I've recently been browsing craigslist to see what the market for slightly used 600's is like, as I'll likely buy one in January. But somehow, I don't really want to get rid of the GS. It only costs me like $80 a year to insure. I figure, at worst, it would satisfy my tinkering/modding curiosities. Or maybe my gf will decide to pick up riding. Has anyone gone down this route before? Does the GS just end up sitting in a pile of dust in the corner of your garage?
I was going to get a GSX650F. Didn't see the need for the extra expense.
Instead I bought Junior.
Does one sit in the garage? NO! Bikes get upset without some attention.
I ride both - depending on how I feel when I get up. Sometimes I ride one to work, go home and switch to the other to the gym.
If you have 2 bikes and they look and ride different (even if both are a GS500) you will ride one or the other depending on how you feel that day.
I can't imagine going back to only 1 bike. One for sporty riding, the other for more formal riding.
I have a GS and a GSXR. The GS is technically for the wife and dismantled at the moment, but even still she won't ride it very much, just short trips to restaurants and such. At my age and height, the GSXR is a pretty uncomfortable ride, but too much fun to make a switch to something else. I tend to ride the GS if my back is bothering me or if I'm riding somewhere that I can't keep my eye on the bike where theft might be an issue. Lets face it, a GS isn't exactly screaming at people to be stolen or winning any awards for its looks. When I bought it for my wife and it was all stock I absolutely hated it (thought it performed like a bloated pig), but after doing exhaust, filter, jetting, suspension, and clip ons, it makes it enjoyable enough to keep it around to ride a couple times a week.
Like you said, its dirt cheap to insure and gets great gas mileage so I don't see any reason to sell it. If I did, I'd probably just buy some other project bike to wrench on.
If my wife loses interest in riding all together (definitely a possibility), I'll end up turning the GS into a track only bike. My GSXR is too nice to risk taking to the track IMO and since I already have the GS modded as far as it can go (for the most part), turning it into a decent track bike would make sense for the few times a year I could get to the track.
I would have to agree with everything that has been said for the most part. I have had my GS500E since day one. The only owner. It is bone stock and it's been hauled all over the country been stored a for 3 years one time and it still runs like a champ
I recently got a 2004 GS500F and I have put more miles on it in a year and 1/2 then I have on the E total. I have intentionally kept the miles down on the 1990 because it is worth more and means more to me.
As adidasguy has said depending on the mood and the day I ride a different bike. I ride my F in any weather except snow and feel totally comfortable where the E is a sunny weekend or short errand run. I have identical helmets and jackets in red and yellow so there have been several occasions I'll ride the F to work come home and switch bike,helmet and jacket and go out for a little cruise.
So I guess the moral of the story is if you can afford to and have the room you will not regret keeping the GS around. :thumb:
I will be keeping my GS when I decide to upgrade. I am too attached to it now.
im on the fence ive just decided to buy a 74' rd350 2stroke. list the gs for sale or keep it. ive got a new full time project so time will tell how much i ride each.
the background of this picture should answer on my behalf
(http://crecca.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/p1010215small.jpg)
Rode my '01 twice this year, still hang on to it for sentimental reasons. If you have the space and don't need the money then why not hang on to it?
-Jessie
Haha....I must have left my name logged on at his house and he thought my account was his. lol
If i upgrade i will keep mine to teach others to ride
If you have 2 pretty different bikes, I can see switching between to 2. I'm planning on selling mine, because as you can see by this picture, it has just turned into an expensive towel rack/work bench....
(http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5948_20100920141220_L.jpg)
That's nothing compared to how much junk is on it now. There's a few more towels, rain gear and sweaters piled on the tank and seat, and some tools resting on the tail. It still goes out on occasion, but not that much. I work too close to commute, which is where the GS would do great. I pretty much just go out for joy rides, and if I'm gonna be out for hours I just take the XB.
Think we're gonna sell the GS in spring, and I'm gonna try to pick up a 600-750 next fall. I'll definitely alternate between the two of those a bit more than I do with the GS. Keep it if you want, get rid of it if you don't, people do a lot of both on here.
Hold the phone!!
