Is 50,000 miles a lot for a GPZ500

[john24ssj]

I'm looking a GPZ500s 1995 that has 53000 on the clock. From the pictures it does seem like it was looked after and has 12 month MOT. The person is asking for £690

I was wondering is that too high of a mileage for the bike? It most likely will be kept only for a year before my gf can do her direct access.

Thank you
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[pompousporcup...]

yes, but only if it has been neglected.

a well maintained gpz5 that's had regular oil/filter changes and not ragged about have been known to last a lot further than 50k

engines can be replaced, should it go kaboom.. its the various consumables i'd be concerned about

[NJD]

I've said before and say again I could throw a bucket of soapy water over my chinese tiddler and have it come out looking fresh as a daisy, ACF-50 works wonders when you've got nothing but time and elbow grease.

In regards to the mileage I'd say you're looking into it far too much since you only want it for a year. It has a years M.O.T and is cheap as chips, if you don't at least go and look at it then you're going to be searching the marker umm'in and aaar'in forever. If suspension, chain and sprockets, tyres and all other basics are in good condition then go for it, run it in to the ground and sell in a years time.

edit: You could use the M.O.T history checker online with the reg number to scan through and see if there's anything you don't like the look of.

Not sure if sub £700 is your budget or just an appealing lost cost bike you're asking about but at those prices I'd say you really can't be picky.

[Rogerborg]

[john24ssj]

[arry]

Make sure you give the swing arm a really good thorough check. The bearings in there were sloppy as hell when new and really difficult to pack out to take out the play, so on a worn example I'd imagine it'll be terrible.

Brakes are very weak - or mine were - I'd imagine they're all the same, it's just not got very good equipment.

1995 is a first generation isn't it? Ask about whether it's had the flywheel magnets done recently - I think most people say they'll make it 20-30k before falling apart so if it's on 50k then you're pushing it, possibly / probably.

Exhausts rot like hell at the collector, too.

[pompousporcup...]

'95 should be gen2 so no issues with the magnets

[stinkwheel]

1995 is second gen so no worries about exploding alternator rotors.

It's approaching the mileage where it CAN need major stuff doing. A lot depends on what sort of life it's had. Has it had a camchain yet?

If oil changes have been neglected (they often are, they hold a lot of oil and need it changing fairly frequently) you can get some cam wear.

My GPZ500 engine has done over 70k miles but it's had a camchain, a new clutch and a head gasket.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[john24ssj]

Thanks for the feedback guys I'll do my best question to question the owner. Not set on buying it but it just seemed good. Just my GF really really wants a bike ASAP but I am more keep to wait and see what's out there.

Since I got an ER5 I am more common with the engine as I've spent many hours on mine :p
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[pompousporcup...]

[stinkwheel]

[Robby]

Its 20 years old. Time will have harmed it more than mileage. I would rather buy a 50k mile bike that has been in regular use for the last two years, than a 10k mile bike that has been sitting in a shed for the last two years. Inactivity kills consumables - and on a bike, just about everything is a consumable.

Buy it, but have at least £200 set aside for parts. The engine is probably fine, but it is likely to need most of a full service and I would expect to need to replace a shock, fork seals, brake disc, or chain and sprockets. All jobs that end up costing around the £100 mark. Chances are it will need tyres, from the current ones either being worn out or just ancient. When I bought my 30 year old VFR the tyres looked fine, but on closer inspection they had a date code from the 90s.

Don't spend a penny on cosmetics. Treat it as a bike to learn on, that you're allowed to crash.

[pompousporcup...]

must have quoted as i edited my mistake ^^

[Snowdonia Rider]

[john24ssj]

Well just saw the bike seems in a mint condition. Tyres all good, new brake pads and paint was lovely. No rush or flakes. Exhaust was good as well shiny no visible rust apart the downpipes but they looked good as well.

Started cold with choke on the first touch, once warmed up started again without choke with no issues. Idle was a bit low. Reved fine as well didn't hear any rattling at all.

The guy is an old man (maybe in his 60s) and he seems to repair/renovate bikes. Had few choppers and was building a trike, selling it on as it's to small for him as his last bike was a GSXR1100. So he bought the bike last month and did it up.

I also attached the MOT history.
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[Rogerborg]

So, how much did you offer?

It's not that much to lose even if it's a lemon, I'd have another.
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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

[john24ssj]

I got it down to £650, hopefully it will be good for a year
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[NJD]

[A100man]

[john24ssj]

So bought the bike and rode it back.

Very much different to my ER5, I really thought it wouldn't but it is. Engine loves to rev and gearbox is not clunky at all and really smooth (making me think the gearbox on my ER5 is going).

Ride down the motorway was great very little vibrations after a short ride it did idle just perfectly. Suspension felt good going over bumps did not hurt at all, bike felt composed.

There are small quibbles that I got now with it, the instrument panel lights don't work, great shifter is quite low and steering at slow speeds is really heavy. I think the nut might be too tight as you really need to use strength to turn the handlebars.

I am now half tempted to sell me ER5 and get a GPZ 500
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[Snod Blatter]

[john24ssj]

[Rogerborg]

Pics is thread worthless without this.
____________________
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

[pompousporcup...]

do it!

if you'd use it as a commuter you could do a lot worse. They're quite fun on the twisties if you don't push "too" hard.. the front end is soft so higher weight fork oil is a good mod. there are uprated fork springs too

the rear shock is weak. there are a few options that fit with very minor modifications, like an sv650 shock

heres mine, which i've recent stripped down to a frame, painted with mastic (boat paint for great rust prevention) and reassembled with new fork seals, wheel bearings and swing arm bearings. few more bits of bodywork to get black still
https://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w188/Sharpe2002/13116212_10154101723832464_6115935639903578504_o_zpst1oegnud.jpg
https://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w188/Sharpe2002/13147550_10154101722072464_2355652558003447219_o_zps8dkkib3m.jpg