Thought you lot might be able to help me decide between two bikes I'm considering. It will be my first big(ish) bike and I can't decide between a Suzuki GS500E or a Kawasaki ZZR400 both N/M reg
I'd prefer the ZZR but my sensible side (which generally doesn't get a look in) says go for the GS500E purely so I don't burst into tears when the inevitable happens.....the dreaded dropping of the bike! Knowing me it's bound to happen!!!! Both bikes will cost me the same to insure for some bizzare reason but getting parts for the ZZR400 is gonna be a pain in the posterior!!

All advice welcome ... Cheers

I had a GS550E and I loved it. I assume it wouldn't be a million miles different to the 500. Wasn't anthing to right home about in the power stakes but thats not what this type of bike is about. Never been a Kawasaki fan apart from a KX500 I had. That doesn't mean they are a bad bike just not my thing. I am sure someone will be able to give your the low-down on the 400.

Good luck


Nick

As you already know the GS is very robust (excellent commuter) BUT also very boring. I guarantee that after a few weeks you'd want something with a bit more "go". Can't comment on the Kwak never had a go on one
Whatever you decide enjoy and keep it shiny side up!

I was very much in the same boat as youself, just got my first big(ish) bike.

I looked at a few 400s and 500s. I ended up going for a Kawasaki GPZ500s (M-reg), it's a decent bike but I've had a bit of a problem with starting the thing which I'm still to get to the bottom of. It's got a decent amount of poke and the decent handling gives you confidence, it doesn't exactly look as impressive as a sports 400 but not quite as boring as some of the 500s.

I found it really good for commuting (getting about 60mpg) and comfy but at the same time you can have some real fun on the back roads.

Don't know if the starting problem is common with them though or it's just my machine. Then again it could just be the damp (as one of the guys here suggested) as it has been very wet up here over the last few weeks.

Let us know what you go for in the end.

i ride a gs500 every day as an instructor-good solid bike(but not as well built as a cb500-which the students use)its fast enough to get you into trouble if you want it to, but forgiving also.

parts should be easy enough to come by-ours is a 9000 mile almost new bike, so no parts worries just yet.

the zzr 400 is essentially a baby zzr1100-which i own and ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO BITS-so i'm biased
parts can be a problem as its an import only & ins could be higher.
i wouldnt take too much notice of "you'll get bored with it soon" regarding the gs etc-go with your heart-you'll know when its time to replace any bike you buy.

Thanks for all comments guys!! Thats given me food for thought.

I'm open to suggestions of other bikes you might want to recommend. I should probably mention that I am forced to do the restricted licence so whatever I end up with would have to be restricted to 33 horses

Does anyone know which 400/500's are least affected by the restrictor (obviously there will be the lack of power but I mean in terms of weight/handling and flat spots in the rev range).

Somebody down my street had a GPZ 500 and was quite happy with it in the dry but said it was a nightmare in rain as the brakes were virtually non-existant!! Maybe he just had knackered pads - has anyone else had this problem?

I had a Gs 500 a few years ago and really liked it.
I disagree with moggy's comment as well, I'd had several 750's before I got the Gs and I didn't find it boring.

The gs500 with a restrictor kit is terrible, I cannot begin to describe just how wrong the bike feels. With me on it the brakes don?t work, the power delivery is shoddy at best and and and arggggg?. Lol.

Probably not very helpful but I needed to get it out of my system. My friend had his cbr400 written off and is currently using a gs500 as a hire bike, the main thing I notice is how small the gs is.

My bandit restricted is normal in everyday use and feels normal to ride until you hit around 80 ish where you can feel that it?s a little under powered, it still managed to give toms unrestricted 400 a good run for its money with the 33bhp kit in. I?ve driven it both unrestricted and restricted and im completely happy to leave the kit in as its unfaired an going fast isn?t very comfortable anyway.

This probably makes no sense as I should be asleep, will try make a better more helpful post tomorrow

Oh and my other friend has the gpz restricted... will post on that too.. need sleep now

You've been at the coke again ain't ya Brodeh?