For
reference, I started riding in 1999 on a '90 GS500 then picked
up a '96 Ninja in the spring of 2000 while I was waiting for
repair parts for the GS. I'm about 5'11" 165 lbs. There
is an active Ninja board at http://www.ninja250.net and an active
GS board at http://www.gstwin.com.
My
GS has a handlebar mount windscreen (National F15 tour) and
a lower than stock set of handlebars but is otherwise stock.
The Ninja has a Muzzy exhaust which I find obnoxiously loud
and has been re-jetted to match (I bought it this way). Whoever
did the jetting did a good enough job and the engine is responsive
from just over idle to redline. My GS isn't real happy below
about 3k, but not so much that I've felt the need to rejet it.
The
Ninja is much lighter that the GS and it carries its weight
lower making it seem lighter yet. The Ninja seat height is lower
by a couple of inches. I know of some 5'4" types that flatfoot
the Ninja and you'd only have to be a couple inches taller to
flatfoot the GS. The Ninja is quicker to turn in, probably due
to the 16" wheels, but the GS is far from unresponsive.
The Ninja stock gearing is pretty low, but the engine is a rev
monster (14k vs the GS's 11k) and it needs to be wound out to
really hustle the little bike around. In top gear you get about
8 MPH per 1000 RPM so highway cruising at 70 means you're turning
close to 9000 RPM. This is a little disconcerting at first,
but remember that there is a lot of tachometer left. Top speed
is around 100 MPH. The stock Ninja suspension is softer than
the GS and there is no pre-load adjustment, so it's not the
best choice for a lot of 2 up riding. I find riding the Ninja
for long times to be more fatiguing than the GS, mostly because
my GS has better wind protection and it absorbs bumps better,
I've done 300+ mile days on both bikes and recently completed
a 700 mile day on the GS. The riding position on both bikes
is a pretty upright "standard" style and comfortable.
The GS foot pegs are placed farther back, resulting in more
knee bend so my legs get cramped sooner on that bike. The Ninja
handlebars are a little closer resulting in more elbow bend.
This geometry seems to work for a wide range of rider physiques.
The clutch and brake on the Ninja are quite a bit lighter than
the GS. Personally I prefer the feel of the GS controls, but
for stop and go, the Ninja might be less tiring. The Ninja starts
easily under most conditions if you get the choke setting right,
but it has a very sensitive choke adjustment. My GS is less
sensitive to starting procedure, but doesn't warm up as quickly.
I have heard that the stock jetting on newer model GS (~95+)
is leaner and they are more finicky while warming up.
The
GS accelerates faster and with a lot less drama. It has relatively
more engine vibration, but I don't find it to be a problem.
The mirrors are clear at all speeds on both bikes. The GS feels
much more planted in moderate to high-speed curves and it has
much less dive under braking. It gets blown around a little
less on the highway. It is easier to work on since there is
no plastic, no liquid cooling, easier access to the valve cover,
fewer valves, and they don't go out as quickly. The GS should
last longer. It seems to consume a fair amount of oil during
extended interstate highway travel, but that doesn't seem to
be a problem and has been reported by others. Curiously, it
uses very little oil at lower speeds (<65 mph indicated).
The Ninja is reputed to be good for less than 50k miles before
needing major work (valve seats are apparently the problem).
There is one guy on the Ninja board who has over 100k miles
and is on his third (used) engine and a couple people around
40k miles on their original engine. There are a couple of people
on the GS board that are over 50k miles. The GS has no plastic
to break should you drop it during the learning process (or
whenever). The GS can be ridden with a lot less attention to
being in the optimum gear.
The
GS averages about 170 miles before hitting reserve and gets
about 55 MPG for my normal commute. The Ninja can go an amazing
240 miles before reserve getting about 65 MPG.
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Rider
Review: 1999 Suzuki GS500E