[Clark0384]

I’m looking around for my first motorcycle and the only experience I have was from taking the safety course with a Yamaha TW 200 that they provided. I’ve really looked into getting the 250 Ninja but I believe it would be too light and not enough power for where I’ll be riding. During the week, I drive to work down a 10 miles stretch of open road at a speed limit of 65 mph where there are very few days in which it’s not windy. It typically blows around 15-25 mph on average. On the weekends, I usually drive about 50 miles on the interstate where the speed limit is 75 mph and again, the wind is usually blowing. Now I don’t want to get a Ninja 250 because I think that because of its weight, I’ll be blown around the road a lot more, not to mention that I’ll be doing a lot of open road/interstate driving. How well does the GS500F run on the highways? Is it pretty comfortable and stable running speeds of around 80 mph for about 40 minutes? Any input on this would be much appreciated also along with any suggestions of other bikes that would work well.

Thank you,
Phillip

[Matt]

Ninja 250 will handle 75mph without any issue.
The consensus from MSF instructors is that bigger bikes have no advantage in the wind. While the bike may weight more, it also has more surface area for the wind to hit and apply force over. Usually when someone says that bike X handles wind better than their old lighter bike it is a matter of experience – the new bike isn’t handling the wind better, the now more experienced rider is.

The Ninja 250, GS500, and Ninja 500 all handle highway well.

—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”

[Budd]

I concur. The Ninja 250 would be ideal for what you are describing.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Clark0384]

If I were to get a brand new Ninja 250, would going 80 mph on interstate for a period of 40 minutes at a time be bad as far as breaking the bike in?

[Budd]

Breaking in the bike would have to be done before you took it on the interstate for a serious ride. Look into the Motoman method on ninja250.com if you do pick one up. it breaks it in at about 200 miles and is probably better for the bike.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Clark0384]

So what’s the more comfortable ride, the the GS500 or the Ninja 250? Also, any high altitude riders? How much does altitude effect performance? I’m talking around 4k-6k ft.

[ShannonG]

I can only speak to the GS500, but it would be more than capable of the commute you’re describing. The faired version would protect you a little more from the wind.
All the bikes you are considering have a sporty, yet slightly upright ride position, good for longer commutes.
That said, buy the GS500f! It is the greatest bike EVER!!!!!!

Oh, and as for breaking in the engine, I was told to vary my engine speed. So probably the first couple of hundred miles ride neighborhoods, etc, lots of shifting up and down, revving etc.

[Author]

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