What do you think of this bike?

[billygoat333]

http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/1568840136.html

was bored and browsing through craigslist and found this bike. looks interesting I emailed him what year it was as I am not familiar with this bike. anyone know if this bike is good? bad? the price is right and I like the naked sport bike look. did I mention its pretty cheap? lol

[Twigsoffury]

http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/1568840136.html

was bored and browsing through craigslist and found this bike. looks interesting I emailed him what year it was as I am not familiar with this bike. anyone know if this bike is good? bad? the price is right and I like the naked sport bike look. did I mention its pretty cheap? lol


1250 seems like a good price for it, although a little mysterious as to why its such a low price.

I've never ridden that exact bike, but i've never had problems with either of the suzukis i owned. My RM250 ran flawless.

and a 500 is big enough, people won't give you s@#$ for riding it (i used to have a ninja250 hahahha)

post pictures if you buy it, looks like it needs a good wash n' detail. + some lovin'

if you go out there, make sure you give it a good test drive, just let him hold onto your drivers licence or something else important, so he knows even though you'll take awhile, you'll be back hahahha. i like to test drive the stuff i buy for an hour or better to get a really good understanding of whats going on, alot of the time a quick trip around the block won't let you notice some of the weird specific stuff some machines get over time.

[Luke122]

That's a good looking bike!

[Datech]

Here are some questions I always ask when looking at a motorcycle:

What year, make, and model is it? (Even if it lists it in the ad, if he can't answer this quick he probably stole the bike)
How many miles does it have?
Has it ever been dropped or in a wreck?
Does it have a clean or salvage title?
Why are you selling it?
Does the bike have any aftermarket parts?
Do you have a record of purchase for the bike and any additions?
Do you have a record of service for the bike, or a specific shop I can contact about the condition of the bike?
When was the last time you changed the oil?
(If it doesn't have fuel injection) When did you last have the carbs cleaned and the valves checked?
What tires have you used on the bike?
Are you the first owner of the bike?
How did you use the bike?

If they can answer all of those questions to your satisfaction, and you like the price, then go take a test drive. Give the guy your license or show him that you have the cash in hand in case anything goes wrong, or ask him to perform the following things in front of you on the bike to ensure quality:

Redline the bike in first gear. Depending on the bike the gas might compress and ignite in the pipe, which will usually scare anyone, but this will give you an indication of the RPM capabilities, tachometer condition, and any 'interesting' problems will usually make themselves evident.
Shift through all the gears. You wont always have a large stretch of road to hit 5th or 6th with speed, but you can still shift to there to make sure you're hitting all the gears. This also gives an indication of when the bike likes to stall once you hit 3rd and 4th at low speed.
Weave and bounce (safely). Tests the suspension and the response on the handling.

Otherwise, the GS500 is a fine bike if it mechanically sound. This is Suzuki's entry level bike, and is really only comparable to their current lineup of SV650's. The tubular frame is similar, if not the same, as one on an older model SV, and the engine is of the same bulletproof reputation of all the SV models. It's a direct competitor of the Ninja 500, so it will do exactly what you need it to do and it wont scare you.

In regards to the price, it looks like a late 90's or early 2000 model because of the tubular frame and orange paintjob. If so, he's probably basing the price off the NADA low value less work that needs to be done. I'd start by offering him 800 for it, and he'll probably end up settling at $1000 or $1100 if you have cash in hand.

[billygoat333]

great advice. I will see if he responds to my email and follow you guys' advice. I was just saying that I would like a bike this morning. :) good use for my financial aid? maybe... :think: lol

[Twigsoffury]

lol after reading that, i wanted to buy that bike for some reason

should be a salesman.

[Datech]

Have you taken an MSF course or had any experience on a bike before?

[billygoat333]

I have lots of experience on dirt bikes (not really the same thing, i know ;) ) and have rode a few sport bikes occasionally but do not have my endorsement yet. I plan on doing that sometime this spring hopefully.

the guy emailed me back and said it was a 98. I got to thinking about this bike and I dont have a real good feeling about it so I think I'm gonna pass. It just isn't the right time financially for me to be spending money on something like this. (at least thats what the rational part of my brain is saying, the other side says, you only live once, spend the money and get the bike and enjoy the hell out of it. haha)

EDIT: thanx so much for your informed response though Datech, lol your post should be part of a motorcycle buying guide or something. I know I will refer back to it in the future!

[Datech]

Both my parents had motorcycles, and my grandmother still rides, so I had to cross all my I's and dot all my T's in order to get my first bike. At 19, my requirements were:


MSF course paid for, taken, and passed
Life Insurance
Health Insurance
Motorcycle Insurance
Cost breakdown of first 6 months of ownership
Helmet, Jacket, and gloves purchased by first day of ownership
Pants, boots, and changing my own oil within first three months of ownership
Full cash in hand for motorcycle purchase, plus 25-50% of the bike's cost in the bank for repairs and extra gear


The only thing my parents required were the insurance, and the rest of it I put together so they would have absolutely no way of saying no to me getting my bike. Then, a year later, some retard decides to run over my baby while she was parked in my apartment complex :facepalm:

Oh well, I was itching to upgrade ;)

[Airbozo]

My $.02...

MSF course FTW!
IMHO ALL riders should attend this class. Heck I even feel cage drivers should attend part of this class as well.

The added benefit is that once you have the MSF certificate, your insurance rate goes down. The MSF course is also mandatory in California for riders under 19...

[billygoat333]

I believe its mandatory in Idaho to get your M class endorsement you have to take the safety class if you are under 19 as well if I remember correctly. Actually I think it also makes it cheaper even if you are over 19 too. a Good idea about life insurance, lol. will do that when I get a bike fo sho. need to get it anyways for my son.

[Datech]

Another tip: term life, not whole life or any of the other 'savings' life insurance crap.

/big fan of Dave Ramsey, but the term life is always cheaper and usually a better choice.

[Ichbin]

If you know anybody that knows a bit about engines. I would especially for that price.

You want to make sure that there isn't something serious going on with the engine or transmission. Other stuff can be fixed (Fairly) inexpensivly.

[msmrx57]

MSF course FTW!
IMHO ALL riders should attend this class. Heck I even feel cage drivers should attend part of this class as well.

Could not agree more!