Deciding to invest in your Ninjette

WhiteRice · October 18th, 2011, 09:07 AM

So I'm really torn about putting money into my bike to dress it up.

I always felt that it doesn't really affect the resale value.

Especially if I plan on getting a bigger bike eventually.

What do you guys think?

Zombiphone · October 18th, 2011, 09:19 AM

If resale is your goal, don't mod it. I'm not alone in the attitude of wanting a mostly stock bike when I buy one off someone else, and the ninja 250 market who buys the bikes with the intent of getting rid of it shortly after is very rarely willing to pay extra for mods. Those are all done purely at your expense.

Now, if you want to keep it, I've done almost everything I can think to do to my bike, and it's all been well worth it to me. But I've also probably put at least the price of the bike back into it, so if I ever sold it, I'd be taking a pretty big hit on it. But since I don't plan to do that ever, I don't care. If you do plan to sell it and value your money, leave it stock.

W8INLINE · October 18th, 2011, 09:55 AM

I agree 100% with zombiephone, but at the same time believe it's a matter of how you look at it. I have had hobbies in the past that costed me quite a lot of money. I played hockey when I was young...equipment is quite expensive. I was into the aquarium thing for a while...invested over 5k and now that I am not into it anymore I got nothing to show from it other than pictures, was it a waste of money? I don't think it was. Now my friends try to get me into golf...haha...yeah right....

We spend money on our hobbies to make us feel good at that moment. Thats how I look at any "investment" I make on modding my bike. At the end I tell myself, if or when I sell it, I will return it back to stock (i never get rid of factory parts), sell if for the going rate, and if I can sell off the aftermarket parts I have on ebay or something for half of what I paid, I would be very happy.

I don't know about you, but I got into this hobbie to have fun, enjoy the rides. I live for the moment, and I am not going to NOT enjoy something for the next year or two, just because I plan on not having it later.

choneofakind · October 18th, 2011, 10:26 AM

+1. I bought mine 100% stock and really appreciated it. Nothing was messed with or done the wrong way, and the PO made sure that she took it in for all of its' services.

I plan on keeping it until I'm through college, so I've been modding it to my tastes, but making sure that I do everything the right way and don't go half way on things. I plan on keeping it for at least another 2 (4 hopefully) years, and I've already owned it for 2 years. If I can get a good internship, I want to buy a Suzuki DRZ400s or a similar supermoto, but I'll keep the 250 until I graduate and can get a real job and afford a supersport.

Mazakawi · October 18th, 2011, 11:32 AM

I bought my bike brand new with 1.7 miles on it back in April. I just rolled over 4500 miles last night. Completely 100% stock.

Since then I've put about $800 into mods and upgrades. $500 of it was for new tires and a Corbin seat. Both of them were functional upgrades that made the bike much more comfortable to ride.

I've so far spent about $300 on different electrical and . Those include Integrated Tail Light, flush mount front signals, and removing that hideous tail fender.

I am thinking of getting a new bike next summer if my financial situation at the time allows it. I would be keeping my 250R though because it is my first bike and has a certain amount of sentimental value to it.

I'd say that if you plan on keeping it for a year or two at most then don't go over board. Spent a few hundred to make the bike yours.

If you plan on keeping it then only you can decide how much money is too much to spend on upgrades and cosmetic mods for a $4k bikes.

Gorilla25 · October 18th, 2011, 11:40 AM

i just keep my stock parts. i dont plan on selling my bike, but if i do, i can always put back all the stock parts and sell my aftermarket parts on the side

edit: the only thing i cant put back to stock is the rear fender..lol...chopped that thing up and made my own fender eliminator

Outlander Systems · October 18th, 2011, 07:50 PM

That's definitely a VERY personal opinion.

I just tallied up my grand total of over $3000 in aftermarket goodies for my bike.

At this point, I'm ready to go the distance. When I bought it in May, I knew I was keeping this bike for a long time...

I will never get my money back out of this bike, but I'm not worried about it.

I lost my license, was put on probation, and had to pay a $500 fine in 2002 on an EX250.

As a married, homeowning, employed, parent - if a 250 could almost ruin my life as a stuntin' punk kid, I could get myself into a world of trouble on just about any bike.

