New guy here, is the GS500 right for me?

[jpanichella]

I emailed this guy and he said he still has the bike for sale. He said the PO dropped it, it looks like a minor scratch and dent. Otherwise, it seems like a reasonable deal, think I should talk him down to something like $750?

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcd/3120607636.html

After finishing the book I have no concerns going forward with getting a GS500, they seem to be well regarded and reliable bikes.

[FredSled]

If it has a clean title and starts than I'd say it's worth $750. though I'd offer $500 first. That being said, I still recommend a smaller displacement bike for newbies.  Though compared to bigger bikes the GS500 might not seem like it has a lot of torque, in the real world you can easily get yourself in trouble and fast. The GS500 is in the same range as many high-end sports cars to 60 mph and the bike will do over 100 mph. To me, these are not newbie numbers. Learning on a smaller bike is soooooooo much less stressful and FUN! You can concentrate on learning to ride on a lightweight bike with very manageable power. I learned on a 1973 Honda CB125 and LOVED it, then moved up to a Honda CB200 (I was in my classic 70's bikes phase), then to a Ninja 250 a year later, road that for a couple years then bought a CB360, (then bought a maxi scooter, a Honda Silverwing 600) then went back to bikes and bought a 2009 TU250 and finally to the GS500F. I "mastered" riding on small bikes and it paid off.

[mister]

I am interpeting 'low range' as under 5500 rpm, where the 487cc of air-cooled two-valve GS doesn't have enough giddyap to pass at will once you are already going over 100kmh/60mph. It will overtake if you shift down a gear or two and are generous with the happy handle, but it still takes some work ~ there is still no replacement for displacement.

I don't know. I still have no issue overtaking with the GS500. See my video of multiple passes on a rural road http://youtu.be/8pXUfvzSx2k - note rpm / speed range. All bikes will struggle to overtake if you are in the wrong gear. Larger displacement only means you can be lazier with gear selection.

Michael

[iclrag]

With the small amount of on road experince that inhave with the gs it seems to have plenty of power for passing, today i decided to play with the acceleraion and was pleasently suprised. I do have a lot  of dirt bike experience and perhaps thats why, but i think the gs500 isnt to powerful for a first street bike.

[adidasguy]

#5063

That seems a good price to me. Based on what GS500's are going for up here, a decent running one is like $1400 or more.
The scratches can be fixed. carbs cleaned. New emblem on the right side cover.

As for power, even in 6th gear at 60 mph I can accelerate pretty fast with a twist of the wrist. I always can stay with the liter bikes on group rides. I find the 5.5k or 6k rpm is a good start to a nice power curve. open the throttle and she takes off.

Very happy with the GS500 for power and ease of riding. I did a 10 hour day to Mt. Rainer, twisties on the mountain, long ride home. About 200 miles in all. Loved it. Never ever wished I was on anything different.

[Big Rich]

Hey JP! I was following your electric cb750 on DTT.......shame you had to cut it loose.

I certainly can't add anything about owning a GS500, but it is the bike I recommend to everybody.

[BockinBboy]

... then went back to bikes and bought a 2009 TU250 and finally to the GS500F. I "mastered" riding on small bikes and it paid off.

TU250 - Wicked fun commuter bike, and fuel injected!  I had a chance to ride one for a week.  Riding position if very close to the GS500 too.  I really wish they would release the TU450 in the US, as it seems the only thing the TU250 was missing was another 200cc.

- Bboy

[SAFE-T]

Don't get wound too tight over whether or not the GS500 is capable enough. It's adequate in a greater way than some of the smaller alternatives, although compared to more powerful bikes it's just adequate. As others have noted, it's still faster than a lot of cars, though just adequate in the bike world. But you could own one for your entire life and be happy ~ lots of people on the forum have ridden and/or owned bigger faster bikes and still appreciate the G5500.

[Nugent]

#5063

That seems a good price to me. Based on what GS500's are going for up here, a decent running one is like $1400 or more.

Man, that kills me how bike prices vary that much depending on geographical location. Here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania I bought my '09 GS for $3,400. Granted it was from a cycle dealer in early spring. But still western PA is an expensive area to purchase a motorcycle.

-Mike

[Myrtle Beach]

The GS500 is a great bike to learn on or to have fun on. I have had cruisers and sport bikes. My last one before the GS500f was a Katana 1100. It was a very fast bike, but I learned speed isn't everything. The GS500 is one of my favorite bikes. Quick enough for the highway, easy maneuverability, descent gas mileage, parts are easily available. And they look good.
With any bike always watch out for the other guy! Read the posts here, I enjoyed the article on "the pace" here in the forums. Counter steering is also a good topic.
Good luck!

[Phil B]

I emailed this guy and he said he still has the bike for sale. He said the PO dropped it, it looks like a minor scratch and dent. Otherwise, it seems like a reasonable deal, think I should talk him down to something like $750?

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcd/3120607636.html

a word of caution.
You say "dropped it", the post says "laid down".
Those things sound way too gentle   Given the scratches on the tank, a more accurate description sounds like,
"crashed, at speed".
(Where speed somewhere above 20mph, possibly?)

So.. get it, if you plan to possibly put a lot of work into it. It's telling that the guy describes it as "a project bike".

Otherwise... save more money, and buy something in better condition.

[bucket_chemist]

I don't know. I still have no issue overtaking with the GS500. See my video of multiple passes on a rural road http://youtu.be/8pXUfvzSx2k - note rpm / speed range. All bikes will struggle to overtake if you are in the wrong gear. Larger displacement only means you can be lazier with gear selection.

