Have I just picked up a bargin of a first bike?? I hope so!

[jimmyj]

Hey everyone.
I just bought my first bike. After several disapointments I finally have secured the right to my own bike. Un believable!!!
I Scored a 1991 Suzuki Bandit fresh from Japan, all road registared and Wof'd with only 14,000 on the odo, for $3000.
It was off trademe and I was the sole bidder. Again un believable! I thought these bikes were fetching allot higher and everyone wanted won!!!

I take possesion in the next week or so and I can't help but feel I've got a way with a steal?

What do you all think???

J

[riffer]

I think you are very lucky. :niceone:

[R6_kid]

sounds like a pretty good deal mate, well done

[Steam]

This must be it (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-144882412.htm), just finished on Trademe

Good deal.

[Taz]

It's still hard to believe that a 17 year old 250cc bike sells for 3K let alone more. It's a captive overpriced market. Supply and demand I suppose.

[YellowDog]

Blimey mate.

Sounds like a blinding deal.

I'm amaxzed he didn't have a reasonable reserve.

Well done.

[PirateJafa]

About the same as what I had my Bandit for - bought it for $500 more but 2,000km less from a dealer.

Fucking nice bikes.

[HDTboy]

A 17 year old bike that's only done 14'000KM. Sounds too good to be true.

[kneescraper]

A 17 year old bike that's only done 14'000KM. Sounds too good to be true.


What he said....make sure you check the condition of the brakes, chain, sprockets etc are in good condition, no perished rubber or strange coloured brake fluid.

[crazybigal]

yeah well all the kids want sports bikes to look cool!
what they dont know is the bandit has the gsxr250 motor in it anyway.
3k is a fairly good deal.
enjoy, bandits are great little screamers

[Sofa]

haha, I know who you are jimmyj!! :lol:

[McJim]

$3,000 is very good from a dealer - I would have thought from the price that it was a private sale. Well done.

[Boob Johnson]

Ill say well done when you report back in a few months once you get to know the bike better :msn-wink:

[Zuki Bandit]

Woohooo. another Bandit rider:banana:

Good stuff mate!

[JimO]

funny thing people are congratulating poster#1 on a good deal when in fact its probably more than its really worth and the inflated prices the dealers are asking is only fuelled by the buyers paying their prices because they have to have a cbrrrblabla the arse has to fall out of the 250 market with the new ninja being 7k new it makes 15 year old 250s at 5 or 6 k look like a total waste of $$

[Zuki Bandit]

funny thing people are congratulating poster#1 on a good deal when in fact its probably more than its really worth and the inflated prices the dealers are asking is only fuelled by the buyers paying their prices because they have to have a cbrrrblabla the arse has to fall out of the 250 market with the new ninja being 7k new it makes 15 year old 250s at 5 or 6 k look like a total waste of $$
Yep, way to deflate someones good buzz!:niceone:

[JimO]

Yep, way to deflate someones good buzz!:niceone:

whatever...he got a good bike for a good price, some people would have paid 5k for the same bike because thats what they cost or is it??? what do the dealers pay for them?? in japan

[Radar]

Seems a good deal, JimmyJ, but you really won't know until 6 - 12 months from now to see what repairs are needed. It is an old bike and you don't know what has been replaced and how well it has been maintained. Bandits are great bikes and I hope all goes well because you will really enjoy riding it.

14,000 km in 17 years is possible but imho most all Jap imports have the clocks wound back - no matter what the owner, importer or dealer says. I have seen 1989 Jap imports with only 8,000 km - yeah, right.

[edit] Just saw the Trademe photos of your bike - looks really good!

[Soul.Trader]

funny thing people are congratulating poster#1 on a good deal when in fact its probably more than its really worth and the inflated prices the dealers are asking is only fuelled by the buyers paying their prices because they have to have a cbrrrblabla the arse has to fall out of the 250 market with the new ninja being 7k new it makes 15 year old 250s at 5 or 6 k look like a total waste of $$

What it's "worth" is determined by the marketplace, which is controlled by supply and demand. I'd say he did quite well for $3,000.

