Help me choose!

[Makenza]

Hey folks, currently looking into purchasing a ninjette, I do have a lot of options.
Could you let me know what you think of the options available to me?

I'm located at Travis AFB, which will add on miles to the bike when I pick it up to ride it back home.

Private Sellers:
Blue 2010 - ~500 miles --$4K Another active duty AF selling their bike here on the base. Literally could walk to the bike to pick it up.

Blue 2010 - ~720 miles --$4K Random Person from SF (60 miles away, I suppose the above bike nullifies this one out)

Red 2010 - ~200 miles -- $3K, Oakdale (100 miles away), ~Dropped, little damage (saw pics, scuff on side of tank and blinker), TITLE FOUND! - Going to be looking at this tomorrow in person!

White 2011 - ~100 miles --$4600 Another Random person from SF (60 miles away)

Dealership options:
White 2011 - Brand Spanking New from dealer. $5200 OTD
New 2012s -- around $5300 OTD.

Please keep in mind, I would rather buy used if possible, because it'll save me money in the long run.

Thanks again. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

[Honko]

I'd say either the 500 mile blue or depending on whether he gets the title and how "little" the damage is, maybe the red.

[Mountain Dew]

Buying used there's a 100% chance of having to spend more money (not saying you will always have to, but there's always the chance).

There's also a chance that the bike wasn't broken in properly, torque values being incorrect for a while, etc.

Personally I would go check out a dealership and see what kind of deals or add-ins you can get.

[Skippii]

Red one, definitely. People lose titles all the time, it's nothing to worry about unless they don't get another one.

FYI: When I bought my DL1000, the seller had to stop by the DMV on his way to meet me to pick up a new title because he lost his.

[Rys]

Red. $1000 goes a long way towards gear and upgrades. Of course that depends on what "minor" damage is. Have them email you pics of the damage. I would drive a little to save some money if the it is only a few scratches

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Makenza

Hey folks, currently looking into purchasing a ninjette, I do have a lot of options.
Could you let me know what you think of the options available to me?

I'm located at Travis AFB, which will add on miles to the bike when I pick it up to ride it back home.

Private Sellers:
Blue 2010 - ~500 miles --$4K Another active duty AF selling their bike here on the base. Literally could walk to the bike to pick it up.

Blue 2010 - ~720 miles --$4K Random Person from SF (60 miles away, I suppose the above bike nullifies this one out)

Red 2010 - ~200 miles -- $3K, Oakdale (100 miles away), ~Dropped, little to no damage, lost title, Ordered a new one from DMV and is waiting for it to arrive (possible scam?)

White 2011 - ~100 miles --$4600 Another Random person from SF (60 miles away)

Dealership options:
White 2011 - Brand Spanking New from dealer. $5200 OTD
New 2012s -- around $5300 OTD.

Please keep in mind, I would rather buy used if possible, because it'll save me money in the long run.

Thanks again. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

Is this your first bike? And have you considered a pregen?

I bought a new 2011 bike about 3 months ago and a 2007 pregen last week. And I've gotta say, the pregen beats the newgen in every category except suspension and looks. You can get a great deal on one and then buy some awesome gear.

[Makenza]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Is this your first bike? And have you considered a pregen?

I bought a new 2011 bike about 3 months ago and a 2007 pregen last week. And I've gotta say, the pregen beats the newgen in every category except suspension and looks. You can get a great deal on one and then buy some awesome gear.

Yeah, this will be my first bike!
To answer your question, I haven't considered the pre-gens, not entirely sure if I will in the future either.
I understand the pre-gen beats new-gen in those aspects, but I'd rather be with a more recently made bike, as I'll have to learn to maintain and grow with the bike as I get more and more comfortable with it.
On a personal level, I feel more comfortable working with a 'newer' machine. No offense to the pre-gens, I'm sure they are awesome bikes.

Thanks for the opinions guys!
Any more takers? I'm taking everything into consideration!

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

the pregen beats the newgen in every category except suspension and looks.

Looks are a matter of preference. I like the classic styling better. The suspension can be fixed easily for relatively little money. Pre-Gen love

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Looks are a matter of preference. I like the classic styling better. The suspension can be fixed easily for relatively little money. Pre-Gen love

Yea I'm talking about stock. Of course suspension can be changed and I'm undergoing a project to Sexifie my pregen

Makenza, I strongly suggest getting frame sliders for the bike since it will be your first. This way if you accidently drop it, the damage will be minimal.

