What would you pay for my bike?

[KnuckleBallz]

I know you guys are all bad-ass trackday riders so you wouldn't actually pay for it, but put yourselves in the shoes of a new rider for a minute. I'm thinking about selling my GS this fall/winter & trying something different. I love her & actually don't have many complaints, I'd just like to try out a bigger twin, maybe an I4.

Before I get too emotional typing this, here's the important stuff:

2008 GS500F. 6k miles now, probably be closer to 7/7.5 by the time I'm selling.
New Pirelli Sport Demon tires this year. Super grippy, still even have some nubbies on em.
Bled the brake lines and changed the fluid this spring.
Even got some speed bleeders (worked great) that I'll leave on so it will be easier on the next owner.
Flushmount signals
Fender eliminated.
I clean and lube the chain regularly. No rust or anything like that.
Cosmetically she's in pretty good shape. Had a low speed accident in the rain last year, so one fairing is a bit scratched, as is the mirror/brake lever on that side.
Alot of people turn these into naked bikes anyway though.
This is the bike right after the crash, looking its worst:

Not too bad huh? Other than that, it's stock as can be. Haven't tinkered with the engine, other than changing the oil.

What do you guys think I can get for this? I'm hoping for around 3k. What info am I leaving out that would help persuade a potential buyer? I'd definitely include a piece about it being a great beginner bike (it is), but I know you guys read about that stuff enough on here.

Thanks for taking a minute to give me a hand with this.

[OreoGaborio]

I know you guys are all bad-ass trackday riders so you wouldn't actually pay for it...

Really? Is that really what you think?


Whatever... to answer your question, it's probably worth roughly 3g's (maybe) like you said. Including gas mileage might help you sell it too.

[KnuckleBallz]

Really? Is that really what you think?


Whatever...

No shots fired. Don't want anyone to take that the wrong way. I just know a lot of people here are already on bigger bikes, so you're probably not my market. But being that you're more experienced, you also have more insight.

[Woodsy]

In a perfect market I think 3k is not unreasonable. However we are getting to that tipping point in the year where only the bargain hunters are looking because the season is almost over. If you try to sell anymore than 2mo from now be prepared to field a lot of offers in the 2200-2500 range. Someone may step up with the 3k but probably not until spring

[Woodsy]

No shots fired. Don't want anyone to take that the wrong way. I just know a lot of people here are already on bigger bikes, so you're probably not my market. But being that you're more experienced, you also have more insight.

Worth noting that pete does all his "badass racing" on the bike that is just one step up from this one in Suzuki's model range. Also IIRC ex500 kawi's are super popular as track bikes and that is a direct competitor to this one.

[OreoGaborio]

No shots fired. Don't want anyone to take that the wrong way. I just know a lot of people here are already on bigger bikes, so you're probably not my market. But being that you're more experienced, you also have more insight.

Understood... Just a lotta street only riders on here bitch about track riders "taking over" the forum.

Anyway, we all started somewhere. We were all there once.

[Rossco]

In a perfect market I think 3k is not unreasonable. However we are getting to that tipping point in the year where only the bargain hunters are looking because the season is almost over. If you try to sell anymore than 2mo from now be prepared to field a lot of offers in the 2200-2500 range. Someone may step up with the 3k but probably not until spring

Just ride it the rest of the season, when winter comes, drain the carbs (so you don't get varnish), unplug the battery, and mothball the thing.

You should be able to get close to 3 come springtime.

[Chippertheripper]

I actually own a gs500. And I am a badass trackday rider. I have no idea what yours is worth...best guess, 2400 in today's market.

[jasnmar]

Just ride it the rest of the season, when winter comes, drain the carbs (so you don't get varnish), unplug the battery, and mothball the thing.

You should be able to get close to 3 come springtime.

This.

Only bargain hunters are starting to take over the market right now and that will continue to get worse as winter comes. Winterize it well, wait for a spring sale would be my recommendation. Stuff in Boston tends to be a bit higher than the great north woods, so that's a plus for you.

[Rossco]

In regards to the scratches, you may want to buy a few touch-up paint pens from an auto parts store.

The silver and red might be hard to match, but the black bits are easy.


I know it may not seem like much, but $25 worth of touch-up paint can make a big difference.

[KnuckleBallz]

I actually own a gs500. And I am a badass trackday rider. I have no idea what yours is worth...best guess, 2400 in today's market.

I'm gonna have to hope the craigslister's have distorted the market then. I remember seeing 06s & 07s for more than 3k when I bought this last march.

