Buying my first GS, is it a good idea or not?

[salty_monk]

If you want to keep to this style of bike... my recommendation for you is one of the Triumph Bonnie retro bikes. The earlier ones will be well within your price range by now. I would suggest going for the fuel injected one if you can find the extra $$.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/d/inglewood-2008-triumph-bonneville-low/7007666528.html

I would stay away from anything highly modded unless you know the bike/seller well or have the knowledge & skill to work with it....

Best of luck in the search!

 

[Guest]

One more vote for not to get it. Bought my 850 years ago from a friend who was 5' 3" . He bought it new and wanted the best bike money could buy. Had it all decked out with a Vetter fairing. It took him a month to get the nerve to take it out on the highway. Then a crosswind blew him a few lanes over and he had trouble controlling the bike. He then parked it and I found it tucked away in his back yard a few years later. He remarked that he would have been better off with a smaller ride.

 

[Griffin]

This bike is not lovely, it's an unrideable hunk of sh*t.

It's an $800 parts bike, only because that's what the engine, tank, and exhaust (I think it's a Bassani) would fetch you on ebay.

Don't get caught up in the "Caf? Racer" hipster stuff. I see modified bikes like this on Craigslist all the time. I have seen exactly one of them on the road in the past five - ten years. And it didn't run very well.

This guy is trying to unload his problem on you and make a lot of money while doing it. You can't run away from this fast enough.

 

[trevor]

 

[Spyder]

You need a smaller bike. Griffin is absolutely correct. We have a thread here, called "Craigslist Funnies" filled with these over priced, under built "cafe racers". "Custom" is translated as HACKED around here. We are not all purists here, but hacked up, is never a safe investment. If I were you, I would follow Jedz, and Salty's advice. For less than your budget, you can obtain a MUCH nicer bike, more suitable to your size and skill level, that you will be far more satisfied with. Good luck, and please stick around. Owning a GS isn't exactly a requirement to be a member here...

 

[VelascoRaptor]

First off, thank you to everyone who's replied and given their two cents! I was not expecting my post to gain this much attention, or to have received so much solid advice. I greatly appreciate it. I'm also so sorry for just getting back to you all. I'm going through midterms this week and haven't given the bike much thought.

But I see that the forum has truly and ​

collectively

spoken on this issue. Having read all your responses, the unanimous ​

Don't Buy It

has been heard clear as day. I'm going to prioritize financial and physical safety as you've all suggested, and will be keeping an eye out for something more in line with my skills and experience.

Again, I appreciate the warm welcome everyone. As well as all the consultation you've all provided. I'm confident that had I not asked for help here, I would have been riding that bike by the end of the week and regretting my decision. So thanks again! Though I'm kind of sad I won't have a reason to stick around the community anymore, I'll try to update this with whichever bike I do end up choosing if that's okay.

-David​

 

[rphillips]

Hey David, I don't remember reading anywhere that you must own a GS to hang around here. Evidently you didn't see the section titled "Other Bikes", Rekon what that could be all about?? Shoot, someone around here can answer questions about most anything, may not be a correct answer, but there's always an answer. I don't know exactly what you're looking for, but another nice low, lightweight bike that's not been mentioned, Kawa. ZL600 "Eliminator" 600 Ninja eng. with a custom style & a driveshaft. Welcome & good luck.

 

[Redman]

Taken a quick look at SantaBarbara CL

My forst comment is the prices! of some of them, high!

SOme that I can comment on:

SuzukiGladius
Same 2 cylinder engine (about 90 degree?) as the SV650, but more sit-upright ergonomics.
https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/d/santa-barbara-suzuki-gladius-2009-svf/7010157446.html

Ah... NO!
Way too tall for you and heavy...... and the most problem prone thing BMW ever produced (02 1150RT and the 03 some)
https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ventura-bmw-r1150rt/6998328494.html

If concerned about seat heighth, these VLX are about as low of seat height there are
https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/d/santa-barbara-2004-honda-shadow-vlx-600/6981647582.html

Maybe otyher folks here would have comment an others you might see.

 

[Griffin]

That Gladius would be 1,000 times better than the GS1000 for your needs. If you've got the money for a $3500ish bike, that bike would be hard to beat, so long as everything checks out on it ok.

The nice part is, it would be a good step up for you (but not too steep a step), and you'll never outgrow it. I've been riding street motorcycles for 36 years, and still like the 650-750cc bikes best. Plenty of power for the highway and for entertainment purposes, but small enough to be fun around town and on backroads.​

 

[1980sLiterbikes]

Cue this lovely, 1979


View attachment 59441
​

As many have already said - stay away from that bike. For 3500 you can get a smoothly running stock bike, there are GS 1150s out there for that kind of money. Ive seen nicely restored '78 bikes go for $3500. If you are getting a big GS, get a nice, stock, low mile bike. The pods are bad enough, but that "cafe" butchering turns my stomach. If you get that bike it will be the worst deal of your life.

Have you looked at the 650 and 750 GS models? Check out an 81 GS650e, beautiful bike, plenty of power, I had a silver one and the only reason Im not getting another one is because I want the 1100 version now. The 750 bikes are awesome too.

That craigslist bike is worth no more than $1500 imho. Original bike in some running condition 2000-2500. Asking $3500 for that monstrosity is a pipe dream, although some people do bite on bad deals.

 

[1948man]

https://www.thegsresources.com/pg_srch.php

A GS 650GL (with it's low seat height) would be fine for you if you want a vintage bike. Shaft-drive, low maintenance (once you get it squared away) etc. You can view one in the photo gallery of this site.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

https://www.thegsresources.com/pg_srch.php

A GS 650GL (with it's low seat height) would be fine for you if you want a vintage bike. Shaft-drive, low maintenance (once you get it squared away) etc. You can view one in the photo gallery of this site.

That’s cool. I didn’t know there exited such a gallery. I just made a submission. Still don’t know how to navigate to it from the home page.

 

[Nessism]

This one seems like a pretty good option...https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/d/camarillo-1985-honda-cb700sc-nighthawk/7011086466.html

Another...https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/d/redondo-beach-1982-suzuki-gs650-gs-650/7006757117.html
I know a guy close to this 650 that can help you get it road worthy...

 

[rphillips]

Hey, David, the OP? Go look at this Nighthawk SC . If for no other reason, just because I've always wanted one. Never cared for the Nighthawk, but the much rarer, prettier, sportier, Nighthawk SC has forever caught my eye. Seems to be very nice & orig. & $1000 less than that GS1000 he was looking at. Looks like a very nice find.

 

[Wingsconsin]

Buy a good one -- or fix a bad one $$

Buy a good one -- or fix a bad one $$

For $3500 I would sell you my 1983 GS850GL with all the creature comfort modifications and everything done.

My bike would run for as long as you want to ride it with just simple maintenance.

 

[ddaniels]

As you can see, lots of strong opinions on here but they are all backed with years of valuable experience. And yes, come back regardless of what you buy. It says GS Resources, but we welcome all bikes.

 

[wymple]

I am 5'7" on a good day. I ride a GS850. Get something closer to the ground, and a lot lighter. I suggest a good twin cylinder bike 500-600CC at most.