Dont ask how it happened, senility I expect.
Anyway i bought the GS last week believing it to be a 96 model, when all the papers arrived in fact it's an 89. The guy I bought from is (was) a friend.
Now set my mind at rest please.I know it is still the same bike I bought and tested but being seven years older then i thought have I let myself in for a lot of heartache with this model. This was my last shot at getting on a bike again. Have i gone and blown it. There's no way I can go back on the deal (even if I wanted to) I've probably paid more than the bike was worth. feel a bit sad and a bit let down. Not spoken to the guy yet for an explanation
Sad old man needs cheering up.

Considering that there has been no real changes in the 89-00, don't worry about it. The bike is as good as it has been taken care of....no matter what year it is. Just go ride and enjoy it.

OK a true 89 ... clip on's, aluminum shock linkage, and a electrical fuse box that's behind the battery and hence easier to swap fuses instead of behind the side covers like all later years ... is worth more ... and in the eyes of the hard core ... really the year to have. Other than this the 89 also had color matched sissy bar, the later years (92+) were all black, aluminum headlight ears (90+ was steel) and heck many more. They are all worth about the same really if they are in similar condition and mileage with 89 commanding a small premium ... That is in here ... dodo's off the street will say 89 man that's too old, and buy a much worse 99 for more $$$ but you would point them to here and we'll set them straight ... I have owned many Years GS'es ... 89 is the sweetest ...
Cool.
Srinath.

I have a "90" that is actually an 89 but was renamed as a 90 and it is a great little bike and it's just as fun and easy to fool around on/with. Enjoy and tell your friend that you want a couple of cases of beer for him being a lying jerk at that present moment in time. If you do have any problems this board is a great simple and cheap way to get them solved so have no worries we've got your back.

The 89 definitely has less book value than the 96; maybe $800-$1200 versus (say) $1200-$1600 (sorry, don't have the KBB handy).  However, the truth is that it's easy to buy a '99 GS that is in worse shape than an '89.  The bike design changed so little before 2001, that the condition of the bike makes a bigger difference in real "value of ownership", than the year of manufacture.   In fact, buying a GS with bald tires and worn chain/sprockets will set you back more than the difference in KBB value.

So, by all means, try to get your ex-pal to cough up $400 or something.  But if the bike is in good condition, don't let it get you down.

The White Owl is an '89 and I don't think I would take less than 2K for her. I love that little bike and this forum also.

C.......

 Hey thanks to all of you. I feel reassured. What a great site this. (a site is only as good as those on it, so you lot must be the tops) Whatever the problem someone has got an answer.
Now all I've got to do is lie back and enjoy.  
Thanks once again.

A common point of confusion (it happend to me also) is the Model Year vs Manufactured Year.  For US models, the ID plate on the frame is stamped with the year prior to the Model Year.

Example: Manufactured 07/1989  Model Year 1990

Another confusing indicator is the Letter Designator. Most online parts pages refer to this regularly to indicate which year is which.

As stated, from Model Year 1990 through 2000, very little basic stuff changed on the bike.  The one major exception is the graphics tape sets. The graphics vary widely and wildly over the years.

I am with Srinath on the '89 model. That is why you rarely see them on ebay or anywhere. I dream that somewhere in South Carolina, covered up in a tarp next to a worn out riding mower is an '89 waiting for me to find it. The old lady who lives there is just waiting for someone to haul it off because that no good boy of hers got his license suspended for  the third time. Now he has run off to California with a 19 year old girl to join a commune and grow asparagus. He never paid his mom back for the insurance on the bike and she just wants to be rid of the thing just to piss him off.

I can dream can't I?  

Quote from: starwaltA common point of confusion (it happend to me also) is the Model Year vs Manufactured Year.

For more info, see this post.