Fair Price? Right Bike?

[killerb]

I am new to riding and looking for my first bike.  I am considering buying a 2004 GS500F with over 10,000 mi. for $2500.  It has apparently been well cared for.  I am just wondering if that is a fair price.  But more importantly is the GS500F the right bike for me.  I am 6' and 180 lbs.  I have never ridden but I am signed up for a MSF course.  I am looking for a good bike to learn on.  I have heard some good things about this as a starter bike that you won't grow out of.  What kind of repair expenses might I expect with a bike that old age with that kind of mileage?  Please share your opinions freely.

[Yenool]

What kind of repair expenses might I expect with a bike that old with that kind of mileage?

Watch out now... you'll have the vet's jumping all over you in no time talkin like that.

I've owned my GS (01 naked) for about a month now and it's been my 1st bike.  I bought it used for $1900 and I really couldnt ask for more.  It's a very agile bike and it's really hard to get into trouble on it.  I haven't got into all the modding and such, but if you are this is the place to be.  Just look at how active this board is.  Great community!  If you have any other general questions feel free to PM me, anything more technical ask the community.

Either way - ride safe.

[ben2go]

Repair is cheap and easy to do yourself.Occasional carb cleaning,spark plug replacement,oil the chain every week,adjust the valves a couple times  a year,change the oil/filter every 3000 miles.Nothing major.The only thing I found that needed attention was the soft suspension.I upgraded my fork springs to Progressives and 15w fork oil.I changed the rear shock to a 97 Katana 750 shock.I had about $120 in my suspension upgrade,but I rebuilt my forks myself.I had the help of this forum and a Clymer shop manual.Since I bought my bike I've done almost every possible upgrade short of replacing the tail with some thing from another bike.

[ohgood]

I am new to riding and looking for my first bike.  1) I am considering buying a 2004 GS500F with over 10,000 mi. for $2500.  It has apparently been well cared for.  I am just wondering if that is a fair price.  2) But more importantly is the GS500F the right bike for me.  I am 6' and 180 lbs.  I have never ridden but 3) I am signed up for a MSF course.  I am looking for a good bike to learn on.  I have heard some good things about 4)  this as a starter bike that you won't grow out of.  What kind of repair 5) expenses might I expect with a bike that old with that kind of mileage?  Please share your opinions freely.

1- that's a little high, imo. i'd expect $2000-2200. the tires needs repacing i'll bet, along with a valve service, fuel system cleaned out, brakes, and the steering tube bearings lubed/adjusted.

2- sure, i'm 6'4" and while i look like a goon humping a football, the gs is a blast for me. only put 22,000 miles on mine so far, but still love it.

3- great ! they're good folk !

4- correct. just when you think you know how to ride, a kid on a 250 blows past, and laughs at you

5- not many expenses. keep the oil filled proper, oil the chain, keep your tires inflated, and don't wad it up.

you'll burn through tires much less frequent than a gsx-r or similar high hp machine. brakes last a while, as will your chain. i just changed my chain at 23,000 miles, it was original. the rear cog never ever wears out. low torque = easy on the drive system.

the transmission is way too smooth for a bike this cheap. and tough. and quiet.

the engine will last, provided IT HAS OIL IN IT, and you change it regularly. 10w40 cheap crap works for me. (don't buy anything with 'friction reducers' as you have a wet clutch)

use the search button. someone has already figured out your problem, i'll bet ya a nickel.

things to search for that are typical:

fuel starvation (your bike is newer, shouldn't suffer from this)
which tires ?
katana front end
re jetting matrix
wheel alignment
E vs F naked howto


enjoy your stay, post pics when you get your bike. buy good gear, and lots of it. don't whoolie your bike. don't pandy your bike. please don't die.

WELCOME to gstwins

[Unknown]

I agree, dont die! thats a good way to get infraction points and possibly kicked off the board
I bought my '06 gs500F with 6000 miles on it for $2300. and it had a modded exhaust. I got a screaming deal, but ended up paying the same on riding gear plus some new Pirelli Sport Demons (which are fan-f*$%ing-tastic).

If you need a jacket, I'm selling mine: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=42266.0
dont skimp on gear...well you can if you want -- but it isnt smart....I'd wear a suit of armor and look like the Round Table Knight if it wasnt so gosh darned funny

[fred]

I got my 1994 for $1000, but it had over 82,000 miles on it. I'm 6' 1" and a bit over 200 pounds and the bike fits me just fine. I've even taken a smallish passenger without too much trouble. It is a sweet bike and I've been learning how to work on it and so far everything has been pretty straightforward. Buy lots of gear, but make sure it is comfortable stuff. Some of the gear I bought first didn't fit right or was not right for the temperatures I've been riding in, so do more research than I did and make sure everything fits really well! Go to the biggest motorcycle store around and try everything on until you find things that fit perfectly.

[jiggersplat]

I am new to riding and looking for my first bike.  I am considering buying a 2004 GS500F with over 10,000 mi. for $2500.  It has apparently been well cared for.  I am just wondering if that is a fair price.  But more importantly is the GS500F the right bike for me.  I am 6' and 180 lbs.  I have never ridden but I am signed up for a MSF course.  I am looking for a good bike to learn on.  I have heard some good things about this as a starter bike that you won't grow out of.  What kind of repair expenses might I expect with a bike that old age with that kind of mileage?  Please share your opinions freely.

old?!?!  2004?

anyway, the gs is my first bike and i've had it for about 5 or 6 years now and have *never* felt the need for a faster bike.  something a little more modern looking maybe, but faster, no.