Hi first post here.

Thinking of picking up a 92' with 41xxx miles on it for $1500 Canadian.  Is this too high a mileage for the bike, all things considered (ie age of bike)

I can pick up a 2000 + model for double that, with 10xxx miles on it. How's the reliabilty of the older models?  What should I look out for?

Or should I just spend the extra and get a model that is 10 years newer, and double the price?  (going rate here is around 3K for a 2000+ model)

Seems like this is all I can say often because I have a '92.  I bough mine with 10,000 miles on it.  That was $1500.  With that high of mileage I would not pay that much!  With that many miles there could be many issues or few.  Mine has few as far as I am learning.  I would think around 1,000 US or so to start.  Check sprockets, chain, bearing play, leaks, how it runs, etc.. Start doing homework.

I bought my 1990 with 17,XXX miles and it had some recent work done (valve check, oil change, new fork seals and fork oil, new V&H exhaust, rejet, rocker gasket (whatever that is), new petcock and other things. The last owner spent about $1200 in total a few months before he sold it to me for $1000.

$1500 seems like a bit too much for the mileage.

Quote from: Archangel1183 on August 31, 2009, 10:14:50 PM
$1500 seems like a bit too much for the mileage.

In general I would agree with this statement, especialy if it looks like it has 41,000 miles on it.

I recently bought a '94 for $1,500 us.  The good was that the mileage was just over 3,000.  The bad was that it sat idle for long periods, though the carbs had been worked on and were pretty clean.  But it needed tires, oil & filter, brake flush, had some light rust, etc...

So I balanced the low mileage against the needed maintenance and paid the $1,500 BB price recommended price.

Okay, then, how about a 2000+ model for 3K Canadian (I am in Canada).  Most probably can negotiate 10% off asking.  Mileage on these are around 10xxx miles (or 14 - 16xxx kms)

These pop up quite frequently.

$1500 CAN is today worth about £840 here in the UK......So would I pay £840 for a `92 showing 42K?? 

Not unless it was plated in 24k Gold  .....In fact I wouldnt pay £840 for TWO `92s showing 41K

Rule #1..........Never buy the first bike you see, used GS5s are like buses.....there will always be another one along in while.

Quote from: I like mangos on September 01, 2009, 08:53:15 AM
Okay, then, how about a 2000+ model for 3K Canadian (I am in Canada).  Most probably can negotiate 10% off asking.  Mileage on these are around 10xxx miles (or 14 - 16xxx kms)

These pop up quite frequently.

0-1000 = it's running, and the owner has a manual... etc
1000-1500 = " - and the owner has some extra parts
1500-2000 = " - " - and the bike is near flawless
>2500 = go buy a sv650 or similar fuel injected bike. when you're paying this much, it's worth it to get a better bike .

Quote from: ohgood on September 01, 2009, 01:44:45 PM

Quote from: I like mangos on September 01, 2009, 08:53:15 AM
Okay, then, how about a 2000+ model for 3K Canadian (I am in Canada).  Most probably can negotiate 10% off asking.  Mileage on these are around 10xxx miles (or 14 - 16xxx kms)

These pop up quite frequently.

0-1000 = it's running, and the owner has a manual... etc
1000-1500 = " - and the owner has some extra parts
1500-2000 = " - " - and the bike is near flawless
>2500 = go buy a sv650 or similar fuel injected bike. when you're paying this much, it's worth it to get a better bike .

There's no way those prices are sustainable here in Canada, even if you quoted USD and  converted.

Going rate on a 2000+ is $3000 CDN   Some are even asking a bit more.  

(this is for the naked version not the gs500f version)

I think I might pass on that $1500 bike and go for a 2000+ model year. 

I know what you mean!!! bike and cars are more expensive here in canada!

