Trying to buy in Michigan >:/

Reyno2ac · March 29th, 2012, 06:19 AM

Sorry if my first post is a rant.

I signed up for the MSF class a couple weeks ago and it's scheduled to start April 20th and be done April 29th. So I figurd I'd get a jump start and try to find a nice used Ninja 250 in my area. I've now called on more bikes than I care to think about and they've all been sold...except one!

I called yesterday on a nice 2009 Red Ninja 250 with only 2,200 miles on it. Best of all it's only a few miles from my place. So I told the guy that I was going to call a friend, who is more knowledgable on teh subject, and call him right back to schedule a time to come look at it. This was all yesteray around 2pm. I called my friend and called the guy back at around 5pm, he didn't answer so I left a voicemail.

This morning I get to work and decide to email him, just to make sure he got the voicemail and to let him know that I'd like to look at the bike tonight. To my "surprise" the listing has been taken off of craiglist! So I text him to see if he got my voicemail, and if the bike is still for sale...and that's where I sit right now.

What the heck is going on!? This bike was just posted TWO DAYS AGO! How am I supposed to buy a used 250 when they all sell about 15 minutes after they're posted?!

cbdallas · March 29th, 2012, 06:24 AM

We all go through the same thing when we have our hearts set on a bike that is as popular as the Ninja. I finally had to quit being pissed off about all the 'missed opportunities' and just accept the whole thing as fate. I'll get the bike that I'm meant to have, meaning that there will eventually be a bike listed that your timing is perfect to see & buy. You might as well not get worked up about it, and just keep trying. I spent 2 weeks on Craigslist, and I can't tell you how many bikes I missed out on. But I got the one I was meant to have. That's how you have to look at it.

Reyno2ac · March 29th, 2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbdallas

We all go through the same thing when we have our hearts set on a bike that is as popular as the Ninja. I finally had to quit being pissed off about all the 'missed opportunities' and just accept the whole thing as fate. I'll get the bike that I'm meant to have, meaning that there will eventually be a bike listed that your timing is perfect to see & buy. You might as well not get worked up about it, and just keep trying. I spent 2 weeks on Craigslist, and I can't tell you how many bikes I missed out on. But I got the one I was meant to have. That's how you have to look at it.

Thanks

I just got a response and it's sold...back to craigslist I go!

cbdallas · March 29th, 2012, 06:40 AM

Also check Ebay, CycleTrader.com & the local cycle dealerships. They all usually list their pre-owned on their websites.

Reyno2ac · March 29th, 2012, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbdallas

Also check Ebay, CycleTrader.com & the local cycle dealerships. They all usually list their pre-owned on their websites.

I tried. Ebay and cycletrader didn't have anything, and the dealers want WAY too much for a used 250.

cbdallas · March 29th, 2012, 06:47 AM

What city are you nearest to?

csmith12 · March 29th, 2012, 06:49 AM

Welcome Andrew!

If it is your destiny to ride a ninja, for it will come to you. hahahahah jk! Don't sweat it, take your time and you will get one. Patience is your friend here. There are a few apps that will do craigslist searches for you on a timer and email you when a match is found. Maybe that will help?

You can also use the power of google to help. Go here http://www.google.com/alerts and enter something like this in the search query "site:lansing.craigslist.org ninja 250" without the quotes of course. Set up multiple alerts if you need to search different locations.

Good luck in your search.

Reyno2ac · March 29th, 2012, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbdallas

What city are you nearest to?

I live in Northville, but would be willing to drive about an hour for the right deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Welcome Andrew!

If it is your destiny to ride a ninja, for it will come to you. hahahahah jk! Don't sweat it, take your time and you will get one. Patience is your friend here. There are a few apps that will do craigslist searches for you on a timer and email you when a match is found. Maybe that will help?

You can also use the power of google to help. Go here http://www.google.com/alerts and enter something like this in the search query "site:lansing.craigslist.org ninja 250" without the quotes of course. Set up multiple alerts if you need to search different locations.

Good luck in your search.

