Looked at the first prospect today

[manofthefield]

Hi all, I'm new here(I posted in 'who are you' thread if you want to know more)

After work today I stopped in at a local Kawasaki/Triumph dealer to look at a blue '97 GS500.  It looked great(in a poorly lit garage), has just under 10,000 miles, appears stock, brand new tires, and a partially melted front fender.  After 10-15 seconds of cranking, it started and seemed to idle smoothly(I think this is very good considering the bike's lean jetting and being 40 degrees).  

My problem comes with the price.  The dealer is asking $2599, said he would not go lower than $2200 considering he paid $2000 for it and gave it an oil change and new tires.  I dont have a problem paying a bit more at a dealer, especially with new tires, but I still think $2200 is a bit high for a 7 year old bike.

I know it's up to me how much i'm willing to pay for it, but I would appreciate some imput as to what others think.

Thanks

[aslam]

It's a little steep, but that's what I paid for mine.  $2200 for a 1997.  Plus mine has more miles.  The only thing is that motorcycles have a bit higher resale in CA I think because we can ride all year.

ASLAM.

[JLKasper]

Check this out:

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7070

Maybe you guys can hook up?

[JeffD]

Well I paid $2000 for mine.  '96 with 9,300mi.  Brand new tires.  (I bought it 1.5yrs ago)

[pantablo]

I would say its too high but seems it might be at market rate...Id guess the dealer didnt pay so much for it though and that you could hammer him to drop his price a bit more (or negotiate for more gear thrown in for free).
check my site for kelly blue book and NADA guides values for the bikes.

[hehehemann]

I bought my GS500 two weeks ago, its a 1996 with 14,000 miles and cost me $1500. I will need new tires within the next riding season. I too have the melted front fender but I'm not too worried about it. Or should I be?
So far I love the bike, it's my first road bike and I'm very happy.

[ScottWV]

I bought my '97 in 2001 with about 5800 miles on it, just 1900.  That was in an Ebay auction, it started much lower.  Previous owner let it site for a year or two, and frame had suffered some surface rust (which I still haven't cleaned up   ) and a couple scratches but it was ready to ride.  Also came with a windshield.

$2,200 sounds like a bit much, but if it's in really excellent shape it might be worth it.

[yamahonkawazuki]

i paid $600 for my '97 frankenbike, (3,814mi), but with trashed forks, (with forks bought from jared, no prob) fair 75%tread on tires, hadnt been started in a year, (what wonders wd-40 can do :lol: )and i had to rebuild&clean carbs.  :dunno:, price may be a bit high, but 1 you can take a chance and wait, (his storage will fill up eventually)keep coming in, will drop price eventually , (what i did with mine), or 2. look elsewhere, here, ebay etc etc. etc., or 3. get it, (but try to get lower if possible

[Adam R]

When I worked at a Washington DC area dealer one day a guy brought a late model GS500 in for carb service.  When he found out what they wanted to charge him he got so pissed off that he sold the bike from the back of his truck to my co-worker in bike prep.  Get this, the price was $100.  A couple days latter, the GS was up and running and we used to ride it around in the parking lot when we weren't trying to wheelie Honda XR 50s.

[Jace009]

only a $100 to clean and sync. the carbs? I might have to do that. I know that when my dad got his 750night hawk done [it's an old bike] that is was $250ish :x  that's a little much IMHO but I can live w/ $100 :mrgreen:

[The Buddha]

OK from that bike .... dont walk.... run...
Nothing to do with the price... though for that price I will personally drive and hand over my 91 GS to you...
"Partially melted front fender" that means the motor over heated... pretty severely... Paying $2500 entitles you to a near new bike... not 10K and over heated motor.
Cool.
Srinath.

[manofthefield]

The dealer said the fender would melt if you leave the bike to warm up for a long time with the front wheel straight.  Do you think that could be, or did it definately overheat, and if so what would cause it to overheat?  The only thing i can think of is a lack of oil :dunno:  

For now I will just wait because I have some other junk I would like to sell and my dad taught me to be cheap.  I'm definately not opposed to getting a bike that needs a little work; I like getting my hands dirty.  It was just nice to think that i could get a really good looking bike from the dealer that is pretty close to me.  Sometimes it really sucks to be a poor college student.  I wonder where all my money goes?  

On the up side, I will either find a cheaper bike or that one will come down in price :mrgreen:   Thanks for the help guys