[gijoe1313]

:niceone: Just remember to look after it and do your maintenance and make sure you pat it and talk to it and give it good oil and tuck it in at night and check up on it when it is raining and polish it and give it good rubber and wash it and lube it and read it stories and ride it and take it around to see other bikes and ... :o :innocent: You get the idea! :sunny:

[Just beGiNing 250]

Sweet deal. I bought my bandit about a month ago for 3k but it had over 30000 on the clock. I was delighted at the time and Im still delighted. Every day it feels better and better. And the more you learn the more fun you have.

[xwhatsit]

A 17 year old bike that's only done 14'000KM. Sounds too good to be true.

Not in Japan. Bikes seem to do very low mileage there -- 20,000km is often considered quite high. Hell I see 1982 CB250RSs with 15,000km on them. Not rewound, either, just used for 10km commutes at not much more than jogging pace.

[homer]

Woohooo. another Bandit rider:banana:

Good stuff mate!

hell yeah:headbang:

I love my bandit ......more than the woman!!!

[Boob Johnson]

:niceone: Just remember to look after it and do your maintenance and make sure you pat it and talk to it and give it good oil and tuck it in at night and check up on it when it is raining and polish it and give it good rubber and wash it and lube it and read it stories and ride it and take it around to see other bikes and ... :o :innocent: You get the idea! :sunny:
gijoe for president :2thumbsup




funny thing people are congratulating poster#1 on a good deal when in fact its probably more than its really worth and the inflated prices the dealers are asking is only fuelled by the buyers paying their prices because they have to have a cbrrrblabla the arse has to fall out of the 250 market with the new ninja being 7k new it makes 15 year old 250s at 5 or 6 k look like a total waste of $$
Welcome to a "free market society"..........are you happy with your wash?

[Romeo]

Two of my mates have them (Foobin and uNople) and they're freakin' awesome. Probably one of the best kept secrets within the 250cc market.

HOWEVER. Me and Foobs were debating WHY on earth the frame is painted matt black. To the best of our knowledge the GSF250P's came with the same coloured frame as their bodyworks. It seems as if the tanks are either repainted, or from a donor bike (could just be a fairing swap between two friends).

The black bandits had black frames with grey wheels, the reds had red frames with white wheels, whites had white on white, and the greens had green frames and white wheels. So it looks like this bike was originally black.


<a href="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/RomeoEskobar/incorrect.jpg"><img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/RomeoEskobar/incorrect_sm.jpg" alt="Why I believe it was originally black"/></a>

This leads to all sorts of assumptions about the bike's history, but we could just be wrong!


Regardless, <a href="http://www1.synapse.ne.jp/s-hara/bandit/ban-spece.html">here's a whole bunch of information about your bike</a>. I've only thrown this spanner in your works because I'm jealous!

[gijoe1313]

Not in Japan. Bikes seem to do very low mileage there -- 20,000km is often considered quite high. Hell I see 1982 CB250RSs with 15,000km on them. Not rewound, either, just used for 10km commutes at not much more than jogging pace.

Yeah, what he said ... the japanese are quite different in their approaches! I homestayed with a family who had several cars, and they only used them to go 5km down to the local supermarket! Their next door neighbour had a gixxer and only used it to go 3km to get to the train station! So super-low, its too good to be true milage can be realistic at times! :lol:

[Radar]

Not in Japan. Bikes seem to do very low mileage there -- 20,000km is often considered quite high. Hell I see 1982 CB250RSs with 15,000km on them. Not rewound, either, just used for 10km commutes at not much more than jogging pace.

We may be a bit off topic, but good point. A KB'er from the States also said we Kiwis put a lot more miles/kms on our bikes than the Yanks. 5,000 - 10,000 km a year, or more, seems fairly common here in NZ but maybe in Japan they just take their bikes around the nieghbourhood to impress the locals.

[breakaway]

Sweet deal. Just remember to sell it off for $5000 when you're done with it


funny thing people are congratulating poster#1 on a good deal when in fact its probably more than its really worth and the inflated prices the dealer..[blah]..

Irrelevant. Market sets the price, and this guy got a bargain.

[R6_kid]

We may be a bit off topic, but good point. A KB'er from the States also said we Kiwis put a lot more miles/kms on our bikes than the Yanks. 5,000 - 10,000 km a year, or more, seems fairly common here in NZ but maybe in Japan they just take their bikes around the nieghbourhood to impress the locals.

10k a year?... get on ya bike son! I know people putting 25-30k plus on their bikes in a year.

[fireliv]

Hey ya. COngrats on the first bike.

In the end its how it runs for you, and even if it is an older bike, look after it well and it will go for years.

I love my bandit. Just starting to outgrow it now but still got 10 months to wait. Oh well.

Good luck! :2thumbsup

[Manxman]

Hey everyone.
I just bought my first bike. After several disapointments I finally have secured the right to my own bike. Un believable!!!
I Scored a 1991 Suzuki Bandit fresh from Japan, all road registared and Wof'd with only 14,000 on the odo, for $3000.
It was off trademe and I was the sole bidder. Again un believable! I thought these bikes were fetching allot higher and everyone wanted won!!!

I take possesion in the next week or so and I can't help but feel I've got a way with a steal?

What do you all think???

J

My observations:
1) assuming it is in good mechanical nick, then you scored a steal;
2) IMHO one of the best learner bikes you can get, ie one that you won't get bored of in under 3 months.
3) $500 for delivery from there to Akl is a *little* steep:buggerd:, but I'm sure you have sussed that already and hopefully made alternate arrangements.

Otherwise, all good. Enjoy!!!

[Manxman]

Two of my mates have them (Foobin and uNople) and they're freakin' awesome. Probably one of the best kept secrets within the 250cc market.

HOWEVER. Me and Foobs were debating WHY on earth the frame is painted matt black. To the best of our knowledge the GSF250P's came with the same coloured frame as their bodyworks. It seems as if the tanks are either repainted, or from a donor bike (could just be a fairing swap between two friends).

The black bandits had black frames with grey wheels, the reds had red frames with white wheels, whites had white on white, and the greens had green frames and white wheels. So it looks like this bike was originally black.


<a href="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/RomeoEskobar/incorrect.jpg"><img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/RomeoEskobar/incorrect_sm.jpg" alt="Why I believe it was originally black"/></a>

This leads to all sorts of assumptions about the bike's history, but we could just be wrong!


Regardless, <a href="http://www1.synapse.ne.jp/s-hara/bandit/ban-spece.html">here's a whole bunch of information about your bike</a>. I've only thrown this spanner in your works because I'm jealous!

Not necessarily. Drawing a conclusion that there's a donor bike involved is quite a big assumption.

My 93 bandit was red with red frame and silver wheels. I decided to paint the engine black for no other reason than it looked better (and to cover a couple of minor scratches).

Motive may not therefore be suspicious.

As someone said, it's how it rides, not its history.

If that all stacks up then it's absolutely worth $3k. Check out that delivery charge though, cos that is a bit on the nose.

[Romeo]

Not necessarily. Drawing a conclusion that there's a donor bike involved is quite a big assumption.

Motive may not therefore be suspicious ... As someone said, it's how it rides, not its history.

I'd hardly say that I've been so blatant in my statements as to "draw a conclusion". As far as we know, the body work isn't factory (tail, tank, front fender, airbox cover/vent), it's got aftermarket mirrors and bar ends on it - and that's all we can spot from the photos.

I'm not saying that this is necessarily bad - infact I said a number of times it could be completely benign - but it could provide an avenue for investigation if it doesn't ride right. Other bidders might have noticed these and not bid, all the better for Jimmy if you ask me. I would have happily bought this bike if I had the cash, which I most certainly don't!


could just be a fairing swap between two friends ... So it looks like this bike was originally black ... but we could just be wrong!

[jimmyj]

WOOOOW!! I'm so impressed with you all. I go away for a few days then look back here and theres 3 pages of posts!!! Amazing Guys and Girls!!
I have read every post, so thanks so much.
So, my response.