For me, it's more about the fun of riding, and trickin' out my ride than anything else. Cars bore me to tears. Motorcycles don't.

My perspective is that a tricked-out Scooter is more impressive to me than a stock GSXR1000. YMMV...

LoD575 · October 19th, 2011, 03:50 PM

I intend to keep my ninjette and have no plans on getting rid of it.

I see the bike as an extension of myself and add little touches to make it my own.

Havok · October 19th, 2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

If resale is your goal, don't mod it. I'm not alone in the attitude of wanting a mostly stock bike when I buy one off someone else, and the ninja 250 market who buys the bikes with the intent of getting rid of it shortly after is very rarely willing to pay extra for mods. Those are all done purely at your expense.

Now, if you want to keep it, I've done almost everything I can think to do to my bike, and it's all been well worth it to me. But I've also probably put at least the price of the bike back into it, so if I ever sold it, I'd be taking a pretty big hit on it. But since I don't plan to do that ever, I don't care. If you do plan to sell it and value your money, leave it stock.

QFE

If you are looking to move up dont go crazy on the mods, its just not worth it. The amount of money you put into it you will never get back. The only mods that i feel are ones a person should get is a new seat, upgrade tires to either a 140 or 150 rear and then do the easy free ones, Shim/snorkel remove, fender chop with a dremel that kind of stuff. It is very easy to end up putting a couple of grand into a 250 and you will never get that back in resale.

massacremasses · October 19th, 2011, 04:32 PM

I lose money on every vehicle I own... lol

WhiteRice · October 19th, 2011, 05:05 PM

Well pretty much every vehicle is a terrible fiscal investment

Boosted139 · October 19th, 2011, 05:11 PM

I'd agree with the majority here, if you plan on upgrading and selling the 250, don't go mod crazy. Otherwise go right ahead

Mine won't be going anywhere although I will get a bigger bike within the next year or 2.

massacremasses · October 19th, 2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRice

Well pretty much every vehicle is a terrible fiscal investment

word.

choneofakind · October 19th, 2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducducgooseit

Unless you specialize in V-12 Ferraris.

I would just lose more money on those. I would fall in love with every one of them and never actually sell one.

they're so lovely.

Lil_Green_Demon · October 23rd, 2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRice

Well pretty much every vehicle is a terrible fiscal investment

Yep. That's why Warren Buffet still drives the same '80s Lincoln for a couple of decades now!
I'm planning on starting to mod my bike. I plan on keeping it until it stops running, so why not, right?

nickjpass · October 23rd, 2011, 07:44 AM

The only mods that could possibly hold their value are performance modifications. Not all of them do though.

massacremasses · October 23rd, 2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickjpass

The only mods that could possibly hold their value are performance modifications. Not all of them do though.

not true.

str8t six · October 23rd, 2011, 02:41 PM

i dont plan on keeping this bike forever, but i will still mod it. it just makes the bike more personal and unique.

nickjpass · October 23rd, 2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massacremasses

not true.

Which part?

massacremasses · October 23rd, 2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickjpass

Which part?

whole thing.

Performance Mods are not necessarily going to make your bike, or car worth more.

nickjpass · October 23rd, 2011, 05:51 PM

They why I said some don't lol

WhiteRice · October 23rd, 2011, 06:01 PM

Well I'm definitely going to put something into the bike. I want to fix up my damaged parts and get some sliders on.

But now I'm just doing it because I want to not because I care about he value

blink · October 23rd, 2011, 06:09 PM

Well if you are comfortable riding it (position and all) the only mod you really could use is exhaust for sound. Either than that unless you are racing there is no point in spending to try to squeeze in even 5 extra horses...

massacremasses · October 23rd, 2011, 09:42 PM

yeah you do what you want and just know its not gonna help your resale value

Ill be making mine all pretty and hopefully wont crash it. My wife is already saying she gets it when I get a bigger bike though. So im not tripping now especially

Mr.E · October 24th, 2011, 05:27 AM

I've already spent tons on my bike, and its only a month in. Reason being, I intend to keep it forever. Lol. I feel since even if I do upgrade, I'll be keeping my 250, then I might at well pimp it out and make it look nice. Im also very big on looks, and love the attention the bike gets. So most my mods make it that more eye catching. lol.

How do I justify it? Im keeping it, might as well do it early on, so I can enjoy it later on.

October 18th, 2011, 09:07 AM	#1
WhiteRice Kamikaze Squirrel Name: Zach Location: NJ Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r Posts: 300	Deciding to invest in your Ninjette So I'm really torn about putting money into my bike to dress it up. I always felt that it doesn't really affect the resale value. Especially if I plan on getting a bigger bike eventually. What do you guys think?

October 18th, 2011, 07:50 PM	#7
Outlander Systems ninjette.org Tengu Name: Mike Location: Atlanta, Georgia Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R Posts: 256	That's definitely a VERY personal opinion. I just tallied up my grand total of over $3000 in aftermarket goodies for my bike. At this point, I'm ready to go the distance. When I bought it in May, I knew I was keeping this bike for a long time... I will never get my money back out of this bike, but I'm not worried about it. I lost my license, was put on probation, and had to pay a $500 fine in 2002 on an EX250. As a married, homeowning, employed, parent - if a 250 could almost ruin my life as a stuntin' punk kid, I could get myself into a world of trouble on just about any bike. For me, it's more about the fun of riding, and trickin' out my ride than anything else. Cars bore me to tears. Motorcycles don't. My perspective is that a tricked-out Scooter is more impressive to me than a stock GSXR1000. YMMV... __________________________________________________ Outlander Systems YouTube Channel Outlander Systems Facebook Page

October 19th, 2011, 04:32 PM	#10
massacremasses Avid Kitteh Poster Name: Justin Location: Norcal Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.	I lose money on every vehicle I own... lol __________________________________________________ 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 23rd, 2011, 07:44 AM	#16
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	The only mods that could possibly hold their value are performance modifications. Not all of them do though. __________________________________________________

October 23rd, 2011, 02:41 PM	#18
str8t six never enough Name: josh Location: michigan Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2010 ninja 250R Posts: 277	i dont plan on keeping this bike forever, but i will still mod it. it just makes the bike more personal and unique. __________________________________________________ custom graphics, zero gravity DB

October 18th, 2011, 09:19 AM	#2
Zombiphone CVMA/AFM #72 Name: Tiffani Location: Los Angeles, Ca Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r (Racebike), 2015 FZ-07(Tourer), 2001 KX65(LOL bike) Posts: A lot.	If resale is your goal, don't mod it. I'm not alone in the attitude of wanting a mostly stock bike when I buy one off someone else, and the ninja 250 market who buys the bikes with the intent of getting rid of it shortly after is very rarely willing to pay extra for mods. Those are all done purely at your expense. Now, if you want to keep it, I've done almost everything I can think to do to my bike, and it's all been well worth it to me. But I've also probably put at least the price of the bike back into it, so if I ever sold it, I'd be taking a pretty big hit on it. But since I don't plan to do that ever, I don't care. If you do plan to sell it and value your money, leave it stock.

October 18th, 2011, 09:55 AM	#3
W8INLINE ninjette.org member Name: George Location: North Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 black 250r Posts: 29	I agree 100% with zombiephone, but at the same time believe it's a matter of how you look at it. I have had hobbies in the past that costed me quite a lot of money. I played hockey when I was young...equipment is quite expensive. I was into the aquarium thing for a while...invested over 5k and now that I am not into it anymore I got nothing to show from it other than pictures, was it a waste of money? I don't think it was. Now my friends try to get me into golf...haha...yeah right.... We spend money on our hobbies to make us feel good at that moment. Thats how I look at any "investment" I make on modding my bike. At the end I tell myself, if or when I sell it, I will return it back to stock (i never get rid of factory parts), sell if for the going rate, and if I can sell off the aftermarket parts I have on ebay or something for half of what I paid, I would be very happy. I don't know about you, but I got into this hobbie to have fun, enjoy the rides. I live for the moment, and I am not going to NOT enjoy something for the next year or two, just because I plan on not having it later.

October 18th, 2011, 10:26 AM	#4
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	+1. I bought mine 100% stock and really appreciated it. Nothing was messed with or done the wrong way, and the PO made sure that she took it in for all of its' services. I plan on keeping it until I'm through college, so I've been modding it to my tastes, but making sure that I do everything the right way and don't go half way on things. I plan on keeping it for at least another 2 (4 hopefully) years, and I've already owned it for 2 years. If I can get a good internship, I want to buy a Suzuki DRZ400s or a similar supermoto, but I'll keep the 250 until I graduate and can get a real job and afford a supersport.

