Where we talk about two wheeled vehicles. Motorbikes!

[OrbitalEllipses]

ATGATT will save your life if you're not stupid.

Re: 250 class bikes
They're always a bit overpriced. You can usually recoup your cost when you sell it, if you move on to a larger bike. As far as the Ninja 250 goes, 2008 was the first year of the redesign and those bikes will be more expensive than the 2007 and prior bikes.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Ahernandez0909

Would you say $3000 for a 2008 Ninja 250 with 7000 miles and a free helmet be worth it?

Originally Posted by civicdrivr

Seems a bit pricey to me, and the helmet is a moot point as you HAVE to buy one that a) fits you and b) you know has never been dropped/hit/knocked around.

You should be able to find a 250 in the $2500 range, and then toss $500 at a good helmet. Don't forget a jacket, pants (jeans don't count), gloves and boots (not steel toe).

I'm not saying you need to look like a Ninja Turtle, but good protection goes a very long way....

I agree with civicdrivr on this in terms of the price and the helmet. Unless it's new, in the box, I wouldn't trust it. You don't know where its been or what its done. The external part of a helmet is not the most important part, and the fit is more important than anything else. Not sure I'd agree that you have to spend $500 on one, but don't go cheap.

Bell used to have a slogon "If you have a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet". Sound advice.

I also agree you don't need to look like a TMNJ but I wouldn't mind looking like Batman!

[civicdrivr]

Yea, $500 for a helmet was a bit of a stretch on my part. I think I paid around $350 for my Shoei.

Sent from my Nexus 4

[Ahernandez0909]

This is an expensive hobby I see... well I want the 2008 model...it looks soo nice haha. I don't mind looking like a TMNT as long as I get a red headband around my helmet. Well anyways... I hope to afford all this! I got rear ended in my FR-S so I will be getting a settlement from the insurance company... I'm gonna use my Diminshed Value on the bike and hope to get enough for the TMNT costume... I'm not too worried about boots because I'm in the army and I feel like those boots will do. I'm looking for a jacket and a helmet without a doubt but next would be gloves and pants. First I gotta learn to ride huh? :P and get a license so I can legally ride. Well I got a lot ahead of me but I hope to find someone here to ride with too. I envy the groups I see in my area with beautiful bikes haha. I wanna do that one day. Again, I really appreciate the help. I'm looking at a Ninja 250 2008 that has a few scratches and it comes with a helmet. I might just sell the helmet on Craigslist if I feel as if its not suitable for my $10 head. Anyways the bike is $2800 (cheapest I've seen) I also saw somebody selling a 2011 white edition ninja 250r that has a cracked fairing for 3000. The fairing is really badly broken but it rides. Any suggestions?

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Ahernandez0909

...The fairing is really badly broken but it rides. Any suggestions?

If the fairing is badly broken, there may be other damage, you'd have to have it checked out by a mechanic. Also fairings are expensive bits to replace so I'm not sure that is enough of a differential to account for it, unless you plan to remove it. It is dangerous to ride with a broken one so its either replace or remove.

If you want to see what a reasonably fair retail value for used bikes are you could check out WowMotorcycles. They sell only used bikes, and their showroom (not far from me, and I can never resist stopping in when I drive by) is a bike rider's wet dream. Their retail prices tend to be relatively fair, so I would expect to be able to get it cheaper from a private seller. They have many 250 Ninjas under $3K.

I realize some of it will depend on where you are located (market variance) but its a good reference.

[Ahernandez0909]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

If the fairing is badly broken, there may be other damage, you'd have to have it checked out by a mechanic. Also fairings are expensive bits to replace so I'm not sure that is enough of a differential to account for it, unless you plan to remove it. It is dangerous to ride with a broken one so its either replace or remove.

If you want to see what a reasonably fair retail value for used bikes are you could check out WowMotorcycles. They sell only used bikes, and their showroom (not far from me, and I can never resist stopping in when I drive by) is a bike rider's wet dream. Their retail prices tend to be relatively fair, so I would expect to be able to get it cheaper from a private seller. They have many 250 Ninjas under $3K.

I realize some of it will depend on where you are located (market variance) but its a good reference.

