1991 GS500E as first bike, good buy?

[mr72]

I wouldn't quite go this far, but an experienced rider on a GS can easily keep up with more powerful bikes though the twisties.

What is this use case, though? I mean, really. If you are using your motorcycle to "keep up with more powerful bikes through the twisties", why do you have to keep up with others? And seriously, what world are you in where you have to accelerate to 60mph in under 4.5 seconds or run a 1/4 mile in under 13.5 seconds? Those are wickedly quick numbers by any measure unless you are actually racing. Are your riding buddies really whipping from a 20mph corner exit up to 100mph in the half mile before the next corner when they have to lay on the brakes? If so, they have a death wish.

You're right, you might have to keep the revs up to achieve those numbers. But I am here to tell you that if you are actually using all of the acceleration capability of a GS500 on public roads, you are nuts. Where the lower power makes a difference is in whether you can accelerate without downshifting at highway speeds.. and seriously a GS500 will beat almost any car on the road acceleration-wise.

Maybe it's that I have been a long-time sports car guy and I'm not in motorcycling for the thrill of "try to hang on" acceleration or trying to drag a knee around corners. A GSX-R, the "R" is for "Racing". If you're not racing, a GS500 is more than adequate for pretty much everything you will use a motorcycle for. On the street, within 10% margin of legal speeds.

[qcbaker]

Re: The Buell Blast.  User "qcbaker" has one, and I think he likes it.  I don't know a ton about them, but I have heard good in terms of the reliability.  They are under-powered, especially compared to the GS's 500 twin, and Eric Buell himself is known to despise them, but other then the aesthetics being a little love/hate I don't think it's a bad bike in the least.
I do ride a Buell, but I'm not particularly biased about the Blast.  Most Buells are interesting machines that combine 'Murican engines with European design influences, the Blast just happened to be a ground up "beginner" motorcycle that Buell was sort of forced to make because HD didn't want to make a small engine cruiser.  Look at them now, Street 500/750...

Yeah, I bought the Blast for my girlfriend since it's so beginner friendly and has a very low seat height. But since she hasn't gotten her license yet, I've been periodically taking it out on rides just to keep it from sitting. It is definitely a bit under-powered. The blast is a 500cc bike, but it feels much more like a 250, honestly. It'll do highway speeds and stuff, but its a bit sketchy since the bike is so small and light. But, the Blast handles very well and power delivery is nicely predictable (1st-2nd shift can be a little jolty if you've hit the rev limiter in first then shift though, since all the torque is down low in the rev range). Being a single cylinder, it can be a bit vibratey at speed, but it isn't too bad. After it's warmed up, at idle it can actually inch backwards gradually from all the shaking lol. It's also very simple to work on, which is a plus for me. All in all, its a perfectly competent beginner standard motorcycle. Styling is obviously personal preference. I dont feel strongly about it, but my girlfriend seems to like it.

Can't really comment on the reliability yet, as I've only had it a few months. But, I see no reason to expect it to be a problem.

RE: The Blast: I spent the day on a Blast once. it affected me so profoundly I wrote a poem about it. I'll share it with you to help you with your buying decision.

"The Blast" by Jim Moore

"The Blast,
Sucks ass."

I will say I much prefer my GS, but I wouldn't say the Blast sucked lol.

OP:

The GS is a great bike. Easy enough to ride to be beginner friendly, powerful enough to hold your attention for a while. As long as the bike is in solid mechanical condition, I think its the best choice out of the 3 bikes you mentioned.

RE: the GS's performance

The GS is much more powerful than a Ninja 250, and will easily outrun a non Si or Type-R Civic. Civic Si might give you a run for your money in the acceleration department, and a Type-R is probably going to smoke you especially on straightaways, but any of the econobox civics will get left in your dust. To get it to perform that way though, you'll have to ride it like you mean it. J_Walker, next time you ride , rev it to 9K+ before shifting, keep it near peak torque and it may surprise you.

