About to buy a new to me GS500E

[yakobo5]

Didn't get a chance to go ride it today as the weather has been crap but I'm also going to try a 2002 Ninja 250 that's 1k less too tomorrow.  I've been riding cruisers my entire motorcycle 'career' but now just want a light, quiet, commuter type bike to get to/from work.  I had just sold a 81 GS450TX that I had turned into a cafe racer and seeing that bike was pretty easy to work on, i figured it would translate to the GS500.  Just got really sick of messing with old bike problems; that GS450 was a money pit (carb issuesand had electrical gremlins galore).

[GS4me]

Depending on your size / weight, you may outgrow that Ninja 250 pretty quick.  But for a commuter bike, I would imagine it could be ok.

I'd suggest taking the 250 on a nice long ride, with a mix of highway, back roads and hills to get a real good feel for it (if you will be using it for more than just a commuter bike). 

I'm a little under 6'-2" and just under 210 lbs.  A 250 Ninja has a bit of a hard time "carting me around" / up hills etc...

Maybe a Ninja 500 would be a good compromise if the GS doesn't work out. If you like the feel of the Ninja 250 but want a bit more punch that will keep you smiling without thinking of an upgrade for a little longer.   (  What?? Did I just type "buy a Ninja" on a GS forum?   

You know, I gave up riding for a little over 15 years and my 94 GS in no Ninja 900 that's for sure.   But you know what???  Something about the sound of a Parallel Twin and "all that  wind" blowing you around the highway just brings back memories for me....

I've been considering a CBR or Ninja - something in the 1000+cc range and no matter what I pick up, it's just not worth it for me to sell the GS.  I can't believe all of the comments I get "on the old girl" every time I have her out.

[lefgee]

i bought a 99' with around 1900 miles and it looked showroom new and was in pristine condition. The PO told me theres "not a single problem with it" but that's until i bought it and it shut off on me while riding. long story short, the bike needed a lot of work, from a carb rebuild, new fuel valve, new fuel lines, cleaned out the tank, etc so be prepared to spend alittle or put in work if your unlucky

[GSnoober]

How much did you sell that GS450TX for? What part of the world are you located in?

Got any pictures of your old GS that you could post links to? I've owned a lot of motorcycles over the last 40+ years, and I STILL want a GS450TX before I die...

I wouldn't pay more than $1500 / $1600 for that 2K2 GS500E; it looks great but others have pointed out the pitfalls you might encounter with it, so I hope you can agree on a lower price. If you can wrench on a GS450, you can wrench on a GS500.

Best of luck, whatever you choose to do.

[2y4life]

i bought a 99' with around 1900 miles and it looked showroom new and was in pristine condition. The PO told me theres "not a single problem with it" but that's until i bought it and it shut off on me while riding. long story short, the bike needed a lot of work, from a carb rebuild, new fuel valve, new fuel lines, cleaned out the tank, etc so be prepared to spend alittle or put in work if your unlucky

Yup, this is it. As I posted earlier, I just got done researching and doing my homework before purchasing a bike and old bikes with very little miles can cause so many problem. Bike, regardless of whether it's a GS500 or not, are not meant to be stored and ridden 50-100 miles a year. If you get it, just make sure you have an extra $1000 laying around JUST IN CASE it is needed to get the bike road ready for your own personal safety.

[GS4me]

How much did you sell that GS450TX for? What part of the world are you located in?

Got any pictures of your old GS that you could post links to? I've owned a lot of motorcycles over the last 40+ years, and I STILL want a GS450TX before I die...

I always thought those bikes were cool looking as well.  There Yamaha that had a similar / almost identical look as  the 450TX well.  I look on C.L. for a project bike every now and again and would love to pick one of those up as well to slowly tinker with...

[yakobo5]

Update...I ended up NOT buying the bike...it was in SUPERB shape but the carbs were indeed due for a rebuild (I'm guessing seals/jets) and tires needed replacing even though they did look new.  I'm in Wisconsin and here's what my GS450TX looked like when I sold it...bought it for $800 with 11k miles but took another $1600 to get it to run properly.  I think I'm done with carbs (I'm in my mid thirties with 3 young kids; no time to mess around anymore lol) and going to get something newer with fuel injection...gladius or CB500F most likely.

[cWj]

Well, if you're looking at a Gladius, I absolutely suggest you take a spin on a FZ-07.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/06/27/2015-yamaha-fz-07-first-ride-review-naked-sportbike-photos-specifications/

If everything I'm reading is true, it's the current pound-for-pound midsize naked king.

Whatever you get, be careful and have fun.

[yakobo5]

Well, if you're looking at a Gladius, I absolutely suggest you take a spin on a MT-07.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/06/27/2015-yamaha-fz-07-first-ride-review-naked-sportbike-photos-specifications/

If everything I'm reading is true, it's the current pound-for-pound midsize naked king.

