Question about Motorcycle Purchasing

Vera

Vera

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Hey guys, I'm purchasing a 2006 Suzuki GS 500, its located in Pickering, and I live in Brampton. What is the best and cheapest way to get it out to my house ? The bike does not run right now so riding it is out of the question. Anyone know cheap trailer rentals ?

Also when I go to buy the bike, what do I look for?
 
My .02

One that runs. You'll find that not only will your friends say you look cool. You will be the envy of them all while they are on the bus while you are riding a working bike!

Good luck amigo~!
 
Liberation said:
Hey guys, I'm purchasing a 2006 Suzuki GS 500, its located in Pickering, and I live in Brampton. What is the best and cheapest way to get it out to my house ? The bike does not run right now so riding it is out of the question. Anyone know cheap trailer rentals ?

Also when I go to buy the bike, what do I look for?
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The cheapest option is to rent a u-haul bike trailer and and trailer it to your house. This is assuming you have a vehicle with a hitch with the appropriate weight hauling torque/hp. I think the trailer rental per day is around 25 or 30 bucks. Other options are to get someone to do it for you, I think there are guys from the forum who can do this, so do a search.

Since your bike is not running, not much other the obvious signs (rust, leak, overall wear and tear, etc)
 
xfactor said:
The cheapest option is to rent a u-haul bike trailer and and trailer it to your house. This is assuming you have a vehicle with a hitch with the appropriate weight hauling torque/hp. I think the trailer rental per day is around 25 or 30 bucks. Other options are to get someone to do it for you, I think there are guys from the forum who can do this, so do a search.

Since your bike is not running, not much other the obvious signs (rust, leak, overall wear and tear, etc)
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Yeah I looked at uhaul, it 19.95 for the bike trailer and 0.69cent/km= comes up to around 140$ , I have a lexus rx350 , I think it shuld bee enough to trailer it. what do you think?
 
Liberation said:
Yeah I looked at uhaul, it 19.95 for the bike trailer and 0.69cent/km= comes up to around 140$ , I have a lexus rx350 , I think it shuld bee enough to trailer it. what do you think?
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I'm pretty sure that there is no km charge for the trailer, are you sure you're looking at the right option. I rented is last summer and there wasn't any price/km. As for the lexus no idea man, I'm sure it can, but check our your manual. Do you have a hitch?
 
Oh I think I was reading the wrong thing, now it says its 19.95 for the trailer, but than it says I need to buy the straps , etc, which cost about 180$... anyway I don't need to purchase them ?

What is a cheap alternate way to strap the motorcycle down?
 
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Liberation said:
Oh I think I was reading the wrong thing, now it says its 19.95 for the trailer, but than it says I need to buy the straps , etc, which cost about 180$... anyway I don't need to purchase them ?
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You don't have to purchase anything you don't need man. Get the trailer and pay the tax and done. Bring your own strap and tie it down. Although, after having this conversation with you. It's probably best if you just pay some guy to do it.
 
Hahaha, im not familiar with bikes yet, I just got my m1, new rider, don't hate !
I will bring my own straps than ..hope everything goes well!
 
Hello Liberation and welcome to forum!

I also purchased a GS500F at the beginning of this season as well.

Here are a few things you want to take a look at and ask about the bike.

1) Call/Text/Email ahead and ask about the basic of the bike.
i.e. a) Is UVIP or Safety Certificate sold with the bike or provided by the owner. b) Is there any mods/upgrades done to the bike?

2) Ask if the bike has been dropped before? It is usually a 50/50 chance it has been.
It is difficult and rather expensive to install a frame slider for this bike (approx. $100+)

3) Ask when was the last time the bike received the following:
Engine Oil + Oil Filter Change
This will give you an idea how well the bike was maintain by the current owner.

Front and Rear Brake Pads
Check out the wear on the pads. If they need to be replaced use it as leverage to negotiate the price lower.
Front Brake Pads are about $50+ / Rear Brake Pads are about $40+

This was my rear brake pads after I brought it home.


Chain + Front/Rear Sprockets
Examine the chain for rust and slack. If it needs to be replaced you know the deal.
Check out the Sprocket teeth (or rather the rear sprocket - since front sprocket will be covered). Are they worn out? Need to be replaced?

