well through some wheeling and dealing i might end up with a 91 ninja 500, havent actually seen the bike or have any idea on miles, shape, etc, just wondering before i made some trades what to look for in this bike, and how reliable and powerful are they? I rode4000 miles on a 1980 suzuki gs550 last summer and it wasnt enough power, will this 500 be more powerful? any insight or pictures of early 90's 500's would be awesome, i'll get pictures if i end up getting
thanks

 

one more question, how hard are the carbs to clean on this bike?, cleaning carbs is something i've done one everything i own (snowmobiles, atv's) , i did them once on that gs550 and decided i wont do it again, it was ridicolous getting that rack of 4 carbs in and out without messing up the air box or carb boots

 

Never rode one, but from what I hear the 500 falls more into the "Fun to ride" category than "Fast and powerful." I doubt you will regret your purchase once you hit the twisties, but if you want something that can throw you off the back and do power wheelies, you may want to look elsewhere. Waiting to hear from CalamariChris on this one, he is our resident expert.

 

Welcome to KF mycat8urskidoo
The EX 500 is not known for being a beast in the power department. They ride well although a little on the plush side with little or no suspension adjustability. If a test ride is available, you may want to try it out first. I think the handling ability of the EX is going to make you happier than on the GS. I have not taken out carbs on a parallel twin but would think it easier than on the inline 4 of the GS also.
Good luck

 

I've had my carbs out far enough to remove the pilot plug, not that hard! I've started changing over the fork springs, off to Sears for those 12mm hex sockets. And I'm waiting for CC to post up his shock report now that he's had it on for a while. So, carbs not that hard. Suspension adjustable but not without some work. You may not be satified with the power. I ride the slab during the weekdays, 80 mile round trip commute and go play on the weekend, I haven't ground pegs but amused my self sufficently. How much power do you need? Ahem, I've found the need for power to be inversely proportional to age.

Will winter never end?

 

Ahoy Mycat.
I have a 2002 ZX9R which will go faster than 90mph in first gear, but I still love, own and even prefer to ride the EX500.
Why?
~Because it gets 50mpg even if you ride the pi$$ out of it. And has a 4.8-gallon tank which is almost enough to get you 300-mile to the tankful.
~Because it walks casually away from ricers, Corvettes, BMW 7-series and just about every kind of sportscar you'll see on your daily commute
~Because it's light and fun to ride.
~Because it's got just enough power to pass R1's, Ducatis, GSXR1000's on a twisty road, unless the riders of the aforementioned bikes really know what they're doing.
~Because Kawasaki hasn't changed the bike much since 1994, so parts will always be cheap and plentiful
~Because it's narrow and very easy to ride between cars when you're lanesplitting.
~Because it has screw&locknut type valve adjusters, which makes valve adjustments a breeze!

If this GS550 was an inline-four engine, the EX500 will not be as powerful. But the EX500 has 10 more horspower than the aircooled GS500E.
The EX500 has only two carburetors and they're very simple to work on. BUT be careful with the float-valve arms / tangs when you're cleaning out the float bowls and valves. These are very easily bent, and the result is commonly a catastrophic problem with the float level(s).

It's a stupendous bike, but not a wheelie-monster or az drag-strip hero. I't scommonly known as a great beginner bike, but I've ridden more than a quarter million miles and I think it's a great bike period.
Good luck, whichever bike you end up going with.
-Chris in C'bad

 

hahaha, I think that speed and age are proportional! Of course, that does not make me any faster though.

 

Most importantly per the comparisons, the EX has more power than the GS.