Hello again GSTwins.com.
I've finally moved into the market of purchasing my first motorcycle. I found a 2006 GS500F at my local dealership for 2700 (includes TTL). I have only put a deposit on it while I await approval for a loan.
Here's the bike as it sits at the dealership:
(http://www.cycleshacknorth.com/gs500.jpg)
Here's my question:
Since this is my first motorcycle, what are somethings I need to check on my test ride to determine that the bike is a decent buy?
I understand that tires and breaks are important, but I doubt the dealership will know of any regular maintainance that was done.
Thanks in advance for the input,
Jarsh
What caused the belly portion of the fairing to be removed? Accident?
Honestly, I couldn't tell you, I didn't even know it was "missing" until I started doing the research.The dealer said it was laid down in a driveway. When I go back in I'll look more closely at it to see if it was sawn off or if it "came that way". If it turns out it was modified that way, i'm going to request a price-drop. In any case, I plan on stripping it naked anyway. But thanks for pointing that out, would have had to have been a gnarly accident to have ripped the lower fairing off.
Jarsh
I'd be wary of buying a used bike from a dealer. They are usually way overpriced. I'd use the missing belly pan to negotiate the price down.
That said, it's a good starter bike and you should enjoy it.
Quote from: Jarsh on June 17, 2009, 01:17:35 PM
Honestly, I couldn't tell you, I didn't even know it was "missing" until I started doing the research.The dealer said it was laid down in a driveway. When I go back in I'll look more closely at it to see if it was sawn off or if it "came that way". If it turns out it was modified that way, i'm going to request a price-drop. In any case, I plan on stripping it naked anyway. But thanks for pointing that out, would have had to have been a gnarly accident to have ripped the lower fairing off.
Jarsh
The dealer is lying. if it was indeed lain down in a driveway, it would have scratches on the tail section, and most likely scratches on the mirror, and most definitely the front turn signals.
Check the pipes for evidence of a sliding crash, check the forks for sliding marks, and the exhaust can.
If there is any sign of road rash on the lower bits, walk away. There is more to the story than you want to know.
As far as maintenance, the gs can suffer nicely, but won't take flogging by idiots for long. ;)
Good luck finding your first bike ! :D
Thanks for the quick responses guys, I am definitely going in after work today to inspect the bike, and possibly get my deposit back.
The stickers look really messed up, almost like they took stickers off other parts of the bike and slapped them on to cover up some scratches.
Since replacing the fairings would cost you at least $400 if you buy them from suzuki and the bike has clearly been mistreated I would walk away or try to get it for like $2000.
yea those stickers are definitely there to cover something up and look like crap in my opinion. talk em down and get the whole scoop
If you haven't already done so read this free guide to buying and inspecting a 2nd hand bike http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html
Something not mentioned in that guide but which is something to at least consider is the cleanliness of the bike. If the bike is totally spotless clean from head to toe - including between the heat exchange fins, inside of swing arm and those other really difficult to get at places - it makes me wonder How it was cleaned? Did a person really get in there with a sponge- or - has the bike been subjected to a High Pressure Washer? If the washer has been used then there is a good chance some seals - beginning with the chain's O rings, wheel bearing seals, etc. - have been compromised in some way. You cannot know for sure, but it is something to at least be aware of.
As for stickers... I don't know which ones some thing are odd because a quick google for the gs500f brought up this image, whose stickers look like yours (to me)
(http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/2006_Bikes/GS500F.jpg)
On second thought... above the SU and below the UK the stickers are different and to the left of the chevron shape.
As for driveway drop damage, here is the damage mine got when I didn't have the bike on a rear lifter properly and it fell forward off the lifter then fell on its side...
(http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/secretrossy/dropdamage.jpg)
No damage to turn signals but there was some damage to the outside of the left handle and some slight scratching on the side of the mirror. I didn't notice it at the time as I picked the bike up and parked it up right away - but - the clutch lever had also been bent. So I bought a new one and replaced it. If the dealer is telling you it was dropped on the driveway then this is also the kind of evidence to look for. (Note, while at a dealer the other day I spotted this brand new showroom GS. Notice the dent on the tank to the right and a touch below the Suzuki badge...
(http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/secretrossy/gs500new.jpg)
Enjoy the selection process.
Michael
Are those after market grips on the handlebar?
Also, the exhaust pipes up to the muffler look awfully "used" for a 3 year old bike.
