First Bike: EX500, GS500, etc...

[JVRR]

Still toying with pursuing that 2001 Shadow, its the best looking cruiser in my price range I have seen. Bummed I missed that 2007 GS500F for $2550 at the dealer, he tried to sell me on a brand new 2009 for $3300, sounds like a great deal but throw tax on that and we are $600 over my MAXIMUM budget .

Might look into the Blast if nothing else pops up soon. I think my fear is trashing the motor by not hearing the redline. Though I think it would be easy to learn.

[Superfly3176]

I believe those engines are fitted with rev limiters so you'll bounce it off that if you do get to that point.

[JVRR]

Might have to give the blast a better look. I have a little, my main concern would be top speed, doesn't seem too confident it will get me over a mountain pass at 75mph, but realistically that is minor. That and resale value are two concerns. Someone just posted a GS500 but the price is a bit high at $3,000, once I find out what year maybe I can talk him down .

[JVRR]

Well its a 2005 and I told him blue book says thats $2500, but at 8k miles (his is at 20k)... waiting to see what he says. He did ask when I could buy it at $2500 so he is at least somewhat reasonable . EDIT: He said to let him know... get a not as great deal for the bike I want, or be patient and hope a better deal comes my way? We are getting closer and closer to riding season and higher prices EDIT II: My buddy is pointing out the new 2009 might be worth the few extra bucks for no miles

EDIT III: Egahd. The 2009 is $3399. It may be eligible for another $1000 off, cannot tell if they already applied it or not. But even if not... I could put half $1700 down, and finance the other $1700- of which I COULD pay off now, but if I finance for a year that puts me paying a whopping $17 in interest, and gives me some more float time to get employed. I feel like I could save $1,000 and get the 20k mile one, but the brand new one will hold better resale value... and in a way its cheaper if I can finance because my concern is not the money going out, its my money coming in (IE I would be fine spending all that on the 2009 if I had income right now)... Damn temptation! Advice?

Got an e-mail about a Ninja 500 as well, did not attach a price. He says he cut the back fender to shorten it but I cannot tell from the picture, what am I missing, why would someone do this, etc... Pic attached.

[JC Viper]

It looks like he got/ did a fender eliminator. The part where the license plate bolts on is supposed to be a long black plastic piece reaching to about the top quarter of the rear wheel except the rear turn signals remain unchanged. It looks pretty clean. in the back, now how about the front and the fairing? And them carbs and tank...

As for the dealer, try going in with passing interest and they might drop the price for you or give you the price without adding tax (which is like dropping the price anyhow) but you'd still have to pay vehicle registration and such. I do this all the time with the bike dealers near me. They usually tell me I could have the bike and knock off $500 - 1200 if I buy today (depends on model and year, usually hold overs or used bikes). Though in my case it really was a passing interest.

Any more Craigslist/ local finds? How many dealers in your area?

[JVRR]

It looks like he got/ did a fender eliminator. The part where the license plate bolts on is supposed to be a long black plastic piece reaching to about the top quarter of the rear wheel except the rear turn signals remain unchanged. It looks pretty clean. in the back, now how about the front and the fairing?

There was more included (pictures), it is very good condition. He just paid it off though so does not have the title in hand yet or something. Said it will be a couple weeks. Unless the price is way low... I think in the immediate future it comes down to the Buell Blast or the new 2009 GS500. Anything in-between price wise I am going to be asking myself "Why not just spend the $500 more for the NEW bike with zero miles?" But $1,000 more is easier to justify, particularly when the Blast is low miles (the used GS500 is similar price, but 20k miles).

[Wrider]

I've gotta put in my .02 here. Even if the GS has 20K miles I'd still go for it over a brand new Blast. Mainly because it's got a better power delivery and isn't as full of vibrations as the Blast. (It's full of them because they took a Sportster engine and took off a cylinder to make a single cylinder motor for it.)
Plus I know the GS will easily do over 100K with regular maintenance. If you PM GSJack he'll tell you for sure.

