Good price on an '03?

Magz · October 6th, 2011, 06:41 PM

I've been looking for a while trying to find a good Ninja 250 to get as a first bike. I recently found this, and was wondering what some of you guys that have more experience with the bikes thought. It's $2,000, which is a little above average in the area. The big thing is that it has 13,000 miles, but I've read the engines can last as much as 50,000 and the chain/sprocket/brakes have all been replaced. Should I go for it if it runs well? Do you guys have any concerns a newbie wouldn't know about? I should also say that $2,000 is pretty much my max price, so that kind of plays a factor in quality/number of bikes available.

Any opinion will be a huge help. Thanks.

http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/mcy/2570687995.html

massacremasses · October 6th, 2011, 06:54 PM

I bought a 09 for $2500 with 3400 miles on it...

choneofakind · October 6th, 2011, 07:15 PM

It seems a bit high to me, but consider that it already has been jetted and dyno'd and has all the aftermarket goodies that many people install on their bikes.

Also (I should have made this the first thing to consider) It seems to be well taken care of. Contact them and ask about receipts for all work done and see what mechanic they used and things like that.

I got my '99 for 1600 COMPLETELY stock with about 6400 mile. I've put more than $400 into it to get it the way I want it. That bike you're looking at has everything that I would want on my bike, and right now it has fewer miles on it than mine does. I'm at almost 15,000+ miles.

so consider what shape it's in, what work has been done to it, and what you feel it is worth. Don't pay extra for the aftermarket stuff, but don't completely lowball on it either.

nickjpass · October 6th, 2011, 07:17 PM

Technically, the aftermarket modifications are worth nothing. They can decrease value as it is modified. The price is high.

Jono · October 6th, 2011, 08:17 PM

Too high! I got my 06 250 for $2,100 with 7,200 miles. Completely stock. Except upsized tires. I would keep looking. There are way better deals to be found.

Or just try talking down the price. The seller i bought my bike from listed it for $3000 dollars but that was outrageous and I told him so. Just look up the KBB value and start negotiating from there.

cerberusrex25 · October 6th, 2011, 08:20 PM

^ what he said, farkles are done the owner's expense and should not be counted on the price. Performance mods might apply to the price and even then is a very blurry issue. Technically unless all this stuff is brand spanking new and just installed yesterday and never used it should not affect the price this radically. Use NADA or KBB, counter offer with a reasonable price for 13k and get a good deal, sometimes people overprice their stuff and expect to be "talked down" to the price they are actually looking to sell for.

OGjackafidy · October 6th, 2011, 10:28 PM

Bro you live in como? Same here we gotta ride once you get a bike

n4mwd · October 8th, 2011, 12:16 PM

Too much for an 03. If its in good shape, I'd offer $1000 if there wasn't anything better. He has changed his sprockets to a non-standard ratio which causes performance issues. Then to compensate for that, he has rejetted the carbs. Now the bike only gets 60 mpg. He'd be getting 70 mpg if he had just left it alone.

Where I live I've seen pregens go for as low as $300.

coondog · October 9th, 2011, 10:12 AM

seller should deduct work done to bike as he was one who used it up. i'd pay what's left even though "it's too much." WTF, if want the bike it's worth what you pay.

Magz · October 9th, 2011, 11:31 AM

I passed on it. He wouldn't come down at all, and I agree that it'd be better to get a stock bike that I can build up to my liking. So I did.

A nice '06 with 6000 miles that I got for $1800. Thanks for all the advice!

@OGjackafidy I live in Rolla, but we definitely need to ride some time if either of us is ever the other way.

nickjpass · October 9th, 2011, 12:43 PM

Congratulations on the new bike! Enjoy it!

Jono · October 9th, 2011, 05:44 PM

Good choice!

And you got the best year Ninja 250.

massacremasses · October 10th, 2011, 08:09 AM

nice glad you got something you liked

choneofakind · October 11th, 2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4mwd

Then to compensate for that, he has rejetted the carbs. Now the bike only gets 60 mpg. He'd be getting 70 mpg if he had just left it alone.

mine got 66 before I messed with the jetting. 70 if I was nice to it. Now it gets 62-63 on average, and 66-67 if I'm nice to it. Even before I changed my jetting, if I really wrung it out for a full tank, it could easily get below 60mpg.

The bike is lean in the mid/low-range. Richening that up will make it run smoother, and perform better, but the mileage will suffer a little bit since the midrange is where the bike is most often run. Is that extra willingness to start when cold and extra smoothness/harder pull in the mid-range worth 4-5 mph? in my opinion, definitely.

60mph is still great in a world that thinks a hybrid SUV getting 25mpg is a big deal.

OGjackafidy · October 12th, 2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magz

I passed on it. He wouldn't come down at all, and I agree that it'd be better to get a stock bike that I can build up to my liking. So I did.

A nice '06 with 6000 miles that I got for $1800. Thanks for all the advice!

@OGjackafidy I live in Rolla, but we definitely need to ride some time if either of us is ever the other way.

for sure man i know a couple people up here in columbia that ride 250s pm me if your gonna be anywhere near columbia sometime

greg737 · October 12th, 2011, 07:05 PM

This thread isn't complete without a few pictures of your new '06. That's part of the celebration, don't let the moment pass.

