Price differences in SoCal

[OCMagnum]

Hi All,

I know I might get some stick for the following, but I'm a big boy so flame as you see necessary. Nevertheless would appreciate the insight of the group, especially folks based in SoCal or other locations that allow for easy year round riding.

I got my Ninjette in August this year, it is a used 2012 model that was (and still is ) in great shape. Following a couple of weeks riding on parking lots and neighborhood roads, I have been commuting (only 10 miles each way) and going on approx 50 mile rides along the coast on weekends since. I have close to 2500 miles on the bike and am very comfortable riding at this point (although I have not yet allowed my wife on the back).

Now while I like the Ninjette a lot and fully appreciate that I am nowhere near exploring her full potential, I got her as a means to an end in that I knew I wanted a different bike in the long run. The thought was that a lightly used Ninja would be the best bike to get my feet wet and an investment that I would be able to resell with only minimal loss.

I plan on riding the Ninjette until at least next spring before moving on, but am wondering if it would be financially foolish to wait buying my next bike till spring/summer when most probably more people are looking to buy. If we were in a location where "riding season" is more clearly defined, I would think it is a no-brainer, but around here I am not sure if the price difference is that noticeable. Any thoughts or first hand experiences on how motorcycle prices might (or might not) fluctuate in SoCal depending on season? I will mostly likely buy my next bike new btw.

Appreciate all your thoughts.

[249cc]

After purchasing 5 different motorcycles from Craigslist (3 being Ninja 250's) at different "seasons", I can tell you that pricing in Los Angeles is both cyclical AND spontaneous. Winter will universally be the best time to buy as no one is going to "impulse buy" a motorcycle when it's cold. Sure, even though we don't get snowed in here, people are still whimpy about the cold.

It really depends on what you're in the market for. I've noticed that if you're willing to travel a bit, you're likely to get a good deal. For example, I was looking for an Eliminator and the market in LA was SATURATED, so I went to Oceanside and picked one up for $600 less than here (and I paid like, $45 in gas and got to chill at the beach ) He was one of two sellers as opposed to 7 sellers in LA.

As far as the 2012 Ninja, if you bought it new, don't expect it to sell close to what you paid. People didn't think the new 300's would affect the market much, but from what I'm seeing, these bikes are starting to sell in the low 3000s and mid to high 2000s when they used to be selling in the high 3000s. However, it IS winter now so that might just be it.

Sorry if I'm jumping around. I have terrible ADD and am too lazy to form a coherent response. I hope you can take something from that, and if you have any other questions, pm me.

[alex.s]

sell in summer, buy in winter.

but i will say, the ninja 250 is one of those bikes that really has so much potential when put in the right hands... sure you twist the throttle all the way back at 5krpm and it sits there for a second until you feel a slight pull forward... but if you really try to make her go fast, she will wheelie first and second and get around the bends quicker than you can shake a stick. but like you said you're a big boy and it's your decision. just remember, bigger bike means buying not only more power, but more gas, more maintenance, more insurance, more repair costs, more everything.

[OCMagnum]

Originally Posted by alex.s

sell in summer, buy in winter.

but i will say, the ninja 250 is one of those bikes that really has so much potential when put in the right hands... sure you twist the throttle all the way back at 5krpm and it sits there for a second until you feel a slight pull forward... but if you really try to make her go fast, she will wheelie first and second and get around the bends quicker than you can shake a stick. but like you said you're a big boy and it's your decision. just remember, bigger bike means buying not only more power, but more gas, more maintenance, more insurance, more repair costs, more everything.

Thank you both very much!

Alex, by no means did I want to implicate that I'm not happy with the 250 and I fully appreciate that probably many of us here will never even use the Ninjette to its full potential, much less so a more powerfull bike. That said, it is not a power upgrade that I am after, but rather just have two bikes (Bonneville and Monster) that I have been lusting over for a long time and want to own at least one of them (if not both) while I have the chance to do so. The Ninjette was bought as a stepping stone to either one of these bikes.

[alex.s]

oh. go buy a bonneville right now.

[ryan.chin]

I have more fun on my R6 than I did on my 250.

Not everyone will agree, but whatever. It really depends on how you like to ride, how you like to feel on a bike. If you enjoy speed and you want more speed, get a bigger bike.

[OCMagnum]

Originally Posted by alex.s

oh. go buy a bonneville right now.

Cool; I'll tell my wife you insisted

[Trailerboy531]

He's wrong get a monster.

If you want to go faster for the sake of going faster and you're not doing it on a race track; give up riding. and yes that was pointed at Ryan.

[alex.s]

give her my number. i'll explain how it's a necessity to maintain your sanity.

[ryan.chin]

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

He's wrong get a monster.

If you want to go faster for the sake of going faster and you're not doing it on a race track; give up riding. and yes that was pointed at Ryan.

So with your logic, you're saying if you have anything bigger than a 250, and you don't take it to the track, give up riding?

Dumb.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by ryan.chin

So with your logic, you're saying if you have anything bigger than a 250, and you don't take it to the track, give up riding?

