Hello everyone - just completed my MSF course this past weekend and I am looking for a bike. Realistically I am b/n a Ninja 500 and GS500; basically it will probably come down to which one I find a better deal on first. I came across a very nice 2009 GS with about 1,500 miles. Original owner, took it through recent tune, inspected, clear title, etc. It includes a taller windscreen, higher handlebars and rear rack with hard trunk. I like the added trunk and would probably end up getting one anyway (so thats a definite bonus). Down side is that the asking price is $3,500; while probably not unreasonable, but I think it is too high. Based on your experiences, how much lower could I reasonably negotiate. I know it depends on how motivated the seller is, but I just wanted to get opinions. Thanks for the insight.

It's going to depend a lot on where you're at.  If you're in a northern climate the riding season for most people is winding down and your negotiating position is better than it would be in the spring.  Knowing nothing else though, that price doesn't seem unreasonable to me for a relatively new low mileage bike.

In my area the NADA average retail on the 2009 GS500F is $3920 US.  If you're buying from a dealer, then you can expect to be around that price point.  Buying from an individual, if it's in excellent condition you can expect about mid-way between trade-in and retail.  In my case, trade is $2980; so $3500 would be fair.  If an individual is asking retail or more, then you have to consider the upgrades/accessories they are including and if they are of value to you; e.g. would you buy frame sliders if they weren't included with the bike and how much would they cost.

Naturally at the end of the season you have more bargaining power as many people put their bikes in storage and may not want to go through the hassle of winterizing them.

Ah, yes; it would appear that is exactly how it is priced. This is in VA; there is still some fall riding that can be done. I guess my best bet is to hope for a motivated seller.

I have a 94 I would probably sell for $1600. Just did the carbs and valve lash. I live in Williamsburg, Va. If you just started riding I would buy an older bike until you know you want to ride permanently. Mine just hit 13k miles. I have seen some other GS500s for sale in Va. Where are you located?

regards
Mech

I'm looking more for something 2004+ and under 10k in NOVA.

Quote from: abandonhope16 on October 02, 2013, 11:05:20 AM
I'm looking more for something 2004+ and under 10k in NOVA.

Oh yea, you want that pretty full fairing and it has to be nice and new ... so when you crash it it will cost you lots $$$ ...
Then you can turn it into a "Bobber" and put it on CL for 5g ...
Yea ... someone is gonig to buy a Murdered out (AKA cheap sheiete rattle can paint job) GS with missing crap ... cos no one can tell you crashed wink wink ... and pay 5G for you "creativity" ...

Dude ... buy an older GS, the ycrash better, body parts are cheaper and To be honest, they are built better ... japan vs china+spain.

Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: abandonhope16 on October 02, 2013, 11:05:20 AM
I'm looking more for something 2004+ and under 10k in NOVA.

Just went through my bike being totalled.. 2004 gs500f Valued at $2310

+1 on a naked GS for your first bike. I would suggest putting case guards on it. Once you have 5-10k miles on it, then go for the fairing bike.

You could get a GS500F, take the fairing and mounting tabs off and store those. Put a headlight and case guards on it. Ride it for a season or two. Drop it in a parkinglot a few times, maybe a low side or two due to wet manhole covers and crosswalk paint, then when you feel confident and comfortable, add the plastics back on.

The older GS500E are a steal at the prices they are going for. You are getting something that is fun, fast, easy to tool on, cheap and readily available parts, and not feel bad when you scratch something.

Look at it this way. Can you see the plastics when you are riding? NO! Do they offer any real wind protection? NO! So what's the point? For looks?

Good luck with the purchase, you really cannot go wrong with either the EX500 or the GS in any year and price range. both bikes will easily do 40,000 miles with no issues if maintained properly and just ask GSjack what a GS can do if you really take good care of it.

My 2 cents,
-Denis S.

PS: I have 10 years of riding experience. Started with a GS500E in 2003, then BMW F800ST in 2009, then back to GS500F in 2013. I love the GS!!!

