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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Wenchlette on July 02, 2005, 10:01:30 PM

Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Wenchlette on July 02, 2005, 10:01:30 PM
I'm looking into the purchase of my first bike, a 2002 GS. It's being sold by the original owner with only 1,300 miles and includes a jacket and helmet. It has been garage kept and never seen rain.

They're asking $4000 which I feel is definitely quite high but the bike is a little unusual. It was bought new last year with 0 miles and is still under dealer warranty. Apparently the bike was lost in inventory at the plant and bought by the dealer, it's titled as a GS500E-K4.

The NADA appraisal value for an '02 is $2660.
I'm willing to consider the unique circumstances of the bike which may increase its value and have no problems paying what it's worth but that is what I'm not quite sure of...
It is still a stock 500cc bike and I have to take into consideration what its value will be if/when I decide to resell it a couple years down the road.

Any feedback you might have would be much appreciated.  :)
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Roadstergal on July 02, 2005, 10:07:06 PM
They're asking more than $1K more than book just because it has more time on the warranty?  I'd keep looking.

I didn't pay much more than that for a new '04 500F... and Aurora Suzuki has the mate to my bike listed for $4200.

Also, I don't trust used helmets.  Buy new - you can be sure of the fit, and you can be sure it hasn't been dropped/been in an accident.

You're in WA?  Keep your eyes on Craigslist and the Soundrider classifieds; I see GS500Es popping up now and then on both.  There were two decent-looking 2000 500Es on the former not long ago.
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: davipu on July 02, 2005, 10:18:16 PM
it's a 02 that has sat for long periods of time. expect  $300-$500 in preventative maintance to keep her running good.  the title being a K4 is wrong, that is something that you will have to get fixed unless you can fix the vin.  my opinion considering the low miles, and title situation, and that the bike is perfect otherwise: $1700.   if the jacket fits and it is the kind of jacket your looking for, $1800.  used helmet, to be included in the sale of any used bike as a CYA measure for the seller.  to be used to ride to the nearest dealer to buy a new helmet.  then, it's the bar hopping lid that you leave on the bike so you can take the chicks home.
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Wenchlette on July 02, 2005, 10:28:52 PM
Thank you for your reply. I already have all my gear and agree 100% about used helmets but if they're willing to negotiate on the price enough for me to buy the bike I might take the gear since it's included or for the sake of bargaining, I will inform them that the helmet is actually useless to me.

I will also keep in mind the other price quotes and information mentioned for reference.
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: vfrocket on July 02, 2005, 10:58:59 PM
way too pricey...

borrowing someones helmet is like borrowing thier underwear.
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: vfrocket on July 02, 2005, 11:02:52 PM
how about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4559473755&category=6027
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Roadstergal on July 02, 2005, 11:03:35 PM
That's a hike...
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: vfrocket on July 02, 2005, 11:05:35 PM
you could get it shipped and still come out pretty good. most moving companies will do it for you.
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Wenchlette on July 02, 2005, 11:17:59 PM
Hmmm...Well if I can't talk some sense into the dude I'll let it go and keep an eye out for a more reasonable deal.

Thanks y'al :thumb:
Title: How lucky are you
Post by: marc on July 04, 2005, 02:06:24 AM
How lucky are you, that you can get an '02 for $2500?

In Spain, a '02 bike with 10,000Mi will be sold around $4000 at least.

Even my old '91 with 63,000Km would be sold for $1000.

How expensive could it be to ship a used GS500 from the US
back to Spain?
Title: kelly blue book
Post by: ginoe on July 04, 2005, 07:06:04 PM
take a look here - kelly blue book for motorcycles

http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.tp?kbb&;rc&17&zrc;Motorcycles
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Roadstergal on July 06, 2005, 10:00:53 AM
Psst!!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/mcy/82634868.html

Talk 'em down some...
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: davipu on July 06, 2005, 10:02:00 AM
still overpriced by 500 bucks.
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Roadstergal on July 06, 2005, 10:03:20 AM
Heh, clarified as you were posting.

But most of the bikes I see on CL are over; I think they expect haggling.
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Wenchlette on July 07, 2005, 10:08:05 AM
Right on, thank you! I've actually already contacted them and may go take a look tomorrow. I'm heading down to Auburn tonight to check out the other one and see if I can't talk 'em down.

Hey Roadstergal, wanna go along to test ride it for me? I can pick you up, it'd be fun!  :)  PM me
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Blazinjr on July 07, 2005, 10:34:06 AM
Quote from: RoadstergalThat's a hike...


not for me. ;)
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Wenchlette on July 07, 2005, 10:39:09 AM
So I asked a friend who's a Sales Manager at the dealership I used to work for what would be the most I should consider paying for this bike and he said probably $3K. He said the fact that it's still under warranty might help a little but doesn't necessarily make a huge difference 'cause the bike's still pretty new.
I think I'd be happy to get it for that and I would think the seller should be too considering the kbb trade-in value for an '02 is $1,690 but I wouldn't mind getting a few other opinions.

Thank you all!

I'm anticipating that I'll just have to let it go...the guy's trying to get out from under what they financed the bike for. He's either delusional or dumb; I'm going to cross my fingers more for the latter and hope to point out a few things enough for him to get real.
Oh and of course act pitifully naive and toss my hair around alot (did I say that out loud?) :lol:
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Wenchlette on July 07, 2005, 10:44:07 AM
Quote from: Blazinjr
Quote from: RoadstergalThat's a hike...


not for me. ;)


Good luck! Looks like a pretty sweet ride!
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Roadstergal on July 07, 2005, 10:54:15 AM
Quote from: WenchletteHe's either delusional or dumb

Like the guy asking over NADA's good-bike price for a downed SV650S...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/mcy/82960241.html

I love the copper, but man, people are just asking way more than bikes are worth.
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Blazinjr on July 07, 2005, 10:06:23 PM
If I get another bike it will be something with more cc's
Title: Need help determining bike value
Post by: Roadstergal on July 20, 2005, 01:07:57 PM
If you haven't found one yet...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/mcy/85683562.html

If there's nothing wrong with it, it's a decent deal.