Get the '96 GS or the '01 GS?!?

[snowhownd]

Hey guys,
been pondering this one for a while now:
Looked at a Maroon '96 GS500E w/ 8900 miles on it and am close to buying it.  It will need tires in the spring (starting to crack in the treads a tiny bit), the fork seals are a little cracked (another winter job), otherwise it is in nice shape... paint looks good, has some little scratches on the engine from probably tipping over at some point, but everything else looks good.  Has a small fairing on it and a second larger one comes with it - $1750.  
Found a Dark Blue '01 GS500 in the paper and called on it a couple of days ago.  It has 3200 miles on it and was bought new in '02.  She said it had a scratch on the engine cover as well from tipping, but paint and tank weren't scratched/dented at all.  She said tires were original.  She's holding firm at $2350.  

I can't decide!!!  I don't have a ton of money... getting together the $1750 was painful enough (had to buy all new gear as well as this is my first bike)... so another $600 would hurt even more.  But would it be worth it you think?  I haven't seen the '01 in person yet, but I'd guess the seals should be good and the tires might be good through next summer... so right there that is $200 I wouldn't have to spend... so that factored in it's only $400 more - to get a bike that is 5 years newer and 5700 miles less.  I like the blue a slight bit more than the red... that dark blue is sharp.  Plus you guys pointed out that the tank is 1 gal bigger and the '-01 has better carbs.  Should I skimp on my credit card payment this month and put the extra money toward the '01 or just get the '96 and be happy???  I REALLY SHOULD spend as little money as possible (Holy Credit Card Batman!!!) but I keep thinking I might regret getting the older and cheaper bike next summer when I'm wanting something a littler newer/nicer.

Here is the red one:


here is what the blue one would look like (minus the fairings):
http://www.gstwins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=16

[gazingwa]

both are good deals, but, the stock tires on a gs SUCK so... tires aren't a big deal... fork seals are 20 bukcs and a little time.  the advantage the 01 has is the new tail, seat, and bigger tank.  Crappy tires with good tread on them are still crappy

[scratch]

Go with the '96, that way you have money for gear.

[JoChan23]

I'm not sure exactly what to tell you to do... the 1996 looks clean for its age, but of course the 01 will be clean too.. if you want to know what it sounds like you want.. it sounds to me like you want the 01.

- Jordan

[Hi-T]

I'd go '01..... oh wait... I did go '01.

If you can get the newer bike for 500 more- do it.  It's likely that there will be more repairs waiting for you in an older vehicle than newer (assuming milage being equal and standard maint. being done).

Besides cosmetics - the 01 also has a **cough** better carb. And will be easier to resell.
 
If you showed with cash in hand- I'm sure she take 2200- easy.  What's the mileage?

[snowhownd]

What's the mileage?

The '96 has 8900 and the '01 has 3200 on it.

Another thing that makes me feel a little uneasy about the '96 is that he said that he just let it sit last winter (didn't winterize it at all) because he was busy.
He also explained something about the fuel valve reading incorrect... like on was actually prime, and prime was something else and so on... I really didn't pay that much attention since at that time I was didn't really know much about the GS's.  Then I was reading on here how some people have some 'On' fuel supply issues and must run on 'Prime' to get fuel to the engine.  I'm wondering if that is the problem he has... the way he was explaining it I thought he meant that it had been taken apart and put back together wrong so the switch didn't read right.  He doesn't seem very 'technical' and kept referring to his buddy who wrenched for him since he knows all about bikes.  He also said that the needle has stuck twice in the couple years he owned it and fuel leaked out of the overflow line on the right side of the bike until he tapped on the side of the bowl.  I know an older bike will have issues, I guess it's just if I want to get up the extra money or not I guess.

Do you think the '01 will depreciate a great deal more?  I'm guess the '96 should be worth close to $1750 for a while longer if I keep it running good... seems like they only go down in value so far once they get a few years on them.

[Mk1inCali]

Scrimp a bit and get the 01.  The 96 has been sitting, so the carbs are going to need a full rebuild, especially with him mentioning the problem up-front.    Plus a full-on re-routing of the fuel lines, and you've got quite a bit of projects that could overwhelm you if you are new to the game.  The 01 is likely not to have any carb/fuel line problems, and you want to buy this bike to ride it, not to work on it, right?

01's seat is way better, and the carbs can be nearly as good as the pre-01's with some tuning.  Let us know either way you go, both look like good bikes, the 96 just needs some tuning to get it into riding shape.

[scottpA_GS]

Red is faster!      

[Jeff P]

There's no argument that the '96, with it's slick dark red paint and dark grey frame, is the best looking of all GSs     But, I have to agree with the rest who say to go for the '01.  It's a good deal.  FWIW I paid $2,100 for my '96 a bit over 2 years ago.  So it was 7 years old.  You'll be getting a 4 year old one for just a couple hundred bucks more.  

jeff

[Cal Price]

They are both low miles and sound like good buys, I'd be wary of the older bike if it has had fork oil seeping for a while it can find its way onto the front disc and then the pads which may be impregnated with oil so you'll need to change them too, simple engh to test the front brake though. Sitting one winter may not the end of the world, I just bought a bike that has only done 300 miles in the last eight years and got her running with very little attention. However as you know it wants some work it may be more than you expect, one thing can lead to another. If you are fairly confident in your mechanical skills it should not be a problem and this board will help you. I have virtually no wrenching experience but am managing to learn a few things, I'm sure you will.

If you don't want to spend your time with oily hands but would rather be riding go for the newer one.

[gikim1118]

Red is faster!      

Yeah, definitely red is faster!!  :lol:    

That bike looks just like mine!      YOU THIEF!!  :lol:

[RVertigo]

Well...  I'm partial to the '01 Drk Blue one...  Since that's what I have...

But...  Ride what you can afford.  New tires are worth the money either way...