And how much of the bikes maintenance are you planning on doing yourself?

[Makenza]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Yea I'm talking about stock. Of course suspension can be changed and I'm undergoing a project to Sexifie my pregen
Makenza, I strongly suggest getting frame sliders for the bike since it will be your first. This way if you accidently drop it, the damage will be minimal.
And how much of the bikes maintenance are you planning on doing yourself?

All routine maintenance, or atleast as much as I possibly can safely.
I've done the maintenance on the 2 cars my dear wife and I have, since day one of owning it.
If it's something that I can do myself, I'm willing to learn and buy the parts to get it done.
Besides, Ninjette.org members are here for me when I ask for help, right?

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Makenza

All routine maintenance, or atleast as much as I possibly can safely.
I've done the maintenance on the 2 cars my dear wife and I have, since day one of owning it.
If it's something that I can do myself, I'm willing to learn and buy the parts to get it done.
Besides, Ninjette.org members are here for me when I ask for help, right?

Yep Anytime!

Just asking because at 600miles you need to have a break in period maintenance check. I opted to let the dealer do it which cost me $180 for stuff that I could have done myself. If you get one of the bikes over 600 miles ask about the break in maintenance check and if you get one under 600 miles then expect to be doing it yourself soon.

[massacremasses]

check out the red. I just picked up a red one with some damage on the plastics.. meh no worries. As long as he gets the title dont trip on it. The dude could have dropped it and been to scared to ride it again or something.. lots of possibilities... I just got an 09 for $2500 with 3400 miles on it... And I got it in Chico... so close by.. id go red, or keep looking, those prices seem really high to me.

or talk the guy close to you down like $500.. thatd be sweet for you.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

check out the red. I just picked up a red one with some damage on the plastics.. meh no worries. As long as he gets the title dont trip on it. The dude could have dropped it and been to scared to ride it again or something.. lots of possibilities... I just got an 09 for $2500 with 3400 miles on it... And I got it in Chico... so close by.. id go red, or keep looking, those prices seem really high to me.

or talk the guy close to you down like $500.. thatd be sweet for you.

I bought mine new for $5100 OTD

[2011Ninja250R]

That red one sounds like a terd to me. The guy wrecked his bike and doesn't even have the organizational skills to keep track of the title. I say- STAY AWAY FROM THAT.

Either of the blue ones sound ok. I guess I'd go with my gut as far as which one seemed to be the best cared for.

The white one is too pricey for a used bike. Why pay that much when you can spend a little more and get new.

There is a certain "peace of mind" you get when you buy a new bike. You know exactly what you are getting. That's why I bought mine new.

Sure you'll save money buying used, but you may end up spending money to fix someones troubles.

Try negotiating with the dealer on the new 2011. That white is tight.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

I bought mine new for $5100 OTD

none of these are new.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

none of these are new.

They are all very close to new. When I bought my 2011, they were still selling new 2010's for $5000+

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

They are all very close to new. When I bought my 2011, they were still selling new 2010's for $5000+

I guess if they dont devalue like driving a new car off the lot...

I just wouldnt pay that much over 3k for em. But im cheap

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

I guess if they dont devalue like driving a new car off the lot...

I just wouldnt pay that much over 3k for em. But im cheap

They are so popular that there is no huge price dip like with cars

[massacremasses]

I guess but Im a cheap skate so I wouldnt spend that much lol

[Makenza]

Made an update, Red 2010 found the title, sent me a pic, as well as more pics of the bike.
Explained in detail that the damage is only scuffs on side of tank and blinker, nothing else. His wife couldn't hold the bike up in the garage.
I'll be going to his place to take a look at the bike in person tomorrow.

[massacremasses]

nice!! post pics!

[Heed]

in for later.

[massacremasses]

replace the fairings and blinkers for some scratches?! Seriously? Dude... the bike is marked down 1000 more. Unless the OP is completely incapable he can fix all of that for a fraction of what you are talking... maybe $100 IF he has to get new turn signals..