Quote from: ohgood on June 17, 2009, 01:24:38 PM
As far as maintenance, the gs can suffer nicely, but won't take flogging by idiots for long. ;)
You're forgetting about me.... My poor boy was lucky he made it through the year I rode him alive... I think he's happy to be on to his new owner! :sad: :D
Welcome to the nuthouse, Jarsh! You've chosen a perfect first bike! Just be warned.... every bit of damage from the smallest scratch to the bike being totaled will be blamed on a driveway drop...seriously.... :dunno_white:
I hope she works out for ya'! :woohoo:
I hate to ruin your dream but wasn't the bike laid on the right side? It looks like the pipe is little scratched in that picture (unless it's light reflection) and the front fairing has been definitely cut. Stock fairing doesn't look that way.
Also $2700 for 2006 with 14K miles is not that great of a deal, especially in this economy. I think you should renegotiate the price if possible.
I wish you the best and welcome to the GS family!
KML
PS. Just for price comparison - I paid $3700 for my bike (before tax). I bought it in 2006, it is 2004 model and it had only 800 miles on the clock.
EDIT: my post was moved from somewhere else so it may look kinda out of place but I'll leave it the way I wrote it. After all I still mean what I said ;)
If you like it and it runs good its worth it.........bikes vary so much in price depending where you are and being as its the start of summer the price goes up like 30%.........or at least in snowy iowa......anyways to give you a idea i bought a 07 gs500f with out the fairing becuase it was dropped with some slight road rash on the pipe, a small quater sized dent in the tank, and a little road rash on the right side cover with 5k miles for $1600. It does have a salvage title but that doesnt matter to me. (i did have to drop some cash on carb work after i got it and a nightmare of a situation with the dealer messing some stuff up)..........it has started to show some rust in places on the brake brace arm and the exhaust down pipes.
Quote from: XealotX on June 17, 2009, 06:05:47 PM
Are those after market grips on the handlebar?
Also, the exhaust pipes up to the muffler look awfully "used" for a 3 year old bike.
Good point on the exhaust pipes. Hmmm... salvaged pipes from another wreck because this one ruined the original pipes at the same time the bottom of the fairing was smashed?
That would explain why the pipes don't match and the bottom fairing is missing. Smashed onto something. In which case, the other Frame Bolts could be "bent" too.
Fine tooth comb needed on this one...
Michael
You might want to try Craigslist and see if there are any used GS500's on there. Also, I'm not sure what your financial situation is, but i would try to buy the bike flat out instead of financing it, but that's just me.
I have an update for you guys. I have retrieved my deposit on the bike. I have determined that this bike was not a "driveway drop". After going in to look at it yesterday here are somethings I noticed:
1: The fairing had indeed been sawn off the bottom (unevenly from the other side, I might add)
2: The outside of the muffler can had been brushed and buffed, the finish was inconsistent with the rest of the can.
3: The right side mirror was scuffed pretty hard and was hanging on by one bolt.
4: The right turn signal had been completely broken off and re-attached with electrical tape
and the real winning detail here:
5: the undercarriage looked to have been re-shaped (welded) and painted.
needless to say, this bike was a salvage. I kindly pointed out all of these details to the salesman, who then appeared to act suprised, as if he didn't know. After trying to negotiate the price down to a respectable 1800, they weren't having it. So, I took my deposit back and said good-day. Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it. Don't worry, I'm already settled on the GS500 for my first bike. I just want to find one that has been well maintained. You shall hear from me again.
-Jarsh
^^^^^
great news!
Salesmen never cease to amaze me at the level of scumminess they are able to reach.
I've met some nice ones. Our real estate agent put up with us looking at shitty houses for a year and a half until we finally found a nice house in our price range, and he did it all with a smile, so I know they can be good, but most of them, are just downright awful.
I used to hate having to pretend to be salesman at the last bicycle shop I worked at. I was a mechanic, but you'd still have to come deal with shoppers when it got too busy, and people would constantly try to make it sound like you were lying to them just because someone at another shop told them aluminum was better and you told them steel was better(my general opinion, even though most of my bikes are aluminum, but if you're cruising pothole filled city streets and locking up to street signs, steel is definitely the way to go).
that's good to hear. try to find a cheapie online like craigslist for your first bike and go from there.
Craigslist FTW - found mine for cheap and avoided all the BS you will encounter at a dealer. That and when you register it you can say you paid $50 for it and save some money.
