Trading a DL1000 for a GS500?

[Kijona]

Hey guys,

I'm wanting to trade my '03 DL1000 with 32k miles and some pretty significant cosmetic damage that includes: slight rash on the fairing on one side/bit of broken plastic, tip broken off brake lever, both turn signals in need of some attention (held on with JB weld and tape), and some minor scrapes on the mirror. The bike, otherwise, is flawless. No smoke or leaks or burning of oil/coolant. Coolant has been in over a year and still looks brand new. Mechanically the bike is the epitome of perfect. Obviously the cosmetic side is...well...no so great. Unfortunately I met the pavement at about 20mph in a lowside after running over an oil slick getting on the freeway, hence the damage. I'm the technical second owner, since my dad gave it to me a few months ago (he was the original and put the first 30k on it). I just find it to be way too much bike for me and also find myself wanting to ride my KLR650 more and more simply because it doesn't scare me.

The guy offering has an 07 GS500F (second or third owner I believe) with 15k miles. He says it has "minor scratches and dents from previous owner". So, whatever that means.

I know about the funky knocking sound on the GS...anything else I should look for, other than the obvious things like leaking and such? I understand, however, that the knocking sound really has no detrimental effect on the bike?

I'd also like to know if this sounds like a fair trade? I mean, mine could be fixed for about $100 plus a bit of paint. And I'm sure the re-sale on the DL is a lot higher than the GS.

Just let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!

[sledge]

I mean, mine could be fixed for about $100 plus a bit of paint.

So get it done 

[Kijona]

That would involve a lot of time and money I'd rather not spend on it frankly.

[mister]

That would involve a lot of time and money I'd rather not spend on it frankly.

So, the DL will only cost $100 to fix. The GS is an unknown... not all knocking is the same. So you could be exchanging a perfectly good motorcycle that needs $100 in fixes for a POS GS that also needs $100 in cosmetic fixes plus maybe a hole heap of other stuff you don't know about.

Solution = stick with the devil you know.

Michael

[Kijona]

Well to be quite honest I don't feel safe on the DL. I have grown to hate it. I want a less powerful bike and have always wanted a GS500. I don't really know yet but I will when I ride it.

Thank you for your input guys. I appreciate the wisdom.

[the mole]

I understand why you want the smaller bike, but it seems that like others have said you'd do way better by fixing the DL so it looks good again. That way you could sell it and use the cash to buy a GS and have $$ left over. If the DL is as good as you say I wouldn't swap it for less than an immaculate (near new) GS.

By the way, the cam knock at idle was only an issue on earlier bikes, the '07 shouldn't do it.

[Paulcet]

By the way, the cam knock at idle was only an issue on earlier bikes, the '07 shouldn't do it.

^^^^ What he said. Beware!

Now, I've got a 26k mile '97 with the cam knock and new gaskets from the base to the top, if you are really looking for a trade! 

[ohgood]

Hey guys,

I'm wanting to trade my '03 DL1000 with 32k miles and some pretty significant cosmetic damage that includes: slight rash on the fairing on one side/bit of broken plastic, tip broken off brake lever, both turn signals in need of some attention (held on with JB weld and tape), and some minor scrapes on the mirror. The bike, otherwise, is flawless. No smoke or leaks or burning of oil/coolant. Coolant has been in over a year and still looks brand new. Mechanically the bike is the epitome of perfect. Obviously the cosmetic side is...well...no so great. Unfortunately I met the pavement at about 20mph in a lowside after running over an oil slick getting on the freeway, hence the damage. I'm the technical second owner, since my dad gave it to me a few months ago (he was the original and put the first 30k on it). I just find it to be way too much bike for me and also find myself wanting to ride my KLR650 more and more simply because it doesn't scare me.

The guy offering has an 07 GS500F (second or third owner I believe) with 15k miles. He says it has "minor scratches and dents from previous owner". So, whatever that means.