Yeah, I went in the other day, and unfortunately the only one that was under 3k that was 2008 was almost 20k miles. That's why I'm planning buying off of Craigslist. It's a lot cheaper... I'm not sure what to do... Whether buy it from a Private Seller, or WOWMotorcycles. It's either pay an extra 1000 and get it from a dealer or get it cheap from a private seller and maybe get some free gear. So confusing

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Ahernandez0909

Yeah, I went in the other day, and unfortunately the only one that was under 3k that was 2008 was almost 20k miles. That's why I'm planning buying off of Craigslist. It's a lot cheaper... I'm not sure what to do... Whether buy it from a Private Seller, or WOWMotorcycles. It's either pay an extra 1000 and get it from a dealer or get it cheap from a private seller and maybe get some free gear. So confusing

Right forgot you were looking for 2008+ model.

I've always bought from private sellers, but it's definitely buyer beware. You need to see maintenance records, and I would not buy one that was damaged unless it was substantially discounted and you were comfortable that all of the damage was disclosed to you.

You should also seriously consider a request to have the purchase contingent on a mechanical inspection at a location of your choice. You'll have to pay for it, but well worth it IMHO.

Also, don't consider the "freebies" as part of the price. Focus on the price in terms of the bike itself. If they throw in stuff at a price you are already comfortable with just to put you over the edge, that's OK, but I wouldn't pay more just because the seller is throwing something in.

[bestwheelbase]

@Ahernandez0909 love your excitement!

You will get a better deal buying from a private seller but you must be diligent. Pre-purchase inspections are worth the money. I have always bought used (cars, bikes) and always had great experiences, because I was thorough.

Safety gear adds up but can last for many years. Maybe some of the experienced riders can offer ideas for clothing choices and/or brands. For me, I want gear that provides protection without looking like a Power Ranger. It needs to be comfy and look like normal clothing, and not be crazy expensive.

TIL Momhawk likes to roleplay.

[Ahernandez0909]

Sorry about the pictures being HUGE it was uploaded from my phone. Anyways, should I pay $3000 for this bike. It's a 2011 Special Edition White Ninja 250r with 1500 miles. This is only a picture of the damage.

[bcj]

The good gear isn't exactly going to look like normal casual wear.
Good CE armor for shoulders, elbows and back are going to affect the drape somewhat.

You *can* find gear that doesn't come in florescent colors and zebra stripes though.

Seriously though, I can't reasonably assure you about it over the innertubes.
Hands on inspection. If it's broke (or pieces of it) that brings it below low NADA prices.
Limited edition isn't all that. Usually paint and a sticker.

edit again:
You should probably schedule the course and get through that before jumping on the first one you see to have it *Right Now*.
Keep an eye out for a reasonably clean one in the meantime between now and then.

[zoomzoomers]

That fairing damage doesn't look too bad from way I can see in the picture. What's really important is if there's frame damage. From the sounds of it, looks like some kid bought that bike on a whim and crashed in the first month and the parents are forcing him to sell. If that indeed is the case you might have a deal. Especially if the damage to the bike is only in that one fairing piece.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by bcj

The good gear isn't exactly going to look like normal casual wear.
Good CE armor for shoulders, elbows and back are going to affect the drape somewhat.

Yeah, that's a good point. I will try on some armored gear before making a final purchase. Never used it up until now, but maybe it's time.

Originally Posted by bcj

You should probably schedule the course and get through that before jumping on the first one you see to have it *Right Now*.
Keep an eye out for a reasonably clean one in the meantime between now and then.

Agree. This is the best way to go.

[civicdrivr]

I've got a Joe Rocket mesh jacket and pants with CE armor. Its not overly flashy. The pants are black and the jacket is black/silver. Its really comfortable when crouched over the bike. When walking the armor can droop a bit. But when I'm in the riding position the armor is located where it should be.

Best of all, both weren't that expensive.

Sent from my Nexus 4

[fender9530]

I would not buy the wrecked ninja. You can get a brand new one for under $4000. Fixing those fairings will cost you a decent amount. They tend to get expensive. The going rate for a used ninja is right around $3000 in good condition. Don't buy something you need to fix unless it's something special.