Buying used motorcycle experience + asking recommendations

I bought a GS 500E 1998 from a dealer. It had a few dents and scratches but
I could live with that.
I checked quickly on the net and saw it was a good bike.
I asked for a test ride and they agreed to let me do it, after signing some
papers. So I went for a test ride and it was all fine.

After I went back to sign the papers, they took the bike to "clean" it up.
Afterwards, the more I think about it, the more it seemed that the sound the
bike made during the test drive was more "deep" than when I am riding it
now. (Now it sounds like a "lawn mower" which seems to be the "normal" sound
for a GS 500.)
*** Anyone would know why? (or I maybe dreamt it?)

I saw on the bike some stickers saying that the bike has been inspected
etc... and the salesman told me the routine maintenance was done.
Nevertheless, when I checked the battery, it seems that the level is lower
than the minimum (but I might be wrong as it's the first time I don't have a
maintenance free battery). And the air filter seemed dirty (I did unscrew
the tank to take the air filter out.). Furthermore, I could not take out one
of the spark plug to inspect it. (The other one seemed fine, I think it is
original as the bike has less than 6000m.)

Apart from that, oil, thread wear, chain, fuel line from 2004... were ok.
(As far as I could tell, I am no mechanic)

*** Would anyone know a nice mechanic/an experienced person in Austin or
Houston that would re-inspect the bike for me and tell me what to look for?
and what should be repaired?

*** Would you think the dealer would be nice enough to check/fix the above
items for free? (I have not asked yet.)

BTW: I saw afterwards a checklist for buying a used motorcycle with very
sound advices. (That I obviously have not followed.)

One of the best advice is to be able to put the bike back up vertically... I
am not sure that this is very practical though, I don't see anyone ready to
lay the bike down just so that a buyer could try to put it up.

Yes I did drop the bike when I tried to put it on center-stand with a helmet
on the bike... first the helmet fell, then the bike... fortunately it did
not hit the ground as the garbage bin stopped the fall. Nevertheless,
putting the bike back up was HARD. (Thought I would share this for people to
have a good laugh

Anyway, any input/help on the lines with *** would be welcome.

Having a bike is fun!
PS: this is my first post, please be kind if I infringed any etiquette.

 

Hey Duy, your post was okay, to me.
The topic was a little unclear.
Not sure what you meant when you said it sounded one way when your rode
for a test ride, and another when they cleaned it up?
Is this by chance your first Bike, ever?
A 500 is not a very big bike ya know?
You may regret buying a 500, within weeks or months. (maybe?)
I don't know what a GS500 E, is?
Honda? I wouldve told the type?
But this is a well learned group, I imagine 90% in this Tx.moto know
what it is?
Yes, I know I would take it right back, now, and get em' to answer your
questions? If its a reliable dealership, they'll satisfy you, I think.
welcome, come back.
(bjay)

 

I think it's a suzuki. 500 isn't too small at all. I spent 3 months
touring the western US on a 550 Honda the summer of 1975. Maybe i
didn't know it was too small which is why there were no problems at all,
even in the reaches of the empty West. Sure am glad no one told me any
different or the trip might not have been so great.

 

I would recommend someone in Houston, Grand Prix Motorcycles on Richmond
Ave. near Gessner. The young owner is very honest (won't bullshit ya) and
about 70% what you would pay at a Suzuki dealer. Mostly a garage but always
has some Japanese sportbikes (used) for sale. He has become popular, so get
a time and price quote when bringing the bike by.

If it is a legitimate concern or fix of something not right upon purchase,
you should insist on them making it right. But if it has been over a few
weeks, you may have waited too long to complain about something obvious.
Still, you don't lose anything by politely insisting (meaning don't be an
asshole and start screaming about how they are ripping you off, etc.). At
least talk to the service manager and your sales person about any and all
questions you have now. I should be clear which things you could not have
caused, which are easily (and freely) remedies, and which you would to pay
for.

This Suzuki is not light but not heavy either. Given the proper technique
(Google for it), a 5'2" female can upright a Harley FatBoy...

Enjoy your new scooter...

- David in Sugar Land
'73 Norton Commando

 

Another Viewer wrote:

''I think it's a suzuki. 500 isn't too small at all. I spent 3 months
touring the western US on a 550 Honda the summer of 1975. Maybe i didn't
know it was too small which is why there were no problems at all, even
in the reaches of the empty West. Sure am glad no one told me any
different or the trip might not have been so great.''



''Actually, I didn't mean a 500 is too small, for any type of riding
fun.
I, like you, AV, rode a 450 Honda about a
72 model, all over arkansas, 30 yrs ago. no wind shield, just raw riding
pleasure. It was my first bike, as an adult, so to speak

BUt, when my friends decided to buy Bikes, one bought a Triump 650, one
a Harley sportster 1000, and can't remember what a couple other guys
bought. oh yeah? 900 Kiawsockit, etc?
Wthin 3 or 4 months, Now, the pressure, made me have to buy my first
GoldWing.'' Grin BJAY

 

Thanks a lot for your advices. I did find a page describing how to lift
a bike.

Actually, the battery level was ok... (it does not work to use a
flashlight to see the level... just need to tip the battery to see the
level.) A mechanic at the dealer showed me how to see the level...
after that I did not have the gut to ask about the air filter and spark
plug. Anyway, I am planning to change them.

Furthermore, after cleaning the air filter, the bike sounded better. So
I went for a ride from Austin to Houston... which is another story.