Thanks! I look into that.

csmith12 · March 29th, 2012, 06:57 AM

Also, expand your search. I live in KY, but bought my R6 from St. Louis. Shipping on a bike can be had for around $250 from a private shipper or list the shipment via uship.com.

Food for thought.

cbdallas · March 29th, 2012, 06:58 AM

What colors & years are you looking for?

mrcrunch · March 29th, 2012, 07:03 AM

Hi Andrew,

That's pretty much what I went through. I finally got the timing right when a (very) local person posted his ad, i showed up immediately after work, looked at the bike, paid a down payment, and picked it up later that night.

So, as mentioned by others, show patience. In a hot market (+ it's spring) you can't hem or haw or dicker with the price too much. Either it's a fair deal or it isn't, and you have to make that decision on the spot. No time to go back home and sleep on it.

One thing you *can* do is be willing to pay more for a better condition bike. The pristine bikes that are up for more will linger a bit longer.

Brian
--

Reyno2ac · March 29th, 2012, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Also, expand your search. I live in KY, but bought my R6 from St. Louis. Shipping on a bike can be had for around $250 from a private shipper or list the shipment via uship.com.

Food for thought.

I've thought of that, but I really want to be able to look the bike over first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbdallas

What colors & years are you looking for?

Any color 2009 or newer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcrunch

Hi Andrew,

That's pretty much what I went through. I finally got the timing right when a (very) local person posted his ad, i showed up immediately after work, looked at the bike, paid a down payment, and picked it up later that night.

So, as mentioned by others, show patience. In a hot market (+ it's spring) you can't hem or haw or dicker with the price too much. Either it's a fair deal or it isn't, and you have to make that decision on the spot. No time to go back home and sleep on it.

One thing you *can* do is be willing to pay more for a better condition bike. The pristine bikes that are up for more will linger a bit longer.

Brian
--

Yea, I'm starting to realize that my timing will have to be just right to get a good deal. What I've seen on craigslist is weird, the bike are priced from $2,500 to $4,500 with no direct correlation to age or mileage. Some people were even claiming that they owed $5,000 on the bike and just wanted what they paid for it.

Enfemus · March 29th, 2012, 10:14 AM

Welcome to Ninjette! I looked on Craigslist as well and all the bikes were going like hot cakes as well. I walked in to a dealership with a friend to pick something up for him and saw a 2010 blue ninja 250 and was like I wants that now! So I bought it lol. Keep looking man hopefully you'll have more patience then i did but I don't really regret my decision :-D

Reyno2ac · March 29th, 2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enfemus

Welcome to Ninjette! I looked on Craigslist as well and all the bikes were going like hot cakes as well. I walked in to a dealership with a friend to pick something up for him and saw a 2010 blue ninja 250 and was like I wants that now! So I bought it lol. Keep looking man hopefully you'll have more patience then i did but I don't really regret my decision :-D

I thought about a dealer, I just don't want to pay $5000 for a 250 ninja. If I'm going to spend that much I'll buy a used 650.

massacremasses · March 29th, 2012, 01:04 PM

4300 for mine

see this is why im waiting till it gets even warmer here.. I know I can get the most $$$

cmlilley · March 29th, 2012, 01:27 PM

You can also get a uhaul motorcycle trailer for about 30bucks if you want to expand your range beyond an hour. I managed to find mine 2hr away and the guy brought it to me on a trailer for an extra fee.

nickjpass · March 29th, 2012, 03:09 PM

Reyno2ac · March 29th, 2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmlilley

You can also get a uhaul motorcycle trailer for about 30bucks if you want to expand your range beyond an hour. I managed to find mine 2hr away and the guy brought it to me on a trailer for an extra fee.

I'd love to do that. But I don't own a vehicle with a trailer hitch.

choneofakind · March 29th, 2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Also, expand your search. I live in KY, but bought my R6 from St. Louis. Shipping on a bike can be had for around $250 from a private shipper or list the shipment via uship.com.

Food for thought.

hmm this is really good information for later use. $250 is cheaper than gas most of the time...

Bookmarked.