1. Can I agree when people say it's completely ridiculous that im even paying 3 k for a 17 year old bike ( as someone said a brand new ninga is 7k with 2 year warranty) but hell, 3k doesnt seem to bad in this inflated market, but i just really wanted a bike!!
2. I'm praying the bike does ride well a year or so down the track. I plan to look after it aswell as I do my car, so i'm hoping that prevails. It could be a bike I have for the next 2 years while still at Uni and well into my full!!
3. I'm picking the bike up with a mate to drive it back on tuesday. Can't Wait to drive it but not paying 500 bucks to get it any sooner.

LASTLY, Thanks to those who have looked at the bike, questioned it, debated it and made helpful comments.I will keep you all informed. first step i guess is to see if it gets back to auckland haha. Cheers

[NOMIS]

Hey everyone.
I just bought my first bike. After several disapointments I finally have secured the right to my own bike. Un believable!!!
I Scored a 1991 Suzuki Bandit fresh from Japan, all road registared and Wof'd with only 14,000 on the odo, for $3000.
It was off trademe and I was the sole bidder. Again un believable! I thought these bikes were fetching allot higher and everyone wanted won!!!

I take possesion in the next week or so and I can't help but feel I've got a way with a steal?

What do you all think???

J


I GOT MY HORNET 2001 10k on the clock new tyre wof'd, reg'd, and shipped to Auckland from Christchurch for $5600 with a full tank of gas, fresh import

What you think????

[NOMIS]

10k a year?... get on ya bike son! I know people putting 25-30k plus on their bikes in a year.

Ive put 5K on my bike in 5months 36km to work in the morn 36km on the way back, plus riding a lil further to hit some corners to keep the chicken strips away and the odd cruise on the weekend

[marioc]

I hope you get as much enjoyment from it as I have from mine :headbang:

[TOTO]

You are sooo lucky. i'm jelous :)

Flick us a PM if you wanna go for a ride.

[Ragingrob]

Looking forward to see how it feels for me on the ride back compared to my CBR! And to see if there are any problems that stare me in the face or if it's mint!

[ambler]

Ive put 5K on my bike in 5months 36km to work in the morn 36km on the way back, plus riding a lil further to hit some corners to keep the chicken strips away and the odd cruise on the weekend

I just wanted to agree with others who said conditions are different enough in Japan to make low kms on old bikes quite normal. When I lived in Tokyo, my 12km commute took me almost 40mins, then when I moved closer to work, my 6km commute still took me 22mins. I'd say anyone with a 36km commute would be taking the train.
I hardly ever took trains since I hate them... I commuted every day on that bike in all weather, and used it to get around in the weekends as well, but even in three years I had not quite put 20,000km on it. Going for long trips like we do in NZ is quite unusual, since the highways are expensively tolled you usually only use them if you have a long weekend planned or something. Also they are usually closed in by high concrete walls on each side, so they don't make you feel like riding on them in the first place. We probably would only have done long trips a handful of times per year, and all of my bike-riding friends over there were the same.
I think the important thing to be aware of is how long the engine has been running. In Japan there are no roundabouts, and no traffic sensors at the traffic lights, so you spend an INCREDIBLE amount of time waiting at the lights. Also traffic is often thick enough so that even a bike can't get through. Of course all this time the engine is still running, so an hour timer on the engine would be a far better measure of how much use a vehicle has had.

[kerfufflez]

[QUOTE=ambler;1486134]I hardly ever took trains since I hate them... .[/QUOTE

(Apologies to the OP for this having nothing to do with the original topic), but I was wondering why you wrote this. Is it all trains or Japanese ones in particular? - I'm planning a trip to Japan, and thought trains would be a good way to get around... Thanks for any info.

[Taz]

36km to work in the morn 36km on the way back,

Bizarre! Same distance both ways......

[xwhatsit]

Bizarre! Same distance both ways......

I was thinking the same thing myself. Do you really have to get home that quickly?

[fire eyes]

:love: ohhh thats a bloody nice bike!