I'm happy with my Ninja500. For touring I would grab some heavy bar-ends, and a touring windscreen, like Paulhv1 has. I have never stretched a tank of gas, but I would think I could make 300kms off a tank.
Click to expand...

I have done 400km on a tank all highway and still had a lot left, I made my own barends at work and I don't have a touring windscreen just a tinted one. I also have heated grips, cigarette lighter plug and done the infamous fog mod. Here is a pic with the bags off.
 
Paulhv1 said:
urutuma2.jpg


I have done 400km on a tank all highway and still had a lot left, I made my own barends at work and I don't have a touring windscreen just a tinted one. I also have heated grips, cigarette lighter plug and done the infamous fog mod. Here is a pic with the bags off.
Click to expand...

Is the fog mod the airbox? I think i have heard about it. Or was it the flywheel?

Anyways I'm not hearing any love from gs fans yet which is surprising. 400km a tank sounds amazing, so that definitely has it going for the ninja. I'm not a fan of having to do any other work once i buy it unless absolutely necessarily. I know that for a gs if it hasnt been done progressive fork springs are a must, not sure whats needed for the ninja. Have you ridden 2-up yet?
 
I owned a Ninja 500 for years. It was a great bike that I did a number of long cruises with. My friend is currently riding a GS 500 and it seems pretty solid as well. He uses it as a daily commuter and it's just fine on the highway. I'm not sure about gas mileage for the GS. With the Ninja I used to get over 300 kms per tank. The only thing I remember was that the bike didn't have a fuel gauge so you'll have to reset your trip meter every gas up.
 
deejizzle said:
Anyways I'm not hearing any love from gs fans yet which is surprising. 400km a tank sounds amazing, so that definitely has it going for the ninja. I'm not a fan of having to do any other work once i buy it unless absolutely necessarily. I know that for a gs if it hasnt been done progressive fork springs are a must, not sure whats needed for the ninja. Have you ridden 2-up yet?
Click to expand...

Alright, I'll chime in then... Lovin the GS, but you are right. Swapping out the fork springs is a good idea. I put in some Racetech .95 kg/mm springs in.. I think the stock ones are about .50 kg/mm.

Stock bike could probably hit 400 km on a tank. Mine is rejetted and ridden very hard, and my trip meter is saying 260 km right now, still looks like I got enough gas left to certainly crack 300 km.

Mine is naked, so maintenance is a joke. Changing the oil, spark plugs.. even getting to the airbox and carbs is all easily done. Center stand makes chain maintenance easy, too.

Air cooled and carbed.. doesn't get any simpler then that. I've never had any sort of overheating issue in my 3 seasons of riding, which had lots of downtown stop-and-go.

One of the most important things is to keep an eye on the oil level. The oil is responsible for a lot in this engine, and the engine will also burn the stuff when you get to the higher rev range. I believe Suzuki says 1L/2000 km is acceptable (seems crazy to me). Like I said, I beat the crap out of mine and I use 1L/3500 km or so. Sensible shifting could definitely improve that

Long days on it isn't an issue, it will handle it fine. I've done upwards of 1000 km days. Mine also has clipons.. so my limiting factor is my lower back.
 
deejizzle said:
Is the fog mod the airbox? I think i have heard about it. Or was it the flywheel?

Anyways I'm not hearing any love from gs fans yet which is surprising. 400km a tank sounds amazing, so that definitely has it going for the ninja. I'm not a fan of having to do any other work once i buy it unless absolutely necessarily. I know that for a gs if it hasnt been done progressive fork springs are a must, not sure whats needed for the ninja. Have you ridden 2-up yet?
Click to expand...

The fog mod is the airbox hole and k&n filter. I have ridden 2 up without any issues. I could of toured on it stick with no problems but I am a tinkerer at heart.
 
tricky said:
Alright, I'll chime in then... Lovin the GS, but you are right. Swapping out the fork springs is a good idea. I put in some Racetech .95 kg/mm springs in.. I think the stock ones are about .50 kg/mm.

Stock bike could probably hit 400 km on a tank. Mine is rejetted and ridden very hard, and my trip meter is saying 260 km right now, still looks like I got enough gas left to certainly crack 300 km.

Mine is naked, so maintenance is a joke. Changing the oil, spark plugs.. even getting to the airbox and carbs is all easily done. Center stand makes chain maintenance easy, too.

Air cooled and carbed.. doesn't get any simpler then that. I've never had any sort of overheating issue in my 3 seasons of riding, which had lots of downtown stop-and-go.

One of the most important things is to keep an eye on the oil level. The oil is responsible for a lot in this engine, and the engine will also burn the stuff when you get to the higher rev range. I believe Suzuki says 1L/2000 km is acceptable (seems crazy to me). Like I said, I beat the crap out of mine and I use 1L/3500 km or so. Sensible shifting could definitely improve that

Long days on it isn't an issue, it will handle it fine. I've done upwards of 1000 km days. Mine also has clipons.. so my limiting factor is my lower back.
Click to expand...

Finally some love for the GS! How much are the fork springs and is it easily done on my own? Have you 2-upped on long treks on it?

I think both these bikes will do about the same on a tank more or less, depending on how its ridden. I think my primary concern is 2-upping now. The GF loves riding with me and we plan to do some longer treks to Montreal and possibly the states.
 
deejizzle said:
Finally some love for the GS! How much are the fork springs and is it easily done on my own? Have you 2-upped on long treks on it?

I think both these bikes will do about the same on a tank more or less, depending on how its ridden. I think my primary concern is 2-upping now. The GF loves riding with me and we plan to do some longer treks to Montreal and possibly the states.
Click to expand...

I believe the springs were about $100. I had Johnny do the work, but I believe what he did was jack the bike up, remove each fork tube, drain them, cut the spacer, then replace the spring and oil. It was done a while back, but I think it took us about an hour. If you have the means to jack the bike up, then you could do it.

Sorry, I have yet to do 2up! Seems like both the EX500 and GS500 have a very similar banana style seat though, with the same grab-handle and similar passenger peg position... I wouldn't be surprised if they are the same comfort level for the 2up.

I would offer you my bike to see how it feels for you and your girlfriend, but my clip-ons mean you aren't going to be anywhere near the stock body position. Offer stands, though, if you'd like
 
+1 for the 500

The community for the bike is huge and responsive. I love owning the bike and being part of the helpful community. So much resource period.
 
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