2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250 SE - $3000 Good Deal?

[ajcadoo]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/2799757598.html

Found this on Craigslist. I am pretty interested. The damage is a lot, but I wouldn't mind. How much would that cost to repair and is it possible for the repair to be DIY?

Anything else stand out about the bike that may be worth asking the seller?

[EthioKnight]

It's an OK deal, relatively speaking. (I got mine for $2,150 @ only 700miles with some cosmetic damage from a single lowside, and if you care to wait maybe you'll come across a deal like mine) But going back to topic, the bike appears to have suffered drops on both sides and I would be worried about structural problems. Check to make sure the forks haven't been bent (check for leaks). You can do so by getting on the bike with feet planted on the ground and with the front brakes applied push the bike forward a couple of times and after doing so, look from above and check if the forks are straight/run parallel to each other and dismount and look at the fork seal for leakage. Another point that peeked my interest was the apparent single oil change conducted at 500miles, with the bike now @ 3920! If indeed the oil had been only changed that time only, I would be worried since it's recommended, during engine break-in, to frequently change the oil...check to see the color of the oil, if it's pitch black, you have cause for concern. That's all I can think of at the moment and I'm sure you'll get better advice from better versed people here. Don't fret too much about the fairings, true they are expensive, but you can cover that up with paint (search the threads for DIY fairing repair). Test ride it, make sure there aren't any weird noises/bangs from the engine, make sure the transmission works and shifts through all 6 gears and if satisfied, buy it and RIDE!
good luck bro.

[alex.s]

with the damage thats too high a price

[ajcadoo]

Thanks for the info. The thing is, everything on Craigslist is around $3000-$4000. The majority of the 2008 models are priced above MSRP regardless of mileage. KBB retail values are about $1000 less of the models listed on CL. I am confused as to why so many private sellers are pricing these bikes above MSRP. It is quite baffling.

[Live2ride]

I got my 09 250 with low miles in perfect condition for $2600. Of course, I live on the opposite coast so the price may differ. IMO the price is too steep.

[Malicious Logic]

Not sure if Cody got a great deal or what but I just checked your craigslist and it's not too far off from the prices I see around, only you seem to have a MUCH larger selection of 250s. True the KBB is around $2900 for 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250 but I usually look for 2009-present and rarely see any that low. I would say I feel your pain but not really. I'd buy a lot of those in your area...like the 2011 Ninja 250 with 112 miles on it for $3700. In a heartbeat.


Edit: In response to your confusion of why people sell this time high over book price, I don't know either. I'd like to say it's because they're fun bikes that are easy to learn on and there's always people looking for beginner bikes but honestly, I don't know. I just take it as comfort that whenever I have to sell mine, I'll be able to get a decent amount back hopefully.

[massacremasses]

OP

no.


Offer him 2500 or less anyone who pays more is a fool. that bike is worth 2500 MAX. CA prices are higher than the rest of the country (except maybe the east coast) So that just what we have to deal with.

If you get it for 2500 Id say its an ok deal. Then you can buy it and fix the damage and buy frame sliders like this dummy should have bought after the first time he lowslided it...

[massacremasses]

dude


http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/2817391385.html


thats a great deal. Im sure you could get him to 3k or damn close...

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

dude


http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/2817391385.html


thats a great deal. Im sure you could get him to 3k or damn close...

yup, i have been eyeing this listing too. The 3300 price point still seems pretty steep considering MSRP is just $200 more. 11000 miles seems kinda steep as well. How many miles will these bikes be able to put out?

[massacremasses]

MSRP is $3500? lol Try $4500....

you wont get out of a dealer with one for under 5k in CA I can almost guarantee you that.


You will most likely sell if before it reaches the end of its life cycle.... Seriously. You may home some maintenance coming up on it though. But offer him 3k and bring that up to him. That is worth his asking price.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by Malicious Logic

I'd buy a lot of those in your area...like the 2011 Ninja 250 with 112 miles on it for $3700. In a heartbeat.