Is that a clear gas tank? Why is there an air filter inside it?
Licking chops selling your GS tt_four? Humm......... :thumb:
Quote from: 007brendan on October 26, 2010, 08:02:05 PM
Hold the phone!!
Is that a clear gas tank? Why is there an air filter inside it?
Fuel tank is the frame.
LOL Read the post the whole post before you comment. AKA RTFP akin to RTFM
Quote from: 007brendan on October 26, 2010, 08:02:05 PM
Hold the phone!!
Is that a clear gas tank? Why is there an air filter inside it?
In an effort to not thread jack, I'll only post this picture because it again shows the GS in it's ongoing condition, which only gets worse the longer it sits down there....
(http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5948_20101026151253_L.jpg)
As lucifer said, gas is in the frame. The clear plastic is just the airbox. Keeping the weight down low. I can't even feel the difference between an empty or full tank of gas, so it must work very well.
and yes, selling the GS, you wanna come buy it?? :icon_mrgreen: Think we're gonna put that money plus the tax return into possibly buying an RV. Taking vacations with 3 dogs is just kinda out of the question otherwise. Once it moves on I can focus on picking up another project. Hopefully a streetfighter, unless I happen to find a bike that's just too clean to rip into. I need to spend this winter cleaning up the tail swap and figuring out why the choke doesn't work. Hopefully if it all comes together well I may be able to squeeze $1500 out of it, although I know mods don't really help a bikes value, so it may end up closer to $1000 if no one bites.
I have another picture somewhere of the GS, XB, and the moped all lined up nice for family photo, but I think it's still on the camera downstairs and I'm not going to get it this late. That's the one thing I have that gets used even less than the GS. Damned thing has only run for 3 rides, and I've been trying to get it registered/titled with the state for 3 months now. Hopefully it's all sorted by spring.
Well post it in FS in 6 months or what ever but I know you've wrecked it like three times and didn't take care of it...
I'm Kidding! LMAO Yes post it or PM me with details.
Quote from: JB848 on October 26, 2010, 09:04:52 PM
LOL Read the post the whole post before you comment. AKA RTFP akin to RTFM
What are you on about?
Research RTFM and you will understand. :thumb:
Quote from: JB848 on October 26, 2010, 11:46:54 PM
Research RTFM and you will understand. :thumb:
Yeah, I don't get it, either. I know what RTFM means, I just don't know what post you're applying it to.
Maybe he's applying it to his post count?
LOL, OK I was making fun..relax. Most people as well as me post things with out reading the whole post. He made a comment that was covered earlier is all. I was making a joke. Read The F%cking Post is what I was referring to. NM
Which post was that? The joke makes no sense without context. Please explain your humour that nobody else understands.
Quote from: lucifer_mr2 on October 26, 2010, 11:52:15 PM
Maybe he's applying it to his post count?
I understand your concerns but it is not your place. This is not a little children's playground. So your comment while meaningful to you is not accepted or tolerated here. So please keep it helpful and informational.
Quote from: 007brendan on October 26, 2010, 04:46:47 PM
I've recently been browsing craigslist to see what the market for slightly used 600's is like, as I'll likely buy one in January. But somehow, I don't really want to get rid of the GS. It only costs me like $80 a year to insure. I figure, at worst, it would satisfy my tinkering/modding curiosities. Or maybe my gf will decide to pick up riding. Has anyone gone down this route before? Does the GS just end up sitting in a pile of dust in the corner of your garage?
Getting the thread back on subject - What sort of 600's were you looking at btw? I really don't mind a few of the naked versions such as the FZ6 or the CBF600 hornet.
I don't like the Gladius. But I'd rather that than en ER6. Kawasaki has lost it.
Michael
Quote from: mister on October 27, 2010, 02:30:45 AM
I don't like the Gladius. But I'd rather that than en ER6. Kawasaki has lost it.
Michael
I have booked myself in for my "Big boys licence" on Nov 7 and the instructor said I will be riding an ER6 all day. It will be interesting to compare it to my GS.
Quote from: mister on October 27, 2010, 02:30:45 AM
I don't like the Gladius.
