[LoopRider]

So heres some performance data on the 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 500, the performance should be about the same on the Ninja 500's produced around 2001

Horsepower - [email protected] rpm

Torque - 30.9 [email protected]

1/4 Mile - [email protected]

Dry Weight:388 lbs


Now lets compare it to the Suzuki GS500E..............(2001 Model)

Horsepower - [email protected]

Torque - 26.6 [email protected]

1/4 Mile - [email protected]

Dry Weight:396.8 lbs

I'm just passing along the info

 

[Stephen072774]

So what... the Ninja is ugly. :twofinger

 

[kazlab67]

Oh hell!!!!

 

[firefighter81]

So what... the Ninja is ugly. :twofinger

So is the GS500. Learner bikes aren't supposed to be good looking, if they were newbies might actually buy them and learn to ride the right way! We all know if that happened it would start raining frogs and hell would be opening up alot of ice skating rinks.

 

[TheHub02ss]

The only complaint that I have with my Ninja is the seat. It gets a little uncomfortable after a while. But overall I think it's a much better bike than the suzuki.

Does anyone know if they make the gel seats for the Ninja?

 

[JDSV650]

How about some data of the GS vs. the Ninja 250, that seems to be a more accurate comparison.

 

[Nate Dogg]

How about some data of the GS vs. the Ninja 250, that seems to be a more accurate comparison.

In what way? The Ninja 500 & GS500 have almost identical displacements, and they are both of the same engine configuration if I'm not mistaken (twins)...so why wouldn't you compare them

 

[Nostradumbass]

So is the GS500. Learner bikes aren't supposed to be good looking, if they were newbies might actually buy them and learn to ride the right way! We all know if that happened it would start raining frogs and hell would be opening up alot of ice skating rinks.

I own a Ninja 500R, but I must admit the GS500 is the better looking bike (naked or with fairings). These two learner bikes don't have drop dead sex appeal of their larger cousins (though the new GS500F is pretty close), but they're far from ugly.

Just my opinion.

 

[ray8601]

I owned a GS for about 5 years and rode a buddies EX500 a few times, no doubt the EX has more steam than the GS. As far as 'fit and finish' it's almost a toss up but I would give the nod to the GS...little things like the controls, brackets, misc. hardware, etc. seemed to have a higher quality look and feel. We're not talking a big difference here though.

One thing to keep in mind is although the engine configurations are the same, the EX is liqued cooled while the GS is air cooled. For a beginner or someone who wants minimal complexity and maintainance (while sacrificing performance), this may make the GS the more attractive choice.

For all out performance the EX is the better of the two hands down.

 

[gpTT]

One thing to keep in mind is although the engine configurations are the same, the EX is liqued cooled while the GS is air cooled. For a beginner or someone who wants minimal complexity and maintainance (while sacrificing performance), this may make the GS the more attractive choice.

While less complex than a liquid-cooled machine, an air cooled machine will require MORE maintenance. If I remember correctly, the Kawi's service intervals are at every 6,000, with valve inspection at 12,000. The Suzi's service intervals AND valve inspections are every 3,500.

 

[Stephen072774]

While less complex than a liquid-cooled machine, an air cooled machine will require MORE maintenance. If I remember correctly, the Kawi's service intervals are at every 6,000, with valve inspection at 12,000. The Suzi's service intervals AND valve inspections are every 3,500.

IMO, that point is moot too. If you can't lube and tension your chain and change the oil on your bike you don't need one. Buy a 20 dollar Clymer manual and check your own valves. The manual says check the valves at 4000, but they rarely need adjustment untill 10,000 miles. Its simple stuff.

 

[kc5vea]

I just bought my ninja 500r (2003) and i personally think it looks better than the gs500f but thats just me i dont care for the suzuki headlight. Abotu the controls.... well the ninja has had the same basic design for like forever so that why... but that means its been workin for that long why change it? I dunno ther both great bikes my buddy has one and i rode it yesterday and it feels great to ride but i like mine better but i guess cause its mine. I will say this though if you have questionable credit or not enough history dont even apply for a bike through kawasaki i actally got my loan through suzuki and was gonna get a gs but then the day i went a used 2003 500r caught my eye and i was allready approved for the gs so i was golden. So I dont think either one is better its just a personal preference specially when you got a half liter beater, and besides how fast can 500 ccs be?

 

[gpTT]

IMO, that point is moot too. If you can't lube and tension your chain and change the oil on your bike you don't need one. Buy a 20 dollar Clymer manual and check your own valves. The manual says check the valves at 4000, but they rarely need adjustment untill 10,000 miles. Its simple stuff.

Moot point? If I were trying to decide between these two machines, I would like to know beforehand if one (GS) is going to require valve checks/adjusments 3 times as often as the other (EX).

Sure, it's not that difficult and many of us do this work ourselves - but I'd rather do it less often. For those who want the shop to take care of things (many newbies?), they'll be spending a bundle more on routine maintenance with the GS.