October 6th, 2011, 06:41 PM	#1
Magz ninjette.org member Name: Jake Location: MO Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250 Posts: 87	Good price on an '03? I've been looking for a while trying to find a good Ninja 250 to get as a first bike. I recently found this, and was wondering what some of you guys that have more experience with the bikes thought. It's $2,000, which is a little above average in the area. The big thing is that it has 13,000 miles, but I've read the engines can last as much as 50,000 and the chain/sprocket/brakes have all been replaced. Should I go for it if it runs well? Do you guys have any concerns a newbie wouldn't know about? I should also say that $2,000 is pretty much my max price, so that kind of plays a factor in quality/number of bikes available. Any opinion will be a huge help. Thanks. http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/mcy/2570687995.html

October 6th, 2011, 06:54 PM	#2
massacremasses Avid Kitteh Poster Name: Justin Location: Norcal Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.	I bought a 09 for $2500 with 3400 miles on it... __________________________________________________ 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/

October 6th, 2011, 07:17 PM	#4
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	Technically, the aftermarket modifications are worth nothing. They can decrease value as it is modified. The price is high. __________________________________________________

October 6th, 2011, 10:28 PM	#7
OGjackafidy ninjette.org member Name: Jack Location: columbia MO Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): Red 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 132	Bro you live in como? Same here we gotta ride once you get a bike __________________________________________________ "The goal in life is to die young at a very old age" " Four wheels moves the body, two wheels moves the soul'

October 8th, 2011, 12:16 PM	#8
n4mwd ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: D Location: Palm Beach, FL Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Too much for an 03. If its in good shape, I'd offer $1000 if there wasn't anything better. He has changed his sprockets to a non-standard ratio which causes performance issues. Then to compensate for that, he has rejetted the carbs. Now the bike only gets 60 mpg. He'd be getting 70 mpg if he had just left it alone. Where I live I've seen pregens go for as low as $300. __________________________________________________ My Ninja Blog Proud member of ABATE.My NYC Road Rage documentary - CENSORED!

October 6th, 2011, 07:15 PM	#3
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	It seems a bit high to me, but consider that it already has been jetted and dyno'd and has all the aftermarket goodies that many people install on their bikes. Also (I should have made this the first thing to consider) It seems to be well taken care of. Contact them and ask about receipts for all work done and see what mechanic they used and things like that. I got my '99 for 1600 COMPLETELY stock with about 6400 mile. I've put more than $400 into it to get it the way I want it. That bike you're looking at has everything that I would want on my bike, and right now it has fewer miles on it than mine does. I'm at almost 15,000+ miles. so consider what shape it's in, what work has been done to it, and what you feel it is worth. Don't pay extra for the aftermarket stuff, but don't completely lowball on it either.

October 6th, 2011, 08:17 PM	#5
Jono ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jono Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.	Too high! I got my 06 250 for $2,100 with 7,200 miles. Completely stock. Except upsized tires. I would keep looking. There are way better deals to be found. Or just try talking down the price. The seller i bought my bike from listed it for $3000 dollars but that was outrageous and I told him so. Just look up the KBB value and start negotiating from there.

October 6th, 2011, 08:20 PM	#6
cerberusrex25 Accesories Guru Name: Dave Location: Centreville, VA Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): '99 EX250(Cafe/fighter project) Posts: 537	^ what he said, farkles are done the owner's expense and should not be counted on the price. Performance mods might apply to the price and even then is a very blurry issue. Technically unless all this stuff is brand spanking new and just installed yesterday and never used it should not affect the price this radically. Use NADA or KBB, counter offer with a reasonable price for 13k and get a good deal, sometimes people overprice their stuff and expect to be "talked down" to the price they are actually looking to sell for.

October 9th, 2011, 10:12 AM	#9
coondog ninjette.org sage Name: john Location: Palm Beach County, Fl Sligo County, Eire Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 street fighter, 2008 street fighter ninja 500, 2001 nsr 125 Posts: 812	seller should deduct work done to bike as he was one who used it up. i'd pay what's left even though "it's too much." WTF, if want the bike it's worth what you pay.

October 9th, 2011, 11:31 AM	#10
Magz ninjette.org member Name: Jake Location: MO Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250 Posts: 87	I passed on it. He wouldn't come down at all, and I agree that it'd be better to get a stock bike that I can build up to my liking. So I did. A nice '06 with 6000 miles that I got for $1800. Thanks for all the advice! @OGjackafidy I live in Rolla, but we definitely need to ride some time if either of us is ever the other way.

October 9th, 2011, 12:43 PM	#11
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	Congratulations on the new bike! Enjoy it! __________________________________________________

October 9th, 2011, 05:44 PM	#12
Jono ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jono Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.	Good choice! And you got the best year Ninja 250.

October 10th, 2011, 08:09 AM	#13
massacremasses Avid Kitteh Poster Name: Justin Location: Norcal Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.	nice glad you got something you liked __________________________________________________ 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/

October 12th, 2011, 07:05 PM	#16
greg737 - Name: - Location: - Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): - Posts: A lot.	This thread isn't complete without a few pictures of your new '06. That's part of the celebration, don't let the moment pass.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Good price for a R6?	ROSS11988	The Ex-Ninjetters Lair	3	August 31st, 2014 12:15 PM
Good price on a race tire?	csmith12	Ninjettes At Speed	5	April 2nd, 2014 10:20 AM
What is a good price for a bike for parts?	ally99	Motorcycle-related	10	February 23rd, 2013 12:17 PM
Me gusta - good price on 2012 in WI	Heed	Motorcycle-related	12	October 9th, 2011 06:32 PM
BT003RS for good price	dino74	Motorcycle-related	8	July 14th, 2011 03:22 PM