Got a question.

[mrdwyre]

Ok, I've been looking into getting a bike for awile now.  I just looked at a 2002 GS500.  The person is looking to sell it for $2000 dollars.  It has around 3400 miles on it.  It has a salvaged title and no fairings.  
I've never ridden a motorcycle before so first off are these good bikes to start out with?  
My dad came with me to look at it and he rode it around.  He says it rides well, the only thing, he says its sort of "squirely" when first starting off.  He thinks it might just be because its lighter then what he used to ride.  He did notice rust on it, so he thinks that that might be why it was salvaged, maybe it was in a flood or something.  
Anyway, I was asking what would be good to ask for.  I figure since it has no fairings, I would be putting some on.  This page says they are like $750 http://www.gstwin.com/spec2.htm so I figured I can knock that amount off the asking price, bringing it to $1250.  Since it is a salvaged title, how much more do you think I can ask off for it.  Would bringing the price down to an even $1000 be fair?  Because I also want to be realistic enough that they would sell it to me.  
Anyway any advice would help out a lot.  Thanks
Matt

[coll0412]

That is a little steep, I picked up my 99' for $2150 and was basically spotless and had 5000 miles, I even overpaid. Salvage title lowers the price alot, because they are really hard to resell later. I would go around $1000 max

[cernunos]

The White Owl is an '89 with just a tick over 5k miles and I gave 1800 for her. But she is in perfect mint condition...I mean literally like show-room new. Why does the bike have a salvage title? And also, what do you mean by "no fairings"? '00 didn't have fairings anyway. At any rate, for 1k-1.5k you should be able to get a good example of the Baby G that runs and is good riding material. If you really want the bike then 1k might be reasonable. Worry 'bout that salvage title tho'. Make sure your state will let you tag it. I love my little White Owl and this forum too.

C........

[The Buddha]

Look for a ugly but otherwise defect free and well running one. Should set you back under 1500. Pretty bikes sell and command a premium.
Cool.
Srinath.

[mrdwyre]

The White Owl is an '89 with just a tick over 5k miles and I gave 1800 for her. But she is in perfect mint condition...I mean literally like show-room new. Why does the bike have a salvage title? And also, what do you mean by "no fairings"? '00 didn't have fairings anyway. At any rate, for 1k-1.5k you should be able to get a good example of the Baby G that runs and is good riding material. If you really want the bike then 1k might be reasonable. Worry 'bout that salvage title tho'. Make sure your state will let you tag it. I love my little White Owl and this forum too.

C........

I guess that is what you call them,  I'm pretty newb right when it come to this stuff.  Bascially right now it looks like the pic on the left in the link, an I want it to look like the pic on the right.  He called it fairing so that was what I was going by.  I could be wrong though.

Anyway, thanks for the comments people.

EDIT: only its a 2002 instead of a 2000.

[cummuterguy]

ok, the pic on the left on the link is the bike in it's stock form... the gs was a 'naked' bike up until 2004 when the 'f' model came out..

I really feel that you can't deduct from the price of the bike for fairings, when the bike didn't come with fairings to begin with, although the salvage title and the rust are both good reasons to deduct.

You did say that it is a 2002 model, right? I think anything up to $1700 would be fair, depending on any other damage you may not have mentioned. I doubt you will get far offering only half of what he is asking, I'd start around $1300 but go no higher that $1700. You can find clean title bikes for $1700 all day long, although they may be a few years older.

[mastrind]

yeah...you can't deduct for the amount mods might cost you....if you could.....all my bikes would have been FREE!!! :mrgreen:

....you should really find out why the bike has a salvage title....and who did the repairs....if it's a reputable shop that could raise the price....if it's a scumbag shortcut taking shop then I'd look else where....

.....the rust is an additional area of concern....it certainly depends on where you live, and where the bike is initially from, and how much of it there is........

.....for reference....KBB trade-in value (good condition) is $1745.....and  retail is $2600.....

[cummuterguy]

cool new avatar, masterind,  I take it that's your better half on her new ride?

[mastrind]

yeah....that way I get to see her at work.... ....don't tell my boss!!!

[mrdwyre]

I didnt realize the fairings didnt come stock before 2004.  Good point about not deducting for mods.  Anyway, I'm gonna go take another look at it tonight and get the VIN.