Yeah i saw that bike. I was so confused by that. Plus it is being sold by a dealer?! I dont understand how a dealer could sell it for such a low price.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

MSRP is $3500? lol Try $4500....

you wont get out of a dealer with one for under 5k in CA I can almost guarantee you that.


You will most likely sell if before it reaches the end of its life cycle.... Seriously. You may home some maintenance coming up on it though. But offer him 3k and bring that up to him. That is worth his asking price.

The Kawasaki website clearly displays the MSRP for a 2008 model:

http://www.kawasaki.com/products/pro...ns.aspx?id=263

[massacremasses]

weird I didnt know they had MSRPs for older models. Cool go to a dealer and say you want to pay that price. Good luck!

I highly doubt they have any "new" 2008 models around. So what you would get is a bike like that one with the same amount of millage for $3400 a little lower than MSRP and then dealer fees....

Its never a bad idea to check, but its a bit unrealistic to expect to find a new 2008 for $3500

[ajcadoo]

Yeah, I guess these bikes really hold up their resale value, which is excellent. And I think it must be in high demand here in cali is due to the fact that we have 60-70 degree weather year round. Our winters are never of concern...

[massacremasses]

thats the thing they really do hold their value. Which is actually really good for us since if we ever sell we dont lose as much

I will most likely (even with all the mods and stuff) make money or break even on mine. I got a steal of a deal on mine $2500 for a 09 with RH faring damage. Im repainting and replacing it. I decided to paint it a custom black, and do the rims neon green. but anyways lots of other stuff to. but since I bought it so cheap I have about a 1k leeway where I will break even. Once I go over 1k I will most likely loose money.

[ajcadoo]

hmm very interesting

[massacremasses]

damage was bad dude. lol

but it was all cosmetic so it was a good deal. Same thing with that 09 you originally asked about.

If you got him to $2500 I think you could make it. HOWEVER it looked like he had both side front fairings that were messed up. one all scratched up and one cracked up...

[ajcadoo]

yup, im leaning against it. I will be scouting Craigslist over the next week and seeing what would be available. I hope to hit up the DMV soon to get the permit as well.

[massacremasses]

if youre under 21 you HAVE to take the MSF BRC. If youre older you DONT have to but you SHOULD. lol I took it and felt a lot better about riding after and saved money on insurance AND you get out of taking your test at the DMV and you take the written and riding test there during the end of the class

negatives: it cost money
Positives: could save your life, easier getting your license, you might make some friends

[gophurr]

Prices change drastically depending on a persons location. That being said, don't buy the first bike you see for sale. If you are patient, you will come across a good deal and that's the one you want to jump on. Just keep an eye on the market, and see what the prices are like. Remember, your patience now will pay off later.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by gophurr

Prices change drastically depending on a persons location. That being said, don't buy the first bike you see for sale. If you are patient, you will come across a good deal and that's the one you want to jump on. Just keep an eye on the market, and see what the prices are like. Remember, your patience now will pay off later.

I have actually been browsing on SD Craigslist for the last 4 weeks now. I have a pretty good idea of what prices are good and whatnot. But these next two weeks will be hardcore scavenging on all the offers I find.

[gophurr]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

I have actually been browsing on SD Craigslist for the last 4 weeks now. I have a pretty good idea of what prices are good and whatnot. But these next two weeks will be hardcore scavenging on all the offers I find.

Well I'm not sure what the market in SD is but if it's anything close to what it is in Chicago. Then the price is not bad. It's the fairing damage that depreciates the value. Me personally I would try to find something with minimal damage even if that means spending a little more. Because come time to resell the bike out. If you kept it in good condition then you won't be lossing out as much. My guess is you don't plan on keeping the ninja forever. So you want something so that it's easier for you to resell later on.