I know about the funky knocking sound on the GS...anything else I should look for, other than the obvious things like leaking and such? I understand, however, that the knocking sound really has no detrimental effect on the bike?

I'd also like to know if this sounds like a fair trade? I mean, mine could be fixed for about $100 plus a bit of paint. And I'm sure the re-sale on the DL is a lot higher than the GS.

Just let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!

this is not a fair trade, he's killing you on it. wether or not you like the size/heft of the DL, it's a GREAT bike. the engine is known to run and run and run and run, it eats interstate and fire roads, and cruises 2up endlessly. torque torque torque. the only issue, if you can call it that is some clutch chatter on initial release, but it's not a mechanical issue, just a noise.

if nothing else, sell it outright on craigslist or ebay, and pocket the cash until a gs comes along. you may end up hating the gs after a few months also.... and you'll still have the cash for something new-to-you.

[Shepa]

If I were you, I'd rather change the big DL for a Baby Strom (DL650).
Much more user friendly than bigger one.

Lighter bike (the same brakes as on bigger one=more braking power), less horsepower and better gas-mileage, no clutch chatter and clutch oil leaking problems as on bigger...

A great all-rounder bike IMHO.
Perfect wind deflection & riding position for longer routes, comfortable even with passenger.
The ABS version is a dream to ride.

GS500 compared to DL?
Not even close, by any ALL means.

[SS Adrenaline]

I pretty much agree with everyone one here.  Either fix it up and get good dollar for it or you can sell it as is and then buy a good GS.  Good luck.

[noiseguy]

I'd also like to know if this sounds like a fair trade?

No.

[ghostrider_23]

Dude don't cut yourself short. You can fix your bike, sell it, purchase a GOOD GS and have money left over to fix it up and put all the goodies that you want on.

[Kijona]

Wow guys, thanks again for all the helpful information.

I'm not trying to sound stubborn or anything but maybe explaining my thinking on it would shed some light:

The $100 I mentioned would fix everything except the funked up fairing, I mean I don't know how much a new fairing costs but it's not like it would be pristine after I fixed it with $100. Sure, the small things like the blinkers and brake lever would be fixed but I'd still be left with a bike that has a busted fairing that also has a moderate amount of miles on it. The value according to NADA (I believe that's the site) in EXCELLENT condition is only 3.5k, not that that really means anything. The low value is only like 2.5k and I'd say mine falls in the low value.

Here's a pic of the damage to the bike: http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2146/img20111120151513.jpg -

In all honesty it would just be a lot of time and effort to fix it all up, or a lot of money to have someone else do it, and I really don't want to. Not only because of the effort but because it's really kind of a heartbreak for me. I just want to unload it onto someone else and let them deal with it.

As far as the knocking is concerned, the guy never said it knocked...I was just saying that I knew that was an issue with them. Apparently it's not for the 07. I didn't know that.

I just spoke to the guy. He's an older fellow and he's the original owner. Whatever that's worth.

I guess I'll just have to see.

[ghostrider_23]

Kijona,

Take no offense but it sounds like you have made your mind up and are looking to us for approval. Your mind is made up so go through with it. You don't need our approval to get something that it sounds like you really want. Do it!!!

It will make you feel better and you and the other guy will have something you both will enjoy, so everyone wins.

Post up some pics when you get your GS.

[ivany]

(snip)

That damage looks like nothing. I would fix the blinker and mirror and what-not and sell it. Then use the $$$ to buy a GS. Consider these separate transactions.

I don't think it's nearly a fair trade for the GS. Also you mentioned you have a KLR650...the GS might not be all that different from that bike.

[PachmanP]

GS500 compared to DL?
Not even close, by any ALL means.

I disagree. I replaced my GS with DL650, and I miss the size and flickability of the GS. The DL's are beasts of a bike compared to the little GS. I might even go to say the GS has more of a fun factor, if ya'll promise to tell BaltimoreGS I said it.

