just needs some carb cleaning/tuning?

[p0diabl0]

I bought a 97 GS500E a week ago with 31,000 miles on it. The seller (and owner before him) said its needed the carbs cleaned out and tuned for a long time now.
Ive ridden it a bit and it has lot of wierd power problems. It usually doesnt idle right and i have to use the throttle, especially on start up even with the choke on. Ive tried playing with the idle screw but it only fixes it temporarily. Sometimes it will start revving up for no reason that i can see and i have to hit engine cutoff. Also if its been idling for a few minutes (once i finally got the idle screw properly set) and i try to rev it, it often times simply revs up and then falls flat on its ass and cuts, or even fails to rev up before cutting. I also sometimes have trouble starting it.

Im not comfortable enough yet with the bike to tune the carbs, i could probably clean them, but will more than likely just pay to have it done ( boo hiss i know). My question, does this sort of engine behavior sound like its most likely the carbs? 

This board rocks and ive been able to find several other issues and fixed them through search, thanks in advance guys!

[average]

Sounds like the carbs. There gummed up from old gas. Clean em out. Go ahead and replace those o rings while your are in there. 

[ashman]

Might want to add a lil carb cleaner to the fresh gas. Not too much tho or you'll eat up some gaskets. Check yur plugs while yur @ it.

-ash