GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: NoQuarter on August 26, 2012, 05:15:55 PM

Title: Worth it or not?
Post by: NoQuarter on August 26, 2012, 05:15:55 PM
Hi all, new to the forums and first post! I'm looking at buying a 2000 GS500E and have been crawling the forums the past few days looking for info. I was hoping I could get some opinions and information on what I should be looking for and checking on these particular bikes. Here is a link to the bike in question

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-sport-bikes-2000-Suzuki-GS-500-W0QQAdIdZ406433986 (http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-sport-bikes-2000-Suzuki-GS-500-W0QQAdIdZ406433986)

As you can see it needs some work, but if I'm able to take it away for $600 is it worth it in this condition?

I previously had a 1983 Honda CBX550F which did not run and took 3 months to rebuild, so I have some experience with working on bikes but nothing extreme. I doubt it will be a pain in the ass to work on like that cbx was though :mad: If I do end up getting the bike I plan on working on it through the winter.

Any info would be helpful and appreciated!  :)
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: codajastal on August 26, 2012, 05:43:36 PM
Well............What a POS! In my opinion you can get a much better bike for your money, However, I assume you are in Canada? That may be harder for you to do than if you were in the states! So as I dont know what the GS is worth in Canada I will leave it for someone else to comment on the bike. Seems a lot of work for that amount of money?
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: dry_humor on August 26, 2012, 05:46:29 PM
offer $500. if they don't bite then walk away.
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: NoQuarter on August 26, 2012, 05:52:38 PM
Well the guy has sent me larger pictures of it with the tank on, and as far as I can tell from pictures it looks mainly cosmetic work but the engine itself seems to *LOOK* in nice shape. He did say when I go to see it tomorrow that he can start it and run it for me, so I figure if it can be started and ran it cant be all that bad? Or am I wrong? No experience with other bikes except my old Honda. Anything I should listen for when running? Questions I should be asking him?
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: Janx101 on August 26, 2012, 05:53:45 PM
working on some previous deals i have seen noted on this site... 800 .. nah .. 600 .. if you must ... but i would offer 350ish and grudgingly let it get a little higher....

if you can see the bike in person then all the better... especially as seller notes rust on/in? tank and other issues.... then start a little low and work up if you must.... the bike does look a little unloved.

also you will probably get many comments on here that for 800 or a little more perhaps you could get a running one in good order..which is also entirely correct!

project bikes are fine if you have time and dont need to ride right away .. or have a 2nd running bike..

good luck with it all

the members on this site should have PLENTY of advice and tips AND possibly.. available parts!
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: adidasguy on August 26, 2012, 11:06:46 PM
That is NOT a 2000 model
It is 100% a 1989.
1989 while tail plastics.
1989 OEM clip on bars.
$500 max and that's if it turns over.
1989 had white wheels. 2000 had gun metal gray wheels.
Scratch that - 78,000 km? No tank? Too soon for a 2000 tank to rust.
$350 tops. At least that's what the parts are worth.
Scratch that - it is a POS. $200 and I'd take a chance only because I know what parts are needed and I have a Bike Cave with the necessary parts.

Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: codajastal on August 26, 2012, 11:51:44 PM
Quote from: adidasguy on August 26, 2012, 11:06:46 PM
That is NOT a 2000 model
It is 100% a 1989.
1989 while tail plastics.
1989 OEM clip on bars.
$500 max and that's if it turns over.
1989 had white wheels. 2000 had gun metal gray wheels.
Scratch that - 78,000 km? No tank? Too soon for a 2000 tank to rust.
$350 tops. At least that's what the parts are worth.
Scratch that - it is a POS. $200 and I'd take a chance only because I know what parts are needed and I have a Bike Cave with the necessary parts.
I knew it was a POS and you just confirmed it haha. Glad you commented :bowdown:
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: adidasguy on August 27, 2012, 12:08:15 AM
I responded to the ad telling that bozo it is a 1989.
We'll see. People hate to be told they are lieing in a for-sale ad.
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: codajastal on August 27, 2012, 12:11:19 AM
Quote from: adidasguy on August 27, 2012, 12:08:15 AM
I responded to the ad telling that bozo it is a 1989.
We'll see. People hate to be told they are lieing in a for-sale ad.

Haha good one. Wonder if the advert will suddenly change?
Shouldnt the year be stamped on the bike somewhere for all to see? Ours are stamped.
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: adidasguy on August 27, 2012, 12:20:35 AM
Besides the VIN, there is the black metallic sticker on the frame with the date and location of mfgr along with some other crap. Used to be on the left front frame. At some point they moved it to the right side.

If the VIN was posted, that would confirm the year.
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: NoQuarter on August 27, 2012, 06:25:22 AM
Wow, thank you. Never would have second guessed the year at all. It does make a lot more sense that it's an older model considering its shape. I think knowing this I'm going to pass on it. My 1983 was enough to work on and I don't think I want to get into another complete rebuild. Thanks again for pointing that out!
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: cbrfxr67 on August 27, 2012, 10:14:35 AM
Quote from: NoQuarter on August 27, 2012, 06:25:22 AM
Wow, thank you. Never would have second guessed the year at all. It does make a lot more sense that it's an older model considering its shape. I think knowing this I'm going to pass on it. My 1983 was enough to work on and I don't think I want to get into another complete rebuild. Thanks again for pointing that out!
forum win!

That said, if it was me I'd offer 200 maybe 300 big ones if it had clean paper work.
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: SAFE-T on August 27, 2012, 06:08:26 PM
I think it should be a rule never to buy a bike from someone that can't even use Engrish properly/or punctuation;
Title: Worth it or not?
Post by: NortwestRider on August 27, 2012, 06:19:31 PM
If it has " clean paperwork " Then he would know it's not a 2000 and couldn 't BS anybody into thinking it was !!


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Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on August 27, 2012, 06:31:18 PM
Quote from: adidasguy on August 26, 2012, 11:06:46 PM
That is NOT a 2000 model
It is 100% a 1989.
1989 while tail plastics.
1989 OEM clip on bars.
$500 max and that's if it turns over.
1989 had white wheels. 2000 had gun metal gray wheels.
Scratch that - 78,000 km? No tank? Too soon for a 2000 tank to rust.
$350 tops. At least that's what the parts are worth.
Scratch that - it is a POS. $200 and I'd take a chance only because I know what parts are needed and I have a Bike Cave with the necessary parts.
plu snegine is black. which through mid 1996 was only engine colour. engines 1997 onwards were silver
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: adidasguy on August 27, 2012, 06:57:55 PM
Doh! I missed the engine color.
Title: Re: Worth it or not?
Post by: Worm on August 28, 2012, 09:24:05 AM
Frame might be a 2000 unless there is something that you can see that tells it's older. A friend just bought one around here that was 2005 on the frame but the motor is old. Has the cable tach and no oil cooler. I wish I had gone with him to see it!

Nice  :bs: call, Adidasguy!