But, like Watcher said, it isn't a GSX-R. Don't expect power wheelies or speeds greater than like 95mph or anything like that. But to mr72's point, people who ride their bikes on public roads as if they're on a track are crazy anyway.

[Koronakesh]

mr72 mentioned that aside from "catastrophic" problems, it'll probably be just fine.

Is there anything like that I can feasibly check for? I'll check the gas tank for rust, preferably make sure the oil is good (not sludgy, no metallic bits). I'm guessing if it rides and shifts smoothly then the carb is fine?

And I hear a lot of emphasis on the chain, is that something that's really expensive?

[mr72]

I'm guessing if it rides and shifts smoothly then the carb is fine?

There are two carbs.

Regardless of how it rides and runs, if you do not have ironclad reliable evidence that the carbs have been serviced in the last year (cleaned thoroughly, adjusted idle mixture and float height, replace o-rings etc.) then they will require that service sooner rather than later.

I wound up giving up and completely replacing my carbs. The bike ran fine when I got it but would not idle correctly. Once I got replacement carbs all sorted the bike ran like a scalded cat for about 15-20 minutes then would not run once it was warmed up. Turns out it had bent valves due to heavy carbon build-up that only manifested once the engine was at temperature. $800 and a top end rebuild later, it runs like a dream. That's the type of catastrophic thing I was talking about. It can happen, and it's pretty much impossible to detect on a pre-purchase inspection.

[Koronakesh]

I'm guessing if it rides and shifts smoothly then the carb is fine?

There are two carbs.

Regardless of how it rides and runs, if you do not have ironclad reliable evidence that the carbs have been serviced in the last year (cleaned thoroughly, adjusted idle mixture and float height, replace o-rings etc.) then they will require that service sooner rather than later.

How much is that going to cost? Sounds like unless the owner has done it, I might as well have it done with the state inspection.

[mr72]

How much is that going to cost? Sounds like unless the owner has done it, I might as well have it done with the state inspection.

You DIY it's a one-hour job and if you don't have to replace the float needles it's $10 worth of parts (o-rings). Literally the hardest part of the whole job is figuring out how to get the air box back on.

I would imagine a shop would do it for $100. Dunno tho. I consider it maintenance so you might as well learn to do it yourself otherwise you're going to pay a fortune keeping the bike going.

[J_Walker]

you know the whole "can be fun in the twistiest" argument bugs me, just for the sheer fact I live in a state that is like 90% straight roads and highways. that being said. the GS is a fantastic in town motorcycle. and mine is a freakin mule. I just want to be realistic about things is all. another thing the GS doesn't like is really bad city traffic, its due to it being air cooled and all. if you're in really bad traffic and wont be moving much, its best to pull off and wait somewhere instead of sitting in it.

that being said, ill never sell my GS, because I wont get anywhere near what I put into it. so its moot at this point. I'll forever have my GS until someone comes along who I can donate it too.

[Koronakesh]

Asked some questions about the things y'all brought up, here's the response:

Yes I'm fairly sure I mentioned that it had been laid down. Sorry if I hadn't.  It has a dent on the left of the tank with some scraping and the decals are missing, but I'm not sure what happened to those. That was all from the previous owner. Apparently he let a buddy rise it around who didn't know what he was doing. He had it professionally checked out though. All the damage is only cosmetic. I took it into a shop to get everything checked out and have the carbs cleaned and jetted when I first bought it back in June of 2014. I've cleaned the carbs myself since, but I haven't really ridden it much in the last 2 years so it could pry use some realignment. I've changed the oil within the last 100 miles so that should be good for a while still. I also put a new battery in it for you this week because the old one kept dying on me.

You may have noticed that the mirrors don't match. Some punk ripped one off while it was parked on campus and left me a nasty note for parking in a parking garage. I didn't have the time or tools to replace it to match the other one because he broke the entire housing for the mirror too, so I have a little clamped on mirror for right now. I have the other clamp mirror, but I liked the oem mirrors enough to leave just the one on. Like I said, I'll give you everything I have so you can decide what you want to do with it.

