I've been lurking on the site off an on for a little bit. Figured I should probably join up and introduce myself since I may be purchasing a GS. I've only been riding for the last year or so. Mainly commuting back and forth to work and short rides on the weekend. I have a little old Honda CM200T Twinstar right now and I'm really wanting to move up to something a little bit bigger. An older used GS500 is on my short list of bikes. They look like a simple, reliable bike that would be a great economical commuter vehicle.

I'm looking at a '91 a couple hours away from me that doesn't sound too bad. It's definitely got some cosmetic issues, but it sounds like it's mechanically sound. I don't think the seller would lie to me on that. Here's the information he gave me:

"the bike is a '91 with about 13k mi.  I am the 3d owner.  I don't think it's been modified in any meaningful way (exhausts, jetting, etc).  It runs pretty well though I often have to mess with the choke (?jetted too lean?).  the front suspension is kind of soft but I gather that's the normal situation for this model.  there is a bit of rust on the exhaust pipe/manifolds, but no holes.  the tachometer quit working about a year ago.  cosmetically it's not too hot.  it was turquoise with silver and pink trim to begin with; hard to overcome that, and moreover it's had a few driveway drops, including one by my wife who subsequently figured that maybe she could get the shovel underneath and lever it up (didn't work and left some scars).  the seat is fine, no tears.  the front tire is pretty new and the rear is ok."

It looks like the factory jetting and soft forks are two of the biggest complaints from this message board. Does the tach sound like a big deal? Would that be just a cable replacement probably? Any thing jump out at you from these pictures?

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Nedblog/suzukigs_1.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Nedblog/suzukigs_2.jpg

The seller is asking around $500 which sounds like a pretty reasonable price from what I can tell for its condition. Any reason not to go for it? Anything to check out in particular? It's a couple hour drive and I just want to make sure I've got any info I need before taking a look at it. Thanks a bunch!


Jeff

It looks normal for a ridden 91. Actually fairly clean as they are usually left to the weather and that is never good for them.

Unless you are going to go the restoration route that I am (well not totally restored, just a protracted cleaning), it should be fine. $500 is an excellent price for a running 91 with a title.

The tach not working is either the cable or the linkage on the engine side, but most likely the cable is snapped somewhere. They are fairly cheap new and often plentiful on ebay or here even.

How comfortable are you with wrenching and do you have a place to store it out of the weather?  If I had the money, and it was close enough, I'd buy it. 

Yes, the front end is a little mushy, but the GS is no hard a$$  racing bike. Progressive spring replacements for the stock OR a little preloading will cure/help. See the DIY section of GSTwin.com (the main page - not this forum) for some how-to's on stiffening the front end.

Buy it before I find out where it is...

+1 on what Doug said (except for "the GS is no hard a$$  racing bike" comment)
I am surprised both case covers are in such good condition along with having their stickers. The chain looks a little suspect and may need replacing. The exhaust could be easily cleaned up.

The price is right but the color is not a favorite of mine.

Also, check the inside of the gas tank. They are notorious for rusting. That can be fixed as well.

Thanks a bunch guys. I definitely feel better with a second opinion on it.

About the color, Miami Vice the movie is coming out soon. Maybe it will be coming back into style. 

Looks quite clean and the price is right.You should buy I know you will get lots of help from all the characters here . Clean up /tune up and you are ridin.

Quote from: SeriousGeorge on January 21, 2006, 09:14:29 PM
About the color, Miami Vice the movie is coming out soon. Maybe it will be coming back into style. 

You should see the 92 or 93 choices. Globugolida Pink (or something like that) was an accent color for decal/stickers.

That green is sorta like some BMW colors of that era except the BMers  were more metallic.

I've got a set of those color frame covers, faded, I intend to paint for use on the Ezuki. Yeah, retro is returning...to a point.

Wow, you'd better jump on that sucker.  Can't beat $500 even if you do have to replace a few things.  I just paid $1400 for my 94 in so-so condition.  The guy didn't do any maintenance apparently as the brake pads were on metal and the tires are dry rotted.  My horn just quit too...

yeah, thats a good deal on that bike. mileage is not bad either, just enough to know they rode it plenty. Do an oil/filter change and replace the rear tire, chain and sprockets first order. Sounds like  the tach cable is broken. easy easy 5 minute fix.

If things don't work out with that bike, I have a nice 1990 GS for sale, 22k, brand new tires (Sportec M1s 150/70 rear)/brakes/oil/carb cleaning.  Better shape than the one you're looking at but older and more expensive.  Was layed down 3 1/2 years ago so there was some damage to the grabrail and it's now a little off center, but everything else on her is clean. Very minor rust on first 1 1/2 feet of header, nothing anywhere else.  Plastics are in fine shape, everything operates fine, starts up without an issue.  The color is Black Pearl and I painted the wheels black to avoid the unsightly brakedust chainlube issue.  Anyway, PM me for pics, I have no use for her now that I've bought another bike.  Asking price is $1500.

Thanks for the offer SmartDrug. That's a little out of my price range, though. I need something dirt cheap right now, even if it means a little wrenching. I'm hoping this 91 deal works out. If it does, I'm sure I'll be bugging you guys for help on fixing it up.