Advice on bike for sale, '98 103k miles

[Smuckerz]

So guess I'm curious what I could reasonably expect. They're asking $900 for it and say it runs. I can see from pictures it needs a front tire and am assuming it'll need a rear too. Any advice is welcome as I'm not familiar with these bikes. Thanks!

[newday777]

Welcome to the forum
Well, as far as 'it runs' there is the missing 'is it running properly......'
Not knowing your capabilities..... Not in your introduction.... Or if you will be trying to find a shop to do the work on it.
$900 is very reasonable if you know how to do the work and in good condition body wise.
The 103,000 mileage on a 98 is not a problem. They can go 500,000+ miles if kept maintained and running properly.
I would ' assume ', from lack of information by your post and if that was all that was given in the ad, that the bike may have set unused for a period of time???? If so, the carbs will probably need rebuilding, $800-$1200 for most shops to do it correctly.
The gas tank could be rusted and needing properly attention of cleaning and derusting. $100-$200
The fuel pump could be toast from rusted in the tank and need a replacement. New pump from dealer @$400 +/-
Tires can cost you $400-$600 installed on these.
Bodywork parts can be hard to find if you are trying to find replacement for busted/cracked, missing pieces, especially color matched can be a long wait looking and shipping costs are very expensive now because of size of boxing the parts.

[DenverWinger]

GL1500's in good condition are running in the $2k for older high miles bike to $5k range for a super-pristine 2000 model. The market value is down somewhat this year. BlueBook Still lists my '93 at $5,500, but it wouldn't sell for that. Probably could get $3500, maybe $4000 if I held out for a buyer. It's fairly low miles still.

A '98 that runs and has all the body parts intact is certainly worth $900. At 103k miles the engine is just broken in, these engines are known for reaching 300k easily.

As with any used vehicle be prepared to take on years of neglected maintenance, this one is particularly a candidate for new timing belts if they haven't already been replaced. Fairly easy job if you are handy with a wrench. There's a good "How to" on this site, as well as many others for various other maintenance projects.

I'd say inspect and buy it.

[dingdong]

Seeing that you are in Florida there will perhaps be rust problems. Especially with the exhaust system.

[blupupher]

do you have a link to it? It could be a steal, or could be a money pit, just hard to say without knowing more.
Regardless, if you plan on doing it yourself, it is worth a shot, if you plan on having a shop fix it up, it may not be worth it.

[CrystalPistol]

Prices for used bikes are way down, but $900 for a 103,xxx mile GL1500 that's not totally roached out, that runs "some", even in the presence of flat dry rotted tires, is a steal.

Last year I had a '85 GL1200A with 70-odd thousand miles, maybe 76,xxx, run great, did need tires though, even said so in ad, guy called me one evening, was coming the next day to get it, showed up pulling a trailer from 100 miles one way we were talking, he started in about the tires, blah blah, I just turned and started walking to the kitchen door as I gave him directions back to the main road so he wouldn't have to U-turn with his empty trailer. He asked me something else, and I just told him he had wasted both of our time. Bike had a perfect Corbin seat, Progressive suspension both ends, run like a top. Basement queen it was, except the tires were due for replacement. He didn't even get to hear about spares I had ready to go with it before he jinxed the deal.

[oldcase]

I bought a high mileage`97 SE 2 years ago for $2000. Seller delivered to my house. In two years, only problems, I wore out the tires and the clock doesn't work. Good luck.

[Solo So Long]

Go check it out.

Ask why they're selling it, and how they decided on that price. HINT: An increasing number of GWs are coming on the market because owners are aging out of riding, and that could be the case here.

While you look it over, ask when the last time it was ridden. Compare their answer to the registration sticker. If any more than 2 years, the timing belts WILL need to be replaced ($50 in parts, a couple of hours of simple work). You'll want to replace them anyhow, unless they have documentation of replacement during that period.

Learn how to check tire dates, and if these tires are over 5 years, they will need to be replaced.

If the bike is in good shape, and it idles smoothly, I'd see how far down I can talk them. I would probably not leave without the pick slip in my pocket. If ir runs, is in decent shape, and the tires are fresher than 4 years, I DEFINITELY wouldn't leave without buying it, even if the rubber needs to be replaced. In fact, if the tires are below 5 years and worn out, that says good things about the bike -- it's been ridden enough to keep it young.

[newday777]

So guess I'm curious what I could reasonably expect. They're asking $900 for it and say it runs. I can see from pictures it needs a front tire and am assuming it'll need a rear too. Any advice is welcome as I'm not familiar with these bikes. Thanks!

Tell us your thoughts

[joeincalif]

As others have said, could be real good or real bad. A link to the ad would help so we can have more details. Most shops will NOT work on a bike that old and sometimes parts are not produced any more. If you can do the work it might be worth it depending on the overall condition and what it needs,

[joeincalif]

As others have said, could be real good or real bad. A link to the ad would help so we can have more details. Most shops will NOT work on a bike that old and sometimes parts are not produced any more. If you can do the work it might be worth it depending on the overall condition and what it needs,

[Smuckerz]

Sorry about the slow reply on my end. I got in touch with the dealer Tuesday(they were closed monday) and got told that someone not only emailed them Monday about it but also put a deposit on it and was coming in to pick it up. RIP to that idea. I was hoping to perhaps upgrade from my current bike C'est la vie!

[Smuckerz]

Sorry about the slow reply on my end. I got in touch with the dealer Tuesday(they were closed monday) and got told that someone not only emailed them Monday about it but also put a deposit on it and was coming in to pick it up. RIP to that idea. I was hoping to perhaps upgrade from my current bike C'est la vie!

[Solo So Long]

Good luck to him. Tell the dealership to let you know if another good deal comes along -- it could happen tomorrow!