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Hi everyone,

I'm taking the MSF safety course this next weekend, I'm really pumped about it. I've been looking at beginner bikes under $2000 (used of course). I really wanted a ninja 250 or 500, but haven't been able to find either after weeks of looking.

I just found a 2001 Suzuki GS500 with 10K miles on it, new tires, for $1800. Is this a fair deal? Also, is this a good, fun, economical bike for a beginner? One note, I am 6'3 200 lbs. I sat on a couple bikes at the dealership a month ago, and I liked everything about the Ninja except the size.

After sitting on the 250, if just felt small for me. The guy at the dealership (the helpful one, not the one that immediately told me to try the 650s) told me that with my size and weight and at 4500-7000 feet (where I will be riding), the 250 is really going to struggle. And I can forget going two-up on it.

Anyway, how's the GS500 for a bike? Any particular trouble spots I should be aware of? Thanks in advance.

The GS is a great beginner bike. It's got a bit more HP than the 250 although less than the EX500. You shouldn't have a problem with it.

It's the kind of bike that has been in production unchanged for years and years...most of the bugs were worked out long ago..

BaoQingTian wrote:Hi everyone,

I'm taking the MSF safety course this next weekend, I'm really pumped about it. I've been looking at beginner bikes under $2000 (used of course). I really wanted a ninja 250 or 500, but haven't been able to find either after weeks of looking.

I just found a 2001 Suzuki GS500 with 10K miles on it, new tires, for $1800. Is this a fair deal? Also, is this a good, fun, economical bike for a beginner? One note, I am 6'3 200 lbs. I sat on a couple bikes at the dealership a month ago, and I liked everything about the Ninja except the size.

After sitting on the 250, if just felt small for me. The guy at the dealership (the helpful one, not the one that immediately told me to try the 650s) told me that with my size and weight and at 4500-7000 feet (where I will be riding), the 250 is really going to struggle. And I can forget going two-up on it.

Anyway, how's the GS500 for a bike? Any particular trouble spots I should be aware of? Thanks in advance.

its a great starting bike. and thats a good enough deal. Very few trouble spots from what ive heard, there are a few people here who have one and im sure they will be by to tell ya more.



JWF

GS500 is a very good bike, and $1800 is a very good price, provided that the bike is in good shape (i.e. minor scratches but nothing seriously wrong).

That said, sv650 / ninja 650r are also reasonable choices for a first bike, especially if the 500cc bikes feel uncomfortable. The engine displacement is a misleading metric, you have to look at how much torque and power the engine actually produces. These 650cc bikes have a 2-cylinder engine, so they will be proportionally more powerful than the 500cc bikes. The 600cc supersport bikes have a 4-cylinder engine, so they are actually ~50% *more powerful* than the "bigger" 650cc v-twin. Those are the ones you should avoid.

ninja79 wrote:GS500 is a very good bike, and $1800 is a very good price, provided that the bike is in good shape (i.e. minor scratches but nothing seriously wrong).

That said, sv650 / ninja 650r are also reasonable choices for a first bike, especially if the 500cc bikes feel uncomfortable. The engine displacement is a misleading metric, you have to look at how much torque and power the engine actually produces. These 650cc bikes have a 2-cylinder engine, so they will be proportionally more powerful than the 500cc bikes. The 600cc supersport bikes have a 4-cylinder engine, so they are actually ~50% *more powerful* than the "bigger" 650cc v-twin. Those are the ones you should avoid.

So true, and unlike the "mechanic" friend of the guy who bought my bike who told the buyer that unlike my kz 650, the XZ550's V-twin was going to produce way more power because it has bigger cylinders and hence bigger bangs...

Joyous.

I was thinking about buying a GS500F though, till I read this:

www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/NinjaGScomparo07a.pdf

Interesting read, IMO

dcabbar wrote:I was thinking about buying a GS500F though, till I read this:

Don't let that article stop you from getting a GS500. I love my EX500, but take a look at this thread as an FYI:

http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=6920