Sounds pretty good to me. Thoughts?

[mr72]

You like it, I'd go for it. Price is in the ballpark.

[Koronakesh]

Apparently it also has a Vance & Hines exhaust, don't know if that's good or bad. Guess I'll just have to hear it and decide for myself.

[qcbaker]

Not sure what he means by "could use some realignment" when referring to the carbs... Is he saying it runs rough or something? Other than that, it sounds fine to me. I would go take a look and test ride it if it were me. 

As for the exhaust, he said he had it rejetted when he bought it, so its probably fine, may just be a bit louder than stock.

[mr72]

As for the exhaust, ... may just be a bit louder than stock.

Yeah and if it's a full exhaust (header incl.) then it's probably a bit less rusted than stock

[Watcher]

I wouldn't quite go this far, but an experienced rider on a GS can easily keep up with more powerful bikes though the twisties.

What is this use case, though? I mean, really. If you are using your motorcycle to "keep up with more powerful bikes through the twisties", why do you have to keep up with others? And seriously, what world are you in where you have to accelerate to 60mph in under 4.5 seconds or run a 1/4 mile in under 13.5 seconds? Those are wickedly quick numbers by any measure unless you are actually racing. Are your riding buddies really whipping from a 20mph corner exit up to 100mph in the half mile before the next corner when they have to lay on the brakes? If so, they have a death wish.

You're right, you might have to keep the revs up to achieve those numbers. But I am here to tell you that if you are actually using all of the acceleration capability of a GS500 on public roads, you are nuts.

... people who ride their bikes on public roads as if they're on a track are crazy anyway.

Well, I'm not going to wholly advocate using the street as a personal race-track, but we all can agree on one thing and that's that motorcycling is most fun when in the curves.  So that being said, there's a time and a place.  Going up the local mountain at posted speed is, honestly, pretty boring.  You don't get a good lean at 25mph in the turns, they're much more fun at 40+.
That doesn't mean you need to be a hooligan around town and in traffic, or always take curves above posted speed, but if there's a curvy spot in the road coming up and nobody is around?  Why not stretch your legs a little, so to speak.
I'll admit to doing this time to time, and personal experience trying to keep up with a rider on a CBR650R fared very favorably for me entrance to exit.  Between the turns?  Not so much.

But that's not to say the whole "GS500 can keep up in turns" is applying to street scenario specifically.  Track days are a great way to learn and develop new skills, and I would definitely suit up and use a GS500 on the track.  90% of the other riders will be on 600cc sport bikes and the likes, and if you have really good cornering skills you can easily keep up, but you'll have no chance in the straights.

And don't believe these detractors who talk about how underpowered or whatever the GS500 is.  Iit will outrun an R3 or a KTM 390 or a Ninja 300 and it'll smoke a Ninja 250.

In a thousand miles of riding mine I haven't found a single situation where I thought I needed more power. Not one.

Having tested a KTM RC390 in a parking lot and flailed it around a reasonable amount, I don't think this is quite true.  It feels a lot more responsive, it at least makes power in lower RPMs so you don't have to really wring it's neck to get it to pull.
On paper the RC makes just a few numbers less power but is almost 80 pounds lighter than the GS500F, it actually has a higher power/weight ratio.


But I'll also echo your sentiment about the "need" of power.  I've been on 500ccs for something like 5 years.  First a GS, then a GS, then a CB, and even after getting my Buell I don't consider that I've "outgrown" the little 500s.
I have literally ridden to the edge of what those bikes can do.  I've scraped pegs in turns, I've tucked down under the tiny windscreen of my CB with my elbow dropped so I could pin the throttle at redline in 6th gear, I've stayed on the ass of a Kawasaki Z1000 doing ** in some twisties, AND I was starting to experiment with getting the front end up on purpose.  Yes, I was being a major hooligan, but I was also doing this in isolated areas where I felt in the least amount of danger.
Not trying to brag or advocate this behavior, my point is simply that I've been to the "wall" that the 500cc class has, and on every commuter street scenario there is NOT ONE SINGLE REASON why you would need more power.
Cross country cruising at 80mph for hours on end, yeah, you might want something more powerful so it's lower in the rev range and just overall more comfortable for that long ride.  But 9.7/10 times the only reason why you would get a bigger bike is because you want it.

