Hey guys,

I've been looking at a GS locally.  It's a tough one for me to put a fair value on, so I'll just list the good and the bad.  Curious what you guys think the bike is worth (round about).  I like it, and don't mind that it's not in top cosmetic shape, but at the same time I don't want to pay more than it's worth.  There're plenty of GS500s to be had (at least in my area), and I don't want to do myself a disservice by paying too much.

The Good
*Was properly broken in and mechanically maintained.
*Comes equipped with suburban bars.
*Comes equipped with an aftermarket Acewell gauge (apparently more accurate than stock).
*Is fairly new (2008)
*Gixxer pegs
*Spike bolts.
*I like the colorway.
*Pirelli Demons (but only about 2K left on them).

The Bad
*Bike has 13,xxx miles and counting (well over KBB benchmark).
*Acewell gauge has questionable reliability from some accounts.
*Aftermarket gauge is not showing true/accurate vehicle miles.
*Bike was laid down going around a turn at 35 MPH, and slid across the road (as a result, fairings had to be replaced; engine still showing rash, and tail still has a scratch/gouge, which is currently covered by decals).
*Original decals aren't present (non-issue for me, but affects value insofar as it's not in stock cosmetic condition).
*Current decals not my style, so they'd have to be replaced.

Image for reference (you can see rash on engine, in front of shifter):

Aside from questionable guage reliability, if there is nothing wrong with the mechanical operation of the bike or possible frame damage (have you had a chance to look under those replacement fairings?) I would value it right at 2 grand, maybe a little more if you feel confident about the seller. But then again, I'm cheap.

I haven't yet seen the bike in person (going this weekend) so if there's anything I should look out for, lemme know (can I look under the fairings w/o taking them off?).  He says the damage was cosmetic only.

His original asking price was $3K, which I thought was quite a bit too high given the condition of the bike.  I threw $2600 out there, which he accepted, but then the tail gouge/scratch came to light.

Given the new information (tail damage), I'm thinking of throwing $2200 out there.

I'm with rehenracing2 I would start out out 2K.

For me I have some issues with the bike being laid down and he didn't take the time to replace/repair the engine cover and the rear cover? What other corners were cut?

You can look inside the fairing for the most part from the front wheel opening as well as the air vents. Get under the bike and look at the very bottom of the fairing and frame. That will tell you a lot.

Remember this is a buyers market so if you don't have a warm and fuzzy with it pass and find another.

Good Luck!

I have a few... questions/thoughts/alarms....

The bike is sold with BT45s, Why are there Pirellis on it? How long ago were they put on? I ask because I got 23,000km (14,000 miles) out of my rear BT45 and have only just changed my front BT45 at 29,500km (18,500 miles). So for the BT45s to be already gone and the 2nd set almost gone too, this thing is seeing some pretty serious tire wear - from distance or Hard Riding. So, how large are the chicken strips?

If the speedo/odo is not stock, how do you know how many miles are really on it? How do you know it was calibrated?

How do you know the bike was broken in properly and maintained? (It always pays to be circumspect about what a seller says to you - they want your money not the thing they are selling.)

Low sided at 35 and just some fairing damage? How about the indicators?

Why is the grab bar not there?

What's the decal on the tank hiding?

What's with the pointy bolts? This guy think he's some kinda gixxer riding wannabe or something? That hints at riding style.

*I* would pass on this bike.

Michael

Doesn't look awful, and I'm in no way one to be picky about cosmetics, but if you're at all questioning this one I'd just pass on it. There's nothing that special about it and you can get a fairly clean GS for $2000-2500. They've always been the same bike so if you find one a few years older you could still get a GSf with the same miles but probably a bit cleaner for the same price.

I don't really believe anything I can't see. Unless I know someone who's selling the bike, I assume it's been beat on a bit. Scratches from a tipover don't bother me, what GS hasn't fallen over in the first 10k miles? My biggest concern are those goofy spike bolts, haha. If I can be free to stereotype, those aren't the best indicator of a properly ridden bike. Not to say it was definitely ridden rough, but that's the kinda thing I would've swapped out for stock bolts before I listed it for sale. If you show up and you see the kids riding gear includes a plastic mohawk on his helmet and a pair of timberlands/sneakers, I'd run as fast as I could.

All that aside, I wouldn't pay more than $2000-2200 for it.

I guess everyone dimissed the replacement parts that were'nt purchased? Ergo Short cuts to off load a bad bike?

The seller said the drop happened about 5K miles ago, after which point he redid the fenders, etc.  His justification for not replacing the tail/engine cover is that he was originally intending to keep the bike.  Not defending or anything, just throwing it out there.

He does seem pretty knowledgeable/conversational about the bike, and indeed, he's the one that referred me to this forum.  The gauge was professionally calibrated (he has documentation to back that up, I believe).

I'm kinda on the fence with this one.  On the one hand, if he springs for $2200 that's probably about the best price I'm going to get for pretty much any of the bikes I'm looking at...but then, I guess I can't really know the true condition if I can't trust what the seller is saying.

Like all others there are too many unknowns! In LA there is nothing better? Don't buy a dud. We warned you!