well finally found a GS500 locally, I will be making time to go check it out, but from what I got as information its a 1996 *nakid!!* GS500E, runs , needs nothing, women rider/owner that now rides Ducatti 994 on race track. (sophie from cycle gear in dallas) anyways, anything in perticular known to be an issue on these babies ?

Thanks

Make sure the valve clearances are within spec.  Check the battery fluid.  See if you can arrange it so that you can see the bike start up cold.  Watch for smoke/color, and check the plugs.  Ask if it's been rejetted, if the fork seals/oil has been changed, and check the chain slack.  Tires and wheel bearings too.  Easiest things to do is make a list of everything that needs to be checked especially if you're going to be riding it home. 

Yea, I'd not walk from it, I'd run ...
Not only is her name Sophie (I mean is it a person or a dog ... sorta like Staci ... stasis ... what .. OK you put it in stasis and it turns purple ... OK I get it) ... she's racing a 994. yes a ducatti 994. Yes You heard that right, a 994 and a ducatti.
Cool.
Srinath.

Ask the owner to describe the bike:  Any problems?  Has it been raced?  Crashed?  Ridden regularly?  Maintenance records and receipts?

Overall condition:  Is the bike clean?  Has the chain been lubed or is it covered in rust?  Are the tires in good condition and relatively new?  Does it show crash damage?

Check the oil:  Is it clean?  Is the oil level correct?

Start and run the engine:  Does it sound like a GS should?  Does it start without significant cranking?

On the assumption you're legal to ride and the owner is willing:  Check for engine trouble while riding.  Any noises?  Smooth power delivery within the power band?

Check for transmission troubles.  How does it shift?  Any noises?  Clutch smooth to engage, clutch lever smooth?

Generally speaking, I check out the owner more than the bike.  Are they being honest about the condition, even if it's poor?  Are they 17 years old and hell-bent on riding the shaZam! out of it?  Are they meticulous in maintaining it?  Common sense prevails here.  If the owner has had the bike for a period of time they'll have a reasonable idea of it's conditon. 

You're a relatively recent member.  Have you ridden a GS or any motorcycle before?  If not, you might consider locating a 'twins member in your area to go with you when you look at the bike.  Generally speaking, most members can be lured away for a 6-pack of their favorite or lunch at a decent restaurant.

Good luck.  Red 96's are the fastest.   

thanks to all for the info, Ill be looking at it this morning, well check things out and let you all know.

well I checked the GS500E out and it was in fact a 1994 with 22K miles on it, would not run properly, backfired, the storeselling it (consignement at Lewisville, TX Superbikes) told me it most likely needed to have the carbs redone/cleaned ... they wanted 1750 for bike, so I passed on it as it happened they also had a 2005 GS500F, some minor fairing damages, was a repo bike with 8K miles on it, they wanted 3200$, but after checking the paper work on it and seeing it ran just fine and the rest looked immaculate, I made a counter offer (this being another consignment bike) of 2500 and told them to call the owner (a girl that bought the ride at an auction but is moving to colorado and needed to sell it quick) turns out she acccepted the offer (rumagging through the papers she has  left me with the auction sale slip (grin) turns out she bought the gs500f for 2568,  so I guess I got a decent deal on this one, so I am the proud owner of a 2005 GF500F now.. will pick it up next saturday, after superbikes, does a full change of fluids and prep check on it at no cost (nice shop and very honest owner btw!)...

That worked out pretty well... Congrats!

Awesome, congrats!

Welcome to the GS club.   

Make sure the title paperwork is sorted out before the money changes hands.  Especially check for liens, correct serial numbers, and that the owner on the title is indeed the person selling the bike. 

I bring this up because several forum members have neglected these very important things.  After the excitement of "buying" their first bike they realized they really didn't own it, the paperwork wasn't in order.

Enjoy the new ride.   

I saw all the paperwork for it.. bill of sale from auction house, lien release letter from HSB financy, clean title (check with carfax), not a slavage title. everythgin checks out...

bad thing : damnit... it will rain on Saturday when I wanted to pick up the bike...

Quote from: pbureau69 on January 09, 2007, 06:59:43 PM
....
bad thing : damnit... it will rain on Saturday when I wanted to pick up the bike...

This aint Nascar, you can ride in the rain.

of course, but the place selling it, dont have a dealer's license so I dont have plates for it, so I cannot ride it anyways