If you've got issues with the 1k a GS would probably be a good bike for a while. It's harder to get yourself into trouble on a GS and way easier to pick and cheaper to fix if you do. If you do lots of highway, you might miss the power on the GS though.

As far as the trade goes I think you'd be on the losing side. I'd ball park the value of 07 GS around $2000, and a Vee in good shape would be north of $3000 I'd think. I'd sell the Vee as it stands or fix it up, then go look for a GS or two.

[BaltimoreGS]

I might even go to say the GS has more of a fun factor, if ya'll promise to tell BaltimoreGS I said it.

I heard that   

-Jessie

[Kijona]

GS500 compared to DL?
Not even close, by any ALL means.

I disagree. I replaced my GS with DL650, and I miss the size and flickability of the GS. The DL's are beasts of a bike compared to the little GS. I might even go to say the GS has more of a fun factor, if ya'll promise to tell BaltimoreGS I said it.

If you've got issues with the 1k a GS would probably be a good bike for a while. It's harder to get yourself into trouble on a GS and way easier to pick and cheaper to fix if you do. If you do lots of highway, you might miss the power on the GS though.

As far as the trade goes I think you'd be on the losing side. I'd ball park the value of 07 GS around $2000, and a Vee in good shape would be north of $3000 I'd think. I'd sell the Vee as it stands or fix it up, then go look for a GS or two.

Yeah, I agree man. The DL1000 is even heavier and also top heavier and for me with a 30" inseam it's bloody scary. I'm convinced I wouldn't have wrecked on my KLR or a smaller bike. I just feel like I'm riding a bicycle with a seat that's way too high. I can't even get it off the center stand... and every time I try to maneuver it while not on the bike it's a struggle to not drop it on its side. I'm only 5'11" tall.

Values aside, there's virtually no market for the V-Strom, especially the 1000. I had it listed for 2100 with a detailed ad and lots of pictures and it sat for weeks without a single bite. Trying to sell it during winter too? Not so great.

I do do a lot of highway and I did it on my KLR650 for almost 6 months and the only complaint was the engine burning oil above 5k RPM and the lack of stability at anything over 65mph; however it is a 1988 model. That, and it's so uncomfortable I couldn't ride it for more than 50 miles before having to rest my rear. I found the power, or lack thereof, to be quite reassuring at low speeds, and not a problem on the highway.

If I could take my DL1000 and turn it into an SV1000 or TL1000 I'd do it. That's neither economical nor close to remotely possible sans a blown engine bike and that's just a lot of work.

Considering values, you can look yourself but NADA considers the bikes to be close in value, within a few hundred bucks. And on that, I also talked the guy into adding some cash on top of the trade so I really have no worries about getting ripped off at this point. All that's left is a thorough inspection of the GS. This will be my 4th motorcycle and 3rd purchase, adding on a fouled trade deal for my Ford Ranger for a suspiciously titled Kawasaki GPZ1100. His lack of knowledge of the bike sealed the deal, or closed it more like. I walked away from that very quickly.

[Kijona]

(snip)

That damage looks like nothing. I would fix the blinker and mirror and what-not and sell it. Then use the $$$ to buy a GS. Consider these separate transactions.

I don't think it's nearly a fair trade for the GS. Also you mentioned you have a KLR650...the GS might not be all that different from that bike.

That's actually exactly what I want - equal or slightly more power than my KLR650 in a regular street bike that I can have fun on and not be almost shaking in fear every time I get on it. It's not power or speed I'm afraid of - it's the bike itself. That wreck, while somewhat inconsequential, did nothing but reaffirm my fears of the bike. Now that my fears have been realized, I'm done with it.

As far as selling it...good luck right? As I mentioned before...it's not as if there's a huge demand for them.

[mister]

So.... why did you come and ask us whether it was a good trade or not?

You've clearly made up your mind to swap the DL for a GS. Asking us if it is a good trade is wasting our time.

Go make your swap then ask questions once you have your new-to-you GS.

Michael