I just want to know what are the things to look for in terms of maintenance for high mileage bikes.

The bike Im looking at has 27,000 miles and i'm planning on buying it.

Is there anything i should look out for when buying this bike?

Im buying for a friend

27K is high? Hehe, guess it's all perspective. Basically, check all the wear parts, gaskets...check inside the tank. You want to know that the clutch is still tight, see if the fork seals are leaking, gaskets on the lower part of the motor. Make sure no oil is leaking through them. Start it up, listen for hanging idle, or popping in the exhaust. Is it clean inside the tank, and if you can look at the frame under the tank with a flash light. You didn't give the age of the bike, but if it has sat for long period of time you want to look at the weld joints on the frame for rust. Other than that, it's just tires/brakes/oil change stuff.

If it's registered and inspected recently, then you at least know it's road worthy.

27k isn't even broke in yet. I have put 20k on in 2 yrs and gsjack just rolled 100k on another gs500 of his.  Change the oil and lube the chain.

well it's the second gen gs500e (01-03?)
It's being used .But my doubt lies to whether the bikes alignment, any twitching when riding, throttle response, clutch and compression.

The seller won't allow us to get on the bike or do some tests with it in centre stand.
I have suggested riding it with collateral and a written document that if the bike is dropped or misused in anyway while i ride it we would take it (not even 20 meters away). But the seller being persistent about not letting anyone try the bike, its hard to make a decision. I totally respect the rule about not letting anyone ride it due to the possibility of dropping or misused but if there's a written document and the seller holding the money, i don't see why not.

The seller states that one can't say there's a problem with a bike by sound alone. Having worked on cars and bikes, i say otherwise. There's more than what meets the eye. They arent simply just a machines or toys, these guys have a soul too ^^

I don't blame him for not letting you ride it.

Surely he'll start and idle the bike for you, preferably when the bike is cold.  And even having him ride the bike after that so you can hear it go down the street, etc. is worth something.

Dan

The seller said that we'll be meeting at a place so for sure the bike won't be sitting cold by then.

Quote from: Maintenance1st on October 20, 2013, 01:27:41 PM
The seller said that we'll be meeting at a place

Yeah....I have heard that one before too....... usually when the seller doesn't want you to know where he lives!!

Sounds like this guy has a few things to hide. I would tread carefully if I were you.

27,000 isn't a lot, but it is all about maintenance. I'm a stickler about rust on certain parts. Chains, rotors, and forks should be rust free. If they didn't maintain that much, they didn't maintain anything. I walk based on those factors on 50% of the bikes I look at. Keep in mind, I'm looking at 600s at this point. I may not be that picking about a GS, but then I'm more comfortable detecting the true conditions of a GS.   I would definately want to check it cold. If he can't do that, skip on it. There are plenty of GSs to pick from.

I personally don't understand why he won't allow you to meet him where her stores the bike at. It's not like the GS is highly stolen motorcycle. 

IMHO he acts like he is selling a new corvette, instead of a GS with 27k on it. Either he is really attached to the bike or he trying to hide something. 

If you look it over and decide it is worth buying, look him in his eye and him you can do a contract that he can keeps the cash you put in his hand if the bike touches the ground while you take it a block or two. If he can't do that, walk.  There are definately more bikes out there for sale than there are people buying them.   

Quote from: redhawkdancing on October 20, 2013, 02:32:57 PM

If you look it over and decide it is worth buying, look him in his eye and him you can do a contract that he can keeps the cash you put in his hand if the bike touches the ground while you take it a block or two.

Yep  .....and when you get back he has vanished......along with the cash and in return you are left with a stolen bike!!......Its one of the oldest in the book 

Like I said.....tread carefully 

Quote from: sledge on October 20, 2013, 02:22:16 PM

Quote from: Maintenance1st on October 20, 2013, 01:27:41 PM
The seller said that we'll be meeting at a place

Yeah....I have heard that one before too....... usually when the seller doesn't want you to know where he lives!!

Sounds like this guy has a few things to hide. I would tread carefully if I were you.

Definitely agree here. Totally steer clear of this one.

Quote from: sledge on October 20, 2013, 02:39:55 PM

Quote from: redhawkdancing on October 20, 2013, 02:32:57 PM

If you look it over and decide it is worth buying, look him in his eye and him you can do a contract that he can keeps the cash you put in his hand if the bike touches the ground while you take it a block or two.

Yep  .....and when you get back he has vanished......along with the cash and in return you are left with a stolen bike!!......Its one of the oldest in the book 

Like I said.....tread carefully 

Ha...okay, I didn't say actually do it.  Just see if he is willing. That should tell you something about who your dealing with. Your not only buying a bike, your buying how the owner took care of the bike and their openness about it. It's best not even to have the cash on you, if your that concerned about getting jacked.  He could just as easily pull a gun and take the cash, as he could run while your on a test ride.

But your correct, tread carefully. If anything stinks, walk.   

Well I think it should go without saying, whenever you are looking into ANY higher value item, TAKE A FRIEND! I've been along many times for cars/bikes and have yet to run into anyone legit who is unwilling to let you test ride. Face it, if it's insured, and you are leaving your vehicle sitting next to them while you ride...not much can be fought if you dump it.

But I'm with the other guys...if he won't let you do any real looking, then something is sketchy.

My bike is my baby. At 3 years old now it still looks like it did the day I picked it up new except for a couple of tiny stone chips. The header pipes are still black! I would be reluctant to let any stranger ride it unless I had the money in my hand as security first. Under that condition I would agree. 

I agree it sounds dodgy,

To answer your original question, I would perform a cylinder pressure and oil pressure test on an older bike. It will tell you if the rings and the bearings are still ok, that pretty much covers the engine. Visual for be rest , sprocket condition, check exhaust headers POs love to break those off, make sure it starts and runs well etc.

Walk away. I can understand people getting very suspicious if you were trying to test ride a new Ducati 1199 Panigale or a brand new Kawasaki ZX-10R, but for a bike that's over 10 years old and very, very common? Dodgy as hell.

Meeting at a different place with it already warmed up is another indicator of trying to pull a fast one.

There always has to be an element of trust on both sides but lots can be done to protect yourself. If I am buying private and don't know the seller this is the way I do it.

Meet at the address the bike is registered at.....NEVER anywhere else.
I show photo ID passport is best and proof of my address and expect the seller to do the same and for his name to match the name on the bikes paperwork
I show my license and proof of my 3rd party insurance to the seller
I will leave the keys to my vehicle or offer to leave the buyer with some cash if he wishes while I take the bike.
I offer to leave my ID but insist I take his with me when I ride the bike. We swap mobile numbers and agree on a time limit for the test ride.

Anyone who is keen to sell will be co-operative and agree to these terms.

.........then if you interested you can start haggling.

Its also  important you make out and swap signed receipts showing agreed terms names addresses, sums involved and VIN numbers