Whatever you get, be careful and have fun.

Damn...never even knew they made a FZ-07...that bike looks great! Will def have to check that out too...Thanks for the heads up!

[2y4life]

Yakobo, I live in Wausau, where do you live? There are numerous GS500 out there. Here are a few all $3000 or less

http://appleton.craigslist.org/mcy/4491685110.html

http://greenbay.craigslist.org/mcy/4443190480.html

http://wausau.craigslist.org/mcy/4539246439.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/4497487378.html

[MARider]

Update...I ended up NOT buying the bike...it was in SUPERB shape but the carbs were indeed due for a rebuild (I'm guessing seals/jets) and tires needed replacing even though they did look new.  I'm in Wisconsin and here's what my GS450TX looked like when I sold it...bought it for $800 with 11k miles but took another $1600 to get it to run properly.  I think I'm done with carbs (I'm in my mid thirties with 3 young kids; no time to mess around anymore lol) and going to get something newer with fuel injection...gladius or CB500F most likely.

Yako I would suggest maybe one of the new cb500's took one for a test ride and I have to say there are pretty nice little commuter bikes for a good price. FI and par twin. Tires where not to confidence inspiring but I wont lie I may have beet the piss out of it a wee bit. 

[cWj]

Damn...never even knew they made a FZ-07...that bike looks great! Will def have to check that out too...Thanks for the heads up!

Brand new and just-announced that it will indeed come to the states.

Yamaha has basically stolen ALL of Honda's thunder from last year.

'Zuki appears content with being the unofficial supplier of MSF bikes.

[GSnoober]

Update...I ended up NOT buying the bike...it was in SUPERB shape but the carbs were indeed due for a rebuild (I'm guessing seals/jets) and tires needed replacing even though they did look new.  I'm in Wisconsin and here's what my GS450TX looked like when I sold it...bought it for $800 with 11k miles but took another $1600 to get it to run properly.  I think I'm done with carbs (I'm in my mid thirties with 3 young kids; no time to mess around anymore lol) and going to get something newer with fuel injection...gladius or CB500F most likely.

If the guy who bought your GS450 wants to ride it to the left coast and sell it to an old man CHEAP, please tell him I'm VERY interested in becoming the NEXT owner... I saved the photo to my HDD for use as wallpaper on one of my laptops so I can see it whenever the mood strikes me...

[MARider]

so what did you decide?

[yakobo5]

No decisions yet but upon entering my local dealership, I was somewhat intrigued by the new SR400 from Yamaha...Old skool styling with fuel injection etc.  Only thing I didn't like was the 6999 price and lack of electric start...yep...kickstart only....OUCH.

[2y4life]

Yakobo, did you see the links I posted for you?

[MARider]

the new sr isn't worth the money in my opinion as for about the same price you can get a cb500 or a lightly used drz400sm.

[gsJack]

Didn't get a chance to go ride it today as the weather has been crap but I'm also going to try a 2002 Ninja 250 that's 1k less too tomorrow..........................

............................I'd suggest taking the 250 on a nice long ride, with a mix of highway, back roads and hills to get a real good feel for it (if you will be using it for more than just a commuter bike). 

I'm a little under 6'-2" and just under 210 lbs.  A 250 Ninja has a bit of a hard time "carting me around" / up hills etc.........................

Just scrolling thru this thread and these week old posts caught my eye.  Here's a big guy who normally rides a Busa reporting on his ride thru mountains on a Ninja 250 that I saved from 9 years ago, was just thinking ahead for myself.  Worth a read.

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1145

[GS4me]

Just scrolling thru this thread and these week old posts caught my eye.  Here's a big guy who normally rides a Busa reporting on his ride thru mountains on a Ninja 250 that I saved from 9 years ago, was just thinking ahead for myself.  Worth a read.

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1145

I agree with some of his points  (Great article by the way) but from my experience , doing most of "my running around" over 10,000 rpm's really was getting old.  Riding at 12K, 14K, 16K RPM's to "keep up with varying road conditions" was a bit of a hassle.

BUT.  That being said.

I've thought about picking up a 300 Ninja Special Edition quite a number of times.  There ARE certain times (on a few occasions) that even I like to take a day and ride around at an average ov 13,000 RPM for a few hours  !

[MARider]

ninja 250 is a great bike if you one day you want to race GP bikes as you have to rev the piss out of them. Fun as all hell though. I hate to say it but I think next year I will sell the gs and put the money towards a this year (so slightly cheaper) cb500x. I am already pre approved and well a pretty nice commuter that only cost a few K sure will be nice..oh and after riding everyone in my familys bikes with EFI I must say...I HATE CARBS.