KJohnson21 · March 29th, 2012, 08:47 PM

Snake · April 1st, 2012, 07:19 AM

Good luck Andrew.

ajcadoo · April 1st, 2012, 12:34 PM

I searched for a month and a half on CL, ebay and CycleTrader and I had the same luck as you. The bikes would always sell within hours.

I finally bought a used bike from a dealership. I bought my 2010 SE Green for $3985 and it only had 690 miles. It was in brand new condition. Sure it was more expensive, but it definitely beats a brand new bike for $6200 OTD. Brand new 2012 SE's in my area are around 6200 OTD. Quite ridiculous.

Renner · April 1st, 2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reyno2ac

I thought about a dealer, I just don't want to pay $5000 for a 250 ninja. If I'm going to spend that much I'll buy a used 650.

I was thinking the exact same thing for the past 3 weeks...could not find a decent priced 250 for the life of me!!! FINALLY found a 2006 on Craiglist in mint condition which I picked up today. Just search craigslist every hour for the next week...something will pop up and once it does JUMP ON IT!!!! Good luck!!

Also...look at surrounding states...I had to drive 98 miles one way to WI to pick up my ninjette...but soo worth it

Malicious Logic · April 2nd, 2012, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renner

I was thinking the exact same thing for the past 3 weeks...could not find a decent priced 250 for the life of me!!! FINALLY found a 2006 on Craiglist in mint condition which I picked up today. Just search craigslist every hour for the next week...something will pop up and once it does JUMP ON IT!!!! Good luck!!

Also...look at surrounding states...I had to drive 98 miles one way to WI to pick up my ninjette...but soo worth it

Too late. I think he already picked up a 2012.

Reyno2ac · April 2nd, 2012, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renner

I was thinking the exact same thing for the past 3 weeks...could not find a decent priced 250 for the life of me!!! FINALLY found a 2006 on Craiglist in mint condition which I picked up today. Just search craigslist every hour for the next week...something will pop up and once it does JUMP ON IT!!!! Good luck!!

Also...look at surrounding states...I had to drive 98 miles one way to WI to pick up my ninjette...but soo worth it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malicious Logic

Too late. I think he already picked up a 2012.

^What he said. I got tired of dealing with the people on craigslist...and I couldn't help myself at the dealership...lol

Renner · April 2nd, 2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malicious Logic

Too late. I think he already picked up a 2012.

Oppps...should of read EVERY post before replying

Reyno2ac · April 2nd, 2012, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renner

Oppps...should of read EVERY post before replying

Don't worry. It wasn't in this thread

March 29th, 2012, 06:19 AM	#1
Reyno2ac ninjette.org member Name: Andrew Location: Michigan Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Red 2009 Ninja 650r Posts: 209	Trying to buy in Michigan >:/ Sorry if my first post is a rant. I signed up for the MSF class a couple weeks ago and it's scheduled to start April 20th and be done April 29th. So I figurd I'd get a jump start and try to find a nice used Ninja 250 in my area. I've now called on more bikes than I care to think about and they've all been sold...except one! I called yesterday on a nice 2009 Red Ninja 250 with only 2,200 miles on it. Best of all it's only a few miles from my place. So I told the guy that I was going to call a friend, who is more knowledgable on teh subject, and call him right back to schedule a time to come look at it. This was all yesteray around 2pm. I called my friend and called the guy back at around 5pm, he didn't answer so I left a voicemail. This morning I get to work and decide to email him, just to make sure he got the voicemail and to let him know that I'd like to look at the bike tonight. To my "surprise" the listing has been taken off of craiglist! So I text him to see if he got my voicemail, and if the bike is still for sale...and that's where I sit right now. What the heck is going on!? This bike was just posted TWO DAYS AGO! How am I supposed to buy a used 250 when they all sell about 15 minutes after they're posted?!

