Ok, I'm going to look at a 2004 GS500F on Sunday. The guy who's selling it had it listed on Craigslist for $4000, but he says he's willing to negotiate. It's got 1900 miles on it. He said he bought it for his wife but it was too tall for her. So my question is, if it's in good shape, what's a fair offer for it. I know the KBB said around $3550, but I think that's with a lot more miles than 1900. I want to get a decent price, but I don't want to insult him either. He seems like a really nice guy. I'm taking my friend who is a mechanic with me and I let him know that, and he was totally cool with it. So what does everyone think? I bow to your greater knowledge and experience   

why not in between??

$3750 or so??

His wife is too short? WTF That is fishy!

My GS is so short my friend (5'0") can ride it!

WTF?

I'd be suspicious.

Quote from: CirclesCenter on June 22, 2006, 04:36:31 PM
His wife is too short? WTF That is fishy!

dude...maybe she's a midget...

Quote from: CirclesCenter on June 22, 2006, 04:36:31 PM
His wife is too short? WTF That is fishy!

My GS is so short my friend (5'0") can ride it!

WTF?

I'd be suspicious.

I shoudl clarify. He didn't say she was too short to ride it, just that she had a hard time flat footing it at a stop. It made her uncomfortable.

gaf how noce he is offer low and build up from there. alls fair in love and buying bikesid say start with 3200 and you'll see from there exactly how much he wants if he says 3900 then he wants 3500, but straight away if you offer 3500 youll end up paying 3800 or 3700 and thats money you could be spending on crack... i mean gear for the bike

http://tinyurl.com/ffmja

http://tinyurl.com/zzqlu

I'm not too worried about insulting someone who wants to sell me a bike. The worst they could do is laugh at me.

I think he's priced a bit high. A brand new 2006 has a MSRP of $5,149.00. I'd offer him 3K, and see what he comes back with (but then I like to bargain with stuff like this ).

Low ball him.  Offer $3000, and walk if he doesn't take it.

Quote from: pandy on June 22, 2006, 04:50:22 PM
http://tinyurl.com/ffmja

http://tinyurl.com/zzqlu

I'm not too worried about insulting someone who wants to sell me a bike. The worst they could do is laugh at me.

I think he's priced a bit high. A brand new 2006 has a MSRP of $5,149.00. I'd offer him 3K, and see what he comes back with (but then I like to bargain with stuff like this ).

Thanks for the links! That really puts it into perspective. I'm thinking of starting at $3200 and going from there. To tell the truth, I'm glad I found a used one so close. I was thinking I was going to have to buy new!

I bought my '04f last fall with only 1500 miles for $3500...

...at a STEALERSHIP!!!  And it included the SEP warranty.  You stated you'll start at $3200...  Good man

i say offer him the 3550 and if he takes it well go for it..... its only for your good

Quote from: sharkfin25 on June 22, 2006, 04:33:04 PM
Ok, I'm going to look at a 2004 GS500F on Sunday. The guy who's selling it had it listed on Craigslist for $4000, but he says he's willing to negotiate. It's got 1900 miles on it. He said he bought it for his wife but it was too tall for her. So my question is, if it's in good shape, what's a fair offer for it. I know the KBB said around $3550, but I think that's with a lot more miles than 1900. I want to get a decent price, but I don't want to insult him either. He seems like a really nice guy. I'm taking my friend who is a mechanic with me and I let him know that, and he was totally cool with it. So what does everyone think? I bow to your greater knowledge and experience   

Well, this all turned out to be pointless. I showed up at the guys house at 2:00 on Sunday, just like we had planned and a woman answered the door. I asked for him and she said he wasn't there. Then she wanted to know why I was there. I told her I was supposed to look at a bike and she said, "Oh, he already sold that. He sent you an e-mail this morning to tell you." Wow, what a punch in the gut. I got home and sure enough there was an e-mail from him telling me the bike had already sold. I had left my house around 10:30 and he sent the e-mail at 11. Bum deal.

The search continues...

I had that happen to me with an SV.. told him I was coming at 11, he didn't pick up his phone and I never even found his house.  Called me 3 hours later (after my hour and a half drive) to tell me he had sold it that morning.  I was pissed.