Below is how you can pull on the chain from the rear sprocket to see how stretched out the chain is. If you can pull it? Replacement is needed (approx. $50+)


Brake Fluid
Examine the brake fluid for front and back. Does it need to be topped off? Or has it ever been changed? If it is the same brake fluid since 2006... Replace it ($8+)

Tires
This is important. Check out the condition of the tires. Are they worn out? Are they dried up and cracking? If so that is easily $100+ per tire.

If you can ask the owner to not start the bike until you get there, that would allow you see first hand how the bike starts up.

Take note on the RPM after it has been warmed up. It should stay around 1200k RPM-ish. When the owner has it on choke the RPM should climb up to 4000-5000k RPM for 30seconds to 2mins.

Carburetor
Ask when was the last time it has been cleaned, because that is work for you to do or someone else.

Valve Clearance Check
Ask when was the last time it checked? This stuff can affect the performance and gas mileage of the bike.

That is all I can think of now, but take a look at this site: http://wiki.gstwins.com/

Get to know the GS500 and understand how to some of the maintenance is done.

P.S. Why doesn't the bike run right now anyways? Is it something serious with the bike?
 
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Not hatin' just lookin out for you. Since you're very unfamiliar with it all, why bother just to save a few hundreds.
 
He said the only thing wrong with the bike is that it needs a new battery, it hasn't been dropped before, it was stored 2 years ago and certified back than and never ridden since because he didn't have any time . He will be trying to charge the battery tomorrow and if it works, than I can get a buddy to ride it back .

Great information @iceman86, thank you, that helps a lot!
 
Liberation said:
He said the only thing wrong with the bike is that it needs a new battery, it hasn't been dropped before, it was stored 2 years ago and certified back than and never ridden since because he didn't have any time . He will be trying to charge the battery tomorrow and if it works, than I can get a buddy to ride it back .

Great information @iceman86, thank you, that helps a lot!
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If it has been stored for two years you should really ask if the bike ever has it regular maintenance done.

This is simple rundown on what should be done to the bike before storage: http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Maintenance.Winterizing

If you plan to have a friend ride it home for you check the tire pressure (front= 33psi / rear=36psi). Ride safe :)

I am not sure if you are aware of this, but the GS500 E/F does not have a Fuel Meter or a Temperature Meter. Don't be surprised! It does however have a Trip Meter tho :)
 
Lots of great advice here already. You could always buy a new battery for it and it "should" start up. However, I would be very wary of running it with the old oil in it. In theory, oil change, plus correct tire pressures, and it should be good to go.

What kind of gas was put in it before it was stored? If there was ethanol in the gas, plus little to no stabilizer then you could be in for some decent $ to clean out the fuel system. Heck, the tank could have some nasty rust in it by now.

The bike may well only need an oil change, new tires, battery, and a valve check/adjustment and it will be good as gold.

How much of a savings are you getting versus finding a running example closer to you that is already safetied?
 
I'm picking it up for a very good deal, I got the guy down to 1300$, he's in need of cash . Lots of information here to take in, thanks guys.
 
Liberation said:
I'm picking it up for a very good deal, I got the guy down to 1300$, he's in need of cash . Lots of information here to take in, thanks guys.
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That is a very good deal. Just the same I would want to know that the thing runs and that the engine is not in need of a rebuild. If it is as decent as you make it sound then even if you have to put some $ into it you are still doing quite well on the deal.

Great choice for a first bike BTW... Quite a long production run on those bikes and should be good parts availability. :)
 
Liberation said:
I'm picking it up for a very good deal, I got the guy down to 1300$, he's in need of cash . Lots of information here to take in, thanks guys.
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That is an insane deal! How much KM is on it if you don't mind me asking?

I would highly recommend you examine the bike carefully. Find out as much information and the condition of the bike is in.

It may be too good to be true. My fingers are crossed for yall.
 
It has about 23,000kms , from the pictures, the bike looks mint, no scratch's at all or dents. I will ask him more about the bike tomorrow and keep you guys posted
 
Welcome to the forum
So you are buying a bike that does not run, looking for a cheap way to transport it and a cheap way to tie it down?

Let me guess. That you are cheap?

Ok here is the cheapest way to go about things

Go buy the bike real early and push it back to Brampton. This way it will be real cheap for you
 
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