I'll definitely keep that in mind, I've been searching craigslist for my area, but I'm afraid of buying anything older than a 2005. They seem to be pretty hard to come by for under $3000. Are the older models acceptable?
I bought an '01 off craigslist last November for $2k. It hasn't let me down yet.
I recently took it on a trip from Albuqerque, NM to Las Vegas, NV and back (about 1200 miles round trip) and it didn't have any issues the entire time.
Quote from: Jarsh on June 18, 2009, 09:26:31 AM
I'll definitely keep that in mind, I've been searching craigslist for my area, but I'm afraid of buying anything older than a 2005. They seem to be pretty hard to come by for under $3000. Are the older models acceptable?
Oh yea, 05, maybe even 06, you should not buy anything older ... ever. They all turn to sheite if they are older than 3 years. Of course once you buy it, next yeat it may turn to sheite too, but then not when its yours ... yea, its gonna be so great.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on June 18, 2009, 09:59:03 AM
Quote from: Jarsh on June 18, 2009, 09:26:31 AM
I'll definitely keep that in mind, I've been searching craigslist for my area, but I'm afraid of buying anything older than a 2005. They seem to be pretty hard to come by for under $3000. Are the older models acceptable?
Oh yea, 05, maybe even 06, you should not buy anything older ... ever. They all turn to sheite if they are older than 3 years. Of course once you buy it, next yeat it may turn to sheite too, but then not when its yours ... yea, its gonna be so great.
Cool.
Buddha.
Damn, I need to sell mine then, lol.
"5: the undercarriage looked to have been re-shaped (welded) and painted."
This is the only part that would have worried me.
Buddha warns about anything older than 5 years, but how many people on here are driving one YOUNGER than 5 years? Seriously, I wouldn't pay $3k for anything before the F model, but I would give great consideration for anything older than that at less than $2k, with low miles. Mine was a horribly tortured '04, and I got it running extremely well pretty cheap. The end result was less than $3k - including a headlight swap and LED integrated brakelight/signal- and I think it's better than fine. The '04 was the model change, so before that is a different ballgame, slightly, but if you can find older ones in decent condition for comparatively cheap, I would say go for it. I've seen early 90s ones for under $1500, and if they're in good shape with low miles, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those. For 1k-1500 bucks, if it lasts 4 years it becomes disposable, or at least a project, right? In 4 years get another one, 4 years younger for 1k-1500 bucks.
I know, I bought my 89 in 95 and immediatley I should have sold it.
Instead like a fool, I rode it for 49K miles for 10 years. Luckily I only had minimal trouble with it, thank god.
Then Finally I came to my senses and sold it in 05.
I did not learn from my mistakes at all, in 98 I bought a 90, but luckily I only rode it for 6K miles and sold it in 2000.
Then Like a fool I bought a 91 in 2003 dammit from a gstwinner no less, I mean dont they know better than to sell me their 10+ year old bike, its now 12 years old.
More foolishness followed. A 93 from jetswing another GStwin regular, and many more, 1 frame + from Jared and 1 from nightrider , one from jetswing's old friend etc etc many more, and all from gstwin ... terrible terrible descisions all ... put together 16 of them, all horrible.
Luckily I have been able to ride and sell most of them. Just 2-3 remain. Man I am just so lucky. None of them died, or fell apart or nothing ... and you know past 3 years its all just ready to turn to dust, rust and goo.
And you know the magic levels vastly increased after 2006, In fact before 2006 they were at 0. But they have now attainled 100% magic level for everything. So really 2006 was the most pivotal year. Just to be certain you need to get a 2007 in case you have one that has a pivot in 2006. Better get 07 to be sure.
Lawman - Buddha is speaking standing next to the niagra falls if you were to replace the water in there with sarcasm.
Cool.
Buddha.
My boy was a '92 (and my rat bike was a '90 or was she a '91???? I can't 'member now! :icon_mrgreen:)! Sometimes, older *is* better...especially when I had a penchant for dropping my poor bikes....frequently... ;)
It's good to hear about someone who avoided the treachery of buying a used bike from a stealership! :nono:
LOL Buddha! Your sarcasm wasn't lost on me!
