Which 500??? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Which 500???

J

jmills

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Hey world,

I'm looking at a bunch of bikes trying to get my first one and I'm trying to decide which one is right for me. I'm pretty set on going with a 500cc because I want to be able to ride if for a while before upgrading. My main options are between the Ninja 500 and the GS500F (I like the full fairing look).

From a maintenance, insurance cost, and performance perspective, which bike would suit me better. Top speed isn't my main concern, but I want something that can get some decent acceleration and will hold it's own on a highway.

I'm a 22 year old male, 1 speeding ticket, G for 4 years, and M2 licenced.

I'm at a real cross-roads so any input is welcome. Thanks in advance.
 
The Ninja 500 has a bit more power than the GS, and by bit, I mean pretty negligible.

I rode a GS500F on a 8000km round trip last summer and put on 15 000km in my season and a half with it. Loved that bike. It's carbed, but so is the ninja. I did all the maintenance myself with no former experience on it, it was super easy with google in one hand and tools in the other. I liked everything about the bike and if I hadn't been t-boned I'd still be riding it. It was a blast of a bike, loved it.

I'm 22, had 1 ticket and an accident 4 years ago, G for 2 years and M2 with a year under my belt was 1500 with Jevco.
 
there is only 1 choice= ninja 500 '94-up, 87-93 are good if you're on a budget, newer model uses 17" radial tires and offers wider choice of modern sticky rubber. End of discussion, close thread, go buy your ninja!
 
Ninja is liquid cooled. GS is air cooled. I'd sit on both, see if you can get a ride on both. Make a decision.
 
both have great reputations, and comparable performance and features, aside from the liquid vs. air cooling. I've never had an issue with my air cooling and I've spent a lot of time in downtown traffic in the heat waves.

it really boils down to preference on look and feel.
 
If ugly doesn't count, I guess the Ninja 500. If it does, GS500f.
 
My gf was in the same boat this Spring and we went to see a few of both those models. The Ninja has more power (I've tracked one as well) and I'd say the power difference is quite noticeable (if both are running properly). That's not to say the GS isn't more than capable in terms of power but the Ninja does win this contest.
Both have soft suspension (the GS's forks are notoriously soft).
Both will be very similar in price to insure.
Both are an absolute blast to ride and great first bikes. Both are bulletproof.

My suggestion: See both in person and ride both. Buy the one your heart likes.
 
ninja 500 is water cooled which on a hot day of sitting in traffic I beleive helps keep you a little cooler a bit over air cooled. could be wrong.

you can stiffin the suspension on either bike. but for a new rider it's not really a big deal. more fun to leave for season 2. good suspension, storage, and a corbin seat really turn it into a great package though. and a cost effective one.

shameless plug
I'm about to put my old 2001 ninja 500 up for sale for probably $1500. and it's got a full lower fairing (sold seperate though). I just need to take some good photos of it and stuff so I've been putting it off. (see fairing repair photos for older photos..)
 
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espro said:
If ugly doesn't count, I guess the Ninja 500. If it does, GS500f.
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Agreed this is why I choose the Gs500F when I was making this decision last month.
 
I considered both for my first bike, eventually decided on a GS500E.
The price was right. I liked the naked (and single exhaust) look.
I liked the simplicity: air-cooled. no fairings. no bells-n-whistles, just a reliable first-motorcycle to own and operate.
 
Renboy said:
Does the ninja have a gas gauge? That's my only problem with my gs.
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No bike I've ever owned has had a gas gauge :(

lol. Trip odometer FTW!

-Jamie M.
 
All Ninjas ive seen dont but you can clock km and just be ware.. I got 500 ninja 2003 love it till some guy rear ended me but now bought a 2001 ninja and they not ugly.... lol
 
IMHO it's a coin toss between those two bikes. When I was starting, I was picking between these two bikes, basically I was waiting for the best deal to pop and would buy either. Bought GS500F and was very happy with the bike. And yes, GS500F looks much better than outdated look on 500R.
 
ViperZ said:
IMHO it's a coin toss between those two bikes. When I was starting, I was picking between these two bikes, basically I was waiting for the best deal to pop and would buy either. Bought GS500F and was very happy with the bike. And yes, GS500F looks much better than outdated look on 500R.
Click to expand...

I agree about the gs looking better but I couldn't get after seeing the power difference and liquid cooling.
 
As others have mentioned it all comes down to pretty much looks and how comfortable it is. Drive both and see which one feels the best to drive. It would suck to get a bike, and only be able to drive for an hour before taking a break due to bad ergonomics for your body.

Both bikes are pretty similar in almost every aspect (and buying the ninja just because it has very little power advantage, isn't exactly a main selling point. A first bike should be about learning to ride a motorcycle; not how fast you can go from 0-60 [[unless you want that, then just get a SS]])
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