High mileage suzuki?

[mrchristian]

Hey everyone! I am looking for my first bike right now. Just got my permit and plan to take the MSF course in a couple of weeks (LONG waiting list in my area) I have been shopping around the used bike section and am a little underwhelmed by what I can find (craigslist, used inventory in dealers). Budget is under $2k which I know is very limited, but I know there are good deals to be had out there and I am really patient

I was looking at a Suzuki GS500 (early 90's) with close to 40k on the odometer at a local Suzuki dealership and aside from the terrible looking 90's splatter paint and some scratching doesn't look like it is in too poor of condition. It looks like its been through the hands of a couple of new owners, but overall not bad. Dealer wants $1650 but I am going to try to offer them 1k in cash and see if they spring for it. I was just wondering what you guys thought about the reliability of the older air cooled Suzuki motors and if it would be too far gone at 40k miles to consider. I will probably head back later when I have more cash and have them fire it up for me and listen/check for any mechanical problems (clutch, rough transmission, brakes) but barring none I might give them an offer.

Also if there are any other places I should be looking for used bikes, feel free to let me know.

Last question: I went helmet shopping the other day and a salesman recommended I purchase a helmet with DOT and SNELL ratings $150ish vs a $70 DOT only helmet. I wore both and they both fit comfortably and were both full face coverage. If I ride I only plan on driving in town cruising and was curious to know if the SNELL rating is critical or not.

[Wrider]

Well honestly 40K on a GS500 shouldn't be a problem. Ask GSJack on here... He's had two that went over 80K.
As for the helmet, there's a whole debate on whether or not the Snell helmets are better. Personally I recommend the Snell ones because there's more into their development than just the regular basic DOT ones.
Oh, and definitely offer the 1K, 1650 is way overpriced for an early 90s GS500.
Wrider

[RockBottom]

Not necessarily true on the Snell rating. Helmets that meet EU standards (Nolan, Schuberth, etc) will not get Snell approval, but it's a difference in protection theories, not quality. Snell wants a really hard outer shell while the people who set the EU standards believe a softer shell would absorb more impact ( http://www.motorcycle.com/buyers-guide/ ... 33366.html)

In this case, though, if the non-Snell helmet was also not EU certified, I too would opt for the other one.

[Lion_Lady]

I'd say the bike sounds like a good one. Higher mileage isn't a huge issue, especially on a "beginner" motorcycle. I'd be more worried about a bike that age with low mileage - rubber parts (gaskets and seals) are more likely to be dry rotted and cracked (leaky).

Offer what you think is fair, but if the bike is listed at $1600 and you offer $600 less, be prepared to be laughed at. No doubt SOMEONE will pay their price.

The helmet issue is an ongoing one, with folks adamantly in one or the other camps. I can see the points in both. You've just got to educate yourself and make the decision for yourself. One thing I WILL stress is that a full face helmet simply offers MORE protection...

In an impact percentage diagram created from a study done in Europe, the chin and lower face were the only areas of double digit percentages.

P

[Misguided Missle]

Ive been riding all kinds of machines for over 45 years.
I will never own a japanese bike over 10 years old. They have been beat like a redheaded step child, and are money pits

With 2 grand in your pocket, you can wlak into any dealer and ride out with a brand new machine.

Go look at the hyosung 250s, way more than a new rider needs, at about $3500ish Look for end of year sales, they are all over the place. I saw a Honda Rebel, new for $2700 last week

As far as helmets go, get one that has the least wind/road noise. Most of them, the first time they roll off the table, or fall off your seat or mirror, the rating is shot.

[gsJack]

I put 80k miles on my 97 GS500E myself and when it was totalled in July 03 with mostly cosmetic damage I fixed the functional parts and put it back in service. Then I found a low milage 02 GS500 and parked the 97 GS. It sat for most of 2-3 years until I gave it to my son who was looking for a commuter. He ran that original engine up close to 90k miles and replaced it with a late model used engine. Still ran OK at approx 90k miles but oil consumption was getting high at freeway speeds. I've got over 64k miles on my 02 GS500 now and it never ran better, expect it to go 3-4 more years at current reduced annual milege of approx 10k miles. After that it's a matter of who lives longer, me or the GS, may have to lower myself to a light weight cruiser then at age 80 if I win.

[RhadamYgg]

Last question: I went helmet shopping the other day and a salesman recommended I purchase a helmet with DOT and SNELL ratings $150ish vs a $70 DOT only helmet. I wore both and they both fit comfortably and were both full face coverage. If I ride I only plan on driving in town cruising and was curious to know if the SNELL rating is critical or not.

According to some resources, I've read that DOT is more than enough and in fact SNELL adds weight to the helmets and is not necessarily safer. This is due to the fact that the SNELL requirements that a helmet take 2 impacts in the same spot.

Currently, my helmet is SNELL + DOT, but sometime I'll look for something better.

Of course, some of the more expensive helmets may offer both ratings and be as light as a DOT only helmet.

RhadamYgg

[Lion_Lady]

I beg to differ on +10 year old japanese bike. I got one for $400 (18 years old at the time), put $200 into it to pass safety inspection, rode the beJesus out of it for a year and a half... sold it for $600.

Thing about starter bikes is that they're not "keepers" just stepping stones. Just make sure that is basically sound when purchased and they're fine for what they're needed for, honing/building the new skills for minimal $.

P

[Misguided Missle]

So you know what to look for, and you got lucky.

Not all first timers know what to look for.

Parts availiblity fars off at 10 years for a lot of bikes, except popular models which can have 12-15 year.

I wont gamble with my life. Thats why I always buy new. Ive owned really good deals, and have been stick with a few beaters in my 40 years on the road.

[mrchristian]

Well, I still haven't pulled the plug on the bike yet. Still saving up some extra $$$ in case I have some unexpected purchases. The bike hasn't sold yet and I figure that I will probably have a little more haggling power the longer I wait around. Hopefully nobody will buy it but like I said, I'm not in a hurry. I've been shopping around and comparing helmets and came across these:

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Hawk-Helmets ... 53838.html

$35 bucks and DOT approved. Anybody have any experience with HAWK? If this gets a unanimous vote down i'm probably going with a Bell full face @ ~$99.