I got my 04 in 06 with only 2000km on it for 4750$cnd!  in perfect condition,

at the time, I couldn't find anything close to that at that price, since retail price here is around 7000$cdn

I think I got a good deal! but you can't compare to prices in the US, tottaly different market!!!! well at least it is here in quebec.

plates are crazy expensive for supersports!, glad I got a GS

There is no sure formula. However, in my humble opinion, there are 7 major factors regarding bike quality:




• Model of bike - Does it have a reputation for longevity and/or being bulletproof?
  The GS is a good example of a long history of reliability.
• How well was it maintained and did the owner know what they were doing?
  Lots of well meaning hobby mechanics can make mistakes. For example, just too tight of a chain is a simple thing that can trash a bearing in no time, then an engine rebuild is immenent. Also, were quality things like synthetic oil used (better at high temps for air cooled) and was it changed frequently and on time? Did they follow the maintenance schedule religiously? Too many modifications can be problematic as well if they weren't done correctly or not suited to that bike. Have new parts been installed that could save you money? (tires, chain, sprockets, brake pads, etc.)
• How was it ridden?
  Just 5k of abuse can kill a bike that could have gone 150,000 k if ridden reasonably - and remember, lugging and overreving are equally as bad! Bikes are designed to be ridden, but not abused at either end of the spectrum. Of course this is hard to judge, but sometimes the demeanor of the owner can be a good indicator.
• Was it continuously used or was it stored for long periods?
  Storage is one of the hardest things on a bike, usually because it's not done properly when going in, or coming out of storage. During long term storage is when seals and grease dry out, metal corrodes, sediments plug, etc. Pull a bike out of long term storage in that condition and start riding it is a recipie for disaster. You've just taken years and thousands of kilometers off of it's life. Expect a lot of things to fail in a short period of time. This doesn't mean a stored bike is inherently bad. But what it takes to put a bike properly into storage, maintain it during storage, and prepare it for riding again is more than most owners would undertake. Continuous use means seals, greases, etc., have more of a chance of remaining supple, but grease and lubricants need to be refreshed and not allowed to become dirty.
• Was it kept/stored outside when off the road and in what climate/conditions?
  Water (also in the form of humidity) and direct sunlight are enemies. If it was stored for any length of time in a wet climate and/or direct sunlight, the effects of the previous bullet are compounded in a shorter period of time.
• Has it been down or in an accident?
  Being down standing still or at low speeds in my opinion is not a big deal if the damage was only cosmetic and repaired. Of course this depends on speed and whether it hit anything while it was sliding. A collision is bad news. The bike would have to be checked out very closely.
• What's the mileage and in what ratio of hwy/city? Road conditions?
  City driving is inherently harder on any moving vehicle due to the stopping/starting. Add the short runs to the corner store when the engine can't get up to operating temp and moisture can build up in the engine/exhaust and you have more trouble. Fairly good road conditions in the area?  Dust is hard on bikes. Potholes are really hard on bikes.

Notice that

mileage is at the bottom of my list. A modern bike ridden continuously, (majority being highway miles), that was garage kept when not being ridden, that was well maintained and ridden respectably, should have no problem going 150,000 miles and more. Today's high-tech metals and wealth of knowledge that goes into sealed bearings, piston rings, etc., means today's bikes just last longer than they used to. By "today's", I mean typically '90 and up for most models of bikes.

My 2006 GS500f had 500km on it when I bought it used in early 2007. I've since put 52,000 kilometers on it riding year-round over the last 2.5 years in all kinds of weather and it's still in excellent condition. Compression is bang on, valves haven't needed adjusting for more than 20,000km, original sprocket is on the back and it still has tons of wear left (I flipped it once, but I think it's longevity is due mostly to a Loobman chain oiler). It's garage kept and cleaned frequently (but not anal retentively) using good quality products and protectants. Do I ride it hard? Absolutely, but not in an abusive manner. I have no problem thinking this bike could do 150,000.

So you have to look at many factors including some I've not mentioned here. But personally, I'd take a newer model, high mileage, constantly ridden, well maintained and kept bike from sensible owner over a low mileage, poorly maintained, poorly stored/kept bike from a Neanderthal, any day of the week!

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