About to buy a new to me GS500E

[yakobo5]

2002 GS500E model with only 1800 miles...owner says he's the 2nd owner; his daughter had bought new with the intention of riding but lost interest so its been sitting in his heated garage all this time.  He takes it out periodically and keeps the gas tank filled but that's it.  Still riding on original tires though he did change the plugs/oil/battery this year.  Said he had to spray a good amount of carb cleaner to get her started this year and he did say there was some old/bad gas he had to siphon out.  Should I be worried that it was ridden so little?  We agreed on a price of 2200 as it was listed for 2800.  Looks like BRAND NEW too.  Any advice would be super.  Thx.

[AnonRider]

plan on doing a lot of work, it's going to be a money sink that 2200 will quickly turn into 3 or 4 grand.

[yakobo5]

So you would advise against this purchase?  And what would probably need the most attention?

[fetor56]

If your going to buy it be prepared to spend a number of hours getting it into shape...remove & thorough clean carbs extremely likely,tank flushed,etc.Nothing that can't be achieved by yourself with a bit of reading & elbow-grease commitment,especially with forum help......i'd buy it but try to negotiate a lower price because of the "unknown" factor,not knowing ALL that needs to be done.

[yakobo5]

I looked at it briefly once but didn't ride it...I'll take it for a spin tomorrow.  Owner says once warmed up, runs like new so we'll see.  Just looks so good that maybe I'm jumping the gun on it.

[Joolstacho]

Hold on, I would have thought spending "3-4 grand" sounds a bit alarmist.
(I took mine from a complete DOA basket-case to a pretty nice, clean, dead reliable, strong runner for around $1200).

Let's see. Look at that low low mileage... 1800, gotta love that, and "looks like brand new", love that too, and obviously the seller is being straight with you.
I'd budget on a simple recommissioning, - fluids, tyres, checkover. No don't be alarmed that it's been ridden so little, it could prove to be a gem!
The carbs may well be fine, just run it and see.
I'd be very tempted, not scared!!!

[Janx101]

+1 to Jools!

[GS4me]

I'd hop on that if it was me. (I may have tried to get him down a little bit more if it was me but I think that 's in the ballpark.  If she warms up and rides ok I think you could have a winner there. Even if you are unfamiliar, these bikes are pretty straightforward to work on and you'll learn a lot. 

After not riding for 15+ years, I bought a 94 GS500 with a little over 7,000 miles on her for just over $1000.. (last March) . Waiting for Spring to finally get here in PA, I gave her a once over, replaced fluids, did routine maintenance, and have put just under 2,000 miles on her this season so far. I'm having a great time so far. Takes me back to my late teens / early 20's...

[ace50]

Buy it! Buy it NOW! It'll take probably very little to get it running like new! Hell, it's like new!

[AlexT]

I agree, at 1800 miles, I would be more than willing do a bit of fixing to get it running right. New tires, fluids, carb clean, whatever else, and you'll have a practically new bike.

[gsJack]

The 01-02 GSs were the best ever made, they had the 3 circuit carbs not on previous years and didn't have the fancy plastic of the F models which were the only kind sold in this country after 02.  I like them naked.  My 02 purchased in 03 with about 4k miles on it is still ticking right along with over 100k miles on it now. 

[cbrfxr67]

  looks like a score to me,...i hope  you pick it up and enjoy it!

[MARider]

Honestly for the price I wouldn't do it. GS's have not changed much over the years. I would say dont pay over 1500 for it. sounds like lowballing but its not. I bought an 89 with only 6000 miles on it for a few hundred. The thing is if he didn't store it proper you will need to do the same thing as if the bike was 20 years old and a little ruff. Clean carbs check cables check tires for any weather cracking. just my 2 pennies

[2y4life]

I would not buy it since the GS500s have not changed much in the last two decades or so. I did a ton of research and just purchased my first new to me 2007 GS500F with 10,900 miles for $2,500. After talking to a few bike mechanics, they are absolutely against any low mileage, older bikes. Unlike cars apparently, motorcycles that are kept in garages and not driven at all, like the one you are looking at might end up being a lot of work. With just 1800 miles, that bike averaged about 135 or so miles a year. While that sounds good, that is not. Motorcycles that just sit around unused will have alot of problems with them especially if they are not stored right. Just "winterizing" them for one winter is somewhat hard on bikes.

If you really wanted that bike, as a few posters indicated, be prepared to put in quite a bit of work which might not cost much if you know a thing or two about bikes. If you do not, it could get expensive fairly quick. Willing to bet the tires are still the original tires which definitely need to be changed because those tires are 12-13 years old. While tread should still be fairly good to very good, the tire itself is far too old, it's life value is long gone. I am willing to bet the tire has flat spots simply because it has been stored for most of its life and likely stored incorrectly if it was not ridden at all. The cost of two tires will run around $200-$275 depending on the quality of tire you want and if you have someone else do it, which is likely the case as well, you will run into the $300 range. Here's a link on old tires and the danger behind them even if they look "new". (About car tires but the same goes for motorcycle tires)

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how-old-and-dangerous-are-your-tires.html

Besides the tire, willing to guarantee the brake pads are the originals and should be changed, brakes need to be bled, carbs clean/synched/jetted, check valves, check the chain as I'd rather have a new chain than a 12-13 year old chain and sprockets, clutch, change the oil, and cable checks to start.

As one poster said, it could be a gem...or it could be garbage and your life is riding on the quality of the bike. Being someone who was just in the market (purchased my 2007 GS500F this past Sunday), I would not pay more than $1700-$1800 max. Again, if you choose to get it, good for you but keep at least $1,000 for bike maintenance along with a minimum of $300 for gear.

[gsJack]

Check date on tires, the last 4 digits of the DOT number show the week and year of manufacture.  They are most likely orginal tires on a bike with such low mileage and 12-13 year old tires are much too old whether they are cracked or not they get hard and loose traction.  Maybe you can talk him down $300 to cover new tires.

The $2200 is a bit high I think but excellent condition vehicles frequently get premium prices.  A quick look at KBB shows a $1030 trade in value and $1590 retail price from dealer for a 02 GS500 in excellent condition but that would be for a bike with many more miles on it, they don't give mileage price adjustments for bikes that old.

If you expect to ride it for a long time it might be worth it to you but if you have to sell it in a year or two you will most likely  take a sizable loss.  An old used car salesman friend of mine use to say a car is worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay and the seller is willing to sell it for.

[MARider]

take it from people that know. I have owned mostly bikes built pre 78 except a cbr600 f3 I had. All these bikes had miles on them be it only 1200 to 2000 a year avaerage and not a one needed more than some maintenance. I would find a gs that is around 1000 or so. Make sure it runs good and take it for a decent ride. any one that wont let you take a bike for at least a 5 to 10 mile ride knows there is something wrong. I know how you feel and probably look and think oh man finally I get to ride, but if there ends up being any issues and you aren't great at working on carbs or taking a bike apart it will be a lot more frustrating when you just spent 2400 and not 800.

[cbrfxr67]

Lots of advice coming in, eh....



If you like it & it checks out I hope you pick it up and enjoy the fook out of it and post all your adventures and experiences here!

[2y4life]

Where are you located, Yakobo?

[Alan_nc]

Do what you think is right.  If you like it buy it.  This is my 02 that I bought in Dec of 2013 for $900.  About twice the miles but looks pretty much the same.  I replaced the tires just because of the date they were manufactured.  Have put about 2000 miles on it with no problems.

[MARider]

Yes you can obviously do what ever you would like it is your money, The people that on here though know there stuff and I would heed there advice. No matter what you do just have fun and ride safe. May the force be with you..