Hi! And: Where to get advice on choosing a used bike?

mrienstra · July 13th, 2012, 11:44 AM

Hi, looking to get a Ninja 250, & my first bike.

I've been getting some good advice from friends, but at moment I can't get a hold of anyone and am trying to make something happen today!

Is this the right forum to ask for opinions about a few different options?

(disclaimer: cross-posted on ninja250.org)

mrienstra · July 13th, 2012, 12:10 PM

OK, here goes.

Looking at 3 bikes, all Ninja 250s. I've spoken to everyone via phone, but no face-to-face yet, hopefully this afternoon.

2007, 30k, history of maintenance by 1 mechanic, may need new cam chain tensioner soon, $1600. Red w/gray. Oakland.
Good: newer year, good history.
Bad: 30k mileage, in Oakland, red w/ gray flames.

2005, 9k, some minor damage (turn signal mount, crack in windshield, chip in fairing), $1400. Black w/ green/gray. Looks good in photos, San Jose, was "laid" at 50 mph.
Good: location (saves me time & less cost to have delivered to Santa Cruz), cheap.
Bad: "laid" at 50 mph, not clear if frame / fork was checked by mechanic after.

2005, 16k, $1650. Black w/ gray. Language barrier, Oakland.
Good: black w/ gray.
Bad: have only been able to contact through Spanish-speaking friend.

----

Aside from higher mileage, the 2007 sounds solid. But it's 50 min drive each way just to take a look IF I go today, otherwise 1.3 hrs tomorrow. Also not crazy about red w/ gray flames.

2005 San Jose is pretty tempting, low mileage, photos look good, very close by, but not clear how well it has been taken care of.

Any thoughts?

Jiggles · July 13th, 2012, 12:48 PM

If you can get a complete history of the 07 and determine that all maintenance has been done and it's been taken care of then 30k isn't really a problem. You can also leverage those 30k miles to get you a much lower price. If the 07 has never been crashed/dropped i would take that over the 05. With the 05 you're going to have to check if everything is intact

mrienstra · July 13th, 2012, 12:55 PM

Thanks Jiggles!

Yeah, the 2007 seems like a safer choice, since it has been maintained by the same mechanic consistently for awhile.

Asking price is $1600, which isn't bad. What would you recommend offering?

Apex · July 13th, 2012, 04:41 PM

I'd go for the '07 as well...

Alex · July 13th, 2012, 04:47 PM

/moved to General

July 13th, 2012, 11:44 AM	#1
mrienstra ninjette.org newbie Name: Michael Location: Santa Cruz Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): n/a Posts: 3	Hi! And: Where to get advice on choosing a used bike? Hi, looking to get a Ninja 250, & my first bike. I've been getting some good advice from friends, but at moment I can't get a hold of anyone and am trying to make something happen today! Is this the right forum to ask for opinions about a few different options? (disclaimer: cross-posted on ninja250.org)

July 13th, 2012, 12:10 PM	#2
mrienstra ninjette.org newbie Name: Michael Location: Santa Cruz Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): n/a Posts: 3	What the heck OK, here goes. Looking at 3 bikes, all Ninja 250s. I've spoken to everyone via phone, but no face-to-face yet, hopefully this afternoon. 2007, 30k, history of maintenance by 1 mechanic, may need new cam chain tensioner soon, $1600. Red w/gray. Oakland. Good: newer year, good history. Bad: 30k mileage, in Oakland, red w/ gray flames. 2005, 9k, some minor damage (turn signal mount, crack in windshield, chip in fairing), $1400. Black w/ green/gray. Looks good in photos, San Jose, was "laid" at 50 mph. Good: location (saves me time & less cost to have delivered to Santa Cruz), cheap. Bad: "laid" at 50 mph, not clear if frame / fork was checked by mechanic after. 2005, 16k, $1650. Black w/ gray. Language barrier, Oakland. Good: black w/ gray. Bad: have only been able to contact through Spanish-speaking friend. ---- Aside from higher mileage, the 2007 sounds solid. But it's 50 min drive each way just to take a look IF I go today, otherwise 1.3 hrs tomorrow. Also not crazy about red w/ gray flames. 2005 San Jose is pretty tempting, low mileage, photos look good, very close by, but not clear how well it has been taken care of. Any thoughts?

July 13th, 2012, 12:48 PM	#3
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	If you can get a complete history of the 07 and determine that all maintenance has been done and it's been taken care of then 30k isn't really a problem. You can also leverage those 30k miles to get you a much lower price. If the 07 has never been crashed/dropped i would take that over the 05. With the 05 you're going to have to check if everything is intact __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

July 13th, 2012, 12:55 PM	#4
mrienstra ninjette.org newbie Name: Michael Location: Santa Cruz Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): n/a Posts: 3	Good call Thanks Jiggles! Yeah, the 2007 seems like a safer choice, since it has been maintained by the same mechanic consistently for awhile. Asking price is $1600, which isn't bad. What would you recommend offering?

July 13th, 2012, 04:41 PM	#5
Apex Livin' the Minimoto Life Name: Mark Location: Riding around in TX Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.	I'd go for the '07 as well... __________________________________________________ --- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro

July 13th, 2012, 04:47 PM	#6
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	/moved to General __________________________________________________ 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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