I know they're two sharply different bikes, that is not my concern.

They go for about the same price, though I think riding the GS would be more of a learning experience only because it is heavier than the ninja. I also think I'd get bored of the ninja faster than the GS.

I need to be able to comfortably cruise at about 70-75mph on my way to work on it, is the 250 capable of that?

thanks for the advice guys, I've done a bunch of reading and this should be about my last question.

about what will I spend on insurance (NC) on this thing with just liability. (20 white male clean record for 3 years).

-Matt

 

Insurance varies a lot. If you've done any searching, that you would know. Your best bet is to call around and ask.

I'd go with the GS500.

 

the lighter the bike, the more comfortable you will be in handling it and the more you will learn. that's been my experience. the gs500 will have more mass and rev lower for your highway runs. More mass = more stable on the highway.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladedad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Insurance varies a lot. If you've done any searching, that you would know. Your best bet is to call around and ask.

I'd go with the GS500.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for that utterly inspirational comment, as I said, I've done plenty of reading, I figured someone would have a ballpark figure though. I'm not an idiot. Thanks for the bike advice though.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by falcongsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the lighter the bike, the more comfortable you will be in handling it and the more you will learn. that's been my experience. the gs500 will have more mass and rev lower for your highway runs. More mass = more stable on the highway. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Again, I would think that the average person would know this, but I guess you just assumed I'm an idiot.

My questions remain:
Do you think the gs500 is light enough for me to learn on?

Is the 250 too light to ride comfortably on the highway?

 

I started witha 250....I would have prefered a 500

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mgags7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Do you think the gs500 is light enough for me to learn on?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes - they are super easy to ride. Great starters

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yes - they are super easy to ride. Great starters </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the advice

I'll be looking around for one here locally very soon, can't wait.

ok /this thread

 

I started with the katana 600 but it is a heavy bike and i rode my friends gs500 and yes its pretty light and nimble and good bike at highway speeds.... i dont have much experience with the ninja.... sorry hope this helps....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mgags7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Again, I would think that the average person would know this, but I guess you just assumed I'm an idiot.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ohhhhh don't be a dickface.

 

don't stress out to highly over a starter bike because that is exactly what they are... a starter bike. it is much more important that you spend time the in seat rather than obsess with what seat you spend the time. Experience is what you need, not bling...

 

If I were looking for a starter, i'd go with the GS500F because you'll outgrow the 250 in about a month, maybe less and the GS500F is much easier to sell than the GS500E because of its sport bike appearance.

 

I love my Ninja 250. I ride it on the interstate every day for ~30 minutes. I don't have any problem getting up to 100 quickly, so cruising at 70mph isn't really a problem. It is a little high strung at those speeds though.

 

i just baught an 85 gs550E, and im getting around fine, i think the list weight is somewhere around 460 lbs, and the only problem ive had is trying to roll in around the garage, or back out of a slightly inclined parking space but i guess thats a newb mistake for me.

 

Mine weighs 480 DRY

 

I started on a 96 GS500E. Love the bike. Easy to learn on and I rode it for 2 years. Fun even when you have built up a bit of riding experience.

GS ftw!

 

the new ninja 250 is basically the coolest thing on 2 wheels

im selling my 929 to get one

 

iirc the 250 is around 7500-8000 rpm @ 80mph in 6th gear

its been a while since ive sold the bike

 

If you have no personal preference for one over the other, I would go with whichever one you can find a better deal on. I doubt the learning experience is going to be very different between the two.

 

as far as insurance...

i'm 24, clean record, and for full coverage on my 650 i got quotes ranging from 250/yr. to 1500/yr. same coverage, progressive had the best price quote for me.

 

my 85 gs550e, with liability only. 2-3 speeding tickets in car(i dont know what was kept on my record) baught it for a grand, cost me around 19 bucks a month to insure for a full year.

 

get the new kawi 250

 

I have a GS500e, first bike, really nice, its plenty fast, more than I even need, easy to ride, predictable all the time and looks real good, sometimes I do wish I would have gotten something lighter to start with.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blindstuff &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sometimes I do wish I would have gotten something lighter to start with.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wanna trade?

I have my XT225, but I'm feeling impulsed to buy a used ZZR250 (JDM model Ninja) as a 2nd bike. They seem so fun, and easy to throw around.

The new Ninja250 looks sick, I would wait for it to come around. Either way, GS500 or Ninja, they are great bikes for rookies like me.

 

With a pricetag of $3500 brand new, I don't think I can argue with waiting on a 2008 ninja 250r. Wow. Great looking bike and its cheap.

That will be a great tax-return purchase

Riding gear for christmas w00t

 

I started on an 85 GS550. One time, I was pushing it out of the garage and lost my balance, the bike started to tip and I caught it in time, but in the process, burned the F$#% out of my calf on the exhaust. (but I didn't drop it. ).

How tall are you? If you're on the shorter side, I'd go with the Ninja. If not, either would work fine. But I'd opt for the Ninja for two reasons:

1) Financial - it will be easier to sell than the Suzuki.

2) Gas - better MPG.