>>>I'm looking @ a GS tomorrow. Some qu

[Radiocure]

It's a '91 GS500 with original blue paint, tank bra, and owners manual. It has 7,000 miles and just had an oil change and its battery replaced. I'm taking a look tommorow and giving it a test drive. I know to look for sratches and dents and inspect the brake lines and blah blah blah. Whole lot of stuff that me and my friend thats looking at it with me will check. What I want to know, if i bought it she's asking $1,500. Does that seem like a fair price? After comparing to other people selling on craigslist and cycletrader, it seems right on the money. What do you guys think? I'm buying it from my MSF instructor, so shes a trustworthy source... I would hope. Anyway, if anyone could get back to me ASAP that would be wonderful.

[TheGoodGuy]

1500 is a good price, its below average mileage, if its maintained well its definatley a good price.

Its on the upper end of the price range due to year but its still worth it.
I suggest checking to make sure forks are straight.. and go thru a couple of pages.. there was another guy asking on how to buy a used bike.

[The Buddha]

It's a '91 GS500 with original blue paint, tank bra, and owners manual. It has 7,000 miles and just had an oil change and its battery replaced. I'm taking a look tommorow and giving it a test drive. I know to look for sratches and dents and inspect the brake lines and blah blah blah. Whole lot of stuff that me and my friend thats looking at it with me will check. What I want to know, if i bought it she's asking $1,500. Does that seem like a fair price? After comparing to other people selling on craigslist and cycletrader, it seems right on the money. What do you guys think? I'm buying it from my MSF instructor, so shes a trustworthy source... I would hope. Anyway, if anyone could get back to me ASAP that would be wonderful.

I saw the same damn (atleast the description was the same and it was in Hayward as well) thing in the first week of sept for $1000... Its high even though that blue reaches in through your eyes and communicates directly to your brain, telling you that you are never alone, and never too far from home... yea yea I have one in the same color ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[sblandin68]

I bought my '91gs, original everything, tank bra, owners manual, service manual and a full face helmet for $1000.00. I did have to replace the back tire and battery. Just something to compare too.  

[scratch]

Do it! An MSF instructor sounds responsible, so it must be well maintained. It's a '91, so it's 13 years old with 7000 miles on it, about 538 miles per year, so it's been sitting for periods of time.

[Radiocure]

good stuff, thanks a lot for the quick responce. Yeah, i love the blue. I'm pretty excited about checking her out tomorrow. Driving to Cal State Hayward in the mornings will be a lot more fun if I get her. Oh man, I can't wait.

[dmp221]

It's a fair price, especially if the bike is well maintained.  What else will you get for 1500 bucks, adult owned, that is as reliable and hopefully clean (mechanically?). And like Scratch said, low mileage for the years owned.  You've taken the MSF course (smart move), have or will get good gear...now do it, and make your commute the best part of the day!!!
PS check back frequently on this board for lots of practical tips and help, especially take a look at Pablo's page..very good!  Good luck!!

[snapper]

Thats what I pd for mine.. 91 with 3000 miles on it.  I had to replace the tires cause they were the original ones... no wear really but hard as.. well you know.

Probably have to clean out the carbs etc, but if its as clean as mine was/is.. go for it.  People are shocked when I tell them mine is a 91.

Good luck!

[purerealm]

what's a tank bra?

I'm looking to start riding right after I take MSF which will be in a bit.

At cycletrader.com I hardly see any gs500es, and they're never around bay area. I found some luck at craig's though. They seem to have at least 1 a week in SF.

Btw, where'd you take MSF at? I think i'll take it at san jose or maybe mountain view.

[Kerry]

what's a tank bra?

Take a look at my Plexistar II Windshield page.
Click on the last picture to see a larger version.
The tank bra is the black leather-looking thing on the back of the gas tank.

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net

[purerealm]

purpose?

[pantablo]

purpose?

On cold days you'll put your legs/knees against a cold tank without it...and also protects tank paint from your fly/zipper.

[jtenright]

Sounds good, if U can lower the price a tad,
I baught mine last week for 725
93 19.5K miles
bald tires
a leak I fixed today
red faded paint

U will love it I do

[Radiocure]

by the way, i'm got a helmet and a jacket. But i need some riding pants. But i'd like to stick with jeans or at least something thats not leather. I'm not that kind of guy. Any suggestions? While at the same time maintaining protection?

[70 Cam Guy]

by the way, i'm got a helmet and a jacket. But i need some riding pants. But i'd like to stick with jeans or at least something thats not leather. I'm not that kind of guy. Any suggestions? While at the same time maintaining protection?

You can try some Textile pants.  Some brands have full length zippers so you can wear them over jeans/shorts.  Jeans won't do sh*t when they hit pavement.  I still ride in long pants because I haven't been able to afford the motorcycle pants right now.  The textile gear won't protect as well as leather but it is better than a t-shirt.

You're in Hayward so there's probably a Cycle Gear close by.  They have a truck load of stuff to check out or try on.  I don't personally like the Frank Thomas brand they carry though.  Also check some the dealers around you because they'll have gear usually.  If you don't want to buy from the dealer, get your size and order it online.  Cycle Gear has decent prices and their customer service kicks ass so I'd buy from them (and have many times)

Did you take Two Wheel Safety?  I went with them.  I didn't really like the experience... long story.  The one older instructor with the police BMW and the cool 929RR was cool.  He may have been fired because he kept getting in trouble for telling us stories

I'm at San Jose State and its so nice riding to school.  We have designated parking along the sidewalk and we don't have to buy the 158 dollar parking permit.  Its also nice getting 45-50+ mpg  :mrgreen:

I have a red/white '91 and I love it.  Check out http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/ if you haven't already.  Beware of their group rides.  They ride fast and I wouldn't recommend it to you to start.  They say ride your own pace but it doesn't seem to ever work out like that because its a good ride if noone crashes .  The newb rides are supposed to be cool though and there are some nice people on the site that I've met.  

There are a few on here from the south bay and around so you're not totally alone

[scratch]

How much are you willing to spend? I did some research on textiles and maybe you can benefit. If you can afford it, the TourMaster Cortech GX Air pants are your best value and protection, they have 500 Denier in the non-critcle areas and 1000 Denier (check their website) in the crucial areas, and armor in the knees and hips. Here's a link:

http://www.motorcyclestyle.com/index.asp?spage=psearch&pid=842862

But if money is an issue (as it was with me), the best protection for your money is Fieldsheer's Astro pant, which has CE approved armor in both the knees and hips. I did have a problem with the distributer (Brockton Cycle in MA), so inspect to make sure you get the armor and try on the pants. I found the best price on parts411.com, maybe tell them to make sure you get this years model pants, last years pants didn't have the hip armor, and Brockton is trying to get rid of them. Also do not get the short leg version.

Hope this helps.