Buying a 2008 250R this weekend

superkain · February 27th, 2009, 10:39 AM

Ok, so first post, here we go. I find myself without a bike for a few weeks while my 750 is getting some work done.

I'm bored and found a good deal on last years 250R, which my roommate is looking at buying anyways. I think I'll just buy it and ride it for a month or two until she takes her MSF course and sell it to her.

I've never owned a Kawi before, so I'm hoping you can tell me what are some specific gotchas to look for on these bikes. what goes wrong? what needs special attention? what need I know beyond emptor caveat?

Thanks!

kkim · February 27th, 2009, 10:42 AM

welcome, super.

the bikes are fairly reliable. a lot would depend on how well it was maintained by the previous owner. does the bike have maintenance records of what has been done since new?

superkain · February 27th, 2009, 10:45 AM

That's one of the basics I am going to cover as soon as i meet with him and see/hear/touch/taste? the bike.

kkim · February 27th, 2009, 10:48 AM

okay, how many miles on the bike? there is a 600 mile service which is basically an oil change.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10577

check to see if the bike has ever been crashed/dropped.

superkain · February 27th, 2009, 10:49 AM

yup, i know the seller as he is a friend of a close friend. crash/drop has been covered. service record i will touch with him. It looks like there isn't any specific gotchas or recalls that I should be aware of that I can find. just wanted to check with the experts.

kkim · February 27th, 2009, 10:56 AM

there are 2 recalls that you should be aware off... nothing major. if the bike is still under warranty, Kawasaki will fix them free.

one is a front brake replacement and the other is to check for flashing in the crankcase vent in the airbox. If it is blocked, oil pressure builds in the crankcase and oil will spew everywhere under the bike. if the bike's were blocked, you would know it a the very early stages of it's life. Something to ask the owner, though.

also, on the 08s, there was a brake light recall, but it made more sense for you to just replace it with one from the auto parts store.

what is the build date on the bike or what month was it purchased new?

grandmaster · February 27th, 2009, 02:36 PM

Hey Kelly. Can I just take my bike to the Kawi dealer with my serial number and see if there is a recal on my bike? Or do I have to go in there to get it serviced too.

Alex · February 27th, 2009, 02:38 PM

You can call a dealer (or kawasaki directly) with your VIN and they can confirm if all appropriate recalls have been done on your bike.

kkim · February 27th, 2009, 02:39 PM

plug in your VIN on this page and it will tell you if there are any recalls out on your bike.

http://www.kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame...OSEVEHICLE.ASP

Alex · February 27th, 2009, 02:40 PM

even better!

kkim · February 27th, 2009, 02:48 PM

yeah, that link can come in handy for someone to check a specific used bike provided they have the VIN.

grandmaster · February 27th, 2009, 03:37 PM

Thank you

noche_caliente · February 28th, 2009, 02:37 PM

Welcome Super! let us know how it turns out with the bike!

randomwalk101 · February 28th, 2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superkain

I'm bored and found a good deal on last years 250R, which my roommate is looking at buying anyways. I think I'll just buy it and ride it for a month or two until she takes her MSF course and sell it to her.

if you're bored, just ride her...why buy a 250R? That's what I'd do

hainesj · February 21st, 2010, 09:06 PM

i am having this same problem i have already ripped my bike apart and i am ready to take the airbox out . how do i fix this leak in the crankcase /airbox

February 27th, 2009, 10:39 AM	#1
superkain ninjette.org member Name: Super Location: NC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): k6 GSX-R 750, 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	Buying a 2008 250R this weekend Ok, so first post, here we go. I find myself without a bike for a few weeks while my 750 is getting some work done. I'm bored and found a good deal on last years 250R, which my roommate is looking at buying anyways. I think I'll just buy it and ride it for a month or two until she takes her MSF course and sell it to her. I've never owned a Kawi before, so I'm hoping you can tell me what are some specific gotchas to look for on these bikes. what goes wrong? what needs special attention? what need I know beyond emptor caveat? Thanks!

February 27th, 2009, 02:38 PM	#8
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	You can call a dealer (or kawasaki directly) with your VIN and they can confirm if all appropriate recalls have been done on your bike. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

February 27th, 2009, 02:40 PM	#10
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	even better! __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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February 27th, 2009, 10:42 AM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	welcome, super. the bikes are fairly reliable. a lot would depend on how well it was maintained by the previous owner. does the bike have maintenance records of what has been done since new?

February 27th, 2009, 10:45 AM	#3
superkain ninjette.org member Name: Super Location: NC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): k6 GSX-R 750, 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	That's one of the basics I am going to cover as soon as i meet with him and see/hear/touch/taste? the bike.

February 27th, 2009, 10:48 AM	#4
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	okay, how many miles on the bike? there is a 600 mile service which is basically an oil change. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10577 check to see if the bike has ever been crashed/dropped.

February 27th, 2009, 10:49 AM	#5
superkain ninjette.org member Name: Super Location: NC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): k6 GSX-R 750, 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	yup, i know the seller as he is a friend of a close friend. crash/drop has been covered. service record i will touch with him. It looks like there isn't any specific gotchas or recalls that I should be aware of that I can find. just wanted to check with the experts.

February 27th, 2009, 10:56 AM	#6
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	there are 2 recalls that you should be aware off... nothing major. if the bike is still under warranty, Kawasaki will fix them free. one is a front brake replacement and the other is to check for flashing in the crankcase vent in the airbox. If it is blocked, oil pressure builds in the crankcase and oil will spew everywhere under the bike. if the bike's were blocked, you would know it a the very early stages of it's life. Something to ask the owner, though. also, on the 08s, there was a brake light recall, but it made more sense for you to just replace it with one from the auto parts store. what is the build date on the bike or what month was it purchased new?

February 27th, 2009, 02:36 PM	#7
grandmaster ninjette.org member Name: Levi Location: St. George, Utah Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, CR125R Posts: 191	Hey Kelly. Can I just take my bike to the Kawi dealer with my serial number and see if there is a recal on my bike? Or do I have to go in there to get it serviced too.

February 27th, 2009, 02:39 PM	#9
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	plug in your VIN on this page and it will tell you if there are any recalls out on your bike. http://www.kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame...OSEVEHICLE.ASP

February 27th, 2009, 02:48 PM	#11
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	yeah, that link can come in handy for someone to check a specific used bike provided they have the VIN.

February 27th, 2009, 03:37 PM	#12
grandmaster ninjette.org member Name: Levi Location: St. George, Utah Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, CR125R Posts: 191	Thank you

February 28th, 2009, 02:37 PM	#13
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	Welcome Super! let us know how it turns out with the bike!

February 21st, 2010, 09:06 PM	#15
hainesj ninjette.org newbie Name: james Location: caledon, ontario Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 ninja 250r Posts: 2	i am having this same problem i have already ripped my bike apart and i am ready to take the airbox out . how do i fix this leak in the crankcase /airbox