I really like the gladius, but don't think I'll ever own one. It just reminds me of a mini MV Agusta Brutale. I'd be willing to pick one up as an extra if we could call it Heather's and I could just ride it sometimes :thumb:
If I was going to buy a naked 600, I think it would have to be the Triumph Street Triple, but that's a whole different catagory of bike from the japanese naked 600s.
I highly recommend owning multiple bikes. Living in western PA, our riding season can be very short and any maintainence that takes 2 weeks or so can feel like forever.
That being said, I have a Honda 175 that I ride around town, a Suzuki 650 (my avatar) that is getting rearsets, clipons, fiberglass seat, etc, and a bone stock 650 that only gets ridden when the other ones are down for whatever reason.
I've been looking at gsxr's and cbr's. I was originally thinking about a sport tourer like the Vfr, but then realized that would be like going directly to the old man sport bike before ever owning 600.
Rich, what part of western PA are you from?
owning more than 1 bike is definintely convenient if you can do it. Even if it's not serious work, it sucks to start a small project then get surprised by 70 degrees and sun the next day but not be able to go because of something little and stupid
Of all the different kinds of bikes I've owned, nothing has just been a dedicated japanese supersport. I like nakes but feel the same way. It would be nice to own one for a while before I'm 50 some day and always wondered what it would be like. I'm sure after a while anything I get would still be stripped down and get some MX bars, but it's be fun to have the windsheild and clipons for a while just to try it out.
Quote from: 007brendan on October 26, 2010, 04:46:47 PM
I don't really want to get rid of the GS. It only costs me like $80 a year to insure. I figure, at worst, it would satisfy my tinkering/modding curiosities. Or maybe my gf will decide to pick up riding. Has anyone gone down this route before?
Does the GS just end up sitting in a pile of dust in the corner of your garage?
I don't see what buying a 600 or larger bike has to do with selling a GS?
I think it's a sure bet that most forum members here own several bikes so why not you too?
The only reason to sell a bike is to make more room in the shop for yet another project.
Besides, additional bikes are like post counts. . .
The more you have, the cooler you are.
And as for your question;
"Does the GS just end up sitting in a pile of dust in the corner of your garage?" I say this: Switching between different bikes is an incredible feeling (unless of course they are both the exact same model of bike).
Spend a week commuting on a 600 pound bike and then take a little thumper out for a ride. Its amazing! The switch to the little bike makes you feel invincible! In a few days when it gets boring, jump on the liter bike and once again, it's like an instant re-charge.
My advice to you is to hold onto the GS500 and buy another bike that is somewhat larger (or smaller) and you will be quite happy bouncing between the two.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Now please go get a second bike, and then a third, and the a forth, etc... :thumb:
Sorry tt_four, I'm about 20 minutes south of New Castle.
Quote from: JB848 on October 26, 2010, 06:20:37 PMI recently got a 2004 GS500F and I have put more miles on it in a year and 1/2 then I have on the E total. I have intentionally kept the miles down on the 1990 because it is worth more
How is this, Is the F beat to crap?
Quote from: Big Rich on October 27, 2010, 04:39:36 PM
Sorry tt_four, I'm about 20 minutes south of New Castle.
Cool, I grew up about 40 minutes southeast, down 79. I live in Pittsburgh now. I've been meaning to get up to New Castle HD to check out some of the race Buell/HDs they've got on display there, but I don't know that I'll make it before the end of the year.
Oh ya? A good friend of mine lives in the Burgh. He has a red 83 Suzuki 1100 and does suspension work on bikes. I need to find out where his shop is......
If you do find yourself heading to NC, let me know. If the weather is nice, I'll meet you in Zeli and ride out with ya.
Quote from: Twisted on October 27, 2010, 02:35:13 AM
Quote from: mister on October 27, 2010, 02:30:45 AM
I don't like the Gladius. But I'd rather that than en ER6. Kawasaki has lost it.
Michael
I have booked myself in for my "Big boys licence" on Nov 7 and the instructor said I will be riding an ER6 all day. It will be interesting to compare it to my GS.
Make sure to fill us in on the bike - likes, dislikes, comfort, etc?
Is this at Rocklea?
