Calling the Price Police

 One of my associates at work is seriously thinking of taking up
riding. He has never ridden before but has been getting some good
advice from one of his friends and hopefully me too.

He has devoured Hough's first two books. I know that because they are
mine and I can't get them back. <g>

He is also ready to take a safety course before doing any riding.

He has found an 04 Suzuki GS 500 for $3200 Loonies:
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID1383905&pgno=1&srt=1

I am not familiar with this bike.

First question is, is that a good value?

And is it a decent first bike?

Any known faults with the model?

Tanks in advance.
  

--
See Ya On The Road

2000 Yamaha Venture Millennium
2004 HD Road King

 Calgary wrote:

Many moons ago I bought that bike's ancestor, an '81 GS450E
as my first new street bike.  I loved it but couldn't wait
to get something more powerful and traded up to an '82 GPz550
when I got the chance.

The GS500 engine evolved from the GS450 which was originally
the GS400.  I have not ridden the GS500 but from what I have
read they are a very good choice for a first bike.  They're
not as powerful as the EX500, but it's not a huge difference.

Value depends a lot on the local market.  $3200 doesn't sound
freakishly high to me.  I would peruse various Craigslist cities
for some idea of what they (or comparable bikes such as the
EX500) sell for in different locales.

If I am not mistaken the esteemed Mr. Morrow has raced them,
I do know they are quite popular as racebikes.

In the tradition of plugging what you own, the naked SV is
a reasonably good beginner bike for an adult male learner.
Crash mushrooms/sliders are a good idea for any pristine
learner bike.

--
'01 SV650S  '99 EX250-F13  '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7

 wrote:


I found a couple of 04's on Craigslist in the $2800 to $2900 range.
Probably comparable to our market and $3200 Canuck bucks.

Rob is looking for more of a standard. I have suggested he look at the
Whee Stroms.

Thanks Mark. I'll pass along your comments.
  

--
See Ya On The Road

2000 Yamaha Venture Millennium
2004 HD Road King

 On 04 Mar 2008, Mark Olson wrote in news:13ss5vqpltl7ib5
@corp.supernews.com


Not my first bike, but I had an '80 GS450E.  Great bike.

--
Lew

 
Suzuki's website says $5200 for a new one.  $3200 for an '04 is in my
opinion about $500 high, but it is more-or-less a fair price, i.e. your
friend isn't getting gouged.

As far as suitability ... dry weight is about 400 lbs. -- this is just about
the right weight for a beginning male ... light enough that one can do
stupid things like forgetting to straighten up braking on a curve and not
fall over.  Bike is fast enough to get on the freeway, so it is practical
and would be a bit of fun.

Downsides ...

as the other poster mentioned, the bike is fairly vulnerable to being on its
side.  Would recommend some type of protection there (don't know what is
available).  As a first-time rider, your friend and the motorcycle will both
be together on the ground at least once or twice, typically at low speed.

I've heard that air-cooled bikes can get a bit toasty if one stays stopped
for a while.

I think the first motorcycle is a throwaway, anyway, as it is where you do
most of the falling and figure out what you want for your next motorcycle.
This seems as good as any motorcycle for a first one.

Overall impression:  get the seller to come down $500 and looks good to me.