Dumb.

why does everyone hate ryan.chin? did i miss something?

[Jiggles]

Going fast + not knowing how to turn =

Link to original page on YouTube.

Going 85 and couldn't negotiate a bend

[249cc]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Going fast + not knowing how to turn =

Link to original page on YouTube.

Going 85 and couldn't negotiate a bend

That corner looks way too shallow. WTF happened?

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by 249cc

That corner looks way too shallow. WTF happened?

He skipped a step, crashed his 2fiddy and went straight to the liter

[csmith12]

Isn't it all to clear? Stupid speed, stupid line in a stupid location and launched himself.

[OCMagnum]

If we could please get back on topic. As mentioned, I am not looking to move away from the Ninjette just yet and also will not go to a SS or similar.

The original question was whether in markets such as SoCal the "buy in winter, sell in summer" saying still applies. I could buy my next bike now and store it in the garage while I continue riding the Ninja until spring/summer, but of course that only makes sense if savings during the winter are substantial enough to off set registration and insurance for 6 months or so. Maybe another wrinkel would be when the last few of 2012 models normally are gone (or are they already). Maybe winter combined with last year model would make for a good negotiating basis?

Thanks guys!

[Trailerboy531]

Originally Posted by ryan.chin

So with your logic, you're saying if you have anything bigger than a 250, and you don't take it to the track, give up riding?

Dumb.

No. What I said was "for the sake of going faster" ie. if you want a new bike because you just want to go really fast, you're an idiot.

[ryan.chin]

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

No. What I said was "for the sake of going faster" ie. if you want a new bike because you just want to go really fast, you're an idiot.

I want to go faster than 90mph on a motorcycle. That makes me an idiot.

Pro Logic.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by OCMagnum

If we could please get back on topic. As mentioned, I am not looking to move away from the Ninjette just yet and also will not go to a SS or similar.

The original question was whether in markets such as SoCal the "buy in winter, sell in summer" saying still applies. I could buy my next bike now and store it in the garage while I continue riding the Ninja until spring/summer, but of course that only makes sense if savings during the winter are substantial enough to off set registration and insurance for 6 months or so. Maybe another wrinkel would be when the last few of 2012 models normally are gone (or are they already). Maybe winter combined with last year model would make for a good negotiating basis?

Thanks guys!

If if the weather doesn't play a huge role, the financial winds still blow. Sell at the beginning of the season around tax refund time. Why limit yourself to Cali buyers? I didn't mind having mine shipped 400 miles.

[Trailerboy531]

ANYWHO.

Yes there is a "buy in the summer sell in the winter" mentality here. It's not as strong as say...Ohio, but it's here. The idea of "winter" also doesn't last as long - I would say the ideal buying period ends at the end of February. Buy a bike now, possibly a previous year model, if you do plan on buying. The prices don't fluctuate as much but it is there.

Also.

Get a Monster.
and let me ride it.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by OCMagnum

I could buy my next bike now and store it in the garage while I continue riding the Ninja until spring/summer, but of course that only makes sense if savings during the winter are substantial enough to off set registration and insurance for 6 months or so.

do this. put the ninja on non-op if it needs to be re-registered and take the insurance off until you sell it.

[ChaoSS]

So Cal has two price seasons, way over priced, and even more way overpriced.


Really, though, I see prices all over the place, from people selling bikes very reasonably to the guys wanting 2200 for their "pristine" 1990 250 ninja. There may be some variation, but I think it is more a bit of perseverance in waiting for the right deal to come along, checking the ads on a regular basis, rather than simply waiting for the right season.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Going fast + not knowing how to turn =



Going 85 and couldn't negotiate a bend

That was great. What a maroon! I love him whinning as you can hear the other bikes just ride by.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

That was great. What a maroon! I love him whinning as you can hear the other bikes just ride by.

it almost sounds like porn

[thisisbenji]

Originally Posted by alex.s

oh. go buy a bonneville right now.

Agreed.

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

No. What I said was "for the sake of going faster" ie. if you want a new bike because you just want to go really fast, you're an idiot.

But what if I want to go fast...for Max...?

HMMMMM?

[Trailerboy531]

I prefer when my ladies take their time

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

I prefer when my ladies talk their time

I when has too.

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Going fast + not knowing how to turn =

Link to original page on YouTube.

Going 85 and couldn't negotiate a bend

Love the video description:

12-7-10 till 11-24-12 Almost two years old. Hit the ditch, shot across two lanes, a car turn out and down a 35+ foot cliff. This is how I ride. Fast. Been doing it for a long time and never crashed. This was my first crash ever. Please don't give me ****.

[beerhalffull]

Seasons do affect prices out here, but they don't strictly dictate good deals. Keep your eyes open regardless of the season. There's always a deal out there.

[OCMagnum]

Originally Posted by beerhalffull

Seasons do affect prices out here, but they don't strictly dictate good deals. Keep your eyes open regardless of the season. There's always a deal out there.

Thanks to all for your comments and insights. Much appreciated!