Buying a used GS500

[Dot_Comm]

Hi all,

Hmmmm, not quite sure where I should put this, so I'll stick it here. I'm looking for a first bike, having passed my test but still riding my Peugeot Speedfight 100 (love it but yearning for a gearbox!). I've been looking at the Suzuki GS 500, seems quite nice for me as a first bike.

I've spotted this particular one, a 52 reg, which is apparently a cat D write off (Category D - Repairable. Probably non-structural damage. May have been economic to repair, but insurer doesn't want to). Also it's done 20,000 miles (so I'm assuming ex- courier). It'll set me back a grand, which imo isn't too bad if it doesn't need too much doing to it (gonna phone the seller tomorrow and find out what needs doing).

What should I look for when buying a used GS 500? Can anyone offer me any tips? In particular, since this one has been down the road, what should I be looking for if I decide to go and view it?

Thanks for any help you can offer me guys, it's all much appreciated. Help me get a gearbox!

Rach

[DanceLikeAMon...]

To be honest, if it's your first "big bike" I wouldn't spend that much money on a GS. They are fine for messing around on, but you'll soon find that you want more power.

The main problem I have had with mine are electrics (I've had to replace the regulator twice in 6 months!) but his might not be such a problem on a newer bike.

My GS cost me £900 on eBay (although I spent about £400 keeping it on the road for the last year ), and I feel myself getting more and more bored with each passing day. Being a skinflint I am going to wait until next year before I buy something better.

[Dot_Comm]

I'm a student currently on placement. I've got a bit of cash this year, so I want to replace my scooter if I can. Then for the next 2 years (at least, while I'm still a student) I'll keep this bike. It's my only transport (I can drive but I hate driving so I won't be getting a car). I don't want a crotch rocket. I don't want anything too powerful, or too big (I'm female so I'm limited on bikes where I can touch the ground!). Plus it'll have to be restricted until September anyway, since I can currently only ride something that's 33bhp or less.

Personally I feel that a GS500 (or similar, ER-5, CB500 etc) is the perfect bike for me right now. Cheap to run, cheap to insure, much more power than my scooter, and a gearbox.

Unfortunately, I received an email from the seller of the cat D motorcycle who claims there isn't anything wrong with the bike. So now I don't trust him as far as I can throw him (and as I said, I'm female, I throw like a girl). I might still take a look at it so I can compare it to others I see, but I doubt I'll be parting with my grand.

Thanks for your input tho, I'll take it into consideration.

Rach

[BWW]

The GS500 is on my shortlist for my next bike although I've been recommended a couple of others, particularly a BANDIT GSF600, which is growing on me.

[Zimbo]

For your grand you should be able to get a good one that needs nothing fixing.
The ER5 and CB500 are both a bit more modern mechanically (though the GS is pretty bulletproof) and the CB500 would make a really good choice as they're relatively fast, pretty reliable, and withstand the ravages of winter better than most.

[Mark_petty]

Hi Mate

To be honest mate I wouldn't touch that bike. For a start if you ever want to sell it u will have problems, secondly i'm sure insurers will know that its a CAT D so it may need further inspections and thirdly its fairly high miles for the age so its quite expensive imo.
I was browsing bike trader and think I found the CAT D one, if you look at the X reg one below it, I think its a much better buy (depending on mileage):

https://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/bikes_search.asp?modelexact=1&make=SUZUKI&model=GS&ccappr=500&min_pr=75&max_pr=&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=bh8+8jn&miles=200&max_records=50&source=0&keywords=&photo=1&sort=3&search=SEARCH

Even the 2nd one from the bottom (red one) looks good only 15k miles and you may be able to get some sort of warranty and trade your scooter in.
____________________
[Rides: Suzuki GSF600sx]
[CBT: Passed] [Theory: Passed] [DAS: Passed]

[Dot_Comm]

Hmmm there's a few on there that I hadn't seen before. Yeah that's the cat D one, I'm not so keen either since the seller has told me there's nothing wrong with it.

I'm now rather tempted by this one, already restricted and looks a beauty. And it's coming from a dealer which I'd prefer to a private sale. Anybody got anything to say on CB500s?

The X reg GS seems nice, but I'd like something that's quite close to me as well (currently Birmingham area). So 120 miles is a bit too far away really.

Cheers for the input tho, you've all been a great help

Rach