[ajcadoo]

Good advice.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by gophurr

Well I'm not sure what the market in SD is but if it's anything close to what it is in Chicago. Then the price is not bad. It's the fairing damage that depreciates the value. Me personally I would try to find something with minimal damage even if that means spending a little more. Because come time to resell the bike out. If you kept it in good condition then you won't be lossing out as much. My guess is you don't plan on keeping the ninja forever. So you want something so that it's easier for you to resell later on.

He is totally right UNLESS you are like me, and planned on redoing everything from the beginning anyways. hahaha

Im never happy with anything stock

Every car Ive owned as well, Ive always made my own and modded the **** out of it.

[Bosgarage57]

You might see prices come up a little becuase people will be getting their tax returns back. Just dont ever pay. You'll find one.

[koenigcitizen]

the price is too high, IMO. I got my 2010 SE Ninjette with 900 miles on it in absolutely mint condition for $2800.

[rusninja]

come over here XD http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/2801883819.html

[ator]

I bought my 2012 at a dealer with 50 miles on it for $3600 Out the door, that was including taxes, title, and plate

[massacremasses]

If you dont live in CA what you paid is not going to matter much. Im telling you they are more expensive in CA.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

yup, i have been eyeing this listing too. The 3300 price point still seems pretty steep considering MSRP is just $200 more. 11000 miles seems kinda steep as well. How many miles will these bikes be able to put out?

Well bikes and cars are very different but the way most people think of it is like this. 10,000 miles on a bike is equal to 100,000 miles in a car

This is of course untrue, but most people are retarded so you can get really good deals on bikes with over 10k

[koenigcitizen]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Well bikes and cars are very different but the way most people think of it is like this. 10,000 miles on a bike is equal to 100,000 miles in a car

Is that really true?
Thats terrible.

I have 3000 miles on my bike, and I put 2200 of those in last three months. I still consider it new.

[ajcadoo]

Yeah, I think the motorcycle market here is so different that demand and pricing is different. Cali has the most expensive gas in the country and we have excellent weather year round. I guess its a recipe for a demand for these bikes!

[massacremasses]

If you wait im sure something will come up though... I think talk the 3300 down to 3k and snag that one though

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by koenigcitizen

Is that really true?
Thats terrible.

I have 3000 miles on my bike, and I put 2200 of those in last three months. I still consider it new.

Thats just how people see it. My bike has 12k and is less than 1 year old. I still consider it new

If I tried to sell this I probably couldn't even get 4k, though I paid 5.1k

[ajcadoo]

I am starting to think that saving an extra $1000 and buying new would not be that bad of a decision. Based on the high demand, I could sell a 2012 model in 18 months or so and I probably wouldnt lose too much money. I would also probably only put about 500 miles per month. 9000 miles in 18 months would probably be worth around $3000+ I would think, as long as I kept the bike in mint condition.

[Jiggles]

@ajcadoo Don't buy new unless you plan on not selling it. I bought my 2011 new because I knew I'd keep it forever. I'm planning on keeping my next bike forever so I'm buying new. I bought my 2007 used because it was going to be a project bike that I may or may not keep.

Buying new and selling within 5 years is a bad idea

[gophurr]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

If you dont live in CA what you paid is not going to matter much. Im telling you they are more expensive in CA.

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

Yeah, I think the motorcycle market here is so different that demand and pricing is different. Cali has the most expensive gas in the country and we have excellent weather year round. I guess its a recipe for a demand for these bikes!

Two very true statements. I'm not from Cali, but I have family out there. Location plays a very big role when it comes to pricing.

[ajcadoo]

hmm, well I feel as though I will eventually wanna upgrade to a 600 down the road. I could see myself keeping the 250 for as long as I possibly wanted and then purchase a 600 as well in a couple years. Now I see youre point Jiggles! Own a 250 for the MPGs and a 600 for the FUNs...

[ajcadoo]

I already have plans for 2 bikes even before I have the first (facepalm)

[massacremasses]

imma try and keep my 250 as well... but we will see that may not be an option.

but every vehicle I have sold the next person wrecked and im putting a lot of time and effort into this bike I dont want to see it wrecked.