I'm looking at buying a 92 with around 8k miles on it. The bike looks clean except for a slightly bent clutch handle (looks like it was dropped in the garage). He's asking 1700, is this too high? I see a lot of newer bikes go for around that much.

way to high, shouldn't be more than 1200 if it has been dropped one time, 1300 if it wasn't dropped

where do you live? (region, state, country etc...)

I've seen bikes on-line going for:
'89 $950-$1200
early 90's: $1100 - $1500
mid 90's: $1300 - $1700
late 90's: $1500-$1900

The "new" GSes ('01, '02) I've seen go for, say, $1800-$2200.
I expect that used '04s will start selling for $3500 in the spring, but will be selling below $3k by fall.

That said, after I passed MSF, I watched the paper here in Minneapolis for weeks, and only saw three private-seller GS500s. The best deal I saw at that time was a yellow '96(?) for $1800, an hour's drive from my house, which was sold before I got there (10am Saturday).  After looking for a month, I gave up and paid $1800 for a '92.  That's high compared to what folks on this site have sold early 90's bikes for, but I was without a ride, and summer was passing me by.  Who knows, if I had waited a few months, I might have missed the season, and then been unable to buy later due to financial pressures... and then where would I be?  Not riding!

The reality is that in some small markets, there just aren't too many GSes for sale, and if you wait for the right price, you need to be prepared to wait-out the whole season.  If you're willing to buy from out-of-state, then you can probably find a decent deal within a few weeks, but you may spend a very long day driving to get the bike.  And the bike isn't always in the condition that you were led to believe.  If you just drove 7 hours with a trailer to go buy the bike, it's harder to turn around and come home empty-handed because the bike isn't right.

Another factor in price, is what initial maintenance you need to do to get the bike running well.  I bought a bike that was being used as a daily commuter, so no carb cleaning was needed.  However, it needed a new tire, chain and sprockets, which cost about $200 for parts, plus more for labor.  Getting a bike with good tires, and some life left in the chain would have saved me a fair bit.  However, getting a bike that had been sitting, and needed a carb cleaning, would have cost me even more.

I paid $1500 for my '93 with 13K on it.  It's in good shape except for the end of one handlebar is scuffed up from a drop.  

I think a lot depends on your market - up here it's the first GS I've seen for sale here in the past year, and the beginner bike market is ABYSMAL. There are either no small bikes available or they're beat to hell and the owners still want 1000 for them even beat up.  

I consider myself lucky to have found what I did at that price up here, but those of you in more bike-friendly climates (I'm in Vermont) may have a much larger used market and will be able to haggle on price a bit more.  

Check your paper and cycletrader.com to see what GSs are going for in your area, that could help you sort out what a good price is in your area.

LQ

I got my 92 for $500. The thing only had 560 miles on it. (I think the price was dropped due to the pink decals!) Granted, I don't think the guy had a clue and he had a brand new buell in the garage... I think that while $1700 is high, $1200 would not be. I remember getting a retail blue book value (low mi.) of about $1500.

http://www.nadaguides.com/MCHome.aspx?LI=1-10-0-2001-3-103-26530&wSec=13&wPr=0&wPg=2003&
http://pantablo500.tripod.com/pablosgs500page/id6.html
http://kbb.com

I got my 93' w/ 11k for $1500 My theory is there is always a better deal out there waiting. But how long do YOU feel like waiting??? If it seems like a solid bike

I boght my '92 (12k miles) for $1000.  It had been dropped and had some light scratches on the engine cover, rear plastic and the forks.  The previous owner had stripped and repainted it black (was purple w/decals   ).

from trolling ebay and the boards here, $1700 seems a bit high, unless the bike was some expensive ad-ons like a good aftermarket exhaust.

Jandro, I gave 1900 for an '89 with 5500 miles on it. Granted the bike is in mint condition but the point is, if you like the bike, it is in great shape and you want it and can afford it...get it. Value, just like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. The baby G's are fun little bikes to ride, and being air-cooled and with that super strong tranny and steel double cradle frame, they're hell-for-stout. If you get it you will love it...I love my baby G...and I still love this forum :kiss:

C.......

I'm in the Austin, TX area. With our near year-round riding season there isn't really a good time of year to buy bikes it seems. I'm still pretty interested in the bike as I haven't seen too many other bikes near the price segment. Most of what seems to be available are 3-4 year old bikes going for around 3k+.

I just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting hosed.