Howdy, all. I'm currently searching Craigslist for a GS500 for a first bike in 20 years and am wondering just how many miles these bikes can go.

I ask because there're a couple with 35k miles on them, others with 15K or so that of course cost a bit more. Money's tight, but should I pay an extra $500-$700 for a low-mileage bike?

I do all my car maintenance myself and expect to do it on the bike also, so maintenance and repair aren't so much an issue as the engine simply wearing out beyond being fixed.

Thanks, both for you answers and for this great website. It had a lot to do with narrowing down the bike I'm going to buy.

Cheers.
Irishman

If I could buy 15-25k miles newer for only $500-$700, I would definitely do it.

If the bike was taken care of there shouldn't be any issues with a bike having 35k on it though.

I'd expect at least 85K out of a GS500 engine. The chassis is good for as many miles as you're willing to throw at it.

Maintenance records are more important than mileage, IMO. If the bike is maintained properly, a 35K mile bike can run almost as good as new. Conversely, if the valves were never done, that 15K engine may be in need of major work.

Generally, I'd suggest a couple of easy pre-purchase checks on each bike.

- Run a compression test on the bike while the engine is cold.
- Run a compression test on the bike while the engine is hot.
- Add some oil, and run another hot compression test on the bike (wet compression test.)
- Start the bike when it's stone cold.

If the cold compression test looks as good or better than the hot compression test, the valve clearance is way out of spec, and there is likely to be some significant valve or seat wear.

If the wet compression test is significantly better than the dry compression test, the rings are probably in bad shape.

If the bike is hard to start while cold, you may have gummed up carbs.

Quote from: zirconx on April 26, 2011, 11:07:24 AM
If I could buy 15-25k miles newer for only $500-$700, I would definitely do it.

If the bike was taken care of there shouldn't be any issues with a bike having 35k on it though.

Mine was using lots of oil by 35K. I still ran it to 48K and then sold it for 650. But it definetly needed more frequent work.
Cool.
Buddha.

I bought a 97 GS new in Mar 99 and had put 80k miles on it before it was totaled in July 03.  No major problems with it but oil consumption was getting kinda high.  Bought it back from the ins co and fixed it and son took it for a commuter and ran it up to 88k and then replaced the engine with a low milage used one. 

After the 97 GS was wrecked I bought a slightly used 02 GS with 4k miles on it in Sept 03 and it has 85k miles on it now and it still runs good as new but oil consumption is increasing.  Only one major problem with the 02, a tight valve bucket caused a broken exhaust valve on start-up one freezing day with 21k miles on it.  I repaired the engine and it has been trouble free for the 64k miles since.  I fully expect it to go 100k miles if I can last that long.   

My GS's original engine only lasted 13,000 miles before the bottom end gave up.

Thanks, all. I was a bit scared of buying on that was on its deathbed.

I've got a truck I'm trying to sell. I'll spring for the low mileage bike if it goes soon, but won't feel quite so anxious if I get one of the others.

Thanks again.

Quote from: ver4 on April 26, 2011, 12:54:55 PM
My GS's original engine only lasted 13,000 miles before the bottom end gave up.

Sounds like you replaced it, though. How long's this one lasted?

Mine is currently somewhere between 39,000km and 40,000km. I've put all those clicks on the bike. It's an 09.

When looking at what's on the Odo, consider how far you might ride in a year. Assuming you can get 80,000 out of the bike and do 10,000 a year, from new you can have the bike for 8 years. So for every 10,000 on the bike that's one less year of riding you can do on it. So when considering cost, how much is an extra year or two year's of riding That bike worth to you?

The 70's and the idea of getting rid of a bike around 30,000 cause it has had it, are long gone. Just about all newer engines can give you up to 100,000 if you have mechanical sympathy and do regular servicing.

The GS has remained pretty well unchanged since its inception. It did get a three jet carb up from the two jet and a larger gas tank. But otherwise it is unchanged. So an 04 with 20,000 on it and on 09 with 20,000 should be the same. The 09 will be higher priced for no other reason than it is newer. But the technology is the same.

Michael

I took the top end from my original and paired it up with my buddy's (BaltimoreGS) bottom end.  Everything seems to be in working order.  I've only put between one to two thousand miles so far.