A local dealer has a bike that was brought in for repairs and never picked up. Before being brought in to them it had been garaged for about 5 years after having been driven only 65 miles. If the dealer can get the title from the bank he will fix it (carborator or something... I don't remember exactly) and try to sell it for $2400.

I'm a little wary of buying a bike that sat unused for so long. Also, I'd like to not spend that much on a first bike, esp since I need to buy all the gear.

Should I try to haggle down the price or steer clear of this one entirely?

dwburman

Depends a lot on what he is prepared to do, if his is just going to get it running it may not be enough, for instance after standing for five years the tyres may well be crumbling away, cables, pipes etc all areas of concern but if the price is right a good project but I don't think you want a project. You want to get out there, right?
Can't help a lot with US values but I think that Srinath or Pantablo has published a year-for-year price guide, try "search" but best bet is shop around, make a few calls, scan a few sites.

As said, a vehicle that's been sitting that long has a lot of potential issues.
-Rust, especially inside of the gas tank
-Drained battery
-Crumbling/rotting rubber parts, including gaskets and hoses and tires
-Possibly siezed bearings
-Brake fluid, most importantly, but also oil have been accumulating water.

$2400 should get you a nice GS500 that has been better maintained 'round these parts.  For a project, I'd pay a lot less.

Quote from: dwburmanA local dealer has a bike that was brought in for repairs and never picked up. Before being brought in to them it had been garaged for about 5 years after having been driven only 65 miles. If the dealer can get the title from the bank he will fix it (carborator or something... I don't remember exactly) and try to sell it for $2400.

I'm a little wary of buying a bike that sat unused for so long. Also, I'd like to not spend that much on a first bike, esp since I need to buy all the gear.

Should I try to haggle down the price or steer clear of this one entirely?

dwburman

I paid $1k for a '98 with 18.5k miles on it that had been sitting for about 3 years. That price was once the guy got it running again. I'd either haggle him or wait for a better deal. That bike, like mine did, will need work done to it before it can run well.

Quote from: ghettorigged

Quote from: dwburmanA local dealer has a bike that was brought in for repairs and never picked up. Before being brought in to them it had been garaged for about 5 years after having been driven only 65 miles. If the dealer can get the title from the bank he will fix it (carborator or something... I don't remember exactly) and try to sell it for $2400.

I'm a little wary of buying a bike that sat unused for so long. Also, I'd like to not spend that much on a first bike, esp since I need to buy all the gear.

Should I try to haggle down the price or steer clear of this one entirely?

dwburman

I paid $1k for a '98 with 18.5k miles on it that had been sitting for about 3 years. That price was once the guy got it running again. I'd either haggle him or wait for a better deal. That bike, like mine did, will need work done to it before it can run well.

Well regular use (about 1 ride a month) and a good looong ride, but gentle useage... not redline constantly, nor is it lugging it at 2K rpm (20 mile minimum on each ride)... potentially will give the best bike at the end wiht the lowest mileage. Honestly, price seems high... especially with winter and the storms looming large... so I'd either walk or sshoot for 1/2 of his asking $$$... no biggie... figure on replacing a lot of rubber tires, fork seals, maybe battery and tank rust.... Else you'd be OK
Cool.
Srinath.

DW,

I've got a nice 1996 GS with a few dings and cosmetic blemishes.
Runs and rides great.

~2500 miles.   2 grand.  

If you have a way to get it from Iowa, let me know, as I really have to sell the bike.

Thanks for the info. Your comments confirm what I was thinking. The Kelly Blue Book value of a '96 is $1950 from a dealer.

I have a question about the size of the GS500.  I'm about 5'6" with a 30" inseam. Is this bike going to be too tall for me?

spdracer75: I'll pm you if I think of anything. I was hoping to get something a bit cheaper, but I'd also like something new enough to be reliable.

The gs will fit you fine man im 5-8 with a 31 inch inseam and i can flat foot the bike easily with it being lowered at all and the bike is bad ass not to fast but not slow either the perfect town bike.

Quote from: dwburmanI have a question about the size of the GS500.  I'm about 5'6" with a 30" inseam. Is this bike going to be too tall for me?

I'm about 5'1" with a ridiculously short inseam.  You're fine.

DW,

yeah, average blue book is about 2 grand for a 1996 GS.

Mine has 2500 miles on it.  + about $600 in addons, but has some minor cosmetic blemishes, so I figure the low milage bonus, plus the extras cancel that out.

Anyone else asking me about the bike is being told $2,400  low mileage bikes  are kinda hard to find, and command a slight price premium, at least from my knowledge.

There's nothing wrong with my GS that would keep anyone from getting on it and going, other than maybe spending a few hours lubing the choke cable I got from Kerry for it, and I'm trying to get that doen before the bike sells.

I've been riding it back and forth to work the past week and a half.  I'll certainly miss the bike, but it's not quite big enough for me to sleep under, so I think I'll sell the bike and keep my house.