Looking at first bike

ryanmj19 · February 09, 2008, 06:51:03 PM

I'm am interested in buying my first bike a 2006 GS500 its has 5300 miles. The bike seems in good shape just has a couple rub marks from the trailering straps and other little digs no cracks. We were not able to start up because of the weather/battery is out of it. Tomorrows hopefully we will be able to start it up. Is their any thing that I should look for or ask the guy any questions?

makenzie71 · February 09, 2008, 11:06:07 PM

such a new machine there isn't anything that isn't a typical common sense issue that needs checking. It should be tight all around...no creaks or squeaks, chain and sprockets should be fairly clean, steerign should be tight, brakes should be clean and solid...etc. Ask him if there are any issues addressed; there are some quirks common to the GS but aren't real concerns.

mach1 · February 09, 2008, 11:13:23 PM

What is the Guy asking I got my 04 with 2k and paid 4k I feel I got ripped and 06 with over 5k should be around 2500 or around their like new or not. the guy may have paid 5k for it but once he rode off the lot you take off about 1k than add the milage i say knock off another 1k so between 2500 - 3000 is ok I guess. If he is askin 4 or 5k I say screw the guy you can get an 08 for that price new and with warrenty.

spc · February 09, 2008, 11:15:51 PM

I know a shop that wants almost 5k for an 01 R6 that's been wrecked and mechanically repaired, still has fairing damage and a hideous yellow rattle can paint job.

And they wonder why they can't f%$king sell it.

mach1 · February 09, 2008, 11:33:00 PM

Hell Id buy it ditch the fairings and build and R6 street fighter.

ohgood · February 10, 2008, 05:20:19 AM

Quote from: ryanmj19 on February 09, 2008, 06:51:03 PM
I'm am interested in buying my first bike a 2006 GS500 its has 5300 miles. The bike seems in good shape just has a couple rub marks from the trailering straps and other little digs no cracks. We were not able to start up because of the weather/battery is out of it. Tomorrows hopefully we will be able to start it up. Is their any thing that I should look for or ask the guy any questions?

You didn't mention his asking price. If it's more than $3000, talk him down to $2500 or walk away. Tires, a new battery, and your plastics is more than the $500 you just negotiated.

Check the oil (on the center stand, DON'T screw it in, just unscrew, wipe, then SET it back in and check the height from that), check for oil leaks around the head, case covers, fork seals, brake lines.

Check the tires for abuse or crash marks.
Check the inside of the fairing for oil.
When you put a battery in it if it doesn't fire and RUN on choke within the first couple of ( I mean 2-3 ) tries with the petcock set to PRIME knock off another $200 from his price. (He didn't winterize it I'll bet)
Is the exhaust rusted ?
Are all the bolts in the frame there and tight ?
Any scrapes on the rims ?
Does the speedo and tach work ?
Does he have any documentation of the valve adjustment ?
Documentation for oil changes ?
Lights ? (anything out of the ordinary knock off another $200, lights are a PITA)
Do the engine VIN and frame VIN match ?
Any extras being thrown in like filters, boots, etc ?

IF all that ^^ stuff is good, and he has a title with his name (verify by ID), cool. pay him $2500 or so. If it runs well, and revs freely without one single hiccup I'd throw some new tires on it (inspect everything), change the oil and ride it !

GeeP · February 10, 2008, 06:57:08 AM

Quote from: ohgood on February 10, 2008, 05:20:19 AM

You didn't mention his asking price. If it's more than $3000, talk him down to $2500 or walk away. Tires, a new battery, and your plastics is more than the $500 you just negotiated.

Check the oil (on the center stand, DON'T screw it in, just unscrew, wipe, then SET it back in and check the height from that), check for oil leaks around the head, case covers, fork seals, brake lines.

Check the tires for abuse or crash marks.
Check the inside of the fairing for oil.
When you put a battery in it if it doesn't fire and RUN on choke within the first couple of ( I mean 2-3 ) tries with the petcock set to PRIME knock off another $200 from his price. (He didn't winterize it I'll bet)
Is the exhaust rusted ?
Are all the bolts in the frame there and tight ?
Any scrapes on the rims ?
Does the speedo and tach work ?
Does he have any documentation of the valve adjustment ?
Documentation for oil changes ?
Lights ? (anything out of the ordinary knock off another $200, lights are a PITA)
Do the engine VIN and frame VIN match ?
Any extras being thrown in like filters, boots, etc ?

