Kawasaki GPZ EX500s D3 - Good bike to buy?

Yazta · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Karma :

Hey guys, I've seen an advert in the paper and on autotrader for a bike thats not to far from me. It's a Kawasaki GPZ EX500s D3n 1997, P reg, anybody had any experience with them?

Here's the bumph that was in the advert:

"Fitted with a 33 bhp restriction kit with all the relevent history and paperwork since imported in 2000.Millege is 24522 kms just over 15000 miles.Taxed and mot till March 2010.A good clean honest bike which has been a real confidence giver!Usual marks and scratches to reflect a 12 year old bike.Good reason for sale,a must see!No timewasters please. £795 No canvassers or agencies."

I thought for an import, the price was a bit high? Just me or am I right?

Pictures are below.

(EDIT: Oh, and my insurance company only want £30 to add it to my policy. )
Any help would be much appreciated. Smile

Pernig · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Karma :

I paid a grand for mine 3 years ago. Same reg but was in better nick and a UK model, so I agree with you the price is a bit high. But £795 is still a lot of bike for there for the money.

However, the 'usual marks and scratches' on this bike are actually more typical of a GPZ that's been down the road, rather than just reflecting on the age. This bike looks like it's been crashed due to the top fairing being replaced and sprayed in plain black with no decals, scratches on the engine side cover and lack of bellypan. The footpegs are also non-standard.

I wouldn't say don't buy it but be very wary, and a HPI check is a must.
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Omega · Crazy Courier Joined: 07 May 2009 Karma :

It's worth checking the exhausts. They look nice and clean in the pics but they're usually replaced by the time they get to this age. At that price it's hard to tell what is and isn't worth it because you get so much for your money but I would expect a similar condition UK model for not much more.

dextersaurus · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2009 Karma :

That bike's on ebay.

Have a wee search and offer the guy a wee bit less Thumbs Up

Edit: tell the guy because it's obviously been down the road and the belly pan is missing, he should give ya a discount

Dunc

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Could find a similar UK model for the same price if not cheaper.

Agree that its probably been down the road at some point, would a UK HPI check show if the bike had been a write off in another country? That would be something I would consider.

Just to give you a rough guide, i got my '98 plate for £500 on ebay, plus £100 for a new back tyre and a new clutch lever fitted before i picked it up, it had about 26,000 miles on it then. I am very pleased and while at the moment its making lots of rattles and shakes it is still running, now with 31,500 on the clock, the rattles and shakes are down to my lack of maintenance and not the bike.

Somebody else has already picked up on this but I will expand apon it a little. My pipes are rusted to buggery and both of them are very deeply scratched where it has been down the road on both sides at some point, from what i hear the GPZ standard pipes are prone to rusting so i would question how that bike has such shiney pipes, especially since all other evidence suggests it has been down the road, I would guess they have been changed at some point, not neccessarily a bad thing, just more evidence that it has been down the road.

Also the front fairing can take a battering even in a fairly minor off, the front indicators have a habit of cracking the fairing on impact, due to the way the are mounted or something, it is something I missed when i bought my bike because it is on the underside of the fairing, my fault, also the fairing has a fair chunk carved off of the corner where it slid, again the new fairing suggests an off of some sort.

I would definetly recommend a GPZ for a second bike, I'm well happy with mine Thumbs Up

Just maybe not that one at that price, as above try and knock it down a little Thumbs Up

c_dug
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tsmith · Traffic Copper Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Karma :

they are pretty tough bikes, but like others have stated its worth doing some checks beforehand.

Screen is non standard, decals have been removed. Fairing could have been replaced or just resprayed and made plain black as a "mod". Belly pan is missing as well. They usually get badly scraped with enthusiastic corning.

Footpegs have also been replaced - when I dropped mine at 60mph the fairing, mirrors, indicators, exhaust and bar ends took the brunt of the damage. Footpegs were fine. It may be that someone simply wanted to fit tarty bits.

As its an import, check headlight alignment. Some German imports have restricted carb sliders, meaning you only get 25kw. Can you take it out for a test ride? It should do 120mph at 9,800 rpm in 6th gear. Peak power is 9,800rpm, so no point revving it higher. Check the sprockets - it should be 16/42.

The bike will need a major service at 20,000 miles. Carb balance, valve clearances etc.

They need a replacement camchain around 45,000 miles. This will cost you almost as much as the bike did, unless you can fit it yourself.

They are generally good bikes though. Cheap on insurance (group 8), very good on fuel (average 65mpg, capable of 80mpg if you ride like a granny), good acceleration (0-60 4 seconds) and 120mph flat out.

T0MMY · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Karma :