As fun as it is to just roll on and lift the front end up or go 0-60 in under 3 seconds, it's just 100% unnecessary.
That being said, I like my big old 1203cc Buell and I'll be hard pressed to get rid of it, but it's not just the power I like about it.  It's the feel, the look, the name, the SOUND, a whole culture that surrounds the machine, not just the numbers the engine can make on a dyno...
I would LOVE to get another GS or an R3 or something small to flip around town on, but at this point I feel that I would refuse to actually downsize and would insist on keeping the Buell.


** I honestly don't know what speed.  Too busy turning to look down at the cluster.  50+mph in like a 30mph zone?  What most would consider "uncomfortably fast" for the turns.  Definite hang-off speeds.

[gsJack]

In a thousand miles of riding mine I haven't found a single situation where I thought I needed more power. Not one.

I wouldn't quite go this far, but an experienced rider on a GS can easily keep up with more powerful bikes though the twisties. I have found myself in situations where more get up and go wouldn't hurt, but I compensate by keeping it at higher RPM's and focusing on my technique. Friends on bigger bikes can leave you in the dust on straightaways, but going fast in a straight line isn't much fun to me anyway.

After 180k miles of GS500 riding over 15 years I find myself in agreement with these 2 posts, couldn't have said it better.  As far as higher speed performance goes don't forget a GS redlines at  over 100 mph in 4th gear.  Take it to the mountain twisties and keep it between 7-9k rpm for a couple hours to really appreciate it.  GS500 road test data from magazine tests for 89-04 GS's, not much covered after that:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tests_zps2aug8m6m.jpg

[HPP8140]

I have a GSXR, but prefer my 02 GS500. Below 80 I can ride it much more precise, faster and it's more stable/safer, no need to do more on public roads. Only thing I miss from the GSXR is the suspension, not power.

Also be mindful of experiences with GS power as it can vary greatly based on personal weight, altitude, condition.

My 02 GS has no trouble getting from 60-90 in a hurry (I'm a lightweight 150lbs), I think this is the best year GS, the torque curve is a great improvement from my previous E models. Those felt underpowered sometimes with heavy wind, high altitude, and needed more revs to get going, but usually not a big deal.

[Koronakesh]

Awful news, guy just let me know he went out to check on the bike to make sure it was ready to go and can't get it started anymore.

Kinda heartbroken honestly, been waiting on this GS for two weeks. Looks like it's going to be a while before I get to ride again.

[1018cc]

Sorry to hear that Koronakesh. Sounds to me like the price just dropped from advertised

[Watcher]

Awful news, guy just let me know he went out to check on the bike to make sure it was ready to go and can't get it started anymore.

Kinda heartbroken honestly, been waiting on this GS for two weeks. Looks like it's going to be a while before I get to ride again.

Offer him $700 as is.  Rent a trailer from U-Haul for $12.

Willing to bet it's something stupid.  Battery, petcock, old gas...

[Koronakesh]

He actually offered to let it go for $700.

I'd be willing to do $600 and get a u-haul, if you guys think it's worth it. $1500 is all I can put into a bike right now. Should I make the offer?

[Watcher]

Might have to just go look at it and make the call based on the condition of everything else.

As long as it turns over its probably a fuelling issue.  A good carb clean, new fuel and vacuum lines, and possibly a new petcock and you SHOULD be good to go.  $120 including petcock plus a day in the garage.  $20 if no petcock.

Of course new spark plugs and oil and air filter is a given.