March 29th, 2012, 06:49 AM	#7
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Welcome Andrew! If it is your destiny to ride a ninja, for it will come to you. hahahahah jk! Don't sweat it, take your time and you will get one. Patience is your friend here. There are a few apps that will do craigslist searches for you on a timer and email you when a match is found. Maybe that will help? You can also use the power of google to help. Go here http://www.google.com/alerts and enter something like this in the search query "site:lansing.craigslist.org ninja 250" without the quotes of course. Set up multiple alerts if you need to search different locations. Good luck in your search. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

March 29th, 2012, 06:57 AM	#9
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Also, expand your search. I live in KY, but bought my R6 from St. Louis. Shipping on a bike can be had for around $250 from a private shipper or list the shipment via uship.com. Food for thought. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

March 29th, 2012, 01:04 PM	#15
massacremasses Avid Kitteh Poster Name: Justin Location: Norcal Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.	4300 for mine see this is why im waiting till it gets even warmer here.. I know I can get the most $$$ __________________________________________________ I powdercoat stuff Help me pay for my addiction I say funny stuff. http://twitter.com/JustinPWNSyou sometimes... I write like a 12 year old too, http://justinpwnsyou.wordpress.com/

March 29th, 2012, 03:09 PM	#17
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	__________________________________________________

March 29th, 2012, 06:24 AM	#2
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	We all go through the same thing when we have our hearts set on a bike that is as popular as the Ninja. I finally had to quit being pissed off about all the 'missed opportunities' and just accept the whole thing as fate. I'll get the bike that I'm meant to have, meaning that there will eventually be a bike listed that your timing is perfect to see & buy. You might as well not get worked up about it, and just keep trying. I spent 2 weeks on Craigslist, and I can't tell you how many bikes I missed out on. But I got the one I was meant to have. That's how you have to look at it.

March 29th, 2012, 06:40 AM	#4
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	Also check Ebay, CycleTrader.com & the local cycle dealerships. They all usually list their pre-owned on their websites.

March 29th, 2012, 06:47 AM	#6
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	What city are you nearest to?

March 29th, 2012, 06:58 AM	#10
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	What colors & years are you looking for?

March 29th, 2012, 07:03 AM	#11
mrcrunch ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: wixom MI Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 250r Posts: 54	Hi Andrew, That's pretty much what I went through. I finally got the timing right when a (very) local person posted his ad, i showed up immediately after work, looked at the bike, paid a down payment, and picked it up later that night. So, as mentioned by others, show patience. In a hot market (+ it's spring) you can't hem or haw or dicker with the price too much. Either it's a fair deal or it isn't, and you have to make that decision on the spot. No time to go back home and sleep on it. One thing you can do is be willing to pay more for a better condition bike. The pristine bikes that are up for more will linger a bit longer. Brian --

March 29th, 2012, 10:14 AM	#13
Enfemus ninjette.org member Name: John Location: Grand Rapids, Mi Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r Blue Posts: 63	Welcome to Ninjette! I looked on Craigslist as well and all the bikes were going like hot cakes as well. I walked in to a dealership with a friend to pick something up for him and saw a 2010 blue ninja 250 and was like I wants that now! So I bought it lol. Keep looking man hopefully you'll have more patience then i did but I don't really regret my decision :-D

March 29th, 2012, 01:27 PM	#16
cmlilley ninjette.org member Name: Christian Location: Raleigh, NC Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 18	You can also get a uhaul motorcycle trailer for about 30bucks if you want to expand your range beyond an hour. I managed to find mine 2hr away and the guy brought it to me on a trailer for an extra fee.

March 29th, 2012, 08:47 PM	#20
KJohnson21 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ken Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	__________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

April 1st, 2012, 07:19 AM	#21
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Good luck Andrew.

April 1st, 2012, 12:34 PM	#22
ajcadoo Towster ['__'`,-, Name: Josh Location: San Diego, CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Green Ninja 250 SE Posts: 379	I searched for a month and a half on CL, ebay and CycleTrader and I had the same luck as you. The bikes would always sell within hours. I finally bought a used bike from a dealership. I bought my 2010 SE Green for $3985 and it only had 690 miles. It was in brand new condition. Sure it was more expensive, but it definitely beats a brand new bike for $6200 OTD. Brand new 2012 SE's in my area are around 6200 OTD. Quite ridiculous.

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