Hello, newbie arriving on the scene : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

dcfcfan · 06-23-2009, 05:13 PM

Hey everybody. My name is Austin. I live in San Jose, CA (east side). Selling my project cage for a bike!

Been doing a bunch of reading on different forums, checking out some websites... Annoyed different riders with various questions gradually over some years...

So I've decided on a Kawasaki Ninja 250.

I'm looking at 2 on craigslist, one is on the south side (1998), the other is in Napa Valley (2003).

I wanted some advice as I'm completely new to the industry/market/hobby.

The 98 has "less than 1100 miles" on it, it's being sold by a girl who laid it down and she states that she hasn't had the courage to ride again. She damaged some stuff, but has replacement parts for a lot of it. Here is what she said regarding the parts:

" one of the mirrors need so be replaced and turn signals. the ferrings are scratched and the headlight needs to be replaced, and the left peg re-attached. other than that its perfect. there are no engine problems. i have the mirror and the turn signals. the peg i have, but i dont have the little hinge that i needs to be replaced... "

No pictures, going to see it in person. As a new rider, I don't care too much about the condition of the fairings, and if I get one with good condition fairings, I'll probably take them off.

It is being sold for $1500.

The ad for the 03 in Napa Valley reads: " Yellow Kawasaki EX250 Ninja sport bike in excellent condition. Kept garaged. 12,000 miles. Recently tuned. Well maintained. Second owner. Have records. Great mileage. Never dropped. "

It has standard craigslist-sized pictures. Looks ok. Bit of a drive to see it in person though, so I could probably get more pictures through the net. It is selling for $1950.

I'm having trouble deciding which would be a better option... Opinions / suggestions please??

Hammerhead · 06-23-2009, 05:30 PM

For the price difference, you should be able to put the pranged one back to original and have money left over for some good gear.

clarkmanning · 06-23-2009, 05:32 PM

1500 is too much. Offer 750.00 cash in hand and test ride it.
female has nothing to do with it.

dcfcfan · 06-23-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarkmanning

1500 is too much. Offer 750.00 cash in hand and test ride it.
female has nothing to do with it.

Just FYI, I didn't say female had anything to do with it, just wanted to provide info.

You know, I would test ride it, but I haven't ridden a motorcycle before, only a scooter. Maybe I can have her ride it for me while I ride passenger hahaha... Oh wait, she's afraid to. Hm well... I'll see what I can figure out...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

For the price difference, you should be able to put the pranged one back to original and have money left over for some good gear.

Pranged one? Sorry... not sure what you mean...

**Shifty1** · 06-23-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcfcfan

Pranged one? Sorry... not sure what you mean...

He's talking about the dropped one.

Anyway, I would definitely see about getting those prices down. They're both too high if you ask me.

dcfcfan · 06-25-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shifty1

He's talking about the dropped one.

Anyway, I would definitely see about getting those prices down. They're both too high if you ask me.

Oh ok. Well, I just got an email an hour ago that the dropped one was sold, even though we were supposed to meet in 2 hours.

Anyway.

I'll still consider the yellow. In general, you guys are saying it's too much. However, I do want you guys to keep in mind that I live in California. Even though the state is going bankrupt now, our cost of living is pretty high here. Is there anyone here who is familiar with the market prices of used motorcycles?

I really want to start riding. :-) I've been thinking about it for a long while and have finally decided that I'm going to, and it also falls in line with my plans for the future: My brother-from-another-mother, his father, and myself, are in the process of planning to open a Honda motorcycle dealership / motorcycle repair shop (trying to service all but Harley's), as well as try to have a small auto shop on the side. Since this will probably take about a year or more to get going, it'd be the perfect time to get some seat and wrench time in on a bike, especially since I've already decided to ride.

LethalLarry · 06-25-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcfcfan

Oh ok. Well, I just got an email an hour ago that the dropped one was sold, even though we were supposed to meet in 2 hours.

Anyway.

I'll still consider the yellow. In general, you guys are saying it's too much. However, I do want you guys to keep in mind that I live in California. Even though the state is going bankrupt now, our cost of living is pretty high here. Is there anyone here who is familiar with the market prices of used motorcycles?

I really want to start riding. :-) I've been thinking about it for a long while and have finally decided that I'm going to, and it also falls in line with my plans for the future: My brother-from-another-mother, his father, and myself, are in the process of planning to open a Honda motorcycle dealership / motorcycle repair shop (trying to service all but Harley's), as well as try to have a small auto shop on the side. Since this will probably take about a year or more to get going, it'd be the perfect time to get some seat and wrench time in on a bike, especially since I've already decided to ride.

to get a good idea for that price of the bike. i would say check nada price guides.Nada Price Guides for Kawasaki

185EZ · 06-25-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcfcfan

I do want you guys to keep in mind that I live in California. .

I'll sell you my 14 for $14,999. FIRM.

dcfcfan · 07-08-2009, 04:12 PM

finally got my mr2 sold, got the cash waiting to spend. as fast as 250's have been getting sold, new ones have been appearing on the scene.

I was looking at a blue 250 selling for 1350 and I would have bought it right then and there, except that there's also a 500 selling for only a few hundred more and it comes with gear. I've been talking with the owner, and I'm going to look at it today and to see if the gear fits.

Can't hear it run yet cause his battery is dead so he has to get another one and charge it.

26k miles on it, but he's the original owner. I'm excited :D

JBearSVT · 07-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Becoming a motorcyclist may likely be one of the most profoundly life changing decisions you will make, there are few things like it. It doesn't happen overnight though, and the dangers are at least as big as the rewards so going in unprepared is rolling the big dice. Be smart.
You have the cart before the horse. Go take the MSF course and learn how to operate a motorcycle. If you can't even test ride one, you aren't ready to buy one yet. That said, welcome to the forums. Please know it's not my intention to come off like an asshole, but since you asked for advice, that's my 2¢ on your situation.

R0DR0C · 09-07-2009, 03:02 AM

Newbee here too! I just took the MSF course last weekend. And WOW! Everyone with a bike should take that course if they haven't. I was in there with ALL skill levels. I took the Beginner course. There was a girl that had failed the course before retaking it. There was a 16 year old that had been riding dirt bikes since she was 16, she could ride circles around all of us and balance a bike standing still. There was a 50 year old sales guy who had been riding since he was 16 who took it just to be able to tell his customers about the course and he said he learned stuff too!

And best of all, around here, its FREE! $20 to sign up, then you can get it back after you show up and take the course. I had such a good time, i donated mine back to the course.

elgatovolador · 09-07-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBearSVT

Becoming a motorcyclist may likely be one of the most profoundly life changing decisions you will make, there are few things like it. It doesn't happen overnight though, and the dangers are at least as big as the rewards so going in unprepared is rolling the big dice. Be smart.
You have the cart before the horse. Go take the MSF course and learn how to operate a motorcycle. If you can't even test ride one, you aren't ready to buy one yet. That said, welcome to the forums. Please know it's not my intention to come off like an asshole, but since you asked for advice, that's my 2¢ on your situation.

to the MSF course. I hate it when people tell me "If I buy a bike, will you ride it home for me?" Of course I'll ride someone else's new toy home, but then guess who got to the joy of riding it home.. not you.

And it really is a big decision. You can't just go from a scooter to a REAL bike and expect it to be the same. Be careful out there, and nice to see someone from the East Bay! I love living in Cali!