Kawasaki Ninja 250R or Suzuki GS500F Beginner Sports Bike?

  • Thread starter Thread starter alacea
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alacea

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Hi,

I've been itching to get a bike ever since I moved to Phoenix, AZ. I am a 5'3", 115lbs female. I have always been into extreme sports, but I am scared to make the wrong choice about my first bike. I've never ridden one by myself.
My initial choice was the Ninja 250, but most other experienced riders told me I would get bored with it quickly, grow out of it. So then I considered the Suzuki GS500F, but that is $1500-$2000 more expensive than the Ninja (both brand new, 2009), and I read that it isn't as sporty as the Ninja, plus it's harder to handle/heavier...
What advice can you give me, if you have any knowledge regarding these bikes?
Thank you!!
 
My girlfriend started on a GS425. She's 5' 6" and pretty athletic. She had no problem with it. You are smaller, so the 250 might suit you better. It goes pretty well; a couple of guys at least are running them in Iron Butt events. I like the Suzukis, though. The extra torque can be nice at altitude and on mountainous uphills. If you can manage it physically, it would be my pick.
 
First of all, you want to be able to sit on a bike with both feet flat on the ground. As an 'inseam challenged' person this can limit your choices.

Assuming you can sit on either of these bikes, they are both good. The 250 is fine for anything except long trips on the freeway. You can get up to 70 or 80, but the bike isn't made for long trips at that speed, so it's not good for the bike, it's not comfortable, and it's not as safe. The GS500 is a better choice if you plan to do 'touring'.

Otherwise they are both fine. You don't want anything too big and heavy for your first bike, but riding a motorcycle is not about strength, it's about balance.

If you can't reach the ground from the seat, look at cruisers. They have lower seats, plus a lower center of gravity, which makes them easier to manage.

Also I wouldn't recommend you go out and buy a shiny new bike to learn on. You're going to be hard on your first bike. You're probably gong to abuse the clutch, and you might drop it once or twice before you get the hang of it. It would be better (I think) to get something used, old enough to be depreciated but not old enough that you can't get parts. 5-10 years old is about right. After six months or a year you can sell this bike, and by then you'll know better what you really want.

You're lucky in Phoenix to be able to ride all year. But remember you're trailing a stream of moisture, so be sure to stay hydrated.
 
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