First off congrats on getting into bikes!  We're a little biased here sooo pick the gs!
The other things to consider are the 'hidden' costs. I picked up '05 F with only 4300 for only $1900 last Feb.  So there are good deals out there on CL. Be patient.  I think the plastics are cool and make the bike LOOK much more sporty than the E's.  The hidden costs I referred to earlier, transportation to get the bike home (cause you're not riding a bike you've not really checked out first...right), taxes, plate registration, basic maintenance like oil change and chain cleaning, and Finally the gear you need to protect yourself.  I'm in about $2700 after all that stuff. My budget was $2500. So even getting a deal on a bike I went over. Oh well.
Good luck and welcome to the boards.
Trae

http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/4105691415.html

Here is an 07 for a decent price, southwest Richmond.

regards
Mech

2007 with 2000miles Harrisburg PA $2250
http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/mcy/4031504616.html

Thanks for the input everyone. Its not that I want a fairing model, I actually prefer the naked style. It just happens that the newer models have fairings. My logic for newer is that it would be easier to track the maintenance history. I have a 43 year old VW Beetle that I do some maintenance on but sometimes am over my head. Basically, I dont want to run into problems with a bike b/c I already have alot with the car and 2 kids.
I did find a 2000 with 13k that looks pretty good and asking price is 1400. It looks fairly clean. I think I will probably look for something I can hold onto for several years and put a few thousand miles on then move on to the next bike.   

Quote from: abandonhope16 on October 03, 2013, 06:34:19 AM
Thanks for the input everyone. Its not that I want a fairing model, I actually prefer the naked style. It just happens that the newer models have fairings. My logic for newer is that it would be easier to track the maintenance history. I have a 43 year old VW Beetle that I do some maintenance on but sometimes am over my head. Basically, I dont want to run into problems with a bike b/c I already have alot with the car and 2 kids.
I did find a 2000 with 13k that looks pretty good and asking price is 1400. It looks fairly clean. I think I will probably look for something I can hold onto for several years and put a few thousand miles on then move on to the next bike.

This is a big misconception. I can turn any bloody maintenance history irrelevant in a few hours. So can any one here.
Oil change, valve adjustment, carb clean, new/cleaned air filter, spark plugs (get em iridium ones I'm impressed with those), tires when they are worn ... and you will eliminate all the surprises.
You can still get surprised ... but not from prior maintenance or lack there of ...
I would look for a low mile (10-12K is good) pre 02 bike. Cheaper the better.

Dont fly off the handle if your "new to you" GS snaps a clutch cable 3 months down the road and blame it all on the previous owner. These things happen to all of us. The "experienced" ones go huh, that didn't take long and get a new one and oil it and keep eye on it.

Pre 00 parts are easier to find too. Why just adidasguy alone has 371 side covers @ last count. Post 01 ... not so much.

Cool.
Buddha.

Thanks. So the 00 with 13k may fit the bill. assuming there are no major issues; but with an asking price of 1400 OBO, I probably have some wiggle room to get to 1200. So I'm not invested too deep.

Yes ... and wiggle like crazy and get it to a G.
Cool.
Buddha.

Get this -
http://frederick.craigslist.org/mcy/4100221693.html

Wiggle like crazy and get him to 700 ... then yank off the carbs clean em, rejet if you want to, take off the valve cover check the valves, change oil, put a new battery in it, and it will essentially forget it has been sitting a year.

12K is a pittance for it, has another 88K in it as GSJack has recently demonstrated.

Cool.
Buddha.

Snapping clutch cables... those are fickle little pieces

. Easy and cheap to replace, but annoying when they break. I had one snap out of nowhere going though town 2 blocks before I got to school. Had to walk that 2 blocks :/ Then replaced it, lubed the cable (maybe not properly?) and had a second come within 1 strand of breaking. And my clutch lever actually broke too, nearly stranding me. I dropped the bike the night prior and bent the lever. 24 hours and 100 miles later, went to drop it into 1st  gear and the lever snapped at the pivot point! So I rode it home no clutch

Quote from: mustangGT90210 on October 03, 2013, 08:56:48 AM
Snapping clutch cables... those are fickle little pieces

. Easy and cheap to replace, but annoying when they break. I had one snap out of nowhere going though town 2 blocks before I got to school. Had to walk that 2 blocks :/ Then replaced it, lubed the cable (maybe not properly?) and had a second come within 1 strand of breaking. And my clutch lever actually broke too, nearly stranding me. I dropped the bike the night prior and bent the lever. 24 hours and 100 miles later, went to drop it into 1st  gear and the lever snapped at the pivot point! So I rode it home no clutch

There may be some damage to the clutch perch or somehting.
Cool.
Buddha.

Saw the bike tonight, doesn't look too bad for a starter but I did notice some rust around the frame in a couple spots. May have been some surface rust. Seems that he bought it not running and fixed it up to sell. Probably sat outside for a while outside it appears.