What's a GS worth?

[Noltz]

  After doing about 2 weeks research on this forum and reading reviews, I'm really set on picking up a GS for a bit.  My history is dirt bikes since ~6, then bought a CB450 for street.  Graduated to a '99 SVS that I bought dropped and rebuilt.  I sold it two years ago, and haven't ridden much since.   I figure a 500 is a good "reentry" size.

  Now my problem:  All the GS's around here are in the $3k range, and they're 1990-95 models.   That seems really steep when I can go across the boarder and buy one for half that  .  What should I be looking at for a mechanically sound GS with 50K or less?

  Thanks

[scottpA_GS]

3K for a 90 GS  I paid 1K just last year for my 95 with 180 miles on it.. I know its rare but Ahhh.. I wouldnt pay more than 1-1.4 for a 90-95 

Where are you from?

[Noltz]

 Burlington, which is between Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario.   Most of the bikes I'm finding are out of Toronto, but the idoits there think they're worth 2.5K and up.  I can't figure it out.  I'll be looking seriously in about a month (bought a house, gotta move first), but just looking it up.. jezus that's a lot for a starter bike.

[dracflamloc]

Is this canadian dollars? If so 3k doesnt sound too farfetched depending on the year. But yea if its a '90-'95 thats too much.

[Queso]

In Cali, I'm seein all these late 80's bikes with 2k price tags. Even the ones that need work to run go for a 1000. It's ridiculous. I'm having the hardest time finding a nearby GS I can afford. With how much people are asking for their used GS's, I might as well go buy myself a new one to learn on!!!  I really like the look of the F models, anyway...

[roguegeek]

That's just way too much for those years. Look for $1.5k instead. Use KBB to check out prices also.

[Noltz]

That's just way too much for those years. Look for $1.5k instead. Use KBB to check out prices also.

  Please explain:  KBB?

And yes, Canadian Dollars.  But please remember, we're at 90% of American right now.  While our raising dollar doesn't lower Canadian prices on goods, I'm just can't accept that a 15 year old motorcycle hasn't depreciated 50%.  What were they to buy new in 1990?  Maybe $3k?  And they still want $2k?

[Alphamazing]

That's just way too much for those years. Look for $1.5k instead. Use KBB to check out prices also.

  Please explain:  KBB?

And yes, Canadian Dollars.  But please remember, we're at 90% of American right now.  While our raising dollar doesn't lower Canadian prices on goods, I'm just can't accept that a 15 year old motorcycle hasn't depreciated 50%.  What were they to buy new in 1990?  Maybe $3k?  And they still want $2k?

Kelly Blue Book

www.kbb.com

And you also need to factor in inflation to the cost of the bike as well. It might have cost $3k back in 1990, but with the cost of inflation that $3k isn't worth near as much. The bikes now sell for roughly $5k new, as opposed to the $3k new they used to.  $2000 CAD is a little high for a 1990 model, IMO, but it also depends on the condition. Try knocking it down to $1500 CAD or so.

[corndog67]

Buy my 95 for $1000.  21,000 miles.  Stock pipe.  Rejetted.  Light scuffs on left side.

corndog67@msn.com

[joedude]

I got my 96 stock GS with 10k. for 1200USD (1500CAD) exactly a year ago.

I bought her on eBay, but I bought it at bluebook price so it was a good deal for everyone.

Have a look on eBay, there are lots that pop up not too far from you, south of the border.

[Queso]

I got my 2000 GS for 2000 a few hours ago 

11.5k miles

[Noltz]

Buy my 95 for $1000.  21,000 miles.  Stock pipe.  Rejetted.  Light scuffs on left side.

corndog67@msn.com

  That's exactly what I'm looking for, but you're about 3000 km away.

  I understand about the inflation, and how 3K now ain't woth what 3k was 10 years ago.  But with few exceptions, vehicles depreciate.  I guess it's not worth debating - the price is the price.  I expected to find a 95-97 for about $1500.  What I'm finding is 90-93 in the $2000 range. 

  Anyone know of an online resource to investigate bringing one over the boarder?

[Wrecent_Wryder]

4d

[Queso]

I think they get snatched up fast a lot of places. I started noticing all teh GS's around here... There are a ton of people riding them, but none for sale! These suckers are pretty popular. No wonder they are so hard to find. I saw a want ad on CL offering 3k for an old GS.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[d

[Dr. Love]

2nd hard motorcycle price are quite high in BC... $2000 USD is not unreasonalbe for 90'~95' GS500 in good condition... if it weren't for the hassel I'd buy used from the states and import it, especially with CAD the way it is.

[chrisalberts]

Just as another data point, I bought the following in Austin, TX for $2000 (US of course) under 2 weeks ago:

1999 GS500e just under 30k miles, fair condition - probably about average for age, obviously dropped but nothing serious or too ugly.

Came with Givi box and receipts for recent maintenance: new chain, fork seals, brake flush, new tires.  I think I slightly overpaid, but I really wanted something right then and didn't want to get a Ninja 250 and I wasn't about to wait around for the perfect GS.

Incidentally a friend of mine just bought a beautiful looking 98 GS off ebay, with some attractive mods (V&H exhaust) and only 4k miles for $2800.

C.

[Alphamazing]

Just as another data point, I bought the following in Austin, TX for $2000 (US of course) under 2 weeks ago:

1999 GS500e just under 30k miles, fair condition - probably about average for age, obviously dropped but nothing serious or too ugly.

Came with Givi box and receipts for recent maintenance: new chain, fork seals, brake flush, new tires.  I think I slightly overpaid, but I really wanted something right then and didn't want to get a Ninja 250 and I wasn't about to wait around for the perfect GS.

Incidentally a friend of mine just bought a beautiful looking 98 GS off ebay, with some attractive mods (V&H exhaust) and only 4k miles for $2800.

C.

Yeah Austin! Where abouts?

[joedude]

2nd hard motorcycle price are quite high in BC... $2000 USD is not unreasonalbe for 90'~95' GS500 in good condition... if it weren't for the hassel I'd buy used from the states and import it, especially with CAD the way it is.

Actually there isn't any hassle at all! All you have to do is get the bill of sale signed by both parties, and I think the title aswell, at least 48 hours before crossing the border. Pay the fee, some tax when you hit the canadian border and you're on your way! It took verry little time for me! Call both sides of the border a while before you cross to find out exactly what they want you to provide (Always take down the name of the person that you're talking to, in case someone tries to give you some trouble - that way you can back yourself up). It went extreemly smoothly for me, and the Canada Customs Agent was actually a really nice, cute redhead that I enjoyed talking to... let's just say that she wouldn't have gotten resistance from me if she required a search! 

[chrisalberts]

Yeah Austin! Where abouts?

West of 360 on Bee Cave Rd.  Not in the rich part though

C.