I did the same stupid thing Buddha warns us about here. I bought a 1994 GS off Craigslist with 13,800 miles for $1200 and 7,000 miles later I'm angry because it hasn't broken yet. The engine sings like an angel and it shifts like a dream, dammit! My mood is improving because one of my forks has begun to weep and it's gonna cost me about forty bucks in parts and oil to redo the forks. Hopefully something big will break soon but I'm not holding out much hope.
GS 500's all have the same engine, and it's one of the toughest engines Japan has ever made. Use good sense like you did today and it's hard to go wrong with one. Don't be afraid of 90's models that look and run good, and they're already naked. Many have low miles. Lotsa good bargains out there. In fact, there are usually a few members here looking to sell one. Good bet to look here as well.
Save your $ and pay cash for a good 90's GS. That would be my advice for you to get what you want for minimum $ and hassle. Why pay good $ for an F model then strip it? Makes no sense to me.
I bought my 1997 GS a couple months ago, and I've had no problems at all. I mean I did get it fro $1500 with 6k miles... Wooo, took it into some twisties today, I'm getting better at this whole riding thing. :D
But back on topic here, patience is key. I've been looking for a bike since October of last year, and finally this one came along. Sacrificing a few years is fine if you like the styling, and you'll sure save a bundle on the price.
Quote from: Jarsh on June 18, 2009, 06:46:14 AM
I have an update for you guys. I have retrieved my deposit on the bike. I have determined that this bike was not a "driveway drop". After going in to look at it yesterday here are somethings I noticed:
1: The fairing had indeed been sawn off the bottom (unevenly from the other side, I might add)
2: The outside of the muffler can had been brushed and buffed, the finish was inconsistent with the rest of the can.
3: The right side mirror was scuffed pretty hard and was hanging on by one bolt.
4: The right turn signal had been completely broken off and re-attached with electrical tape
and the real winning detail here:
5: the undercarriage looked to have been re-shaped (welded) and painted.
needless to say, this bike was a salvage. I kindly pointed out all of these details to the salesman, who then appeared to act suprised, as if he didn't know. After trying to negotiate the price down to a respectable 1800, they weren't having it. So, I took my deposit back and said good-day. Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it. Don't worry, I'm already settled on the GS500 for my first bike. I just want to find one that has been well maintained. You shall hear from me again.
-Jarsh
Welded? Man, that could end up causing a lot of hurt - you don't know if the weld is a good weld and not one that will Fail just when you don't need it to. You don't know other things effected by the same Impact that required the frame to be welded.
Too many other bikes out there to bother with a questionably welded frame repair.
The salesman is a doofus. How much future business has his lying cost the business? The way I figure it, if he's lying about this then what else is he lying about that you just haven't discovered? Maybe the bike was even salvaged from a stream or something - or left abandoned in someone's basement which was flooded. And you'll have electrical issues later. Or maybe it wasn't flood damaged. But one lie signifies other dishonesty. Is this how they got the bike or did They help disguise the damage - their actions would then be willing and conscious deception.
You could never trust anything they would tell you if you took your bike there to get serviced. You couldn't trust any parts they charge you new prices for, were not really obtained from a wrecker - and so on.
Good job of double checking over the bike.
Michael
Quote from: The Buddha on June 18, 2009, 10:21:58 AM
I know, I bought my 89 in 95 and immediatley I should have sold it.
Instead like a fool, I rode it for 49K miles for 10 years. Luckily I only had minimal trouble with it, thank god.
Then Finally I came to my senses and sold it in 05.
I did not learn from my mistakes at all, in 98 I bought a 90, but luckily I only rode it for 6K miles and sold it in 2000.
Then Like a fool I bought a 91 in 2003 dammit from a gstwinner no less, I mean dont they know better than to sell me their 10+ year old bike, its now 12 years old.
More foolishness followed. A 93 from jetswing another GStwin regular, and many more, 1 frame + from Jared and 1 from nightrider , one from jetswing's old friend etc etc many more, and all from gstwin ... terrible terrible descisions all ... put together 16 of them, all horrible.
Luckily I have been able to ride and sell most of them. Just 2-3 remain. Man I am just so lucky. None of them died, or fell apart or nothing ... and you know past 3 years its all just ready to turn to dust, rust and goo.
And you know the magic levels vastly increased after 2006, In fact before 2006 they were at 0. But they have now attainled 100% magic level for everything. So really 2006 was the most pivotal year. Just to be certain you need to get a 2007 in case you have one that has a pivot in 2006. Better get 07 to be sure.
