Honda GL500 good starter bike?

[lunchmeat]

There's one up on craiglist in my area, going for $2150. The Kelley Blue Book value is $1475 for the '81 model, so I could probably haggle him down. It's got a windshield and saddlebags, which add about $70 to the KBB price.

I don't know about the condition of the bike - it probably has a lot of miles on it, and it might need some maintenance. I have no idea, I'm just speculating; I haven't seen the bike yet.

Now, the question is...could this be an alright starter bike? I don't know anything about this model. Should I skip it and look for something else? If there's anyone with experience riding this particular bike, I'd like to hear your opinions. Those who haven't ridden the bike but know the specs, please also contribute. Don't want to end up purchasing something that I don't have the skill to handle.

[lunchmeat]

Talked to a motorcyclist at my work just now, who said the bike isn't worth buying, not even at the KBB price. Any more opinions?

[flynrider]

It all depends on it's condition. If it is in excellent condition and doesn't need any maintenance, the seller could probably expect to get the BB price. $2150 is absurd.

One of the biggest problems I see on the old CX500s is corrision in the liquid cooling system, due to sitting in a garage for 15 yrs.

Assuming the bike is in good shape, it would make an excellent starter. Pretty mild throttle response, but still big enough to hit the freeways with confidence.

Back in '81, a water-cooled twin was an oddity in motorcycles. The CX shares very few parts with other models. If it needs work, parts can be difficult to come by, which is why the CX is not a great candidate as a "fixxer upper".

[jstark47]

Read up: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CX_series

[Johnj]

Wow I just got home from work, riding my GL500. They are nice little bikes, a bit underpowered with the fairing and bags, and kinda top heavy. To me it's a thinking mans bike. You have to think about everything your going to do, because you can not just twist the throttle and zoom away.

Yesterday I ran into some guy who bought a CX500C for $50.00. It still had a 1981 Kansas plate on it and had been sitting in a garage all that time. He said all he did was rebuild the carbs to get it running. He turned it into a 'bobber', really cool. I'll get some pictures of it later.

[High_Side]

They sold a billion of the things back in the day and the later ones('81 and up)had most of the kinks worked out. They are top heavy and are not the fastest thing going but if the charging system is o.k. you should be fine. With any bike that old you should check the condition of engine seals, fork seals, and bearing cables as well. The price seems to be a little steep however. 10 years ago in my area they were going for $1200-$1500 for mint ones. They seem to have gone up since then.... You will likely not lose any $ if you get a good deal, but make sure that you have the physical strength and size to handle this heavier bike. Parts are everywhere (wreckers) due to the amount of them that were originally sold. My father had the 500 way back when it was almost new and I had the CX650E when it was almost new. If you can get your hands on the 650 it is a significantly better motorcycle. If you are in the U.S. the only 650 available was the custom. The E model that I had had triple disk brakes, pro-link suspension and would go 350km between fill-ups. It was twice the bike that the '83 650 Nighthawk was that I had at the same time.

[flynrider]

If you are in the U.S. the only 650 available was the custom.

Let's not forget the 650 Turbo model That was one fast bike.

[JCS]

Lunchmeat, where are you located? I know of one for sale right now. Runs good as far as I know. The guy just bought a new Connie and doesn't ride the 500 any more.

[High_Side]

If you are in the U.S. the only 650 available was the custom.

Let's not forget the 650 Turbo model That was one fast bike.

Right you are....

[Bubba]

There's one up on craiglist in my area, going for $2150. The Kelley Blue Book value is $1475 for the '81 model, so I could probably haggle him down. It's got a windshield and saddlebags, which add about $70 to the KBB price.

I don't know about the condition of the bike - it probably has a lot of miles on it, and it might need some maintenance. I have no idea, I'm just speculating; I haven't seen the bike yet.

Now, the question is...could this be an alright starter bike? I don't know anything about this model. Should I skip it and look for something else? If there's anyone with experience riding this particular bike, I'd like to hear your opinions. Those who haven't ridden the bike but know the specs, please also contribute. Don't want to end up purchasing something that I don't have the skill to handle.

Good starter, but take my word. You're going to want something bigger real fast.