Bought my GS500F about a month ago, waited 2 weeks to take the MSF course before I took it for a ride. After about 150 miles, it started throwing fuel into the airbox. I took it back to the dealer (name not mentioned until I know how they are going to treat me - I don't want any bad karma), and they couldn't find anything wrong with it (they had it for a week). Drove it home, and it was smoking from gas hitting the exhaust pipe. Took a video of the smoke and puddle of fuel from the fuel leak, and emailed it to them. Trailered it back to them the next day, and they were able to find the problem. They've now had it two weeks total. They claim that it's the needle valve assembly.

The bike only has about 5400-5500 miles on it, so it seems strange to me that the needle valve assembly would need replacing so soon.


My questions are
Does this sound feasible?
If so, what would be a reasonable price to repair it?
What would be considered a reasonable turn around time?
Do I have unrealistic expectations to have a bike that was "inspected by our repair shop before hitting the showroom" to not have this serious of a problem this short into is life with me?

Please note that I am new to motorcycles - so I'm willing to admit I'm wrong. I'm just looking for opinions.

Sounds like dirty carbs. Float needles are stuck open. That makes the float bowls overfill then gas dumps into the air box and everywhere. It can get gas into the oil so check the oil. If over filled - it gas gas in it. If it smells gassy - you have gas in it. (Not a bad idea anyway to do an oil change after it is fixed just to be sure oil is clean and free of gas.)

Places around here charge one hour labor (for removal and re-install) then around $75-125 to clean carbs, depending on if any parts need replacing.
Should be under $200 to get the carbs all cleaned up - at least here in Seattle.

In my opinion, two weeks is unacceptable shop time for needle valve seats. The dealer cost is probably a little less than you would pay at www.ronayers.com, so look there, in their parts fiche.

As for whether it could happen on a fairly new bike? Yeah. Not likely, but possible.

Seems you bought it used?
It may have been sitting a long time. Gas could have turned to varnish and fouled the needles & stuff in the carbs.

I did buy it used. 5400 miles on an 09 sounded like a good deal. Maybe you're right, and it did sit up for a long time. I'm just a little erked that it was advertised as inspected and ready to ride, then this happened... plus a really long wait on top. I guess this part is definitely more rant than question.   

Add in the fact that I was able to recreate it after a 20 minute ride (may have happened sooner, but it's about 20 minutes from the shop to my house), and the shop wasn't able to trace it down until I showed them the video of it happening. I have this really bad feeling in my gut that I'm being rail-roaded, and I hope I'm wrong (which is why I'm not saying who the shop is until all is said and done).

Anyway, thanks for the comments and the advice! (and for listening to my rant)

To comment on your situation...

I'd expect that from a private sale, but not from a dealer.  In general, If I were to purchase a bike from a dealer (new or used) I'd expect it to be in ready to ride condition.  You are paying a premium going through a dealer in the first place, to save you the woes from private sales...

But I have ranted on stealerships before in the craiglist thread, so I'll leave it there regarding that topic...

I realize things do happen, but I don't think you are wrong in your expectations or your reaction to the problem.

- Bboy

Well, got the bike back today. Good news is that it appears to be fixed. Bad news it that it cost about $360 to get the bike out of the shop. Needless to say, I'm not pleased AT ALL with this dealership. They claim to inspect used bikes before putting them on the show room floor. Maybe they do, maybe they don't  (if they did, then they don't stand behind this claim). However since I had to take the bike to them twice (I'm partly convinced the only reason they found something the 2nd time is because I had video proof), I feel that this was an unreasonable amount to charge... especially since this occurred so short into it's lifespan since purchase from the dealership. This coupled with almost 3 week total turnaround time = a very displeased owner.

However, not all is lost. I did learn a lesson (albeit, an expensive one) - I will never EVER again buy a used bike from a dealership, it's just not worth the extra cost.