Lawman - Buddha is speaking standing next to the niagra falls if you were to replace the water in there with sarcasm.
Cool.
Buddha.
He might not have understood that you weren't seriously telling him, to quote you "Oh yea, 05, maybe even 06, you should not buy anything older ... ever. They all turn to sheite if they are older than 3 years." Isn't the point here to help the kid out? If he didn't get that you were not being serious, he would be out looking for an 05+. Sarcasm is great - if people know you're not beins serious. This may come as a shock, but a lot of sarcasm gets lost in text.
I know ... regular buddha to english is bad enough ... buddha X sarcasm into english text is really really next to impossible.
Cool.
Buddha.
Thanks for clearing that up, the sarcasm really did get lost in the text. I'm going to spend this weekend checking some places out and looking for a good deal. Wish me luck!
A lot of what The Buddha says just gets lost, period! :flipoff: :laugh: :kiss3:
I guess I'm the one in a million person that got a great used bike from a dealership! I bought an '04 in '07 for $2700! Only problem I have ever had with Flick was a possessed tach which the dealer fixed for me for a great price! I did buy the warranty and maintainance packages because I had never owned a bike and have no garage. So, other than tires, brakes, and other miniscule things I don't have to worry about my bike for five years I like that!
My next bike which will be when Flick up and dies which I see as being a long way away I probably won't do the maintainance plan. But, hey to each their own. I don't care what you ride as long as your riding! :thumb:
Mary
Quote from: pandy on June 19, 2009, 11:08:51 AM
A lot of what The Buddha says just gets lost, period! :flipoff: :laugh: :kiss3:
Bwaaaa ... ironically, its even worse in person.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on June 19, 2009, 12:32:03 PM
Bwaaaa ... ironically, its even worse in person.
Cool.Buddha.
It's just part of your charm. :kiss3:
Quote from: Jarsh on June 19, 2009, 11:07:48 AM
Thanks for clearing that up, the sarcasm really did get lost in the text. I'm going to spend this weekend checking some places out and looking for a good deal. Wish me luck!
I figured. That's why I suggested you rethink that.
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on June 19, 2009, 11:29:26 AM
I guess I'm the one in a million person that got a great used bike from a dealership! I bought an '04 in '07 for $2700! [...]
Mary
I bought mine at dealership too, and it was pleasant experience.
I paid $3800 in summer of 2006 for 2004 GS, but it had only 846 miles on the clock, so I think it was priced right.
So there are good dealers, it just is not easy to find them... :dunno_white:
to OP: good luck this weekend!! Hope you can find decent bike for the right price.
I'm a new rider as well and the GS500f is my first ride as well. For reference, I found my GS on Craigslist, a 2004 with 16k miles. Very slight damage to the left side fairing but in real good mechanical shape. It runs really good and has a few mods done to it as well. I picked it up for $2100. To me its the perfect first bike, and the price may be a little higher than I should have paid but it was a good deal to me. I had a buddy of mine who rides Ducati's look over the bike with a fine tooth comb and he gave it a clean bill of health and even said he liked how it rode.
Keep looking, you're sure to find your perfect first bike, and the GS500 is a great choice!
I found my bike on craigslist and took my friend who rides a vstrom to look it over. It was in good shape and had been really lightly dropped on both sides as the fairings were lightly scratched. I was already planning on repainting it before purchase and knew i would be modifying it so i wasn't concerned about cosmetics and assumed i would drop it as well since i had never been on a motorcycle before. I did drop it once on each side stopped in a parking lot. I paid $3000 for an 04 last year with 7500 miles on it.
Honestly, I wouldn't think of spending more than $1500 on a first bike. On second thought... that number is really arbitrary and I guess it has more to do with your discretionary income, but I'm not in the privileged position to think there isn't a huge difference between $1500 and $3000. I got a 1990 three years ago for $1100 with about 22,000 mi. on it. Sure I had to do some work (brake pads, speedo cable, new chain and sprockets), but if you're willing to read this forum and the wiki carefully, you can do all that stuff yourself and save yourself some coin, learn more about your bike and feel more comfortable about the work being done the right way. Plus, my bike has been dropped twice (gale force winds will do that) and although none of the damage was serious (bent brake lever, scratched mirror), I would have been much more pissed if I didn't think of my bike as a "beater" and was okay with the fact that it wasn't a beauty to begin with.