Suzuki GS500F vs ninja 250

[Bunker]

Was thinking about getting a 2012 Ninja 250... local dealer said price point will be msrp of $4200 for basic colors, and $4400 for limited edition colors. I was also looking at the Suzuki GS 500F for around the same price. How do the bikes compare, especially at highway speeds and the twistys? Thanks. Bunker

[alex.s]

the GS is uglier, about 70-80 lbs heavier it looks like, has about a third more horsepower, and is a suzuki, instead of the all-mighty kawasake (kawasake with an E *almost* means river of alcohol in japanese)

[r311music]

I was debating the exact same motorcycles. After sitting on both, I just felt way more comfortable and confident on the Ninja 250. Plus I think the gs500f is a pretty ugly machine. Have you sat on both?

-Rob

[Bunker]

Thanks. Am actually selling my 2008 Gold Wing this week... the equity in bike is going toward new deck on house. I rode a Ninja 250 a few years back, and loved the bike... kinda polar opposite from the wing, but still fun. bunker

[bettysmith]

I only have about 14xx miles riding experience on the street (all of it on my current 250) and will say that the 250 handles highway speeds fine, and twisties even better. It is adequately fast enough to get you a ticket on any road in the USA. I think a more important factor between the two bikes are whether or not you fit them well. If the 250 isn't fitting you well, you could try the ninja500, or as you mentioned, the gs500e/f.

[blade]

ihave owned both (still have the 08 ninja) and have to say that the ninja is way better. lighter , more agile,and looks way better

[ninja250]

Had it to do over again I totally would have gone with the GS500. Any day.
I am WAY too tall for the 250. Anyone who has seen me ride it will tell you.

I have clearance on the bigger bikes even. What's a lowering link for?
250R feels like a pocket bike haha. 20 more horsies for the same price at only 25lb gain?
Choice is obvious. The fact it's a Suzi seals the deal.
If only I would have known.

[muzkur]

Well... Here in Brazil have just the GS500 Naked.
Price is the same. But Ninja 250 are Fuel Injection and GS500 carburetor.
So, I've decided to Ninja. I like technology.

But Gs500 have a great pro: Lower price in the mechanic checkups.
Anyway, Ninja's prettier and modern.

[ninja250]

Carbs aint so bad really..
If anything the ninja 250R has taught me this!
Gotta love FI of course anyways.

They need a four cylinder 250.
I kinda like this stupid little bike for some reason but my opinion changes daily.

Still rather have the GS500. Much nicer bike (IMO).

[muzkur]

Yeah but.... My first bike was a YBR250 Fuel Injection, I loved that. She have a smooth acceleration and lower fuel consumption, something like 30 km/l.
My fiancee have a YBR125 carburetor. In the cold mornings the bike delay a lot to works fine. Need to be careful in the accelerations because the bike turns off in the winter and cold days before the engine's hot enough. Fuel consumption to that's 35 to 36 km/l. Not so much to half engine... That have 11 hp against 21hp in YBR250...

About four cylinders, I just wondering if someday it will be real in Brazil. I look to japanese bikes like Hornet 250... That's so hot to a 250!

And a bonus, my old bike:





Available in Brazil named Fazer YS 250 and Europe named YBR250.

[TXJ]

I'd pick the GS500 for ergonomics and the easy maintenance that comes with a air cooled bike. Otherwise the ninja if you fit on it well. They perform fairly similarly. The GS has more pickup at speed, but lacks that "small bike" flick-it-around-a-corner feel. If you're use to a GL1200 then getting on a freeway with the 250 will take some getting use to, since you will be strangling it to maintain 70+.

If you're looking at a GS500 might as well look at a Ninja 500 as well. The Ninja 500 is better (IMO) then the GS500 in both performance and ergonomics. Plus they're much easier to find used then a GS if you're going that direction. New, the GS500 and Ninjette will be easy to find. Some dealers still have 09 Ninja 500's if you look around.

[KawiKid860]

I've only sat on Ninja 250s and GS500Fs, however the 250 was way more comfortable to me and I'm 5'10. The GS500F is air cooled which to some maybe be a big con but depending on weather conditions and such. Now time for my semi-biased opinion on 500cc bikes, NINJA 500 ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol. Its debatably not as purty as the 500F (although i find the ninja better looking, its got that retro 90s sport bike thing goin on) and its liquid cooled and has more power and much better performance characteristics than the 500F, not to say the suzi is a bad bike. The ninjette blows both away in the looks department though.. haha

[Michaeldphotography]

I was pondering the same choices. My best friend just got the gs 500 about 2 months ago. I love the way it handles and the acceleration is great. I am getting my bike soon and have decided to go with the Ninja 250. Mostly based off of the reviews and what I have read here. I really love the way it looks. My other friend also has the new Honda CBR 250 that I have ridden a good bit the last few weeks and I like the way it handles and have been told the Ninja is similar. Hopefully i should be getting mine soon.

[ninja250]

You guys are fired.
You keep making me want a GS500F.
No water cooling means easier to take to the track and then back to the street when done!

That would be such a fun machine.
It's basically like a Ninja with more power and a stunt friendly rear end. lol

That frame is a real box frame too it looks like. Just needs some clip on bars and levers and it's good to go. A Real box frame will not flex as much as a tubular frame I am guessing for one, which could make for a more stable and solid ride. At 25lbs more that's like two gallons of milk on the back seat... nothing you're gonna notice too much.

I'm willing to bet the storage inside the seat is much more roomy as well. There is hardly any room in the ninjette to store things. My last GSXR had some SERIOUS trunk space in comparison. Possibly another thing to consider? I'm taking a long shot with this guess but I might be able to fit a small compact folding umbrella into the GS500F seat.







Who wants to trade I'll throw in the $700 for a new frame and do the swap on my POS. lol
We don't need to stinking water cooling.

Comes with it's own race stand haha

[ninja250]

500F FTW

Link to original page on YouTube.

[ambudriver]

Local new gen ninja 250 were going for $3000+, found a 2008 GS500F for $2000.

I still wish I had the 250, but the GS500 is a blast to ride. Cost of ownership is also decent if you're willing to do your own maintenance. I've done everything from valve checks to tire changes on my own, and I'm not at all mechanically inclined.

Plus, everyone thinks it's a GSXR.