IF all that ^^ stuff is good, and he has a title with his name (verify by ID), cool. pay him $2500 or so. If it runs well, and revs freely without one single hiccup I'd throw some new tires on it (inspect everything), change the oil and ride it !

Welcome!

Ohgood pretty well covers it. If there are ANY problems with the title, walk away. It isn't worth the trouble, trust me. There are plenty of Baby G's out there.

Beyond that, ask the owner right off "What can you tell me about this bike?" See what he has to say, then inspect to verify condition.

Let us know what you decide.

ryanmj19 · February 10, 2008, 10:06:24 AM

Hey thanks ,I didn't give a price for a reason just to see what you guys/girls would say about it and how much you think it worth. I looked at the tires the seem in good shape still some "traction" left do you think i need to change them after 5300 miles? It kinda hard looking at it because its in a enclosed trailer with his new bike and its the middle of winter and we just got hit by a storm so we cant just take it out of the trailer and look at it. But today were going to take another look at it with more daylight and he said he'll start it up so we'll see what happens from there. He's asking 3,200

Toogoofy317 · February 10, 2008, 12:21:13 PM

I just bought an 04 for less than that with right at 4000 miles. It was flawless, came with a low jack , five year warranty.
I did pay another 800 for jacket, gloves, Shoei helmet, gap insurance, and 5 year maintainance program. So, there are some good deals just gotta look around!
Mary

ryanmj19 · February 10, 2008, 03:54:45 PM

Well looked at it again today we agreed $2,900 will be picking it up in a couple weeks. All the lines looked good no oil leaks. Wasn't able to start it up because of the cold -2 here. When I pick up the bike hopefully it wont be as cold and get it started and ill pay him

beRto · February 10, 2008, 04:43:19 PM

congratulations, I'm sure you'll be very happy with your new toy!

Post some pics when you get them.

ryanmj19 · February 23, 2008, 07:14:49 PM

Bought the bike today happy with the purchase except i cant ride it for a couple more months because of the weather but it has a couple pieces missing I've looked around and couldn't find them online maybe you guys can help here are the pics

GeeP · February 23, 2008, 07:21:01 PM

Try your local Suzuki dealer. They should have those little plastic buttons and a few barends in stock.

If not, try Bikebandit.com

Nice looking F. I've always liked that color combo.

ryanmj19 · February 23, 2008, 07:44:07 PM

Yea thats the problem I live in Northern Michigan I think the closest dealer is 2 hours away. Do you know what those little screw covers are call and will these fit? http://www.bikebandit.com/product/A4758819

GeeP · February 23, 2008, 07:56:53 PM

The little plastic cap is call number 5 in this illustration:

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/suzuki-motorcycle-gs500f-2006/o/m9752

It appears as though the barends, called "balancers" by Suzuki, are sold as a set. See call number 10 on the same illustration. It is unclear whether this includes the "expander" and other hardware required to mount them. I would call and ask before ordering.

ryanmj19 · February 23, 2008, 08:06:01 PM

For some reason your link just to the main illustration page what illustration are you looking at and thanks for the quick help!

ryanmj19 · February 23, 2008, 08:10:20 PM

Wait think i found it under the "control brake " section and the HANDLEBAR (MODEL K4/K5/K6) Schematic #5 called caps..... do you think those barends work?

ohgood · February 23, 2008, 08:11:30 PM

congrats, now start looking it over for rusty stuff !

GeeP · February 23, 2008, 08:25:09 PM

Work? As vibration dampers? No. Then, I ride a '96 with '89 clipons without bar ends and it's smooth as silk. If you have a vibration problem the first place to check is your engine tune. After that, there are rubber isolators under the triple clamp cover (what the handlebar clamps bolt to). If the triple clamp cover has shifted and is touching the triple clamp, the vibration in the steering head/frame has a path to the bars.

They're more to plug up the holes in the bars and take the brunt of a drop than anything.

ryanmj19 · February 23, 2008, 08:55:42 PM

No im sorry i mean will the fit on my bike?

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Looking at first bike