FOUND: Suzuki GS500

[BLINGMW]

Guess I'll post this too! I need a cheap one, maybe $2k. Preferably a 2000+ model, and I'm not too interested in the "F" model with the fairings.

[Sijray21]

Guess I'll post this too! I need a cheap one, maybe $2k. Preferably a 2000+ model, and I'm not too interested in the "F" model with the fairings.

i bought my old '95 gs500e for $1500 and sold it for $1650. You should be able to find them lower than $2k depending on the year.

great bike! i miss it!

[BLINGMW]

You should be able to find them lower than $2k depending on the year.

I'm hoping so! Last year there were quite a few. But I'm having trouble finding any nearby right now that aren't almost brand new, but maybe in another month or so people will be selling.

[Sijray21]

I'm hoping so! Last year there were quite a few. But I'm having trouble finding any nearby right now that aren't almost brand new, but maybe in another month or so people will be selling.

bought mine in september 30 minutes after the guy posted in on CL

i'll keep an eye out for you in the dc area.

[CaptainHenreh]

What about:

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[BLINGMW]

What about:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/394109474.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 09474.html</a><!-- m -->

Those are slightly tempting... but I really don't want a 10+yr old bike :dunno:

i'll keep an eye out for you in the dc area.

I search 'em all like twice a day! There's only 1 decent one out there right now.

[Sijray21]

What about:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/394109474.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 09474.html</a><!-- m -->

Those are slightly tempting... but I really don't want a 10+yr old

when i bought my gs500e it was actually 10 years old at the time - being that old isn't really that bad, but the feel between the bikes is really different actually. i feel that the suzuki was much easier to handle and i thought it to be less in weight (probably not that different, but it felt as if the weight distribution was better on the suzuki). The older gs500e's go back until 1991 (i believe) and they're almost all the same in styling where the older motors had a few extra ponies (about 5) from 96 and prior.

[BLINGMW]

so there's an '01 with only 1800 miles on it in DC. I could get it for $2500. A bit more than I wanted to spend, but it shouldn't need a damn thing. I can't quite decide! :dunno: Someone go look at it for me? :bow:

[Mike]

sure. info?

[BLINGMW]

Thanks for the offer Mike, I'll call the guy tonight and see what I can get out of him.

*bah* I suck, overpaid on the credit card so I don't have enough left this month. :x OTOH, the guy seemed pretty straghtforward and I guess if this bike is still up next month, I'll reconsider.

[BLINGMW]

Picking this one up Saturday! An '02 with 3k some miles.

[ScottyB]

nice find Chan! i still can't believe you're gonna be on 2 wheels now (and i don't mean while driving a car).

can we be expecting a collection of busted GS500's now? those e30 parts will be feeling lonely.....

[BLINGMW]

can we be expecting a collection of busted GS500's now?

I think that's a reasonable expectation. But I figured I should start with a nice one. And who knows, if I like the bike thing, I fully expect to sell my ONLY e30.

[.RJ]

I fully expect to sell my ONLY e30.

Your head a splode

[BLINGMW]

For those who might be curious, I did buy this thing and it's like brand new as far as I can tell. Took it out for a first ride around the neighborhood Sunday and I've got a LOT to learn, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be fun. :mrgreen:

I'm also in NO hurry to get out in traffic, it's taking 105% of my brain just to keep scanning and not doing stupid, jerky things with the controls. I feel like a 15yr old again learning to drive. And as hard as it pulls at even less than 6k.... well, you won't hear me complaining about the power anytime soon.

One quick question to other carb bike owners though. Should this thing smell like fuel all the time? It's not leaking anything, not sign of a drop or wet anything. And it starts, runs fantastic, everything seems very well sealed and the hoses I can easily see are in great shape. But it will fill the garage with a faint fuel smell, and I really had to crack a rear window in the van we brought it back in. I'm perfectly willing to believe that's "normal" as I don't know much about carbs yet, and there are at least 2, maybe 3 little hoses that are drains to atmosphere/ground, so I can only guess air is getting to fuel that way.

So.... normal? Or should I start checking on something?

[.RJ]

One quick question to other carb bike owners though. Should this thing smell like fuel all the time?

Pretty much. The carb overflows will be an open vent for fumes - I doubt suzuki has changed the carbs much on that bike since the 80's.

[BLINGMW]

They really haven't. They started making this bike in '89, and there really haven't been any significant changes since.

I see recommendations for draining the carbs if it's going to sit for more than a week, I assume when/if I do that, it'll stop?

[.RJ]

If you take all the gas out, yeah it will stop smelling like gas :lol:

[BLINGMW]

bah I don't mean draining everything, just the carbs

[Kaan]

Group ride to channings place to ride him around the local roads! whos in?!?!?!