If there was MASSIVE tank damage I might agree with you but since he said they are SCRATCHES they should be cake to fix. Anyone can do body work on stuff like this...

[rusninja]

Originally Posted by Makenza

Made an update, Red 2010 found the title, sent me a pic, as well as more pics of the bike.
Explained in detail that the damage is only scuffs on side of tank and blinker, nothing else. His wife couldn't hold the bike up in the garage.
I'll be going to his place to take a look at the bike in person tomorrow.

how did it get the tank :S the side of the tank is covered by fairings But idk its just me thinking iv never been close to a ninja 250 but iv seen many pictures.

[Mountain Dew]

The only reason the tank would get scraped is if it contacted something raised (like a curb) or if the wheels went higher than the tank in a crash.

(Or so I think. I'll let an expert chime in.)

[rusninja]

Originally Posted by Mountain Dew

The only reason the tank would get scraped is if it contacted something raised (like a curb) or if the wheels went higher than the tank in a crash.

(Or so I think. I'll let an expert chime in.)

Yup hahaha to my understanding it was a stand still drop but i could of missed the point and his misses was riding. :S

[Makenza]

So guys, took a look at the Red 2010.
What I verified that yes, it does have 'minor damage'

EXTREMELY MINOR DAMAGE!
There's a scuff on the side fairing, BELOW the tank, not the tank itself, I can probably rub it out, but it can barely be seen, maybe at the right angle and the correct lighting.
Also, there's also a 'damage', extremely small, I'd say the size of a penny if not smaller, on the side, between the rider's seat and passenger seat (the corner that protrudes out to the side).
Basically the paint here is chipped/scraped off from the drop.

Aside from that, everything else checks out!
So what did I do after this?

Verified everything else, and coughed up the $3K landing, me a Red 2010 w/ 160 miles!
Pictures when I get a chance!

[rusninja]

Originally Posted by Makenza

So guys, took a look at the Red 2010.
What I verified that yes, it does have 'minor damage'

EXTREMELY MINOR DAMAGE!
There's a scuff on the side fairing, BELOW the tank, not the tank itself, I can probably rub it out, but it can barely be seen, maybe at the right angle and the correct lighting.
Also, there's also a 'damage', extremely small, I'd say the size of a penny if not smaller, on the side, between the rider's seat and passenger seat (the corner that protrudes out to the side).
Basically the paint here is chipped/scraped off from the drop.

Aside from that, everything else checks out!
So what did I do after this?

Verified everything else, and coughed up the $3K landing, me a Red 2010 w/ 160 miles!
Pictures when I get a chance!

congratz! get those pics up already!

[kaiserz]

Nice! 160 miles?? that's a steal compared to the other bikes

[massacremasses]

I WAS RIGHT!!!


I win.


lets SEE SOME PIIIIITCHERS!!!

[Heed]

and just like that you got a motorcycle.

in for pics.

[coondog]

only one to consider, common sense.

[Makenza]

Quick iPhone pictures attached! (this is also the side where the 'damage' is supposed to be, see if you can spot it!)
Cycle Gear at Sacramento was having an event, and I just got back from buying gear!
They were also giving away free stuff, one of which was a Shoei RF1100 Helmet, design of your choice!

[rusninja]

what scratch :P

[phr3ek]

you can barely see the damage on those pics
i see the scuffing on the blinker, lever and bar end
i dont see the scuff on the tank

so i would pick RED

[Boom King]

If that's the supposed damage, I think you came out with the best deal out of the choices presented. Congrats on the bike.

[noche_caliente]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Yep Anytime!

Just asking because at 600miles you need to have a break in period maintenance check. I opted to let the dealer do it which cost me $180 for stuff that I could have done myself. If you get one of the bikes over 600 miles ask about the break in maintenance check and if you get one under 600 miles then expect to be doing it yourself soon.

Originally Posted by Makenza

Verified everything else, and coughed up the $3K landing, me a Red 2010 w/ 160 miles!
Pictures when I get a chance!

This will help you when you get to the 600-mile service Jiggles was talking about - SUPER easy!
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19368

And congratulations on the new bike!

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Makenza

They were also giving away free stuff, one of which was a Shoei RF1100 Helmet, design of your choice!

when will it be mine turn to get a free shoei rf1100? ;p