High mileage GS500e questions....

[CentralCoaster]

Hi, I'm looking for my first bike and a few have pointed me to the GS500.  I like what I see so far.

This week I'm heading over to check out a '99 gs500e but it has 21,000 miles on it.  It appears to be in great shape cosmetically and the owner says the same, and of course says it has no issues and is serviced regularly at the local dealer.  What sort of maintenance would I expect to see on this bike, or what should've the owner already done by now?  There's gotta be certain weaknesses that'd come up after 20K.  So far I've read about frame rust, lean factory jetting, and weak front springs.

I'm having a hard time finding what I like in the area and need some pointers.  I read up on the FAQ but I'm looking more for "buyer's guide" info on what to check out closely on these bikes.  I know this one is overpriced but I'm getting antsy now that I've got my M1 license and I might not want to be searching for a month to save a few hundred, but I don't want to get suckered into a used up POS either.  I do the same everytime I buy a car, and I think I've regretted every purchase.

[pjm204]

well I happen to have a 1999 GS500E. I bought it several months ago for $1500. I talked the guy down quite a bit. It needed some carb cleaning. Since then I have replaced the fork springs/fork oil, oil, filter, plugs. Mine has 7500 miles on it. I'd say wait it out and find one that is a better price with less miles. As for maintenance, it is tough to say not knowing what he did. It will probably need fork seals depending on when they were replaced, possibly fuel lines....check the tires as well. If it has been well maintained internally, it might not need too much motor wise, they are quite reliable. But when engines get a lot of miles you tend to rebuild the head, so that would be gaskets, rings, etc. If you get a chance to ride it, check the clutch, with that many miles, it could be slipping.

[CentralCoaster]

What sort of price tag would you put on a bike like that knowing the mileage and assuming everything was as described by the owner?  I'm thinking $2000 tops.  I don't know if bikes carry any sort of premium down here in SoCal, I know some cars do, compared to the midwest for example.

[ohgood]

Take a buddy that KNOWS motorcycles, and have him test ride it before / after you.

Check the tires (preasure too), chain, discs, wheels, oil leaks, etc. Easy stuff to spot. They're all easy to fix, and good negotiating points.

Rejetting isn't something you have to do right off, but eventually, you likely want to.

21k on a 99 isn't high mileage. I have a 98 'e' with just shy of 20k, and it starts the first try on cold (florida) mornings. I've replaced all tires twice now, and working on the 4th rear. Pads go every 5-7k miles.

Check your oil level and color. ASK THE OWNER WHAT HE USED FOR OIL CHANGES. If he isn't sure, have some doubt ot the servicing.

If he cared for the machine at all it will be fine for another 21k miles. Adjust your valves, make sure the plugs are good and keep an eye on the consumables.

The gs is a great CHEAP bike to own. Abuse it, commute it, cruise it. Whatever, just don't break the bank on a $1600 dollar ride.

Oh, and spend some cash on your noggin, and extremities. They'll love you for it the first time you go tossing down the road.

Be safe new rider. We want you around in the spring.

[CentralCoaster]

I already have a car helmet for racing, but apparently it's not DOT approved.  It's Snell SA 2000 which I thought was better than M since its fire rated?  Oh well.  I at least need to get some boots and some gear.

[CentralCoaster]

I don't think it's gonna pan out.  The guy's barely had it a few weeks so there's no history on it.  Raises too many questions.  And the front tire was made in 2001, so all those miles probably happened when it was new and it's been passed around and sat since.  Pads and rotors look pretty used up also.  I'll keep looking. 

[ohgood]

My 98 sat from 2000 until when I bought it in 2 years ago. So long as the bike fires, and there isn't rust in the crankcase, it should be fine.

Sitting for long periods will corrode a few things, but anyone with good eyes and a flashlight can find it quick.


Leaks, obvious signs of crashes and neglect are the things to look while you're out.

Take your most knowledgable buddy to lunch in exchange for his test ride.

[bigburma]

My 2000 had just 8700 miles on when I got it in April of 2005. It now has 48,000. I have had to replace the speedometer drive at the front axle, fork seals, numerous brake pads, two sets of chain and sprockets, and gobs of tires. Oh yeah, and the headlight bulb, low beam went out. If you are asking if it has too many miles the answer is no. These things are tough! Take care of them and they will take care of you. Just ask GS Jack. Or be like me and commute on it every day with no real care and it still gets you there. I could use a new rear brake rotor. Or maybe just a DL 650 V Strom. Yeah.... That's the ticket.

[jp]

I had to replace the engine on my 97 because the oil consumption was just getting too high, and the exhaust valves couldn't be adjusted into spec any more without grinding the valve stems down. It only had 88,000 miles on it at the time. The new engine has about 12,000 on it, so I figure I'm good for another decade or so.

[ohgood]

I had to replace the engine on my 97 because the oil consumption was just getting too high, and the exhaust valves couldn't be adjusted into spec any more without grinding the valve stems down. It only had 88,000 miles on it at the time. The new engine has about 12,000 on it, so I figure I'm good for another decade or so.

88k huh ?

So when I hear the typical gs noises on 103F days at a stoplight, there's no chance it's really dying ?

Ya, I know, I know, just do the simple stuff and replace the consumables, and riiiiiiide on.

[Jace009gs]

best IMHO is to go to the dealer and ask to see an inspection list. Make a copy or whatever, but at bare miminum that's what you need to have functioning on the bike.

Oil smell/color would/is my breaking point to see if the guy/girl is telling the truth about maintence. Most neglect the valves...so plan that part into your ownership budget, $250-500 for a shop to do it, or yourself with a good free weekend and some basic tools and a manual.

tires/brakes/chain if you don't have replace them for inspection then you will in 2-3 years anyways (depending on mileage)

KBB is the highest I would offer on anything, in the winter months I'd take 10% off of that and  that would be a starting asking price from a seller's prospective. Belive me buy a bike now, in the spring/summer, forget it, you won't find one for sale long enough to get over there and buy it.



In 103*F days at a traffic light, tail gating the superduty truck infront of you, with it's exhaust pointed directly at you, then the little gs might be dying. When I was in Arizona I got about the same out of engine life, but I did change the oil more often, that kind of heat leads to thermal breakdown. I use 10-40 here in Maryland, If I was more north in NY or along that line of lattitude I'd use 10-30, down south or "worn" engine I'd use 20-50

[CentralCoaster]

Well guys, I ended up getting the bike, after checking out a few others, realized this one is in fact better than average.

Plus I got his price down to $2k, which is reasonable, seems like the bikes down here carry a bit of a premium.  Plus it's in really nice shape cosmetically.  I'll post pics when I get a chance.

I'm just putting around the neighborhood for now.  First thing I noticed is the front forks feel weak.  Where do you guys get your parts?  Is all this stuff dealer-only / suzuki-only?  On cars I've always bought my parts from rockauto.com if the local franchises don't have quality parts.  I know the car dealerships are always way overpriced and usually require showing up in person during the work day.