2011 Ninja 250 Special Edition

[vexuno]

So far I've checked out a couple of 250s and a 300. Of the 250s one was a 2012 in black, the other a 2011 green/ebony special edition. The 300 was a white 2013.

Black 2012:

Bike seemed to be in decent condition. Laid down by the previous owner causing scuff marks on the left and right fairings. Bike needed to be washed, and chain was dirty. Owner said he had it for a month and the previous owner had just had oil changed. No proof of maintenance. Of concern were the drops and some rust I saw in the upper part of the fork. Asking price $3200 (willing to lower to $3000) Pics below...

Green/Ebony 2011 Special Edition:

Seller was very accommodating. Bike looks and runs good. Areas of concern were again not clean/ dusty and some cosmetics on the lower left fairing and a small chip on the gas tank that has begun to rust. Asking $3000. Pics attached:

White 2013:

First 300 I look at, but outside of my price range. Just wanted to feel the difference between the 250 and 300. Surprisingly more rust then the other two, especially in the bolts around the upper parts of the bike. Maybe the imperfections just show more because the bike is white. Also of concern was low oil levels and a rusty exhaust. Aside from these the bike was cosmetically on point.

Tell me what you think guys. Your guidance is much appreciated.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Decepticon sticker on the 300, stay away.

the 250s will be the same, the only difference is the graphics. Buy whichever one you feel was better maintained, less miles, etc.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

Decepticon sticker on the 300, stay away.

[Ghostt]

personally at first I might the drawn towards the green/black, due to cosmetics, but in the end it ALWAYS comes down to the seller and what kind of person they are, then onto the maintenance schedule etc.....

Remember just cause it looks good, don't mean anything!!!!
Case and point, Remember all those dates that went sideways, after you started talking?

[vexuno]

Originally Posted by Ghostt

Case and point, Remember all those dates that went sideways, after you started talking?

Sounds like my wife lol!

So the rust shouldn't be a concern? Or is that normal wear and tear? I am especially concerned about the one on the green ones tank.

Not much mileage difference between the two. Black has 7000 and the green 8000. The owner of the black one seemed like a novice when it came to maintenance. He had only been riding about a month and didn't even know where to check the oil. Any maintenance would have likely been done by the previous owner who I never met. He seemed like a nice kid, but didn't say much aside from answering my questions.

The owner of the green one was more personable. Practically handed me the key when I got there and told me to feel free to turn it on and take it for a spin. He had an appointment after our meet but I never felt rushed or like he was trying to get rid of the bike asap. He has a lot of riding experience and does his own maintenance on all four of his bikes. The air filter looked like it had not been cleaned in a while, but he cleaned it on the spot after I pulled it out. Even grabbed one of his other bikes and went for a spin with me to test ride. Also noticed I was a new rider and invited me to ride with him and his buddies once I have a bike, so that I can get better.

[liberpolly]

Based on owner personality alone, I'd take the green bike. It seems a little overpriced for where I live, but everything is more expensive on the islands, isn't it? I would never get a bike with low oil level, who knows what else the owner neglected?

[Ghostt]

@vexuno I have a couple ex-wifes so I hear that.

But on a serious note, pitted chrome is no big deal, especially in your location,(high salt content areas) now if you look thru the oil sight glass, and it's black, and very very thin, also look at the brake pads, rotors, tires, what color is the brake fluid, etc...... Look at the consumables items, hell take a peek in the gas tank.

These are the items I pay attention to

Items such as fairings, turn indicators, seat, etc, can be too easily changed.

[vexuno]

@ liberpolly yes things are more expensive in Hawaii, but people tend to keep their asking price pretty close to KBB value. What would you think is a reasonable price?

[Ghostt]

Me personally, I low ball them, and show them the cash, if anything, we usually meet in the middle, I've never worried about offending anybody, it just part of the game.

When a seller sees cash, I does effect there mood, I always lead off with counting out the cash while telling them my price.

SIDENOTE: put money you want to pay for it, hand the extra to a buddy, girlfriend, or keep the extra in another pocket just in case, never show it all.

[liberpolly]

I recently got 2010 with 3300 miles for less than $2000. Yes, wad of cash in hand sometimes works miracles...

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by liberpolly

I recently got 2010 with 3300 miles for less than $2000. Yes, wad of cash in hand sometimes works miracles...

Show cash first, works all the time, like my prom date

[vexuno]

Really? Just straight up, no haggling to justify your low ball offer?

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by vexuno

Really? Just straight up, no haggling to justify your low ball offer?

You can always find something to justify your haggling, especially damages, or how long it's been for sale, the worse thing a seller is to tell me, I've been trying to sell it for awhile, etc.... it's like chum in the water.

Personally I'd offer $2,500 to low ball, then see where it goes from there, try settling in the middle @ $2,750, but always be ready to full price, just in case

But pull the $2,500 cash out first before you say a word, watch the seller's body language, that will tell you a lot as well.

E ho`omaika` brah

[vexuno]

Mahalo!

[Ghostt]

I hope I remember this one right,

Shocka Brah

If I didn't I'm sorry it's been a long time.

[Ghostt]

I'm not shark bait, but I'm haole for sure LOL

[liberpolly]

It's not like you're offering them half of asking price even before you've seen the bike - you'd be surprised how many people on craigslist do that, just because - what do they have to lose really?

A bike in a good shape should sell somewhere in the middle between the trade-in value and the retail price. Where in the middle is the subject of negotiations.

[JohnnyBravo]

With all the salty water around I'd be more surprised to find something not rusted

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

With all the salty water around I'd be more surprised to find something not rusted

I hear that.

[vexuno]

Originally Posted by Ghostt

I'm not shark bait, but I'm haole for sure LOL

Hahaha...now you're just talking story brah!

Did you live out here?

[vexuno]

What do you guys think about having a mechanic look at it before negotiating?

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by vexuno

Sounds like my wife lol!

So the rust shouldn't be a concern? Or is that normal wear and tear? I am especially concerned about the one on the green ones tank.

Not much mileage difference between the two. Black has 7000 and the green 8000. The owner of the black one seemed like a novice when it came to maintenance. He had only been riding about a month and didn't even know where to check the oil. Any maintenance would have likely been done by the previous owner who I never met. He seemed like a nice kid, but didn't say much aside from answering my questions.

The owner of the green one was more personable. Practically handed me the key when I got there and told me to feel free to turn it on and take it for a spin. He had an appointment after our meet but I never felt rushed or like he was trying to get rid of the bike asap. He has a lot of riding experience and does his own maintenance on all four of his bikes. The air filter looked like it had not been cleaned in a while, but he cleaned it on the spot after I pulled it out. Even grabbed one of his other bikes and went for a spin with me to test ride. Also noticed I was a new rider and invited me to ride with him and his buddies once I have a bike, so that I can get better.

off of this I'd be strongly leaning towards the green 250, and also to take up the offer to ride with him and his buddies (though stay within your comfort zone, ride your own ride)

I wouldn't trust a bike that was owned by someone who doesn't even know how to check the oil.

I own a 300 and the stock bolts are crap, they started corroding from normal riding in the rain/snow. It hasn't become a problem for me yet but I'll be swapping them all for bolts that hold up to the weather (and salt) better down the line

[vexuno]

Thanks for the insight guys! The black one sold and I set up a meet with the owner of the green one to have a mechanic look at it before making him an offer, but he flaked out on me last minute. Now its back to the drawing board!