I'm going to be getting my first bike soon, and I think I've narrowed it down to either a GS500 or a Ninja 500. I'm having difficulty determining what is a good/fair price for a used GS500. I've been looking all over, from craigslist to ebay to cycletrader, and the prices seem to fluctuate a fair bit. I've checked out the kelley site for blue book values, but most of the bikes I'm finding are way overpriced in comparison. Is blue book not a good guide? Any pointers in the right direction would be appreciated.

no pricing guide is a good guide.  The GS and EX 500's have been around so long that you can almost find one in any shape for whatever you want to pay.

In my opinion, a good bike should come fully legal (or ready to be inspected and tagged).  Needs good lights, tires and maintanance should be visually spot-on (good filters and reciepts for routine services no newer bikes and what not).  The bike needs to be in good running condition, no obscene noises and if you give the bike a good shake it shouldn't "rattle".  Test ride it, get going just a walking pace and hit the front brake hard and make sure tehre are no clunking noises or ill effects...same with the rear.  It should be rust free and solid.  There should not be oil on the forks above the seals.   Tank, exhaust and plastics need to all be firmly attached.  Guages need to work propperly...and so on.

Any devience from the above places the bike's price subject to negotiation.

I'm looking to spend $2000 - $2500. Given this, it is reasonable to think I could get a good running late 90's or up to a 2002 GS500E? I would love to get one of the newer faired ones, but those seem to be out of my price range.

I bought my '04f last August.  It had 15K miles on it and about two months of factory warranty left.  It also had an extra two years of the Suzuki extended warranty attached.

Paid only $3500.  

If you can accumilate another grand you could get an F.  You can get great running bikes for uner $1000.

Give my GS500 Census & Price Guide a whirl.
click here

Note: The condition of the bike as mentioned by makenzie71 is important as well as the market you live in. My price guide does not reflect that information.

You have to use a little judgement when pricing bikes.

You can go to Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com) and use that as a 'gauge' but keep in mind that bikes vary not only by year and condition but by location as well.  Another good place is Cycle Trader (www.cycletrader.com) to see how much bikes are going for.

Since you are in sunny California and you can ride year round (I curse you), I would think the price of bikes are a little higher in your neck of the woods vs. someone like myself who could pick up a bike in the middle of winter at a reduced price since demand would be lower in colder weather.

Do a lot of research and see how it goes.

If you have any questions, just ask - we are here to help!

Quote from: gsmetal
Since you are in sunny California and you can ride year round (I curse you)

It just so happens to be "raining" down here in SD right now  

While it's not the rain I'm used to seeing in northern california/southern oregon (180-200 inches per year)...And it's not really rain...just a heavy mist...It's still wet lol

So there  :lol:

Quote from: brettI'm looking to spend $2000 - $2500. Given this, it is reasonable to think I could get a good running late 90's or up to a 2002 GS500E? I would love to get one of the newer faired ones, but those seem to be out of my price range.

welcome to my neighborhood neighbor...sucks its raining here in L.A. but soon enough it'll be sunny again...only a few weeks of rain a year will do that! muhahahahaha.

anyway. the price of the gs's and ex's, because they've been around a long time seems to stay relatively the same level, regardless of year. more important is the condition of the bike and kbb isnt a good guide.  If you keepo an eye on craigslist and cycletrader and recycler you'll get a better sense of the market. My schedule is a bit tight (er, a bit-toddler, on my own recently, etc...) but if I can help you just give me a shout-my office website has my office number, give me a call.

$2000-$2500 will get you a very good condition 2001 or 2002 in this market. I sold my 2001 2 years ago for $2700. The newer the better since these 'first bikes' tend to get neglected a fair bit. You wont find a decent model for $1000 around here. $1500 is bottom of the barrel for a decent 'driver' that is mechanically (relatively) sound. And thats $1500 for anything from an 89 up to a 00 model...its wierd.

either one is a good choice for your first bike. lots of great riding round these parts...

Thanks for the tips. Even though it seems there haven't been drastic changes between '89 and '02, I was hoping a newer bike would be easier on the maintenance. Down the line I hope to have the time and resources to start tinkering more, but right now I want to be able to focus on riding and not worry about the mechanic side of things too much.

The rain does suck, but I don't do my MSF course for another 3 weeks, so hopefully we will be done with our couple weeks of winter by then. (Yes, I realize that last sentence probably made me no friends with the folks who had to winterize their bikes.)

there were a couple of changes through the 89-00 model run (brakes changed in 94 or 96, couple other changes) but nothing significant. 01 saw the bike get an overhaul, new bigger bodywork and some carb changes but also still essentially the same bike. there was no 03 model and the 04 is essentially the same with addition of fairings.

Quote from: pantablothere were a couple of changes through the 89-00 model run (brakes changed in 94 or 96, couple other changes) but nothing significant. 01 saw the bike get an overhaul, new bigger bodywork and some carb changes but also still essentially the same bike. there was no 03 model and the 04 is essentially the same with addition of fairings.

Also, since the EX is a consideration as well, the EX500 ran up until 1993 and was upgraded by the EX500R from 1994 on.  The frames are essentially the same between the two like with the GS500.  The fairings are different, different headlight, beefier forks and the wheels went from 16" with a drum in the rear to 17" wheels front and back.  Also slight carburetor differences.

The GS has better suspension, 17" wheels and discs on both ends all through it...makes it a better buy if you look at older models.

The good and bad thing about bikes is that they only depreciate a certain amount.   It's good because if you buy an '02 for 3500 you can ride it for two years and resell for 3000.  It's bad sometimes for example if you really want a vintage bike like a 80's YZF or GSXR you still end up paying 3000 for a piece of junk.  

Just take a good look at what you are buying.  A bike for 2000 may not be a great deal if you have to put on tires, brakes (lines and pads/rotors), fork seals, chain/sprockets.  You could easily drop a grand on all that stuff.