Suzuki GS500F VS Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Message

WanTeD · #1 Unread post by **WanTeD** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:37 pm

I've been reading around the net for a starter bike, and these two are almost always advised.

Anyone here knows some real life difference between these two?

I'm sure my first bike will be one of those 2

ninja79 · #2 Unread post by **ninja79** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:57 pm

sure. GS500 is air cooled, ninja 500 is liquid cooled. That basically means that ninja 500 is a little more powerful. On the other hand GS500F (with full fairings) looks better.

Shiv · #3 Unread post by **Shiv** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:05 pm

That's a matter of opinion. I, for one, like the way the EX looks.

#4 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:07 pm

They're essentially the same bike designed to do the same thing in the same way. Either is great, it comes down to the following for you:

aesthic appeal
comfort
price
availibility

Whichever you think is the best.

gsJack · #5 Unread post by **gsJack** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:34 pm

I like the naked GS500 & GS500E built from 89-02. I've put over 100k miles on 2 of them. Don't care for the new fully faired GS500F and would probably buy the EX500 over the GS500F model.

I've recorded all the data from the GS500 tests that appeared in the magazines over the years and where the data came from a GS500 vs EX500 comparo, I included the EX data also.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... _tests.jpg

There was an interesting article in the 03 Cycle World Buyer's Guide that included them both with 8 other under $5k bikes. I saved it here:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... deals1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... deals2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... deals3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... deals4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... deals5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... deals6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... deals7.jpg

There are good active forums on both bikes:

http://www.gstwins.com/gsboard/

http://www.ex500riders.com/index.php?si ... e4c302ffd4

VermilionX · Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:37 pm

get the suzuki.

#7 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:53 pm

after putting about 2000 miles on my EX500 ive got to say its a great bike. The GS500F is probably very equal and similar to the Ninja just has a different design and a little less power. Id vote for the ninja but then again ive only had that EX500. Both bikes are really good learner bikes

JWF

SuperRookie · Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:09 pm

VermilionX wrote:get the suzuki.

Get the Kwaka

#9 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:55 pm

SuperRookie wrote:
VermilionX wrote:get the suzuki.
Get the Kwaka

get a bike

JWF

Shiv · #10 Unread post by **Shiv** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:08 pm

get a bike

+1