October 18th, 2011, 11:32 AM	#5
Mazakawi ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R Posts: 159	I bought my bike brand new with 1.7 miles on it back in April. I just rolled over 4500 miles last night. Completely 100% stock. Since then I've put about $800 into mods and upgrades. $500 of it was for new tires and a Corbin seat. Both of them were functional upgrades that made the bike much more comfortable to ride. I've so far spent about $300 on different electrical and . Those include Integrated Tail Light, flush mount front signals, and removing that hideous tail fender. I am thinking of getting a new bike next summer if my financial situation at the time allows it. I would be keeping my 250R though because it is my first bike and has a certain amount of sentimental value to it. I'd say that if you plan on keeping it for a year or two at most then don't go over board. Spent a few hundred to make the bike yours. If you plan on keeping it then only you can decide how much money is too much to spend on upgrades and cosmetic mods for a $4k bikes.

October 18th, 2011, 11:40 AM	#6
Gorilla25 Dakine... Name: AJ Location: DFW Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (Sold) \| 636 (hopefully soon) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5	i just keep my stock parts. i dont plan on selling my bike, but if i do, i can always put back all the stock parts and sell my aftermarket parts on the side edit: the only thing i cant put back to stock is the rear fender..lol...chopped that thing up and made my own fender eliminator

October 19th, 2011, 03:50 PM	#8
LoD575 ninjette.org sage Name: Steve Location: Valdosta GA, US Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 2006 Ninja ZX6R-636 Posts: 661	I intend to keep my ninjette and have no plans on getting rid of it. I see the bike as an extension of myself and add little touches to make it my own.

October 19th, 2011, 05:05 PM	#11
WhiteRice Kamikaze Squirrel Name: Zach Location: NJ Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r Posts: 300	Well pretty much every vehicle is a terrible fiscal investment

October 19th, 2011, 05:11 PM	#12
Boosted139 ninjette.org guru Name: Justin Location: Central NJ Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2009 Triumph Daytona 675 Posts: 334	I'd agree with the majority here, if you plan on upgrading and selling the 250, don't go mod crazy. Otherwise go right ahead Mine won't be going anywhere although I will get a bigger bike within the next year or 2.

October 23rd, 2011, 05:51 PM	#21
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	They why I said some don't lol __________________________________________________

October 23rd, 2011, 06:01 PM	#22
WhiteRice Kamikaze Squirrel Name: Zach Location: NJ Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r Posts: 300	Well I'm definitely going to put something into the bike. I want to fix up my damaged parts and get some sliders on. But now I'm just doing it because I want to not because I care about he value

October 23rd, 2011, 06:09 PM	#23
blink Always. Name: Alex Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.	Well if you are comfortable riding it (position and all) the only mod you really could use is exhaust for sound. Either than that unless you are racing there is no point in spending to try to squeeze in even 5 extra horses... __________________________________________________ blink-182

October 23rd, 2011, 09:42 PM	#24
massacremasses Avid Kitteh Poster Name: Justin Location: Norcal Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.	yeah you do what you want and just know its not gonna help your resale value Ill be making mine all pretty and hopefully wont crash it. My wife is already saying she gets it when I get a bigger bike though. So im not tripping now especially __________________________________________________ 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 24th, 2011, 05:27 AM	#25
Mr.E That rider dude. Name: Eric Location: Orlando, Fl. Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 White Ninja 250 SE. Posts: A lot.	I've already spent tons on my bike, and its only a month in. Reason being, I intend to keep it forever. Lol. I feel since even if I do upgrade, I'll be keeping my 250, then I might at well pimp it out and make it look nice. Im also very big on looks, and love the attention the bike gets. So most my mods make it that more eye catching. lol. How do I justify it? Im keeping it, might as well do it early on, so I can enjoy it later on. __________________________________________________ Mods: flushmount Led front binkers, diode mod, pazzo levers, clear tank pad, racing replica grips, bike monkeys integrated tal light, zx-2r vinyls, rearsets, red bar ends, and more red accented stuff.

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