I'm brand new too this forum and brand new too riding, i got my license after taking the msf course this weekend. I found the bike in the local paper by me and I've been researching the crap out of motorcycles the past like two months, especially this bike and ninja 250's. Everybody in reviews and things say that in the long run this bike is the way too go because you wont get bored as easy as you would on a 250. This seemed like the perfect place too figure out if i should jump on this deal and ride away with a nice bike or not. The bike has 5500 miles on it (i'm rounding up a little bc its like 5400 something) and is the dark blue and white version. The guy said there's nothing wrong with it and everything is mechanically sound, it's never been dumped and only has a few minor scuff marks on the crank case cover emblems. To tell you the truth I have no idea what the crank case or the cover emblems are, help with that would be awesome too. I'm open to any comments so please help me out, I really want to get into riding and want some help on if this bike could be my way in :D
-oh and how is the comfort level? I've got mixed results from some reviews and what not, and thanks to everyone who responds to this :)
sounds like a pretty good deal- I feel the gs is the perfect starter bike
cool, i think i'm gunna go through with this weekend if I can, a few more opinions would nice though, thanks tundrav
First of all, welcome aboard :cheers:
Quote from: steffnap on October 13, 2010, 04:38:27 PM
it's never been dumped and only has a few minor scuff marks on the crank case cover emblems. To tell you the truth I have no idea what the crank case or the cover emblems are, help with that would be awesome too.
That would be the part that touches the ground first (in most cases) when the bike is laid over. If it really is just some minor scuffs, I wouldn't worry about it. If there are long, deep horizontal scratches on it, it has obviously been down.
I think you will find this to be the perfect first bike. I had one at the same time my mom got a ninja 250, and it really is not the same. The ninja feels more like a high-powered bicycle, but is quite nimble. I have long since been out of the 500 range, but if I came across one for a good deal I would definitely have another. They are very comfortable, and can be quite sporty with a few minor modifications.
i started riding this summer and the gs500 is my first bike. its a great first bike for several reasons.
simple air cooled, carburetor engine (easy to work on)
replacement parts are cheap any easy
enough power to have fun with but not enough to put you in an accidental power wheelie faceplant
cheap insurance
good resale value if/when you do decide to move up
as far as the particular bike you are looking into. i think that would be a good deal if it's in great condition.
check tires
scrapes
rust/corrosion
leaking fluids (front fork, engine etc)
battery
if you think the bike is mechanically sound but just needs some cleaning and maintenance then offer like 2000$ or so cause then you'll have to do all of that or pay someone.
My $0.02-
The bike-
The older 250 (1988-2007) is a great bike. newer ones start at 3k used near Boston, and are different but not really better than the 1988-2007s. The older one is better if you only have one bike and really ride a lot. GS500F is great bike too. This is a bit bigger to sit on, more size to it. Not by very much. Small is good if you are not large. The old 250 (and the new one) has the more advanced motor. It will pull from 2k in 6th and top out at 14k. Thats a sexy rpm range to play with. New 250 does not like to rev quite that high but makes more power down low. The 500 pulls from 3k and tops out at 10k, but makes a bit more power. 500 has more balls.
Internet support-
Both have great forums, although you will get lots of grief for being a stupid dumb ass on the 250 site (I am not saying you are one, just that they will give you grief like that there). This site is more civilized. You need a site so beware. Lurk on the 250 site and search and don't ask questions until you already know the answers and you will be OK there, and read the FAQ cover to cover first.
The price-
A tad high maybe, but not really too high and you may not have many to choose from where you live. If its a nice example then $2500 is "nice price" for a nice used bike that takes a couple years to outgrow if you want to outgrow it.
The engine side plates are what you see on the side of the engine. Drop the bike on the ground and the side of the engine hits the dirt or pavement and gets scuffed. If they do not have scuff marks thats your evidence it has not even been tipped over. The other thing that gets scraped is the painted fairing and handlebar ends and brake levers and clutch levers. You can see scuffs if they are there.
If you want bigger in this price range that won't go 185 mph and are comfortable to sit on try older Bandit 600s. They are sweet.
Quote from: reload on October 13, 2010, 05:51:05 PM
enough power to have fun with but not enough to put you in an accidental power wheelie faceplant
This is an important part. Today I pulled out of a driveway right next to a red light and started to take off, but then the light changed. I let off the gas, about to stop for it, but then said screw it and got on the throttle (not nearly wide open, mind you) and the front wheel just barely came off the ground. I landed in a tank slapper, and after an awkward wobble (and with the help of a steering damper) straightened out and carried on. The thing is, most bikes don't have steering dampers stock, and if you accidentally did this without one, you would likely be wearing that bike for a hat in a matter of seconds.
The GS won't lift the front wheel and give you a tank slapper without some serious trying on your part - it won't happen accidentally.
Now. You asked about comfort...
I'm 6'2 and find the bike quite comfy for my biomechanics. 90 minutes in the seat is easy, for me. BUT... and this applies to all time in the saddle... you have to build up to it. First time you do 45 minutes you'll feel it. Do it a few times and you'll be fine. Then the first time you do 90 minutes you'll feel it... a Lot. You need to build up to it. And develop your own fatigue relief routine - stretch before getting on the bike, sit to one side of the seat and then the other, a little forward a little back, knees in, knees out, toes on pegs, heels on pegs, etc.
First time you ride for 30 minutes in stop go traffic your left hand will ache. You'll get used to it as your left hand finger muscles gain greater strength.
Any more time than 120 minutes in the seat is not necessary. On longer weekend rides, it's all about enjoying the ride.
Michael
I've been riding an assortment of bikes since I was 18 - that was 35 years ago. I just bought a 2005 GS for my 17 (almost 18) year old son so we could ride together. He has been riding dirt bikes since he was eight so he's not really new to motorcycles. Regardless, the street is a much more dangerous place than the dirt so I wanted to get him something that was stylish but wouldn't launch him out into oncoming traffic should he have a brain hiccup. I wanted something that handled well, was easy to maintain and could run 70 mph for long distances. The GS500 fit that need perfectly. I looked at other models such as the GSX600 but the GS500 kept winning out every time I compared them. It is an excellent starter bike but one you will want to plan on keeping FOREVER. Yes, I said forever. If you get one and then let it go there will come a time when you will kick yourself for not keeping it. I'm keeping this one so when my son decides to upgrade he'll have to do that all on his own.
It sounds like you've found a pretty good deal, and you really can't go wrong if you decide to purchase it.