Michael

My comment about wanting more torque wasn't meant to slag the GS. I have had mine for 4 years and I love it.

Most of the roads I ride around here are two lane highways, littered with logging trucks and the like, with short opportunities to pass. So, I'm talking about passing much larger, and longer, vehicles than were in your video.

You think my gear selection is lazy, and imply I don't know what gear to be in to pass, but I just find it comforting to know that I don't have to downshift at 100km/h to get around a vehicle in front of me.

[mister]

Bucket, actually my post was directed at Safe

We too get long trucks called B-Doubles. One large prime mover towing 2 trailers. I have had no problems passing them on the GS. Yes, the pass is quicker on my 919, but I do not pass where things are so tight it would only be capable on my 919. At that little vision ahead the pass is dangerous on any bike.

The laziness is a fact I am also guilty of. One gear too high on the 919 and the bike pulls anyway. Not so on the GS where correct gear is very important when making a pass.

Michael

[bucket_chemist]

Bucket, actually my post was directed at Safe

We too get long trucks called B-Doubles. One large prime mover towing 2 trailers. I have had no problems passing them on the GS. Yes, the pass is quicker on my 919, but I do not pass where things are so tight it would only be capable on my 919. At that little vision ahead the pass is dangerous on any bike.

The laziness is a fact I am also guilty of. One gear too high on the 919 and the bike pulls anyway. Not so on the GS where correct gear is very important when making a pass.

Michael

Hey, I need to pull my head in a bit. Got up on the wrong side of the bed, I guess. We're all friends here. 

I'm thinking pretty hard about an upgrade to an SV1000, just for the torque. If my bank account allows it, I'll keep the GS too. It really is a fun wee machine.

[jpanichella]

Hey JP! I was following your electric cb750 on DTT.......shame you had to cut it loose.

I certainly can't add anything about owning a GS500, but it is the bike I recommend to everybody.

Hey Big Rich! It's a shame I never finished it, but another guy named Alex picked all the parts up to convert a Katana. I'll keep you updated on how it goes.

[jpanichella]

... then went back to bikes and bought a 2009 TU250 and finally to the GS500F. I "mastered" riding on small bikes and it paid off.

TU250 - Wicked fun commuter bike, and fuel injected!  I had a chance to ride one for a week.  Riding position if very close to the GS500 too.  I really wish they would release the TU450 in the US, as it seems the only thing the TU250 was missing was another 200cc.

- Bboy

I dig the TU250, but unfortunately they don't pass CA emissions.

[jpanichella]

I emailed this guy and he said he still has the bike for sale. He said the PO dropped it, it looks like a minor scratch and dent. Otherwise, it seems like a reasonable deal, think I should talk him down to something like $750?

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcd/3120607636.html

a word of caution.
You say "dropped it", the post says "laid down".
Those things sound way too gentle   Given the scratches on the tank, a more accurate description sounds like,
"crashed, at speed".
(Where speed somewhere above 20mph, possibly?)

So.. get it, if you plan to possibly put a lot of work into it. It's telling that the guy describes it as "a project bike".

Otherwise... save more money, and buy something in better condition.

Noted, I guess it comes down to seeing it in person. I may pass on it until I have a more permanent residence, but sometimes I get excited to see a decent deal.

[crobwolfpack]

OP: I actually was in a similar boat to you!  I got a '93 GS500E with 5,xxx miles on it for $450 and it has been a great project bike that is up and running now.  Just had to do some carb work and fuel work and then it was good to go.  I agree with some of the earlier posts, definitely a sensible bike to work on! 

The biggest issue I have had is that the fuel delivery system seems to be a little suspect, but that can be fairly easily replaced/fixed (I'm in the process of doing that now, actually).

Good luck, hope it works out!

[prmas]

Michael, I agree with you about the overtaking. I have ridden many powerful bikes that are fun to ride but that I would not consider owning. It is great to have bags of torque and power for overtaking but I feel that it makes me a lazy rider (just a passenger really). I enjoy the fact that I have to actually "ride" my GS and think about what is going on around me and "plan" my overtaking moves. The bike reqiures input from me the get what I want out of it rather just doing everything automatically. When I was buying my bike it was a toss-up between the GS500 and a Honda 600 Hornet. I rode both twice and decided that the Honda was brilliant in the way it did everything perfectly but I could just put it in 6th gear at 40kph and leave it there all day. I would soon get bored with that. The GS made me work for my ride and rewarded me with lots of fun.

Macka

[iclrag]

Michael, I agree with you about the overtaking. I have ridden many powerful bikes that are fun to ride but that I would not consider owning. It is great to have bags of torque and power for overtaking but I feel that it makes me a lazy rider (just a passenger really). I enjoy the fact that I have to actually "ride" my GS and think about what is going on around me and "plan" my overtaking moves. The bike reqiures input from me the get what I want out of it rather just doing everything automatically. When I was buying my bike it was a toss-up between the GS500 and a Honda 600 Hornet. I rode both twice and decided that the Honda was brilliant in the way it did everything perfectly but I could just put it in 6th gear at 40kph and leave it there all day. I would soon get bored with that. The GS made me work for my ride and rewarded me with lots of fun.

Macka

That's a good way to put it, you can either get a bike that drives you, or you can get a bike you ride (if that makes sense to you). it's like luxury vs performance, you go for a ride in luxury cars, but you drive a performance car.