Suzuki Gs500 vs Kawasaki Z1000
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Suzuki Gs500 vs Kawasaki Z1000. Suzuki Gs500: 45 hp @ 9,000 rpm hp, 185 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.5/10. Kawasaki Z1000: 142 hp @ 10,000 rpm hp, 235 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 225 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.8/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Suzuki Gs500
Kawasaki Z1000
Horsepower (hp)
45 hp
142 hp
Torque (Nm)
44 Nm
111 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
225 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
185 kg
235 kg
Type
Naked
Naked
Horsepower
45 hp @ 9,000 rpm
142 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Torque
44 Nm @ 7,500 rpm
111 Nm @ 7,300 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h
225 km/h
Weight
185 kg (wet/curb weight)
235 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
3.8 L/100km or approximately 26 km/L
6.5–7.5 L/100km (typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Suzuki Gs500
7.5/10
"The smartest, most sensible used motorcycle under two grand."
Pros
+Nearly indestructible engine
+Dirt-cheap running costs
+Forgiving but still teachable
Cons
−Suspension is genuinely soft
−Brakes feel dated
−Zero excitement factor
Kawasaki Z1000
7.8/10
"Raw, uncompromising supernaked that rewards confident, experienced riders enormously."
Pros
+Brutal, characterful inline-four engine
+Aggressive styling still turns heads
+Sharp, communicative chassis
Cons
−Highway comfort genuinely poor
−Valve checks get expensive fast
−Drop damage very common used
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
