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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: juggernaught on January 21, 2004, 06:14:05 AM

Title: Value Question
Post by: juggernaught on January 21, 2004, 06:14:05 AM
Hiya guys....

 I will probably be selling my GS this spring..i need to have some work done on it (ie...new pipe, new gasket, and location and repair of a mysterious oil leak) but once it's all done...any idea on what it may be worth..??

 It's a 2002 with K&N air filter, and a Cobra slip on.  Oh and she's got about 5,500 miles on her.

 I'm trying to get a ballpark figure from you guys first since being a typical New Yorker i trust no one i don't know who lives within a 10 mile radius.  Anyhow once i get the work done i'll post it on the "for sale" board in case anyone here is interested unless someone knows a good place to sell a used bike.

Thanks in advance and stay outta trouble..!!!

:thumb:
Title: Sell it as it is...
Post by: The Buddha on January 21, 2004, 07:46:57 AM
Typically you bike will definetely sell a lot lot lot quicker and give you a lot less grief if you sell it before fixing it unless you are hard core... Meaning you do everything yourself. Never take it to a shop and never buy parts new or even 1/2 new price for used. In short you;d have to be like me or many other folks on this board. I have too often seen mechanics charge people $700 for minor work, and the bike can only be sold for $1000-1200. In your case... I dont see it costing less than 3-400 for the repair, and you knock that off the asking price... and its a lot less headache for you. I would locate the leak with desenex foot powder, and cut wn gaskets, get out the gasket maker and fit it together myself. If you cant do that... I'd sell it without doing anything. I'd say check out the prevailing market for a similar bike, knock the repair bill off the $$$ and walk away from it.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Value Question
Post by: juggernaught on January 21, 2004, 11:22:13 AM
Thanx Srinath,

 SO honestly you think i would be more successful selling it as is as opposed to having work done on it first..??  I mean i do know what your saying but i just had a not so good feeling about selling a bike that needs work.
Title: Well its a dilema...
Post by: The Buddha on January 21, 2004, 11:35:00 AM
Its a dilema for sure... but if the bike is running (which I thought it was - it is isn't it) and locatin a leak and replacing a gasket is what it needs... I'd bet selling as is will be better. Of course ask a hands on guy like me and the story is different. I will fix the gasket in an afternoon, spend nothing (beer cartons can be used to make gaskets BTW) and rather have the extra $$$ in the selling price, effectively that will determine the final decision. How bad is the problem in terms of hit you'll have to take in the asking price, and how much is it going to cost to fix it. If the second number is bigger than the first number.... sell as is, if not... fix it and sell it. Say the bike goes from $2200 to $1900 because of the problem, and mechanic wants $500 to fix it... desicion made...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Value Question
Post by: Diderich on January 22, 2004, 10:30:25 AM
I don't know...If i went up to someone as a buyer and he said, it has this, this and this wrong with it and i'm knocking this off the price, I can guess A. that he is honest and B. that he pays attention to the bike and doesn't neglect it.  If he says it's in perfect condition, then I have to question everything, and wonder if the shop he takes it to is a bunch of idiots.
Title: Well said...
Post by: The Buddha on January 22, 2004, 10:48:24 AM
Yes well said... he could add to it saying the shop is a bunch of idiots and they will charge me this much to fix it, and do it badly, so I'd rather save you the money they will charge me, so you can take it to a better shop or fix it yourself and save yourself the money. I think he will get more buyers with that attitude and being forthright like that. Besides a bike advertised at 1900 will get ~ 5-10 times the interest than a bike advertised at 2300 - 2500.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Value Question
Post by: AndyMC on January 22, 2004, 11:01:36 AM
i really think the new full faired gs,s are gonna kill any resale value on those of us with newer bikes....
Title: May be...
Post by: The Buddha on January 22, 2004, 11:35:22 AM
May be but those that have rat bikes can stand proud...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Value Question
Post by: JohNLA on January 22, 2004, 11:39:16 AM
Quote from: AndyMCi really think the new full faired gs,s are gonna kill any resale value on those of us with newer bikes....

Hmm $5100 new or $3500 - $500 used. I think the used market will be fine.
Title: Not exactly...
Post by: The Buddha on January 22, 2004, 12:02:28 PM
Quote from: JohNLA
Quote from: AndyMCi really think the new full faired gs,s are gonna kill any resale value on those of us with newer bikes....

Hmm $5100 new or $3500 - $500 used. I think the used market will be fine.

Not exactly ... More like 3000 now or 125 a month for the next 48 months... I can afford $125 a month... and it is new and has fairing and is so pretty, and its only $125 and it has warranty... this one is $3000 and its used... I know cos I have talked to people that have told me that. Drop that $125 a month beauty once and its worth a plug nickel... I know someone who bought a 04 vulcan 750 for 6500 over christmas, and I have one (much better to loot at than the rat GS) for 1500, and there was someone I knew that had a 96 750 vulcan that was absolutely like new with a bunch of extras for 3K... but he still bought a new one. I think I'll just wait till his alternator dies... big problem on that bike and motor needs to come out to fix it.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Value Question
Post by: AndyMC on January 22, 2004, 12:06:02 PM
i usually keep pretty good track of gs prices in and around my area prices for olders gs,s have stayed the same but for 00 01 02 prices have already dropped :dunno:
Title: Yea...
Post by: The Buddha on January 22, 2004, 02:47:16 PM
Yea Rat bikes really hold their value...
Cool.
Srinath.