Hey everyone I'm new to the whole motorcycle scene and decided that the GS was a good place to start. Just looking for some advice on a bike I've been looking at. Its about 40 miles away and in good condition (from what I can tell). I found some defects and think the price is too high so I decided to come here to find out what I should offer this guy if anything or just walk away. It's a 2000 with 17k miles and he's asking $2200, he told me he doesn't want to go under $2000 but when I had him run the bike up the street his wife came over and said that he'd move quite a bit from the price. :whisper:
Defects I noticed:
-forks compressed and popped up really easy with some oil left over (owner said this was normal but I never saw any oil on the new bikes I was sitting on at the dealership)
-scrapes on the front right mirror from being dropped around 10mph
-dented gas tank (I took a picture of it to also show the rust underneath it)
-crankcase cover emblem is missing (with a few scuffs under it again from the drop)
-missing clutch safety switch (he must have rigged it to start up without pulling the clutch somehow)
-small surface rust spots over frame and on the handle bars
-a missing bolt on the front fender
-battery is dead
The bike is completely stock and when he bought it one of the cylinders was blown and he was running around on one for a while before getting it fixed. You notice in the
pictures that the cylinder is a different color as well (came from a '02-'04 or something).There is also a brand new rear tire and the front one still has decent. Also we
used my car to jump it so I could hear it run and sounded great it idealing around 1.5. He made a few drive bys going about 80mph which was cool.
The blue circle had a small leak.
(http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/44670/2423179360065144577S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2423179360065144577QzasGD)
The fuel tank with the dent and rust.
(http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/16591/2600223020065144577S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2600223020065144577DAcCdp)
The handle bars with small rust spots.
(http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/4004/2536245710065144577S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2536245710065144577iamiPv)
The red circles are where i found a bunch of oil, and the blue is the missing bolt.
(http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/9348/2317968680065144577S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2317968680065144577zceVsi)
That's way too much money for that bike!!!
That bike is FAR from mint and has obviously had a rough life. How the hell do you waste a cylinder...and to keep riding it...come on! Bargain the heck out of him and walk away if you can't get it for well well well under $2000. Personally I wouldn't waste my time on this one, though. There are mint used GS500s out there if you're willing to look and it sounds like you'd be buying someone else's problem.
Barq:
If'n you're after a Project bike then this is right up your alley - BUT - not at that price. Not by a long shot.
Buggered forks (oil leaking and staying on them is NOT normal - he's lying about this to make a sale, what else is he lying about?). Questionable engine. For the price of a bike that shouldn't be so questionable - see the Bike's Victoria has found. Pure gems compared to this.
There's a saying... don't buy someone else's problems. Buy that bike and that's what you'll be doing and paying top dollar for the privilege.
Michael
No beuno!! I sold my 2005 GS with 15,000 miles in decent condition for 2g's.
I'll try 14-1500 max.
There is a head swap, that dude is not being very forthcomming, or he's truly clueless. BTW, what's his name, I may have sold him that head.
On a side note, I had a 17K mile rebuilt motor one last year, it was honestly the most powerful GS I have ridden.
So if it was done right, and followed up with proper carburetion, exhaust, and most importantly a good break in it can be very good. This one however seems to be the opposite, I'd be afraid, very afraid.
Cool.
Buddha.
lol you guys are great, im extremely glad i joined and made the post :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:. I'll keep looking :thumb:. It almost makes me wanna make one of these post for each bike i find lol.
BTW the guy's name is Brian and said his mechanic friend (cant remember his name) ordered it from Caly.
I don't really have anything to add except a +1 to avoiding this one. There are a few GS500s on craigslist where I live and they are in much better shape for ~$1500.
lol I actually live near you, I just finished emailing a guy about one of those bikes you saw on CL. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
Even if he threw in a Cuisinart and $1999.00 I wouldn't touch that. What an idiot to abuse a GS like that. Poor thing needs a good home and restoration! :thumb:
Depends .. .what kind of cuisinart ??? The wife wants one for years.
Cool.
Buddha.
How about this one?
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/rtarpley/Junk/gr-4.gif)
Haha i actually have that cuisinart and it works great.
ME too why do you think I posted it? I use this every weekend for pancakes and bacon and eggs! :thumb: