Is 2-3K for a well maintained 250cc bike too much of a stretch?

[Brayden]

I've been looking on trademe lately for a 250cc bike. I can't for the life of me find a bike in the 2-3k range that isn't half broken or has like 80,000 km's on the clock (In wellington anyway...) Is 2-3k a realistic figure or do I need to save for another year and buy something in the 5000$ range. *Note that I really don't want to do this

[MSTRS:Me]

There is one simple answer...yes.
Covers all your points/questions.
Unfortunately, 250s have always been 'over-priced'.

[The Pastor]

I've been looking on trademe lately for a 250cc bike. I can't for the life of me find a bike in the 2-3k range that isn't half broken or has like 80,000 km's on the clock (In wellington anyway...) Is 2-3k a realistic figure or do I need to save for another year and buy something in the 5000$ range. *Note that I really don't want to do this

a well looked after mc22 with 80 000k's would be perfectly fine.

Finding a well looked after 250 is harder than fining the holy grail however.

[imdying]

I know of a guy with a couple of clean MC19s at $3500 each. Chch though.

[imdying]

How much rubble are they under?

If you post pictures of your face cut up with a knife, and then battery acid poured into the wounds, then I'll tell you. If not, fuck off twerp

[imdying]

You're stiil a dick!

You'd know, you're the expert.

[cbfb]

Give it 6 months and I'll sell ya one

[sgtp]

you gotta be quick, i suppose. My 2007 gpx had 52,000km and I got it for less than 3k...couldnt be happier with this purchase Obviously a private sale is the way to go.

[Brayden]

Wow nice pick up.. I guess I just have to wait for that epic bargain to come around then snap it up quick.. If anyone sees any good deals I'd appreciate it if you link them in this thread.. Cheers

[tigertim20]

I've been looking on trademe lately for a 250cc bike. I can't for the life of me find a bike in the 2-3k range that isn't half broken or has like 80,000 km's on the clock (In wellington anyway...) Is 2-3k a realistic figure or do I need to save for another year and buy something in the 5000$ range. *Note that I really don't want to do this

Generally, yep it is a bit of a stretch. I ask though, what kind of bike are you looking for exactly, as that influences price somewhat, I know where theres a CBR250, with a legit 11k on the clock, that has been serviced properly for 4k, you need to look around, and also look further afield than just your town, lots of deals out there, and its not that expensive to transport a bike toyou via biketranz or someone else.

What exactly are you after?

For 3k, youl get something that probably has half worn tyres (ok, 250's last ages on tyres) and needs an oil and filter change (I do this in first week of ownership, REGARDLESS of what seervicing the seller says has been done) and probably has half worn brake pads.

Your best bet is to find something with a current wof, but no rego. the cost of rego seems to make sellers think they can increase their asking price susbstantially at the momment.

Are you, or any of your trusted friends mechanically minded? You can get some sweet deals if youre prepared to spend a few hours with a spanner, thats how I usually shop, and Ive had some fucking awesome deals on bikes for the sake of a few hours with tools.

[Brayden]

Ideally I'm looking for something sporty. I want to be able to have a bit of fun on it / go for some blitzes around some coastal areas that sort of thing. Don't want a cruiser, although I did look at a scorpio at one point but apparently after 100km/h they get super sluggish.

I have a friend of a friend who is a mechanic but he is an apprentice and only does cars. Unfortunately none of my friends / friends parents own bikes either. I don't really want to buy out of Wellington as I'd like to get the bike inspected before I buy. I'm more or less mechanically retarded and only just learnt to change the oil on my bike..

3 Grand is my absolute limit.. It's all I've got saved and since I'm a student unless I win lotto my savings aren't going to be going up any time soon!

[cbfb]

How handy are you? If you can find your way around a toolbox it might be possible to find something a bit rough around the edges and give it a bit of a tidy-up. People not so mechanically minded would be put off so the price might be a bit more favourable.

I bought mine for $2700 and spent a fair bit of time on it, rebuilt the top end myself, and about $5-700 in parts and labour (mechanic did what I couldn't do like carb tuning and coolant testing etc). Now it is pretty mint, rides really nicely and more importantly I trust it not to breakdown or try to kill me.

So prob about $3400 all up, it's a GSF250 with around 50k on the clock.

EDIT: sorry just realised this echoes what tigertim20 said... but yeah a bit of work could save you a few $$$s or at least give you peace of mind that you aren't riding around on something waiting to fall apart on you.

[MSTRS:Me]

I don't really want to buy out of Wellington as I'd like to get the bike inspected before I buy.

Use the power of KB.
Seen a bike in Anywhereton? Get on KB and ask nicely if someone in that area would mind checking it out, etc. Just be sure that the bike is something you would buy if it's ok.
Lots of knowledge and expertise on here, and some are very happy to help out.

[tigertim20]

Ideally I'm looking for something sporty. I want to be able to have a bit of fun on it / go for some blitzes around some coastal areas that sort of thing. Don't want a cruiser, although I did look at a scorpio at one point but apparently after 100km/h they get super sluggish.

I have a friend of a friend who is a mechanic but he is an apprentice and only does cars. Unfortunately none of my friends / friends parents own bikes either. I don't really want to buy out of Wellington as I'd like to get the bike inspected before I buy. I'm more or less mechanically retarded and only just learnt to change the oil on my bike..

3 Grand is my absolute limit.. It's all I've got saved and since I'm a student unless I win lotto my savings aren't going to be going up any time soon!

Mechanically retarded, save another thousand bucks man, simple as aye, in the meantime, keep your eyes open for deals, TRademe search daily, and remember that people also sill list elsewhere, and dont use trademe.

if youre after a good bike for that coin, Id suggest two things:
1. keep in touch with people you know, thats likely your best bet, through someone you know.

secondly, go to the local bikeshops. Lots of bikeshops DONT like doing trade ins, so let them know what youre after, that way, they might have someone come in with say a ZXR250, who wants to buy a 600, but the shop doesnt want to trade in, and the guy with the zxr need another couple thousand in cash to get his upgrade.. Bike shops will usually play middle man for things like that if it means they get a sale out of it, so go and make yourself known to them.

[cbfb]

I'm more or less mechanically retarded

Sorry didn't read that bit.

Are you seriously not good at mechanics or just not interested in it?

If you can't be f*cked then fair enough (don't blame you I hate housework), but if it's just cause you don't know much, get on KB, were some bloody awesome guys helping me out when I did the Bandit. Get stuck in, take your time and think about it first before doing anything.