Been reading a lot of your forums here the past few days (tons of good stuff here and makes me want to get a gs500!) and in need of some advice. There's a 89 500e for sale here locally for around $1k. It has 12k miles and still runs. Any advice on what to look out for. Will be my first bike although I have friends that have experience in bikes in case I run into issues. What would go wrong for a bike that old?

Thanks!  :mrgreen:

well i wouldn't go for it.

I would add on 500 dollars to that and get a 96 with the same or less amount of miles.

for like 600-700 "I" would go for it.

I don't think it is worth that much but it is difficult for me to tell because I am from England. I would not worry too much about it's age, you could get a newer bike but that does not mean it will be better. Try to get someone who knows something about bikes to go with you to look at it.

Getting a newer bike will save you very much trouble and time, old bikes will have rust all around, all rubber dried and cracked, so even with a few thousand miles many things would need to be fixed, tyres, battery, wires, gas tank, chain, etc. Invest on a better running bike and learn and enjoy to ride... my $.02

Well since you haven't described/seen the bike we are just speculating here.
If the bike were prestine, as in nearly perfect with good tires, good paint, no scratches and a nice documented service history, then it might be worth over $1K.
But any deficencies should start stripping hundred dollar bills off that price quickly.

For an '89 in "typical" condition, the most the seller should reasonably take is $500~$700.

Thanks guys! I'll keep on looking.... I'm in NJ if anyone happens to know of one would appreciate it!

For a measure of "worth" that DOES NOT include condition of the bike, you can look at my eBay analysis. It is updated on Saturdays. Click Here for the page.

Well look for rust everywhere ... and if it passes that test and runs and works fine ... buy it. 89 or 99 ... maintained well is more important ... Frankly 89 is worth more ... clip on's ... OK maybe $75 more ...  :lol:
Cool.
Srinath.

Yeah it's just a little bit out of my way so I'm not going to go for it unless it is worth it.

QuoteFor an '89 in "typical" condition, the most the seller should reasonably take is $500~$700

see, the year dont matter all that much in my opinion, unless your collecting then you want Pristene everything and keep it in controled enviroment.

1000 for an nice 89 with 12k doesnt make it NOT worth it, just makes it not worth it to some.  even then 1000 for a decent running bike isnt outrageous specialy if its still in produciton parts wise. cant say that about many of the other bikes of the same time frame. ANY used bike is a gamble no matter what the year is. i was offered a 03 gsxr600 for 2k, it ran was being driven but was rattleing and seeping everyfluid that came in the bike from the dealer.


i have an 89gs500, not sure of miles on Current engine but all bearings looked good,and i put fresh rings in it while it was apart,  its got the progressives and Gold emulaters up front and kat shock in rear, Yosh can on Hindle System, front braided line and is jetted just need a pod filter. its still got its track clothes on but runs well  i could see purchasing it for 1000 if it looked alittle better, inwhich case i have another nicer tank that im going to repaint.   i can see it going for 1500$ with all the extra stuff i have for it too (which it is all forsale with the bike)   i have a second running engine needing CB shaft bearings then its ready to run again. plus enough parts to build a 3rd engine with fresh head and 1mm over pistons,GSXR carbs, EBC Prolite front rotor and a bandit 400 rear rim. also have 2 gs450 parts engines waiting to be used.

Quote from: starwaltFor a measure of "worth" that DOES NOT include condition of the bike, you can look at my eBay analysis.

Yep, I was going to say, $900 is probably an OK price for an average '89.  Srinath is right: condition matters quite a bit, especially with cheaper bikes.  When I bought my '92, it needed a battery, rear tire and chain.  Even taking in the wheel, and doing the chain and sprockets, it still cost me $320 to get it road-safe.  (I could do it with $150 with what I know now).

The real value of the bike has more to do with its condition than which year it was made.

NOOOO. get a real bike

QuoteNOOOO. get a real bike

I really hope this was said in jest.

don't take it so harsh

it's time the maxwell got off the computer.

Yeah .. as others have said, take someone with you that can give an idea what it would cost to fix.  If it's in great shape then $1000 may be a bargain but if it needs tires, chain, sprockets, fork seals/bushings, battery etc. then $3-400 would be more appropriate.  Even then you'd be dropping $1000 of new stuff on it.  This is not a problem mind you because then you'd have a good bike for $1400 (if you do the work yourself).

Quote from: Blueknyt

QuoteNOOOO. get a real bike

I really hope this was said in jest.

It seems as though maxwellf's mommy & daddy haven't been monitoring his/her medications, and that they accidently let him/her onto the computer against his/her docs' wishes.

My guess is that his/her only bike has training wheels and tassels on the handlebars!  

where in NJ? I'm in the A. C. area.

in most vehicles, ive found tires,  batterys and brakes as consumables.  these are easy to fix and other then tires, are pretty cheap.  aslong as the engine/driveline is in good shape, stearing isnt knackered and nothing bent/rusted through.  a set of tires can be had for 100$, brakes 50$,batt less then 50$.  i expect to put something into ANY used bike/car no matter what price. even if its just a PREFERANCE of tires Vs whats on the bike.  Batt's can drop out without warning. and brakes can burn up inside a month depending on how one rides.  while mine aint pretty (yet) its tight.

Hey thanks for the replies guys. Found a guy locally that has a 04 gs500f with about 1k miles for $3k. More than what I'd want to spend but it is newer. Ever heard of the paint chipping off a fairing? That's the only issue I saw tonight. Is that common and will it continue to chip off?