[ShannonG]

Any changes a re purely cosmetic. I bet I could take a carbeurator from a ’92 GS500 and put in on my bike. I sort of like that for the availability of parts issue.

[WeaponZero]

Yes, mechanically its all the same and interchangeable. The fairing and some suspension components are the only things that have changed over its 20+ years of life

[Shane]

Good information. Thanks, all.

I finally got to see the Hyosung GT250r today in-person. It is a nice looking bike that’s for sure….it looks almost the same as their GT650r they had parked next to it. I wonder what a 250cc can do on a bike that size. The bike looked fairly large (relatively speaking of course) for a 250cc. I hear some folks complain about acceleration issues on the Ninja 250r when the rider is a little bit bigger…I wonder how this would affect the Hyosung offering. I would imagine; not good.

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The birds are calling my name, thought Caw.

[Matt]

“I hear some folks complain about acceleration issues on the Ninja 250r when the rider is a little bit bigger”

Sorry, but. I’m 30 pounds less than you, I out accelerate everything on the road that isn’t actively trying to race me. Technically speaking, my Kawasaki 250 is as fast as a Mustang or a WRX. Honestly, I wouldn’t know, since I’ve never raced beside one. In the few cases where someone has lined up and tried to race ahead of me, I always LET THEM. To do otherwise risks my safety. The Ninja 250 is fast enough to be FUN on the road.

I have no personal experience with the Hyosung, so I won’t comment on it. But I will say, anyone who says you need more than the Ninja 250 to learn how to ride and enjoy yourself has simply never ridden one, and is repeating the same “bigger is better” mentality that ends up putting beginners on R6s. Yes, the 650 twins are more predicatble than inline 4s, but they are still machines with a power to weight ratio as an early 90s Porsche 911. If learning how to ride is your goal, there are better bikes to do it on.

Sorry for the rant… well, not really sorry or I wouldn’t be hitting the submit button.

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The problem with the internet: Everyone gets the same font size.

[Shane]

I have absolutely no interest in “racing” people (as I stated in my lengthy first paragraph) nor do I feel bigger is better, so we are very much in agreement there. My comments regarding “acceleration” come from a post somebody made on here who is selling their 250r (was it Jiriki? My apologies if it wasn’t him and/or if it wasn’t here) about not having enough acceleration, was it, after the light changes at stop lights? I, personally, would actually prefer a 250r or GS500F over anything else, but I want to make sure I am comfortable riding it and that it “fits” me. In addition, the bike I do choose does need decent acceleration with a person my size on it since not keeping up with traffic out here in CA can become pretty dangerous in itself.

I hope that provides some clarity to my stance regarding “acceleration”.

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The birds are calling my name, thought Caw.

[kirk]

Go with the GS500. It was my first bike a year ago and it was a great bike to learn on. Not to mention a fun bike. I had a few mechanical problems but overall it is a great bike. This month I finally traded it in for a Honda CBR1000 RR. A heck of a jump but I feel comfortable after all the expierence I got on the GS500. Good luck and happy riding

[Shane]

Thanks, Kirk!

I put a deposit down on an 09′ Ninja 250r “just in case”, but the GS500 is still a very viable option. My buddy at the dealership (known eachother about 9+ years) told me the deposit wouldn’t be a bad idea just to insure I can get one if I do go that route. The GS500 seems to be quite a bit easier to find so hopefully everything works out well.

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The birds are calling my name, thought Caw.

[Author]

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