Oh and as for a tach. I never had a tach in my first manual car or on my first motorcycle. Didn't make much difference, and I didn't worry about paying too much attention to the tach vs. the road.

Just my .02!

[JVRR]

I guess what it comes down to at the moment (seems to change every few days) from least to highest price... (EDIT: By the way, my performance benchmark is still sort of hoping it will get me over the mountain pass (steep slope) at the 75mph speed limit. Less confident in the Buell there but realistically it will not happen probably more than a few times).

1- 1981 Yamaha XV920R w/ 38k miles - $1095
2- 2004 Buell Blast w/ 3.7k miles - $2200
3- 2005 Suzuki GS500F w/ 20k miles- $2500*
4- 2009 Suzuki GS500F w/ 0 miles - $3399

*I already worked him down from $3,000, not sure I can get him lower. I feel dirty paying more than Blue Book value honestly ($2,500 is KBB value, but assuming 9k miles, not 20k). Most of the others I of course assume I can work them down a little.

I know #1 is a big engine, but the price is great and I suspect it may be a bit too much, but not like a 600cc sportbike too much. #2 is great, not a huge fan of the lack of the tachometer, but the rev limiter makes up for it, the vibrations is an issue but I am not going to find a bike without a single negative. #3 is great but it gets into the realm of "why not spend a little more for brand new," which is dangerous because that game can be played until you are spending big money. #4 is obviously great, the bike I want, the condition I want, but outside my price range. I could do it, particularly with the great financing, but enough people have me thinking I will be ready to upgrade within a few months that its making me doubt it a little more.

There is also the 1992 Kawasaki EX500 w/ 34k miles - $1300, but the distance, condition, etc. makes it not a super attractive option.

I feel like the Buell is a great place to start because the price is very doable, its new and low enough miles I can be somewhat confident in it. I would rather have the 2005 GS500, and maybe it has thousands and thousands of more miles on it, but I would hate to get it home, have it die a week later, and require $1000 worth of repairs- makes me think its worth the extra cash for the brand new 2009 model.

Of course there is no law that I need to buy one of these models, but I do not want to get in a situation where weather gets good, prices go up, and I missed a deal and regret it.

(Guy wants $3k for the Ninja I posted the pic of, told him no thanks if I spend that much I will go for the brand new GS500)

[JC Viper]

You can find good clean low cost bikes on CL or local paper and many times it will be bikes mentioned because their owners want something newer with more power and they want to get rid of it so they can get a new bike for the summer. If the GS has 20k miles ask the guy about the most recent service it had and what was changed out. Would advise against brand new though. Insurance will be high for a new rider with a new bike that has a higher value. Plus it sucks when you ding a brand new bike should you drop it. Is this the only dealer you have nearby?

[JVRR]

You can find good clean low cost bikes on CL or local paper and many times it will be bikes mentioned because their owners want something newer with more power and they want to get rid of it so they can get a new bike for the summer. If the GS has 20k miles ask the guy about the most recent service it had and what was changed out. Would advise against brand new though. Insurance will be high for a new rider with a new bike that has a higher value. Plus it sucks when you ding a brand new bike should you drop it. Is this the only dealer you have nearby?

No there are about a million dealers, I am right outside Seattle. I am only going to insure liability I think. Unless I can drop my insurance down on my car (due to less frequent driving) to make up for the insurance cost of the bike.

I think if he will drop down to $2,300 I will pursue it. He wants to include two helmets I have no interest in so if I tell him to keep those and sell later he may go for it. He is also clearly interested in a quick sale, and I am interested in a quick buy. I could get my dad or buddy out there this weekend probably- both are very experienced. But I have another buddy with probably 4+ years of riding experience who I could probably get out to see it on Thursday even.

Like I said, I just feel dirty paying over Blue Book . If I were 100% confident in its quality being comprable to the Blast I would not even be considering the Blast. I love everything I have read about the GS500- though to be fair I have not sat on one, maybe I will plunk down and it will be a horrible fit .