New GS500

[96gs]

Hey. I have had my 96 GS500 for almost a year now. Some of you may remember a post about a 86 Yamaha Radian. Well, my dad decided that its just to fast. We saw a 2002 GS500 with a little over 1500 miles on it for three grand. We might sell my 96 GS and the 86 Radian to get this. The questions are, 1) Is 3 grand a resonable price for a 02 GS with 1500 miles on it? and 2) What are the differences (if any) from a 96 GS and a 02 GS? (besides the noticable cosmetic differences; larger gas tank, different tail light, etc.)

[aslam]

Nah, get the new R1...  

ASLAM

[pizzleboy]

I like my 02.  It was $6000 CDN new, plus tax, plus financing.

[Rema1000]

I've heard that Radian is hard NOT to wheelie.  And a bit top-heavy.  

Is your '96 giving you grief?  I've never really understood the attraction of a newer used GS: either way, you're still going to have to check-out the carbs, tank, etc.  You can find rust in the tank and carbs even after just one winter.  It seems like you pay an extra grand for the newer bike, but you can't guarantee that the bike will run any better.

[96gs]

The only time I have problem with my GS is that somethin happens after 6000 rpm's, and it only happens after i have been riding it for 30 min. But the 02 has a bigger gas tank. When you look at it, it looks like a bigger bike.

[oldsport]

The price sounds right to me as long as all the upper surfaces are shinny.

I'm sure someone else will come back and say you shouldn't pay more than $800 or some other silly price.

[96gs]

Well I looked it over. The only problem that i saw was that it needed a bath, big time. No dents, scratches etc. It was at a dealership so they didn't let me test ride it but he did. I didn't realy see nothing wrong with it, and it has only 1500 miles, give or take 40. The guy who had it bfore got into some finacial problems so he had to get rid of it.

[powrful1]

I think in my unprofessional opinion it is a good price.  I paid 3200 for an 02 last summer with 400 miles.....

No regrets here!

[gsJack]

Hey. I have had my 96 GS500 for almost a year now. Some of you may remember a post about a 86 Yamaha Radian. Well, my dad decided that its just to fast. We saw a 2002 GS500 with a little over 1500 miles on it for three grand. We might sell my 96 GS and the 86 Radian to get this. The questions are, 1) Is 3 grand a resonable price for a 02 GS with 1500 miles on it? and 2) What are the differences (if any) from a 96 GS and a 02 GS? (besides the noticable cosmetic differences; larger gas tank, different tail light, etc.)

1500 miles is almost as good as new, unless the bike has been abused.  Not always easy to know untill you put some miles on it.  Bike prices can be different around the country for different markets.

I bought my 97 GS500E new from a dealer in Mar 99 for $3200, a left over model.  After it was totalled last July, I bought a 02 GS500 with about 4k miles on it for $2600 from a dealer about 90 miles from me.  Found it on CycleTrader.  I bought back the 97 GS for salvage price and have fixed it up for backup/winter bike.

Since I had an old Honda I rode winters, I never rejetted my 97 as many here have.  Ran fine in warm weather and I put close to 80k fun miles on it.  The 02 is like a completly different bike with a completely different engine.  It is much more flexible all the way around.  The carbs have three circuits.  Warms much quicker and pulls much stronger at lower rpm's than the 97 will.  The 97 has 2 circuit carbs and with the overly lean EPA jetting runs terrible when in the 20F's and 30's outside and only fair in the 40's.  Runs great from 50F up.   :lol: It will be rejetted before next winter.

I have checked the part numbers and the exhaust cams are the same, but the intake cams are different.  I suspect the cam grind must be for more mid range and less top end.  Hard to believe the 02 bike runs that much better with just the carb change.  No longer necassary to rev it up and slip the clutch too much to get my 240# moving and the 02 has standard gearing while I put the 15T front sprocket on the 97.

The 02 is the last naked GS500 available in this country so I'm glad I got one.  To me, an update from a 2000 or earlier GS to a 01 or 02 is worthwhile.  Particularly if the old one is pushing 80k miles.   :mrgreen:  I've put about another 4k miles on the 02 GS so far.

[alerbaugh]

I paid $4G for my '02.  Brand new back in june.  Is it really worth it to buy a new GS or is it just the word NEW that makes people willing to sell anything and get what they have thats OLD!  Just a thought to think about