New member, New rider, lots of questions

[kdbolt70]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forums and liking what I see already. My name is Kevin, I recently graduated college and am looking to pick up my first street bike. I've been riding dirtbikes for nearly 15 years, but now with a commute to work, I felt it would be the perfect time to get a bike. I have lots of questions, here goes:

I've found a bike a couple hours away, its an '06 GS500F with almost 10k miles. The guy was asking $4100 for it, I talked him down to $3500, and we're planning on meeting up this weekend so I can check it out and buy it. Is this a decent deal, or am I well overpaying?

If I do go check it out to buy it, is there anything in particular I should look for? It is supposedly in perfect condition, never laid down, no scratches, but at almost 10k miles, Its not exactly a "new" bike.

I've also been reading the wiki quite a bit. I plan on moving up to a CBR at the end of the season, but would like to work on my GS before I do. Does anyone have an opinion on the yosh slip on vs the Jardine full exhaust? they are relatively close in cost, so what has a better sound, and what will add more power (if any). Is there any preference between the lunchbox filter vs the pod filters?

I'm a bigger guy (225 lbs), will it be necessary to change the front forks or springs in order to be happy with the handling? Which is a better value to do?

Thanks so much for the help guys. I apologize if this stuff has been asked before, I appreciate the help!

[Ry_Guy]

3500 sounds reasonable. Front forks are soft, lots of people upgrade. You won't need to upgrade to improve handling though, just comfort. Check the plugs - if they are white then it's been running lean (like they do from the factory) and you'll likely need a valve adjustment soon. You'll need it anyway since it already has 10K on it. The lunchbox is way easier to install/work around than the drop in and you'll probably need it with a yosh slip, along with a re-jet.

[kdbolt70]

Thanks for the comments. I'll have to look into some springs, and I'll check out the plugs when I pick it up.

[ajaxgs]

front forks or springs in order to be happy with the handling? Which is a better value to do?

welcome ........and yes frt springs will make a large difference as well as the rear shock , i have done the progressives in the front as well as a fork brace and put the kat600 shock in and i love it

[kdbolt70]

Does anyone else have an opinion on the pricing? I'm interested to see if this is a good deal or not. Also interested in exhaust opinions.

[ben2go]

Does anyone else have an opinion on the pricing? I'm interested to see if this is a good deal or not. Also interested in exhaust opinions.

Here was my set up before I completely redone my bike.Progressive front springs,95 katana 750 rear shock,and 15w fork oil.$3500 is right on from my understanding.The only exhaust I would advise against is the Vance and Hines.The header has to be remover to change the oil filter.K&N lunch box is the best and easiest to tune with an exhaust upgrade.Recomended jetting 40/142.5/1 washer on the needles and 2.5 turns on the mix screws.I fire my bike up today with 150 jets and almost past out from the unburnt fuel vapors.I have a D&D slip on from another bike.