If the 1990 dosen't pan out how about this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Used-2004-Suzuki-GS500f-yellow-Motorcycle_W0QQitemZ150377653198QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_motorcycles?hash=item230334e3ce
BTW where is Brewester NY?
Google maps is your friend http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
I can't see the bike while I'm on my work computer, but if you're going the Ebay route, I'd recommend emailing the guy and making sure he'll let you come check the bike out before you bid on it. I wouldn't have a problem buying a bike off of ebay, and I bet you could get a great deal that way, but you definitely want to be sure what it is you're buying.
The seller does state in their ad that they are willing to allow the buyer to come and look at the bike before buying. Looks to be in good condition from the pictures but without actually seeing the bike in person makes it hard to tell on the condition. From different stories i have read on here you might be better off getting this bike over the other one unless you feel like spending the time wrenching on the bike since many people who have bought older bikes with low mileage have encountered more problems that i have read about on this forum. Not saying the '04 will not need any work but it will probably require less work than the '90 gs.
I am also just a fan of the '04 yellow with the fairings.
And that would also make the 3rd yellow '04 in Jersey that i am aware of on this forum as me and JB848 already have one.
I'd aim for a naked bike for your first one. Less expense in a minor drop, easier to get at for maintenance and a little lighter.
That said,ifyou like it and the deal is good then it will likely have fewer issues than an early model.
Quote from: the mole on October 08, 2009, 01:56:32 PM
I'd aim for a naked bike for your first one.
When You say naked bike do you mean standard like a Honda Rebel? I didnt care for that style bike. Too "chromie" :icon_rolleyes:
Naked meaning without a fairing. The GS is a sport-standard motorcycle (standard of course referring to the seating position). Fairings are expensive to fix/replace and even a little rash lowers the resale value of faired bikes a lot more than the equivalent rash on a naked (and it doesn't look so bad on the naked bike).
Oh just saw this one (can you tell I'm partial to yellow)
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/1367765020.html
The guy sounds like a bit of a jerk---but thats Jersey for ya ;)
Quote from: Victoria on October 08, 2009, 02:37:28 PM
Oh just saw this one (can you tell I'm partial to yellow)
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/1367765020.html
The guy sounds like a bit of a jerk---but thats Jersey for ya ;)
In my opinion the jersey one is too much money for what it is.
The F you posted looks great. With that one, you don't have to worry about old brake lines, dryrotted tires, old fuel lines, rusted tanks, vacuum leaks at the carbs, old style fuel valves, rusty swingarms, fork seals, and all the other FAQ's we have on here. I bet you can get it for $2200-$2400 pretty easily. The $2799 they are asking will get you a mint SV650 or other bikes that are nicer than the GS.
That's my $.02 so take it for what it's worth.
OK, as additional reference point for you on pricing - my '01 GS had about 8700 miles when I bought it in Jan 09. Good shape, minor scratches (normal wear-and-tear) on tank/fender. Some rust/pitting on metal parts, not mint, but not awful. Came with two new tires (cheap Maxxix brand but work fine), Givi A210 windscreen (loved it), engine guards (absolutely useful in a drop), front brake disc lock (never used it), a tank bag, and an airhawk air seat cushion (took it off after a while, looked too dorky). The seller (he was the second owner) changed the oil and adjusted the valves, and asked for $1750. I monitored asking price of GS500 on local Craiglist for close to 2 years before that and knew it was a good price, so I paid $1750. Didn't even ask the guy if he would go lower, since the asknig price was more than fair in the first place. I did not know how to ride motorcycles at that time, so I didn't go for a test ride, but just from talking with the seller, everything felt right. The seller rode it to my garage, and I gave him a ride home. I took the MSF class about a week after gettnig the bike. Never touched the bike until after I finished with my MSF class. Love the GS for it's user friendliness.
The GS was naked up to 2002. It was discontinued in 2003, and in 2004 they put fairing on the bike (now it's GS500"F") for a sportier look. As a first bike I like the naked version - no plastics to break if you drop it, so you're less worried riding it.
Quote from: Victoria on October 08, 2009, 02:37:28 PM
The guy sounds like a bit of a jerk---but thats Jersey for ya ;)
I wouldn't jump to that conclusion yet. Try selling a vehicle on Craigslist and you'd soon get tired of a bunch of people who just want to lowball with rediculous offers and waste your time. :2guns:
Thanks Gary,
I like the look of the naked bike better myself. :thumb:
deleted - reposted by mistake
if you have doubts for yellow color, or anyone tells you that it's ugly, then DON'T listen to them.
Yellow is the best and MOST visible of all colors!! Go for Yellow!!
<<<-----------
on the serious note , though, I have yellow bike just by coincidence.
When I shopped for a bike I did not pay attention to color at all. It just happened that there was a quite good deal on it so I went for it.
good luck in your search for a bike.
PS. Don't listen to those who say you should go for naked, because you should buy whichever version YOU like better !
If you are worried about plastics then you can buy F version and take the fairings off for few months as you learn to ride, and then you can put them back on ;)
best wishes
KML
Quote from: Victoria on October 08, 2009, 02:30:30 PM
Quote from: the mole on October 08, 2009, 01:56:32 PM
I'd aim for a naked bike for your first one.
When You say naked bike do you mean standard like a Honda Rebel? I didnt care for that style bike. Too "chromie" :icon_rolleyes:
OK you have all your categories confused, which explains why my KZ440 as well as th DR350 comments went over your head, and why you want a non cruiser.
Nakeds are bikes wihtout plastic. They are usually used in the context of a bike that is sporty yet not over flowing with plastic. GS, SV650 N, SV1K-n, etc etc as well as duc monsters and so on.
The KZ types are UJM's Universal jap motorcycle, and that is cos the 4 all made similar bikes back then. All of those are naked, but we dont call em naked UJM's, UJM includes naked.
The Rebel types are cruisers.
The DR types I was pulling your leg with is a dual sport, and the damn seat comes to your chest (my chest and I am 5ft10+) My wife is somewhat eye level with their seat. Massive fork travel and generally huge ground clearance.
The sport bikes and what ever generally have 1/4 to 3/4 fairing. SV6/1K S, Bandit 6/12, EX500, etc.
There is the Kat, GS-F etc which are sport bikes but have less performance than the repli racers but full fairings. Some times they fall into sport tour genre, which is BS IMHO.
Repli racers - all out performance and full plastic.
Other BS categories exist, but this is plenty to confuse you. Yea what was heavy metal 10 years ago now is considered easy listening. Yea ...
Cool.
Buddha.