Buying new bike. Is it worth $3500?

[Mastiff]

I'm looking at a 1981 GS1100E. It has a 1280 big bore kit, aftermarket Mikunii carbs (I don't know the size), K&N pods, oilcooler, 750 gears in the oil pump, Kawawsaki regulator and rectifier, new rear tire and the front forks redone. It has a Bassani 4 into 1 exhaust. The centerstand was removed. It is incredibly fast. It idles easily, doesn't bog down on acceleration. There is a rip in the seat, the chrome is pitted, and the paint needs to be redone. One side cover is missing. The bike has 20K on it. The guy wants $3500. Blue book dealer retail for a stock 81 GS1100 is $1500. Is the $3500 a reasonable price for this bike? Any comments would be appreciated.

[Billy Ricks]

Pretty steep. He may have that much in it, but when you do mods you can't expect to recover all of it. He would play hell getting 2k for it.

[Mastiff]

Thank you.

Thanks, Billy. I just needed to get some idea of the value. It is a great running bike, fast as hell. But I don't want to pay much more than the bike is worth. I'd go somewhat higher, cause I like the bike. However, an extra $1500 is too much. Thanks for the reply.

[Anonymous]

I bought one back in November for 1400$CDN. It has new paint with a mural on the tank. It also has when I believe to be a MAC 4 into 1 and it pretty much flawless other than needing a new clutch basket and a new master link on the chain.

Steve

[Anonymous]

Mastiff, is it $3500 US, Canadian, or what? You don't state where you are, and your profile doesn't either.

$3500 in US dollars is utterly ridiculous. The seller is totally unrealistic. Pass it up. Offer $1000 US. If he rejects it, be done with it and walk away.

[earlfor]

Re: Buying new bike. Is it worth $3500?

If its in good mechanical condition and runs well, I would expect to pay $1000 to $1500 for it. I see them frequently in trader, etc in that range. If I looked at it and really just HAD to have it, I might consider offering $2000 for it. I think $3500 is absurd. The only way it is worth that is if its in pristine like new condition with only a couple thousand miles on it. Sounds like it is worn quite a bit. I'd say about $1500 or so tops.

Earl

I'm looking at a 1981 GS1100E. It has a 1280 big bore kit, aftermarket Mikunii carbs (I don't know the size), K&N pods, oilcooler, 750 gears in the oil pump, Kawawsaki regulator and rectifier, new rear tire and the front forks redone. It has a Bassani 4 into 1 exhaust. The centerstand was removed. It is incredibly fast. It idles easily, doesn't bog down on acceleration. There is a rip in the seat, the chrome is pitted, and the paint needs to be redone. One side cover is missing. The bike has 20K on it. The guy wants $3500. Blue book dealer retail for a stock 81 GS1100 is $1500. Is the $3500 a reasonable price for this bike? Any comments would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Show him this posting. These guys are right. The price is too steep. If he sees what the experts here think, then maybe he'll be more realistic.

Paul Jones

[Mastiff]

It is $3500 US, I'm in Chicago. Thanks for the advice, I'll show him your replies. Maybe that will move him down to something reasonable.

[oldschoolGS]

For $3500 you could buy a nice bone stock 1100E, do all the aftermarket mods yourself and still have over $1000 left. I refrain from buying highly modified used bikes as you do not know if you are getting a bike properly built or a hand grenade disguised as a motor. Either way anything over $1500 is no deal.

[Billy Ricks]

For that matter $3500 will buy you a pretty new Gixxer.

[Anonymous]

Old time rule of thumb on used bikes: $1.00 per cc.