New Rider buying used bike!

[tap007]

Hi guys! I am new rider. I just completed the MSF class and got my endorsement. I am very interested in the GS500E/F as a first bike. I am hoping to find one soon and learn as much as I can from all of you...

A local CL Ad a has 1998 GS500E w/ 22,000 miles just been serviced, new tires, garage kept with a clean title. It's black with the headlight cafe fairing...

Asking for 1100.00

Is this a good deal w/ the mileage? What q's and what to look before I check this thing out? 

Any input or advice would be appreciated.. thanks.

[crzydood17]

i got my 04 with 13 for 1500 so yours isn't too bad, haggle them down to 900 and your golden

make sure it idles nice and smooth at 1000-1200 rpm once warm
ask to take it for a ride or them ride it and listen for a hanging idle
play with the clutch and make sure its got a nice big friction zone
look under the fender for burnt rubber
pull the dipstick
put a peice of white paper behind the exhaust it should come out clean
smell the exhaust for super strong gas smell or anything just off should smell like a cars exhaust
check for repainting a lot of GS's are starter bikes and thus get dropped a lot
make sure the choke works smoothly
look at the window on the brake fluid and pull the seat and look at the rear fluid

you will be star struck and overlook things if you don't keep a level head, I know i missed a lot of crap on my bike that I have been paying for ever since.

[Big Rich]

Price depends on location. Try to search craigslist for other gs500's (even neighboring states) and see if you still like the price. And if you do go look at it, take somebody else that has had a bike for a few years. They should know exacty what to look for.

Oh ya, search around here a little too- there are a couple threads about "what to look for"

[tap007]

Thanks crzydood. I been trying to keep the star struckeness to a minimum... especially at the stealerships lol.

[adidasguy]

Yes, what they already said.
You can do a search for postings and the "Wall of Fame" for my ID and see photos of my bikes or go here
http://s1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/
http://s1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/

I bought Trey (was yellow, now purple) and Junior (red one) for $1000 and $1100. Both were painted and I returned them to originals and then some. So having been painted is OK. I have lots of original tails if you want to return to factory original. Many bikes have been painted so don't fret over that. Do look in the gas tank and see how good it looks. Re-coated or lots of rust is bad in which case you'd lower the price (you can deal with that easily and even replace the tank).

If you can get service records or receipts for recent work, all the better.

I replaced tires on both bikes so if it has new tires, that will save you a couple hundred. Tires and brakes are the two most important things for safety.

Look to see if they have chopped fenders, removed reflectors, done other changes from stock. Being a new rider, you'll want all your lights and reflectors for safety. Stock handle bars will make riding better for you. Lowered cafe or sport bars I would not suggest for a new rider. If it has odd bars, that's OK too. People here have stock bars or the factory clip-ons to help you fix it up for very little money.

$1100 is a good price if the bike checks out. If you can go lower, all the better. Plan on spending a few hundred dollars to make it your own, special bike. We all do that. You will, too and there will always be a few little things you will want to change out.

Good luck. These bikes are fun to ride and fun to "pimp out".

PS: if it is this one: http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mcy/2436507693.html
It looks really nice. It has been painted, but the factory headlight cowling alone is worth about $150. If it was in Seattle, I'd be all over it (as if I need a 4th bike?)

[crzydood17]

that engine has been rebuilt or replaced... the head is black and the block is silver... could be good or bad...

[tap007]

Thanks addidasguy. Yep that's the one i'm looking at...

[mister]

Read this for a comprehensive list of What To Look for http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

Have a look at the tires. Look for the manufacture date. See this


If the Manufacture Date has only three numbers it was made Before 2000. After 2000 it will have four numbers.

See if the tires have rot (cracked rubber). And look for excessive wear on one side or another indicating poor tracking/alignment and or riding abuse.

Look closely at the chain and sprockets. Is the chain rusty? If so, indicates a lack of general maintenance. Sprockets hooked or deformed?

Have a look at the forks for black lines. Which could indicate a leaky seal.

In the pic the bar ends look to be missing. Can be a sign of a down. And with the bike being a 98, most likely it has been down, probably several times.

Michael

[mimikeni]

Hey, bought a '96 GS500E last fall for $1500 with under 3,000 miles on it.  Runs like a top.  Great starter bike.  Mine had the original tires on it, and I could tell it had been dropped a couple times.  But the price was reasonable compared to the other bikes I've looked at with that mileage and vintage.  Good luck.