You mind me asking what your second bike was? I'm looking at 650rs, SV650S's, maybe a GSXR?

This.

Only bargain hunters are starting to take over the market right now and that will continue to get worse as winter comes. Winterize it well, wait for a spring sale would be my recommendation. Stuff in Boston tends to be a bit higher than the great north woods, so that's a plus for you.

I do not mind winterizing it at all, most likely what is going to happen. I don't care if it sits on CL all winter. I'm trying to bargain hunt on a new bike myself, is the only problem. Got to sell this one first, though.

In regards to the scratches, you may want to buy a few touch-up paint pens from an auto parts store.

The silver and red might be hard to match, but the black bits are easy.


I know it may not seem like much, but $25 worth of touch-up paint can make a big difference.

Great call.

[jasnmar]

I'm gonna have to hope the craigslister's have distorted the market then. I remember seeing 06s & 07s for more than 3k when I bought this last march.

Don't confuse asking prices for sales prices. I'm currently in discussion with a guy (on CL) who's bike listed for just under 3k,and were talking about $1100 under listing price.

If you don't mind waiting, you can get a better price. If you need a quick sale, price better be great.

Between $2500 and $3000 sounds like a good springtime price.

[KnuckleBallz]

Probably gonna go ahead and put it up for for 3.5 then. I'll either get really lucky and have someone pay list price, or I'll accept the reasonable offers when they come in.

[Garandman]

Cosmetic damage hurts value pretty hard. I replace them with new and sell the damaged parts on ebay.

/Stuff in Boston tends to be a bit higher than the great north woods, so that's a plus for you.

Or, not. Last four bikes I sold went to people in RI, NH, ME, and MA.

Sold my SV650 in Boston for $4,050. Similar bike sold in Maine for $4,000.

[drinkingmymilk]

Probably gonna go ahead and put it up for for 3.5 then. I'll either get really lucky and have someone pay list price, or I'll accept the reasonable offers when they come in.

Or you'll miss out on the $3,000 guys because they don't want to deal with the hassle of a CL seller who thinks they own gold.

[Woodsy]

Or you'll miss out on the $3,000 guys because they don't want to deal with the hassle of a CL seller who thinks they own gold.

This

When i am searching CL i put my budget in the search filter. So if i am willing to spend 3k at most you would not even show up on my radar

[nhbubba]

Got to sell this one first, though.

That's the tough part, eh?

If you have the means and the space, bringing home the new one and then selling the old one will probably net you more cash on both transactions. I know that's not an option for most of us.

I'm currently in discussion with a guy (on CL) who's bike listed for just under 3k,and were talking about $1100 under listing price.

NHBubba likes this.

[Doc]

Trade is $1920. Retail is $2835.

What would I pay if I was in the market for a stock, low mileage, previously crashed GS500F?

No more than $2000.

Could get these too...

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcd/3171337584.html

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/3204057184.html

[GingahNinjah]

what are thoughts on turning this into a trackbike/racebike for next season? is there a class for it? would it be good enough to 'compete'??

[nhbubba]

I think the prevailing opinion is that the air cooled GS gets slaughtered by the water-cooled Kawi EX500. Wiki says it is good for < 50 HP.

But I am far from an expert here.

[KnuckleBallz]

This

When i am searching CL i put my budget in the search filter. So if i am willing to spend 3k at most you would not even show up on my radar

This is true. I usually search for the machine I want & then get an idea for the market. No doubt people search both ways though.

[Garandman]

This is true. I usually search for the machine I want & then get an idea for the market. No doubt people search both ways though.

I tend to regard those "high-ballers" as naive and not worth the time to talk to, or someone who doesn't really want to sell the bike. You see that all the time with boys toys: "Honey - I'm trying to sell it."

Suppose you sell your bike and start looking for another. And a buddy tells you "Hey, I know this bike that was owned by a new rider, has been dropped and shows cosmetic damage, and he's asking 20% over dealer retail. Want to take a look?" Would you go?

I put my SV650S with ultra-low mileage, perfect condition Penske shock and Racetech cartridges for $4,800. It sat here for 8 months without a single offer. Pulled off the Penske and listed it in CL for $4,050. It sold in a day with three guys lined up behind the first one. If you want to sell it, get real on the price: remeber why they say the day you pick up a new bike is the second happiest day of your life!

[TheIglu]

For $3k, it better come with an SV.

[KB]

Two-fifty and a jawbreaker?

A dollar and some envelopes?

KB

[KnuckleBallz]

ZING!