I'll definitely keep that in mind, I've been searching craigslist for my area, but I'm afraid of buying anything older than a 2005. They seem to be pretty hard to come by for under $3000. Are the older models acceptable?

I bought an '01 off craigslist last November for $2k.  It hasn't let me down yet.

I recently took it on a trip from Albuqerque, NM to Las Vegas, NV and back (about 1200 miles round trip) and it didn't have any issues the entire time.

Quote from: Jarsh on June 18, 2009, 09:26:31 AM
I'll definitely keep that in mind, I've been searching craigslist for my area, but I'm afraid of buying anything older than a 2005. They seem to be pretty hard to come by for under $3000. Are the older models acceptable?

Oh yea, 05, maybe even 06, you should not buy anything older ... ever. They all turn to sheite if they are older than 3 years. Of course once you buy it, next yeat it may turn to sheite too, but then not when its yours ... yea, its gonna be so great.
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: The Buddha on June 18, 2009, 09:59:03 AM

Quote from: Jarsh on June 18, 2009, 09:26:31 AM
I'll definitely keep that in mind, I've been searching craigslist for my area, but I'm afraid of buying anything older than a 2005. They seem to be pretty hard to come by for under $3000. Are the older models acceptable?

Oh yea, 05, maybe even 06, you should not buy anything older ... ever. They all turn to sheite if they are older than 3 years. Of course once you buy it, next yeat it may turn to sheite too, but then not when its yours ... yea, its gonna be so great.
Cool.
Buddha.

Damn, I need to sell mine then, lol.

"5: the undercarriage looked to have been re-shaped (welded) and painted."
This is the only part that would have worried me.

Buddha warns about anything older than 5 years, but how many people on here are driving one YOUNGER than 5 years?  Seriously, I wouldn't pay $3k for anything before the F model, but I would give great consideration for anything older than that at less than $2k, with low miles.  Mine was a horribly tortured '04, and I got it running extremely well pretty cheap.  The end result was less than $3k - including a headlight swap and LED integrated brakelight/signal- and I think it's better than fine.  The '04 was the model change, so before that is a different ballgame, slightly, but if you can find older ones in decent condition for comparatively cheap, I would say go for it.  I've seen early 90s ones for under $1500, and if they're in good shape with low miles, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those.  For 1k-1500 bucks, if it lasts 4 years it becomes disposable, or at least a project, right?  In 4 years get another one, 4 years younger for 1k-1500 bucks.

I know, I bought my 89 in 95 and immediatley I should have sold it.
Instead like a fool, I rode it for 49K miles for 10 years. Luckily I only had minimal trouble with it, thank god.
Then Finally I came to my senses and sold it in 05.

I did not learn from my mistakes at all, in 98 I bought a 90, but luckily I only rode it for 6K miles and sold it in 2000.

Then Like a fool I bought a 91 in 2003 dammit from a gstwinner no less, I mean dont they know better than to sell me their 10+ year old bike, its now 12 years old.

More foolishness followed. A 93 from jetswing another GStwin regular, and many more, 1 frame + from Jared and 1 from nightrider , one from jetswing's old friend etc etc many more, and all from gstwin ... terrible terrible descisions all ... put together 16 of them, all horrible.

Luckily I have been able to ride and sell most of them. Just 2-3 remain. Man I am just so lucky. None of them died, or fell apart or nothing ... and you know past 3 years its all just ready to turn to dust, rust and goo.

And you know the magic levels vastly increased after 2006, In fact before 2006 they were at 0. But they have now attainled 100% magic level for everything. So really 2006 was the most pivotal year. Just to be certain you need to get a 2007 in case you have one that has a pivot in 2006. Better get 07 to be sure.

Lawman - Buddha is speaking standing next to the niagra falls if you were to replace the water in there with sarcasm.

Cool.
Buddha.

My boy was a '92 (and my rat bike was a '90 or was she a '91? I can't 'member now!  )! Sometimes, older *is* better...especially when I had a penchant for dropping my poor bikes....frequently...

It's good to hear about someone who avoided the treachery of buying a used bike from a stealership! 

LOL Buddha!  Your sarcasm wasn't lost on me!

I did the same stupid thing Buddha warns us about here.  I bought a 1994 GS off Craigslist with 13,800 miles for $1200 and 7,000 miles later I'm angry because it hasn't broken yet.  The engine sings like an angel and it shifts like a dream, dammit!  My mood is improving because one of my forks has begun to weep and it's gonna cost me about forty bucks in parts and oil to redo the forks.  Hopefully something big will break soon but I'm not holding out much hope.

GS 500's all have the same engine, and it's one of the toughest engines Japan has ever made.  Use good sense like you did today and it's hard to go wrong with one.  Don't be afraid of 90's models that look and run good, and they're already naked.  Many have low miles.  Lotsa good bargains out there.  In fact, there are usually a few members here looking to sell one.  Good bet to look here as well.

Save your $ and pay cash for a good 90's GS.  That would be my advice for you to get what you want for minimum $ and hassle.  Why pay good $ for an F model then strip it?  Makes no sense to me.

I bought my 1997 GS a couple months ago, and I've had no problems at all.  I mean I did get it fro $1500 with 6k miles... Wooo, took it into some twisties today, I'm getting better at this whole riding thing.

But back on topic here, patience is key.  I've been looking for a bike since October of last year, and finally this one came along.  Sacrificing a few years is fine if you like the styling, and you'll sure save a bundle on the price.

Quote from: Jarsh on June 18, 2009, 06:46:14 AM
I have an update for you guys. I have retrieved my deposit on the bike. I have determined that this bike was not a "driveway drop". After going in to look at it yesterday here are somethings I noticed:

1: The fairing had indeed been sawn off the bottom (unevenly from the other side, I might add)

2: The outside of the muffler can had been brushed and buffed, the finish was inconsistent with the rest of the can.

3: The right side mirror was scuffed pretty hard and was hanging on by one bolt.

4: The right turn signal had been completely broken off and re-attached with electrical tape

and the real winning detail here:

5: the undercarriage looked to have been re-shaped (welded) and painted.


needless to say, this bike was a salvage. I kindly pointed out all of these details to the salesman, who then appeared to act suprised, as if he didn't know. After trying to negotiate the price down to a respectable 1800, they weren't having it. So, I took my deposit back and said good-day.  Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it. Don't worry, I'm already settled on the GS500 for my first bike. I just want to find one that has been well maintained. You shall hear from me again.

-Jarsh

Welded? Man, that could end up causing a lot of hurt - you don't know if the weld is a good weld and not one that will Fail just when you don't need it to. You don't know other things effected by the same Impact that required the frame to be welded.

Too many other bikes out there to bother with a questionably welded frame repair.

The salesman is a doofus. How much future business has his lying cost the business? The way I figure it, if he's lying about this then what else is he lying about that you just haven't discovered? Maybe the bike was even salvaged from a stream or something - or left abandoned in someone's basement which was flooded. And you'll have electrical issues later. Or maybe it wasn't flood damaged. But one lie signifies other dishonesty. Is this how they got the bike or did They help disguise the damage - their actions would then be willing and conscious deception.

You could never trust anything they would tell you if you took your bike there to get serviced. You couldn't trust any parts they charge you new prices for, were not really obtained from a wrecker - and so on.

Good job of double checking over the bike.

Michael

Quote from: The Buddha on June 18, 2009, 10:21:58 AM
I know, I bought my 89 in 95 and immediatley I should have sold it.
Instead like a fool, I rode it for 49K miles for 10 years. Luckily I only had minimal trouble with it, thank god.
Then Finally I came to my senses and sold it in 05.

I did not learn from my mistakes at all, in 98 I bought a 90, but luckily I only rode it for 6K miles and sold it in 2000.