Michael
No some guy along Blackstone road. Saw the van and booked it. I will try and give you a review.
Extra Bikes? :dunno_black:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/ninja04.jpg)
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on October 28, 2010, 03:42:27 PM
Extra Bikes? :dunno_black:
Yo Steveo,Stay sharp on all those bikes, especially wrenching.
You're already saving me money with the Battery Tender education.
And. . . I been itching to unload my Sportster for a Wee-Strom.
Note: Will hunt you down on Stormtrooper and pester with many, many, noobie modding questions. :whisper:
-Ej-
I'm all for extra bikes. will the GS sit?? it's all up to you. mine sat for 8 years in my parents backyard.....BUT.....that's not because I didn't like the GS. I'm in the navy so relocation is all part of the job. I moved to Maine in the winter, didn't bring the GS with me, went on deployment and came back with some extra money and bought a cruiser. never went back for the GS. now I have an M50, wanted a sportbike too so I went back to moms and I'm slowly nursing the GS back to health.
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on October 27, 2010, 06:02:59 PM
Quote from: JB848 on October 26, 2010, 06:20:37 PMI recently got a 2004 GS500F and I have put more miles on it in a year and 1/2 then I have on the E total. I have intentionally kept the miles down on the 1990 because it is worth more
How is this, Is the F beat to crap?
Nope, I just ride it a heck of lot more. I ride it everyday to work in all weather, and started taking longer rides. The E was always my sunny weekend cruiser. And it is worth more to me.
Quote from: tt_four on October 27, 2010, 04:18:46 AM
Quote from: mister on October 27, 2010, 02:30:45 AM
I don't like the Gladius.
I really like the gladius, but don't think I'll ever own one. It just reminds me of a mini MV Agusta Brutale. I'd be willing to pick one up as an extra if we could call it Heather's and I could just ride it sometimes :thumb:
If I was going to buy a naked 600, I think it would have to be the Triumph Street Triple, but that's a whole different catagory of bike from the japanese naked 600s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT8g1Wav_HE&feature=channel
I don't mind the Street Triple though it lacks the little bit of practicality I look for in a bike - like a more functional pillion seat Just In Case. And, cause I've been spoiled with a GS500 super large tank, everything else seems stingy to me - sure it's only 2.5 liters less, but still. :) Apart from that, from somewhat comparable 600 bikes, it is priced on the higher side. Considering Triumphs are made in Thailand...
Michael
Quote from: mister on October 29, 2010, 03:02:49 AM
I don't mind the Street Triple though it lacks the little bit of practicality I look for in a bike - like a more functional pillion seat Just In Case.
Michael
Oh yeah, practicality is one of my last concerns, haha. Every time I leave my house I'm either out for a 2-3 hour ride just to find my favorite back roads, or else I'm just taking a quick shot across the city to get to home depot or something else so I can definitely work on something different than some people. For what it's worth though, I did put 22K miles on a Triumph speed triple from 2003 to 2005 commuting in all kinds of weather, highway, traffic, and everything else and it served me perfectly. I wouldn't have minded a little more wind protection when winter came around, but naked bikes are just a preference and I could've put a giant windsheild on it if I wanted. The bike I had was only $6400, which was slightly more than other naked 600s at the time, but it also came with a fully adjustable suspension and a lot more power than the other bikes. The price has gone up but a lot of the parts have as well. Triumph's naked bikes have always been more of naked sportbike rather than just naked bikes like japan makes.
I wouldn't mind a better rear seat on my current bike for bungeeing things to my seat and everything else, but I really love short tails, so I put up with it. The seat is technically the same size as any other seat, it just looks smaller because there's not really any plastic around it. I don't ride passengers anymore either, so I don't think much about it.
Quote from: JB848 on October 28, 2010, 09:28:08 PM
Nope, I just ride it a heck of lot more. I ride it everyday to work in all weather, and started taking longer rides. The E was always my sunny weekend cruiser. And it is worth more to me.
