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Brand New GS500 or 2001 Yamaha YZF600R

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K

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I've put almost 6000 miles over the last 18 months on my 04' Kawasaki EX250Z. Now it's time to step on to something bigger. I can't decide between brand new Suzuki GS500 or a used 2001 YAMAHA YZF600R with 1200 miles on it. It comes with pipe and some mod in carburator. Up to now I was pretty satisfied with my 250. I use it to get to work daily in heavy traffic. I drive in between cars and 250 is really good for that as it is slim and light. Thanks to that is is easy to manouver. Now I'd like to swich simply because I feel that I need some more power.
Please help me decide.
 
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#2 ·
KICHUS said:
I've put almost 6000 miles over the last 18 months on my 04' Kawasaki EX250Z. Now it's time to step on to something bigger. I can't decide between brand new Suzuki GS500 or a used 2001 YAMAHA YZF600R with 1200 miles on it. It comes with pipe and some mod in carburator. Up to now I was pretty satisfied with my 250. I use it to get to work daily in heavy traffic. I drive in between cars and 250 is really good for that as it is slim and light. Thanks to that is is easy to manouver. Now I'd like to swich simply because I feel that I need some more power.
Please help me decide.
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have you been able to actually SIT on either bike? or better yet... RIDE one? that'll tell you ALOT about the bike... as ergos and it being comfortable to ride... the 600 is going to have more power... as well as be bigger and have a taller seat hight (I think)... How tall are you? can you stand flat foot on the 600? I'd say if your in HEAVY TRAFFIC you want something that you can place both feet flat on the ground... :2cents:
 
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KICHUS said:
Yes. I've sat on Yamaha and I've noticed that is a bit higher. I'm 5'10" and I was able to reach the ground. with my legs straight.
I did not sit on GS500 though.
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good! well as Jack said... the 600 is going to have more power than the 500... and if that's your problem with the 250 I'd say jump to the 600... the 500 will be a step up... but I agree with Jack... not a substantial. and personally I'd rather have that little extra power there and not need it... than not have it and wished I did.:2cents:

just be aware of your wrist when your riding it for the first couple times... :dthumb:
 
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#6 ·
Somewhere among the zillions of motorcycle magazines I have, there was a test of the "other" 600's. Instead of the R6 and RR's, the magazine tested the 600's that are based on older bikes. That YZF came out in 1997 and it was terrific until Yamaha came out with the R6. The R6 is a better race bike, but the YZF is a better street bike. And it's much better than the GS500.
 
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No Worries said:
Somewhere among the zillions of motorcycle magazines I have, there was a test of the "other" 600's. Instead of the R6 and RR's, the magazine tested the 600's that are based on older bikes. That YZF came out in 1997 and it was terrific until Yamaha came out with the R6. The R6 is a better race bike, but the YZF is a better street bike. And it's much better than the GS500.
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sounds like my ZZR600... the old ZX6R before the went to the 636cc
 
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#9 ·
all in all I totaly agree with the direction going towards the 600. Big difference in power. Remember you can always have the comfort and power of a 500 in a 600cc bike. But if you need the power of a 600 you will never get it out of a 500 without some serious mods. 600 all the way.:dthumb:
Better to have and dont need, than to need and dont have.
 
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Discussion Starter · #15 ·
Thank you all for your recomendation. I was also leaning toward Yamaha. The only problem is that the Yamaha is already 5 years old and the price is still almost the same as the brand new GS500. The shop wants $4500 for it. Is that a good deal? The milage is not that bad 1200 miles, but it already 5 years old. Is it worth it?
 
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Tell them you'll give 'em 4K. If they won't budge, tell them you want a nice helmet, nice gloves, a nice jacket, nice boots, and tie-downs (even though you may have some of this stuff already). What do the Yammies retail for new today?
 
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#17 ·
KICHUS said:
Thank you all for your recomendation. I was also leaning toward Yamaha. The only problem is that the Yamaha is already 5 years old and the price is still almost the same as the brand new GS500. The shop wants $4500 for it. Is that a good deal? The milage is not that bad 1200 miles, but it already 5 years old. Is it worth it?
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you might look into an SV650 or something like that...

4500 seems a little high but it depends on your area... I just bought a 05 ZZR600 with 618 miles on it for 5200 out the door! so it seems high... but then again... this is alaska... and there's still a foot of snow on the ground... so that had alot to do with the price...

have you checked out used bikes that AREN'T at a stealership?
 
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jeeps84
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