Suspiciously low milage on a gpz 500S (EDIT: I OWN IT NOW)

[mickfulton]

Its a 1998 gpz 500s with only 24k miles which seems quite low for this type of bike (i.e. not your typical sunny Sunday toy).
Im thinking on this as my first bike on an A2 license.
Any thoughts on restricting it (I've read it performs best over 7k revs and lumpy in low revs, will a restriction mean I only get the lumpy lower revs) and what I should be looking for when viewing it would be greatly appreciated. Im looking for a trusty commuter for a 30 miles trek each way.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USED-1998-KAWASAKI-GPZ-500S-MOTORBIKE-/170700675342?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item27be8d990e#ht_500wt_1178

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom

[johnsmith222]

24k isn't "low milage" for a bike and even if it's not the right milage just check the overall condition. It's only 500 quid.

Don't bother restricting it. As long as you don't do something silly like admit it then you won't get caught. A GPZ500S screams sensible commuter anyway so plod won't be too interested.

[Nick 50]

Are you going to view this bike? If so you can check all its old MOT's and you should be able to see how the mileage has accrued.

The link below explains how to check once you have seen the VT20 test certificate.

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_10020539

[c-m]

Mileage is overrated. You just want to check condition and for regular servicing, including major services. The MOTs will tell the story of mileage.
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
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[Muscle Bike Rider]

When I bought my Divvy 1994 it had 28,000 on the clock but I got all old mot's & service history to back it up. sound like it will do you fine, as said just check over it thoroughly. There a good starter bike with a few members here owning and recomending them.
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Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[Rogerborg]

If that bike is even half-way honest, I'd bite his hand off at that price.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[pepperami]

All of the above applies, however I believe that if it seems to good to be true then usually it is .

Go and have a look, trust your instincts
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[whitedevil]

The speedo cable falls out really easy on the gpz 500 but as has been said if it checks out on the mots and the bike looks ok go for it.
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GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[Quornholio]

My '96 plate Bandit had about 22k when I got it.

[Alex A]

If you don't believe it, check the MOT history online:

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_10020539

That's not guaranteed to out a dishonest odo reading, but it'll tell you if the mileage reduces between MOTs at any point.

[Cunnington]

My '89 NTV600 shows an indicated 4.5k, which is backed up by the MoT records showing a few hundred miles each year. The bits that showed wear on my last one aren't as bad, so it could be genuine.

In any case, I reckon either I have been really lucky or it had a new set of clocks before the MoTs went electronic.

The main thing is I was happy to pay what I did for it.
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'82 C50, '81 CB100, '84 GS125, '95 NTV650, '00 Bandit 600, '06 SV650, '56 Z1000, '89 NTV600
The Shaggy D.A. wrote: "You are invisible. Those who can see you are trying to kill you."

[Polarbear]

I wouldn't leave it too long if you are going to buy it. I recon the only reason it hasn't been sold already is where it is. If that was down here I'd have it for £500, I'm sure I could make some money on that.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Rogerborg]

I've just seen where the bike is. You'd better get in there quick, or I might have it.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[jimspeed]

go look at it and see how it rides etc, its only 2 owners so could have been a sunday afternoon bike for a few years, my gpz500s had 22000 KMs on the speedo and she is a 1991, I paid £700 for it with full mot and tax and kawasaki panniers mileage doesn't mean as much as how its been ridden for those miles and at the end of the day its a £500 bike so if the engine goes bang or something you can still afford to fix it
its my 1st big bike and I like most things about it.
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Hyosung cruise 125(passed test on, sold) Kawasaki el 252 (better than expected but sold on) Kawasaki GPZ500S first "big"bike.(sold) ZZR600 E5..Z750 2007,ER5, currently on a 2008 Enfield bullet electra x and loving it..
,"Alpha-9: Is there any correlation between dyno rod and dyno kits?"

[mickfulton]

Cheers for all the replies
Rogerborg, I'll keep you posted as I will either buy it on sight or not. Hands off till 4pm tomo please =D

[Bull]

I have a Kawazaki ER5 2001 with only 13290 odd miles on the clock, If its true millage it will have most/all old MOTs ect like the ER5 i have

A friend is also thinking of buying it off me once i MOT it can he ride it on L plates if so what does he need as i just did my full test never bothered with Ls lol

[Kwaks]

Dave Hogg sees this and he will snap t up wth his gpz fetish. that price cant really go wrong
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[Glenben92]

Mine's a 97 and had 16k on the clocks when I bought it. After a quick look over the bike, the mileage is believable, the bike's been stood unused for large periods of it's life, MOTs and two eyes make that very clear. It's also been dropped / in a low speed accident at some point becasue of the fairing / mirror replacement and repairs that were apparent. Mechanically it's absolutely sound and it's not failed me yet, commuting and pleasure riding every day. Excellent bike, noisy as hell which puts the shits up you when you're not used to it. don't restrict it, there's not much point. Over 7krpm it IS a totally different bike, under that i'm getting over 70mpg, only lumpy under about 3k unless you're using a lot of throttle (in which case you should have changed down anyway!). Manages a pillion without much complaint and looks a fuck load better than other alternatives. Mine was £500 (but needed attention due to the neglect throughout it's life) so after a rad fan, C&S, plastics repaired PROPERLY and resprayed, frame scrubbed up with some emery paper and hammerite, it's cost me £700. Costs 277 to insure at 18 with 2y NCB. Who the fuck can complain at that!

Bare in mind that it WILL sound like a tractor at idle and it WILL tick more than most other engines. Should still be able to tell if somethings not right.

Things to check:

Head bearings (lift front wheel and check steering is smooth all the way from lock to lock)

Rear shock condition (mine was abit dodgy but it's freed off with use and saved me buying a pricey replacement)

Rear swingarm (hard to get at and takes a lot of stick, probably gonna need sanded and protected)

Downpipes / exhaust system in general (standard down's were shite apparently, crumble like a skint whores cunt. Mine had a nexxus pipe on so nowt to worry about there for me).

Hope this helps
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57 Huoniao HN125-8 - , 97 Kawasaki GPZ500S -
99 Yamaha FZS 600 -
Mod 2 Passed - 01/10/2010

[Beelzebob]

[mickfulton]

cheers glenben92 great advice

To all the scotlanders, Im still waiting on the dude replying before I go have a look-see so would appreciate my kilted bretheren/sisteren holding off . Im gonna wait till tea time today then maybe just buy it blind but not pay till i get to see it (I know thats a bit shitty but he aint replying, anyone know if this will incur the wrath of ebay??? )

[Glenben92]

[Bull]

[mickfulton]

Cheers for the advice, I went along and bought it £450 with chain.
Everything all checked out, he was an older Sunday driver with a nagging wife, selling the bike n full gear too.......now just need to pass my mod 1 & 2.

[whitedevil]

Grats
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GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[Rogerborg]

SON OF A BIT-... I mean, well done, excellent choice, enjoy your bike.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike