Possibly purchasing a 250 tomorrow, give me your input

[jchung0729]

Hey guys,

I've been riding for almost 4 years. I've owned a 98 YZF600R, 2001 R6, 2005 CBR 1000 Repsol, and a 2007 R1.

A couple months ago, I got hit by a driver running a red and my R6 was totaled. I'm in middle of a personal injury case. I hope to purchase a literbike again when the case settles.

For the time being, I've been considering buying a 4th gen 250 for its great resale value and styling. I know it's a solid bike and I've found 2 for sale.

First is a 2012 250R with 7500 miles. Registration is good for a year and it seems to be in great condition. Clean title. Asking price is $3100 OBO but I'm hoping to get it for $2700 or $2800. Is this a good deal?

I've found 2009 250r for $3200 with 700 miles. I'm guessing there's not a lot of room for negotiation on this one. It seems this one has been in storage for a while which sketches me out. However the low miles will easily attract a buyer when it's time to sell.

Keep in mind that I'm in Southern California and it's summer so prices are on the higher side right now.

I'm leaning towards the 2012 for the year (I know it's the same bike as the 2009) and the fact it has been ridden and not sitting. However the key is the resale value. I don't intend on keeping for more than 5 months maximum until I sell it so which one would you go with?

[Sirref]

I'd say the 2012 purely because the 2009 likely needs new tires right off the bat due to it's age and the fact that you can probably talk the seller down a few hundred dollars more than you could with the '09

resale will be similar with both bikes, while you would sell the '12 for less money than the '09 you would also be buying it for less so it evens out. One thing to note with the '12 though is that it's pretty close to it's 7500mi valve alignment check (you can talk the owner down more $ on this point)

[csmith12]

Welcome J!

Better plan on keeping it a year give or take, so you can sell at the beginning of the season next year. Otherwise.... your selling the fall, lower prices.

Good luck, I would go for the solid one.

[jchung0729]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Welcome J!

Better plan on keeping it a year give or take, so you can sell at the beginning of the season next year. Otherwise.... your selling the fall, lower prices.

Good luck, I would go for the solid one.

That's true but don't think that'll happen. As soon as the case settles this thing is gone!

[alex.s]

you are approaching the process incorrectly.

it is not "which one of these do i buy without giving literally any details about condition". it is, "hey guys after checking out about 30 bikes i found this one for $2100 which is in nearly mint condition with a few thousand miles on it and new tires with all current services done. the guy didn't really know how good of condition the bike was in so i'm glad i didn't blow all my money on the first thing that i found."

[Flying]

2800 for the first bike is an average price.

[jchung0729]

Originally Posted by alex.s

you are approaching the process incorrectly.

it is not "which one of these do i buy without giving literally any details about condition". it is, "hey guys after checking out about 30 bikes i found this one for $2100 which is in nearly mint condition with a few thousand miles on it and new tires with all current services done. the guy didn't really know how good of condition the bike was in so i'm glad i didn't blow all my money on the first thing that i found."

Thanks for the input. But maybe I did look at about 20 so far and it came down to these 2

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by jchung0729

Thanks for the input. But maybe I did look at about 20 so far and it came down to these 2

I would check out the 2012. I had the option between a 2010 with only 2.5k miles and a 2012 with 9k miles. I went with the 2012. The 2010 was sitting (Just like the 09 you're looking at) And if a bike is sitting then it will have problems.. like everyone was telling me, the 2012 with the 9k miles was being USED, someone used it daily to commute and took care of it. The bike that sat, no one cared about.

[cbinker]

buy the newer one.

[Klondike1020]

If your most important factor is resale value.

Buy the one with lower miles. Clean the carbs and change the oil.
maybe look in the cylinders to make sure there is no rust before you purchase it or turn it over.

But really miles 2012 with 7500 miles a 2009 with 700 miles

its a negligible difference - someone might like the newer year someone might like the lower miles.

Talk the guy down on price and tell him that bikes that don't get ridden have their own issues and his bike has been sitting and people will wonder why?

good luck

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by jchung0729

Thanks for the input. But maybe I did look at about 20 so far and it came down to these 2

did you?

because 2800 is not a good price.

[greenaero]

IMHO neither is a great deal but of the 2 the newer bike is better. Personally, I would keep looking. If you know you're to sell it shortly then you need to get one for a really good price so that you don't loose your shirt on the exchange.

[crazymadbastard]

Low ball the one you like least and move on to the next.
That is what I did and ended up here...

[capt_bugaloo]

7500 miles is very low if the rider has taken even half-decent care of the motorcycle.
I think it's a very good point that the 2009 with the extremely low miles may have aged-out tires, old battery, etc.

[jchung0729]

Originally Posted by alex.s

did you?

because 2800 is not a good price.

Yeah it's definitely not a good price. But that's the best one I can find. If you can find one in the LA area that's comparable, feel free to enlighten me with comparable ones for sale.