Looking to buy a bike, two nearby Gs500s on CL, advice?

[aasenb]

Hi, I'm looking into getting my first bike, and I found two nearby. I'm looking for some advice on whether these are good purchases.

The first one is a 1990 with 58k miles. Owner says he has rebuilt it and put 2-3k miles on it so far afterwards.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/3255183839.html
He was asking for 1300 obo.    Should I worry about the mileage on this one, and that its an older bike?

The other bike is this one, http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/3249379240.html
My only concern is what sort of price is reasonable on a bike like this. Just curious.

Probably going to check both out obviously, just hoping you guys have any helpful insight considering you're the experts here!

[burnchassis]

I'd say keep looking.
I paid 1000.00 for a 94 with 8,000 miles in decent shape.
I could have purchased a 98 with 3000 for 1500 but i passed.
-CS

[adidasguy]

Seattle?

I'm like the west coast parts whore for GS500's here in West Seattle. Where are you, since you're looking at Seattle bikes.

I can fix you up if you're near me. I'm buying one off of CL tonight (the non-running 1996 for only $800) and maybe another.

The 2005 for $1299. The guy is desperate to sell the 2005 says leaving for college and just wants to get back what he owes on it.

I'm not fond of the chopped up "street fighter" look. Most are pretty bad.

PM me if you're in the area and I can help you pick one out or sell you one I have.

I see- you're looking at Tacoma. Better finds if you search all of the Seattle area.

[ggg]

Agree with burnchassis. When I was looking for mine two years ago, 1000-1200 was the going rate for a mid- to late '90s with maybe 30k miles.

[adidasguy]

Prices are up right now. $14k-$18k for a good bike in the 90's.

I think for a first bike you should go for a more complete, close to original bike and avoid a treet fighter thing. With all the modifications, it won't ride like a true GS500 and you may not like it. Go stock to start then modify as you feel the need.

This one for $1299 is sounding fishy and the price is just too low to be real:
"No its not under my name but i have contact info of the owner and i can introduce u guys if needed and not only that but ill come to the dmv with you to make sure that u can register it before u pay me cash"
(PS: I responded that I did not feel comfortable with the situation. No response back. SCAM!)
And another story on the title: "Insurance company totaled it because of very minor damage, i have the title"

As for Seattle:
$1400 in Capital Hill area - looks good!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/3247472360.html

Nice job making the bike naked:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/3246572932.html

This one's been on for a few weeks. $1700. Maybe the black paint is a turn off. Worth looking at
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/3223985316.html

[aasenb]

Yeah I'm in Tacoma. Been switching back and forth in searches between Tac and Sea. I'd prefer to find one closer here because I have to have a buddy actually ride the bike back if I buy one, I'm not comfortable on highways yet.

I talked to the 'fishy' guy and yeah it sounds pretty suspicious, I think it's stolen.

The better deals are definitely in Seattle its just hard to get up there ha. The 2100 in Puyallup looks promising, I just want to keep things in budget. Don't want to have to spend more than 1500.

Was there something different about this bike ( http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/3255183839.html ) other than the paint job you noticed? I'm not looking for anything modded specifically, only if its just turning a 500f into a 500e or something.

[adidasguy]

Street fighter: HUGE rear tire. Engine painted. Right side emblem cover missing. All tail plastics gone. No photo of tail, but probably hacked up, too. passenger pegs cut off. VERY HIGH mileage. No price?

Trust us - you do not want that as a first bike. Who knows what else has been done? Stay as close to stock for a first bike. You need stock so you can read the manuals and know how to fix things. Stock will ride easier for a new rider.

[catch2otwo]

Street fighter: HUGE rear tire. Engine painted. Right side emblem cover missing. All tail plastics gone. No photo of tail, but probably hacked up, too. passenger pegs cut off. VERY HIGH mileage. No price?

Trust us - you do not want that as a first bike. Who knows what else has been done? Stay as close to stock for a first bike. You need stock so you can read the manuals and know how to fix things. Stock will ride easier for a new rider.

i agree.  if you want a hacked up bike, hack it up yourself.  you dont want to buy someone elses headache

[jestercinti]

+1 on stock bike. Buying someone else's hack is drama.

Bought a bike once that had 3 small piezo buzzers strategically placed on the bike.

They would go off randomly for no reason whatsoever. 

Took me a month to find them all and clip the wires.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Prices are up right now. $14k-$18k for a good bike in the 90's.

I think for a first bike you should go for a more complete, close to original bike and avoid a treet fighter thing. With all the modifications, it won't ride like a true GS500 and you may not like it. Go stock to start then modify as you feel the need.

This one for $1299 is sounding fishy and the price is just too low to be real:
"No its not under my name but i have contact info of the owner and i can introduce u guys if needed and not only that but ill come to the dmv with you to make sure that u can register it before u pay me cash"
(PS: I responded that I did not feel comfortable with the situation. No response back. SCAM!)
And another story on the title: "Insurance company totaled it because of very minor damage, i have the title"

As for Seattle:
$1400 in Capital Hill area - looks good!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/3247472360.html

Nice job making the bike naked:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/3246572932.html

This one's been on for a few weeks. $1700. Maybe the black paint is a turn off. Worth looking at
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/3223985316.html

if the ins. co totalled it. doesnt that render title worthless?, i know it does here

[adidasguy]

The $1299 is a scam. Probably stolen bike.

heck - I have a spare. We could replace the chain and handlebars and there would be a perfectly good Gs500 for good price.

If I can get the non-working one home, that should be an easy fix of the carbs.

You could even help then you'd know everything about your bike and people will tell you - I back up my work.

[burnchassis]

if the insurance company totals the bike it then gets a salvage title.
You can fix it ,and have it inspected by fellow state police,and have it road legal again for a fee ($50-$75) usually). The title will always say salvage ..or rebuilt(depending on your state)....That makes it worth quite a bit less...but it can still be legal..in any state to the best of my knowledge....after you have it inspected ,and receive a rebuilt title.
Even in Tennessee.
You shouldn't say you know facts unless you actually do. You can mislead a bunch of people by stating incorrect facts.
-CS

Prices are up right now. $14k-$18k for a good bike in the 90's.

I think for a first bike you should go for a more complete, close to original bike and avoid a treet fighter thing. With all the modifications, it won't ride like a true GS500 and you may not like it. Go stock to start then modify as you feel the need.

This one for $1299 is sounding fishy and the price is just too low to be real:
"No its not under my name but i have contact info of the owner and i can introduce u guys if needed and not only that but ill come to the dmv with you to make sure that u can register it before u pay me cash"
(PS: I responded that I did not feel comfortable with the situation. No response back. SCAM!)
And another story on the title: "Insurance company totaled it because of very minor damage, i have the title"

As for Seattle:
$1400 in Capital Hill area - looks good!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/3247472360.html

Nice job making the bike naked:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/3246572932.html

This one's been on for a few weeks. $1700. Maybe the black paint is a turn off. Worth looking at
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/3223985316.html

if the ins. co totalled it. doesnt that render title worthless?, i know it does here

[adidasguy]

I was in contact with the $1299 bike. Everything pointed to a scam. Stories changed. Title not in name "but I can introduce you to the person on the title....." and no disclosure of VIN.