Contemplating selling my 89 GS. Price?

[outlaw28]

I have a 1989 GS with about 7k miles on it. It hasn't run in 2 years, but it cared for an stored properly. It does have knicks and dings. Any thoughts from the forum as what I should price it at before I go the route of photos and full descriptions? The bike is black, silver frame with white rims. I'm sure later on in life I'll want the same bike again, but for now I've prepped myself to part ways with it. The bike is in Massachusetts, 12 miles south east of Boston. Any help from the forum is welcome.

[Bluesmudge]

Every market is different, but considering the age and non-perfect condition I would assume $1700ish, assuming it starts right up and rides well. A perfect and low mileage GS is worth ~$2500 IMHO. With a barely running junker being $1000 and a parts bike $500 or less. I've seen people try to get $3000 for a low mileage GS500F from 2006 - 2009 but those bikes usually sit on craigslist for months at a time.

[aconti2]

Bluebook says 1,180 for an 89. I'd say thats pretty fair. Regardless of miles thats a 31 year old bike!

[Sporty]

The riding season is almost over so it's a tough time of year to sell a bike in Massachusetts.

I paid $500 for a "running junker" In mid summer.  I saw three more $500. GS500/500E spanning 1989 to 2004, two running, two not running this year. The sold quick at $500.

in the spring, maybe $1000 for a ready to ride bike.

[sledge]

Old GS5s are difficult to value, they are not desirable bikes, they don't have a strong following and are unlikely to become a classic. I have seen bikes with a book value of £200 make £750 and a book value of £2000 struggle to make £1000. However they are simple, basic and cheap and easy to repair and to some that is an appeal.

Potential buyers tend to look at the bottom line and see what else is available at a similar price, almost certainly there will be newer, better performing/handling and generally more desirable machines available for a similar price locally and unless someone particularly wants a 31 year old GS5 it will be difficult to shift at decent price. However you might get lucky and find someone looking for a project or a first bike or someone who just wants a cheap hack to get to work on.

15-20 years I was selling them as fast as I could find them but within 12-18 months the demand just dried up. Better bikes were becoming available at sensible and comparable prices and people started buying them instead. People would say why should I pay £1500+ for a boring old GS5 when I can get a 600 Bandit or a Hornet or a Ninja for the same price.

I would spend a bit of time on it, get it running, clean it up and put it on eBay with a minimum price and go from there, it will give you an idea of the market. I would avoid saying it has been stood for 2 years, that will be a big turn off.

 

[Bluesmudge]

I imagine the motorcycle market where I live on the West Coast US is closer to what you would find in Massachusetts vs what others here are quoting. I don't know where the others live, but nobody is ever selling a running motorcycle for less than $1000 around here.

Motorcycles are hot right now. Partly because dealers can't get new bikes to sell so used bikes are more valuable than ever -- but like RV's, boats, and bicycles, any toy that can be used in a socially distant manner is hard to find in stock. Also, much like in the last recession I think we are going to see some people try motorcycling and scootering as a cheaper form of transportation. Especially people who previously used public transit and see motorcycles as a safe way to transport themselves with a lower cost of entry vs a car or truck.

In Portland and Seattle, especially post Pandemic, no "ready to ride" bike is selling for much less than $2000 unless its under 250cc. Good condition Ninja 500s still sell for $3,000+. I sold a BMW with 135,000 miles on it for $2200. 2018 Suzuki GSX250Rs that were being cleared from dealers for $3000 OTD  just a year ago are now selling for more than that on the used market.

Unfortunately the riding season is coming to an end, but I have yet to see the sky high used motorcycle prices come down.

[johnny ro]

The 89 has a slight extra interest, over 91+

Logically, only a few people will want the bike based on knowing what it is, as so many other bikes of higher everything and low price are around. You can get a VFR750 in the boston area for $2500 if you wait a while.

But in retail, to sell one item, anyone can get lucky.

If it is running ok and not needing everything, mid $1l's is my estimate.