Suzuki Across/GSX 250F

[Gibbo89]

was having another wee squizz at trademe, came across this bike:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-290640965.htm

seems reasonably priced with the k's etc. specially coming from a dealers. any thoughts on the price and bike itself (specially as a first bike?). i know it similar to the zxr but maybe a bit more torque down low?

any opinions/thoughts would be handy... cheers guys.

[quickbuck]

was having another wee squizz at trademe, came across this bike:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-290640965.htm

seems reasonably priced with the k's etc. specially coming from a dealers. any thoughts on the price and bike itself (specially as a first bike?). i know it similar to the zxr but maybe a bit more torque down low?

any opinions/thoughts would be handy... cheers guys.

It is essentially a re-badged Suzuki Bandit.

The Balius is a very good bike. Ideal for the taller rider from memory....
The price looks pretty sharp too.... Take it for a ride, and see what you think.

[Gibbo89]

It is essentially a re-badged Suzuki Bandit.

The Balius is a very good bike. Ideal for the taller rider from memory....
The price looks pretty sharp too.... Take it for a ride, and see what you think.

cheers, yeah i thought it seemed like a good price (maybe even slightly negotiable..)

being a 1992 model etc, would the maintenance and reliability of the balius be good etc? low maintenance is handy. and of course, reliability.

[quickbuck]

cheers, yeah i thought it seemed like a good price (maybe even slightly negotiable..)

being a 1992 model etc, would the maintenance and reliability of the balius be good etc? low maintenance is handy. and of course, reliability.

all Japanese bikes have a high degree of inherent reliability.
The reliability is maintained if the machine has had regular maintenance, and it hasn't has anything broken in a crash....

as this example is from a Motorcycle Hire Business, i would have a look over the maintenance receipts and records.
Any hire business worth its salt will have these... Otherwise, how do they know what has been done to what bike.. Not to mention they will be claiming GST off all the maintenance...

Look for things out of the ordinary... Like: Engine Side Cover Replaced, Foot Peg Hanger Replaced etc in the records...

New Chain, Sprockets, Tyres, Oil are all normal......
They are relatively low maintenance... well, as low as you can get for a motorcycle.

Hope this helps.

[Gibbo89]

all Japanese bikes have a high degree of inherent reliability.
The reliability is maintained if the machine has had regular maintenance, and it hasn't has anything broken in a crash....

as this example is from a Motorcycle Hire Business, i would have a look over the maintenance receipts and records.
Any hire business worth its salt will have these... Otherwise, how do they know what has been done to what bike.. Not to mention they will be claiming GST off all the maintenance...

Look for things out of the ordinary... Like: Engine Side Cover Replaced, Foot Peg Hanger Replaced etc in the records...

New Chain, Sprockets, Tyres, Oil are all normal......
They are relatively low maintenance... well, as low as you can get for a motorcycle.

Hope this helps.

thanks man...

i emailed them and asked what it has had done to it. they said the following has been done:

Steering head bearings
> Front Brake Piston and seals
> New Tyres
> New Chain and Sprockets
> New Battery
> Carbs dismantled and cleaned
> Tappets adjusted / spark plugs replaced
> Rear suspension dismantled / lubed.

and was serviced front to back when it 1st came into nz 18 ish months ago.

[quickbuck]

thanks man...

i emailed them and asked what it has had done to it. they said the following has been done:

Steering head bearings
> Front Brake Piston and seals
> New Tyres
> New Chain and Sprockets
> New Battery
> Carbs dismantled and cleaned
> Tappets adjusted / spark plugs replaced
> Rear suspension dismantled / lubed.

and was serviced front to back when it 1st came into nz 18 ish months ago.

All looks pretty standard... Even the steering head bearings.
What can happen to steering head bearings is that a bike is left sitting on it's side stand for months on end, in the same position.
Then the lubrication gets washed off and corrosion forms... When the handle bars are turned for the first time... well, lets just say they don't perform like they are supposed to.
They become notchy, and that never goes away.

One thing missing off the list is Fork Seals... Not saying that they blow all the time, just typical on a bike that is imported and needs that sort of maintenance....
They may have been lucky in this case.

The seller sounds pretty honest to me....
Hope this helps.

[Gibbo89]

cheers QB. you've been more than helpful. i'll go have a look at it today i hope.