New rider, potential owner and used bike questions

[echelon3]

Hey guys! I recently competed my BRC on a GX250 and have been looking into the best starter bikes, and a used GS500 seems to be highly recommended.

After weeks of looking, this listing shows up and I could use some advice.

Here are the details:

2002 Suzuki GS500
*Recent maintenance includes: new battery, filter, spark plugs, gas line tubing, levers, carburetor & fuel c_ck.
*Dent from a drop on the right of the gasoline tank from the first owner (2nd owner is selling).
*6k miles
*$2000




What do you think? This will be my first bike and I'm not too mechanically inclined to spot any subtle issues.

Thanks!

[Big Rich]

just curiosity - where are you located?

[echelon3]

Hi Rich, in NY.

[Big Rich]

Ah, ok.

Look around for comparable GS's on Craigslist - even other counties if need be. That price seems a little high to me, especially with a bum tank and no fairings (I think it should have them - somebody will correct me soon).

There have been a couple threads about stuff to watch for when buying a used bike. They have more info in them than what I can type out on my meager smart phone.........

And welcome to the site, regardless of what you get!

[adidasguy]

2002 was naked. Fairings started in 2004.

[codajastal]

What adidas said.
That is the Unfaired 2002 GS500E

[spokes100]

considering it's banged up, probably in $800-1000 range, I'm from the Syracuse area, haven't seen any here for that much money...

[echelon3]

Thanks. Most of the models I've seen (GS500F) are around $2500-3000, usually with a lot more miles on it. These are also in NJ, so it'll be a lot of work to get it back to NY.

I haven't seen too many options to replace or repair the tank, any ideas on the cost?

Does the bike sound good otherwise?

[ohgood]

Hey guys! I recently competed my BRC on a GX250 and have been looking into the best starter bikes, and a used GS500 seems to be highly recommended.

After weeks of looking, this listing shows up and I could use some advice.

Here are the details:

2002 Suzuki GS500
*Recent maintenance includes: new battery, filter, spark plugs, gas line tubing, levers, carburetor & fuel c_ck.
*Dent from a drop on the right of the gasoline tank from the first owner (2nd owner is selling).
*6k miles
*$2000




What do you think? This will be my first bike and I'm not too mechanically inclined to spot any subtle issues.

Thanks!

the crash bars and rack are NICE farkles. i'd offer $1500 and 1700 tops. if the chain isn't rusted, tires good, brake pads good, disks clean/straight and the bike rides perfect. more than likely the PO never realigned the forks after the get off, so it will feel funny going down the road or pull to one side.


is it a salvaage title ? if so, no, do not buy.

[echelon3]

Thanks. Overall it sounds to have been well maintained and serviced, with the exception of the initial dropping.

[5thAve]

And it's a great bike for learning to do your own maintenance, if you like that kind of thing.