Oh Ok...you made it sound like it was worth more money when I knew a 20 year old bike isn't worth a whole lot in the open market and a 6 year old bike is actually worth more monetarily, I'm showing a 1990 Suzuki GS500E Suggested Retail Value
$1195, and a 2004 Suzuki GS500F Suggested Retail Value
$2460In this sentence you speak of two things, monetary value and sentimental value and that's what threw me off.
"I have intentionally kept the miles down on the 1990 because it is worth more and means more to me."
Sorry for the confusion there Suzuki Stevo :thumb:
I guess I should have wrote: "it is worth more to me and means more to me"
And that was the point I was trying to make to the original poster, even though I loved my E model I didn't realize or appreciate it I guess until I got a second bike. There was a time where I was considering selling the E about 10 years ago and now I am so glad I did not.
Yeah...I reread and figured you are talking about one in the same and not two different things, my bad for being anal again >:(
Roger, no worries. So I look at your picture again and if I count right you have 6? :dunno_black:
Quote from: JB848 on October 29, 2010, 08:06:51 AM
Roger, no worries. So I look at your picture again and if I count right you have 6? :dunno_black:
Ever played Where's Waldo? There are 7 in that photo...
Ch80
SH150i
Ninja 250R
Burgman 400
GS500F
GSX650F
650 V-Strom
(Hint: The Burgman is at far wall pointing away, Wee Strom has a blue windshield)(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/ninja04.jpg)
LOL, I see Waldo now! If only I had a bigger garage...I'd want and even bigger garage! GF has too many nick knacks and doesn't know have to store things in an organized space saving manner. So two GS's, 3 bicycles, 2 Lawn mowers, 1 street hockey net, 3 ladders and I can't count how many useless flower pots and bags of soil is all I can manage...whew!
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/rtarpley/Bikes003.jpg)
Oh yeah there is a table saw and work bench in there too, but you get the idea :thumb:.
I definitely want a big garage. My wife knows we'd have to have at least a 3 car garage before she'd be able to squeeze a car in regardless. Work shops and motorcycle garages are way better than car storage.
Quote from: JB848 on October 29, 2010, 08:53:19 AM
LOL, I see Waldo now! If only I had a bigger garage...I'd want and even bigger garage! GF has too many nick knacks and doesn't know have to store things in an organized space saving manner. So two GS's, 3 bicycles, 2 Lawn mowers, 1 street hockey net, 3 ladders and I can't count how many useless flower pots and bags of soil is all I can manage...whew!
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/rtarpley/Bikes003.jpg)
Oh yeah there is a table saw and work bench in there too, but you get the idea :thumb:.
I know the feeling. I have 5 bicycles, and 3 power wheels to add to the mix. most of the time the M sits on the sidewalk in the front because very seldom are there 2 days in a row where it doesn't get ridden.
My garage is only a single car garage, when I put my CR-V in it you could only open the doors 1/2 way, so we have about the same amount of room....priorities, its all about priorities and acquiring bikes :icon_idea:
My problem is that I really like work spaces. I don't just have a space to park bikes, I've also got the work benches, shelves, tv stand, and some other junk around. When I have a bigger garage I'll definitely want some space for some other big tools and things like that. I can't just assume that if I had an extra 5-10 feet in any direction that it would be that much more room for bikes. It would fill up with some other things as well. The key is just keeping it clean. When I get it clean I have all the room in the world. When it's a mess I barely even have room to make it out in the morning.
I have 2 work benches in mine, a couple book shelves, a couple tool boxes and a 50's washing machine that I want to turn into a keg cooler somehow someday. everything has been pushed to the back of the garage now that the GS is in there. I need a little room to take it apart.
Removed
Motorcycle baby, or the fleshy kind? :dunno_black:
Congratulations for either!
Removed
Sold the GS the first time I bought a 600. Bought it back 2 years later, go figure. I'm getting a VFR sooner or later but I'm going to keep the GS this time.
Removed
Quote from: ivany on November 11, 2010, 10:13:49 PM
Sold the GS the first time I bought a 600. Bought it back 2 years later, go figure. I'm getting a VFR sooner or later but I'm going to keep the GS this time.
Went on a ride with a VFR recently. Was definitely the nicest sounding bike out of a group of 15 bikes.
I test rode one a while back. Awesome bikes.