My first GS

[GuernseyGS]

Hello everyone!
Let me preface this by saying that I’ve read the stator papers, the “what to watch out for” page and the “newbie mistakes” thread. I’ve helped my dad with his motorcycle repairs and maintenance for a couple of years now and I feel the time has come for me to have a project of my own.
I’ve been considering purchasing a GS850G, and I have 2 options. I would really appreciate any advice from you all. Not sure of the exact year but I believe both are early 80s models.
Option 1: “The brown one” - just over 22k miles, advertised as missing side panels and needing carbs cleaned. Was in good running condition as of 6 months ago. Price is ?1600.

Option 2: “The black one” - 40k miles, not missing any panels carbs “may or may not” need cleaning. Also was running well 6 months ago. Price is ?1800. No pictures yet as the bike won’t be at the garage until next month.

I appreciate it’s not a lot to go on, but can you see anything in these photos that should make me avoid the brown one? What’s your opinion on the mileages? I hope to be able to visit the bikes in the next few weeks or early new year, is there anything you can see that warrants a close look? Any critical/important questions I should ask the seller? He sells a lot of classic Suzukis and has an excellent reputation so I imagine he’d spot any glaring issues.

I will update you all as and when I learn anything new.

Thanks in advance for your help and I apologise if the post was a bit long!
Thomas

 

[dorkburger]

Welcome. Good running condition 6 months ago, needs carbs cleaned now is suspect to me. Yes, today's gas sucks, but in unfortunate instances my bike has sat that long plus with no carb attention needed. I see a blued aftermarket exhaust suggesting that the carbs may not have been tuned to work with the exhaust. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but questions to ask / negotiate with the seller. Not sure of conditions in your part of the world, but GS 850s are not really rare here. Couldn't hurt to shop around.

 

[Nessism]

Pretty much all GS's need a carb rebuild, more or less (GSR members excepted.) I'd go for the lower mileage machine, because that means there is less chance for owner abuse.

 

[rphillips]

Not much to go on, but I thought the same thing as dork, even before I saw what he wrote. To me, good running 6 mo. ago, shouldn't need carbs cleaned now. This one has a hot rodding exhaust, possibly been hot rodded. Check out #2, if it's got stock exhaust, all body panels, running well 6 mo. ago, possibly still running well. I wouldn't let the 40K mi. bother me much, at all... Oh, almost forgot, WELCOME to the GSR.

 

[GuernseyGS]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated. I’ll ask some more questions about bike #2 and go from there.