Then Like a fool I bought a 91 in 2003 dammit from a gstwinner no less, I mean dont they know better than to sell me their 10+ year old bike, its now 12 years old.

More foolishness followed. A 93 from jetswing another GStwin regular, and many more, 1 frame + from Jared and 1 from nightrider , one from jetswing's old friend etc etc many more, and all from gstwin ... terrible terrible descisions all ... put together 16 of them, all horrible.

Luckily I have been able to ride and sell most of them. Just 2-3 remain. Man I am just so lucky. None of them died, or fell apart or nothing ... and you know past 3 years its all just ready to turn to dust, rust and goo.

And you know the magic levels vastly increased after 2006, In fact before 2006 they were at 0. But they have now attainled 100% magic level for everything. So really 2006 was the most pivotal year. Just to be certain you need to get a 2007 in case you have one that has a pivot in 2006. Better get 07 to be sure.

Lawman - Buddha is speaking standing next to the niagra falls if you were to replace the water in there with sarcasm.

Cool.
Buddha.

He might not have understood that you weren't seriously telling him, to quote you "Oh yea, 05, maybe even 06, you should not buy anything older ... ever. They all turn to sheite if they are older than 3 years."  Isn't the point here to help the kid out?  If he didn't get that you were not being serious, he would be out looking for an 05+.  Sarcasm is great - if people know you're not beins serious.  This may come as a shock, but a lot of sarcasm gets lost in text.

I know ... regular buddha to english is bad enough ... buddha X sarcasm into english text is really really next to impossible.
Cool.
Buddha.

Thanks for clearing that up, the sarcasm really did get lost in the text. I'm going to spend this weekend checking some places out and looking for a good deal. Wish me luck!

A lot of what The Buddha says just gets lost, period!   

I guess I'm the one in a million person that got a great used bike from a dealership! I bought an '04 in '07 for $2700! Only problem I have ever had with Flick was a possessed tach which the dealer fixed for me for a great price! I did buy the warranty and maintainance packages because I had never owned a bike and have no garage. So, other than tires, brakes, and other miniscule things I don't have to worry about my bike for five years I like that!

My next bike which will be when Flick up and dies which I see as being a long way away I probably won't do the maintainance plan. But, hey to each their own. I don't care what you ride as long as your riding!

Mary

Quote from: pandy on June 19, 2009, 11:08:51 AM
A lot of what The Buddha says just gets lost, period!   

Bwaaaa ... ironically, its even worse in person.
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: The Buddha on June 19, 2009, 12:32:03 PM
Bwaaaa ... ironically, its even worse in person.
Cool.Buddha.

It's just part of your charm. 

Quote from: Jarsh on June 19, 2009, 11:07:48 AM
Thanks for clearing that up, the sarcasm really did get lost in the text. I'm going to spend this weekend checking some places out and looking for a good deal. Wish me luck!

I figured.  That's why I suggested you rethink that.

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on June 19, 2009, 11:29:26 AM
I guess I'm the one in a million person that got a great used bike from a dealership! I bought an '04 in '07 for $2700! [...]
Mary

I bought mine at dealership too, and it was pleasant experience.
I paid $3800 in  summer of 2006 for 2004 GS, but it had only 846 miles on the clock, so I think it was priced right.

So there are good dealers, it just is not easy to find them... 

to OP: good luck this weekend!! Hope you can find decent bike for the right price.

I'm a new rider as well and the GS500f is my first ride as well. For reference, I found my GS on Craigslist, a 2004 with 16k miles. Very slight damage to the left side fairing but in real good mechanical shape. It runs really good and has a few mods done to it as well. I picked it up for $2100. To me its the perfect first bike, and the price may be a little higher than I should have paid but it was a good deal to me. I had a buddy of mine who rides Ducati's look over the bike with a fine tooth comb and he gave it a clean bill of health and even said he liked how it rode.

Keep looking, you're sure to find your perfect first bike, and the GS500 is a great choice!