2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250 for first bike

[monkeymsea]

Hey guys
Posted this in general bike ravings.. wrong place.. how do i delete the other on.

Thats for the advice on my other post

Just looking for my first bike and found out a mate has a 2001 Kawasaki ninja 250.
Its done 50,000 k's but I've been told the owner before him did alot of long trips.. The previous owner was also a mechanic..

There is a small crack in the front fairing but have been told nothing on the bike has broken..

He also has all his old riding gear (he is similar to my size) which he will do a deal with me for.

What you guys think.. How much would YOU pay for it..
Any feed back would be much appreciated.

Cheers Julius

[FkNAmerican]

Cant comment on that particular bike you've found.....but I bought a Kawasaki Ex "Ninja" 250 brand new for my first bike and I loved it. It was reliable as the sun, fast enough for a first bike, and light as a feather.

The kawasaki 250 is one of the best selling models in the world mate......and its been that way for years and years. Cant go wrong with it in general. Just make sure the one you buy hasnt been beat all to hell and is in good working order.

By the way, have you seen the 2008 Ninja250??? That thing is hotness.

[mowgli]

All I can say is shop around. This is a popular bike so the market should be pretty clear about what it's worth.

[monkeymsea]

Can't seem to find any on trademe lol.. The guy reckons its a zxr but cant seem to find a zxr250 in that year... lol

[Hillbilly]

They're a great 1st bike! I got a 2003 GPX250. 16" wheels, light, reliable, and great bakes. Note that the rear brake has twin calipers.

[disenfranchised]

Can't seem to find any on trademe lol.. The guy reckons its a zxr but cant seem to find a zxr250 in that year... lol

That's cause they weren't made then.

Could be the same as what's called a GPX250 nowadays.
Have you seen it, if not take a look at it, the shape should be fairly distinctive....then just search trademe for kawasaki 250 sports bike and compare to the pictures you see.

[Sparrowhawk]

The great thing about the 250 ninja is they didn't really change it from about 88 till 07. I got a gpx250 ninja, & I love it. I paid $2.5k for a 1990, and it think I paid slightly too much.

[Mikkel]

Can't seem to find any on trademe lol.. The guy reckons its a zxr but cant seem to find a zxr250 in that year... lol

It is most definitely NOT a zxr250 from 2001.

First thing to check is how many cylinders it has - if 4 then it is a zxr and not from 2001, if it has 2 then it's not a zxr.

[monkeymsea]

Its an inline twin.. Rules out the zxr lol.. Probably a gpx 250 ninja.. He wants 3700 for it.. not sure what theres are worth lol....

[Oakie]

Its an inline twin.. Rules out the zxr lol.. Probably a gpx 250 ninja.. He wants 3700 for it.. not sure what theres are worth lol....

For me that's probably about what I'd expect to pay for that bike from a dealer. For a private sale (read no warantee or back up) I'd be expecting to pay a bit less. Having said that though, what he is asking for is about what I'd sell my 15 year old 400 with 45000km for so perhaps....?. He'd probably be offered about $2000 from a dealer so if you offered $3000 and were prepared to wait a while you might get it for that.

[monkeymsea]

It is confirmed... its a gpx Ninja... Im thinking tho would there be much differnece in say getting a earlier gpx for cheaper?
or offer this guy 3 for the bike and see how the gear he has fits me (jacket, pants, gloves, boots)

This first bike business is confusing and frustrating lol...

[FkNAmerican]

I would just relax and take your time if your sold on a Kawasaki 250. There should be tons of them available so why not shop around and get the best example you can find??

One of my buddies just got his license recently. I tried to get him to buy a Ninja 250 but he went with the Honda Rebel 250 instead. Since the one he found was a few hours drive away and he didnt yet feel comfortable riding it on a highway with 70mph speed limits and huge trucks everywhere I ended up riding it home for him. I was shocked at how much better my Kwaka 250 was vs. the Honda.

The Kawasaki has 6 gears, better brakes, higher top speed, better acceleration, almost the same fuel economy, higher revs, better shift action, better throttle pick up, better guages, better wind protection, better riding position, a temp guage............

For the price there really is no better first bike (if yer goin' 250) then the Kawasaki ninja 250!!!

[monkeymsea]

how about this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=156705589

Any thoughts?

[immorta|]

how about this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=156705589

Any thoughts?

I'd make sure he definitly reg and warrants it 1st ;)

It's high K's, but the price reflects that.

Re: Spare engine. Are you capable of installing if need be?

I don't know this color scheme, but any bike whose front/side farings that don't have stickers on it ring alarm bells with me - ie: dropped/crashed and resprayed.

[monkeymsea]

Brand new warrant rego as of today. fork seals replaced as well as back brake pads..

yea i noticed the mint front fairings lol... thought they looked too mint...

Yea my step dad was a engine reconditioner AKA icekiwi on these forums.. so between us im sure we could whack it in lol

[icekiwi]

Brand new warrant rego as of today. fork seals replaced as well as back brake pads..

yea i noticed the mint front fairings lol... thought they looked too mint...

Yea my step dad was a engine reconditioner AKA icekiwi on these forums.. so between us im sure we could whack it in lol

Damm sounds like work to me....lol

[monkeymsea]

Haha at least we can do it in the garage unlike working on my car in the pissing rain lol...