Yet another should I buy - '04 GSX250

**GingerMidget** · 21st January 2012, 12:53

So I fell in love today out at motormart.

After spending hours on trademe last night looking at these, I found one out at motormart and went and had a better look. This one in particular looks like it may have been dropped, so that won't be coming home with me, but I'm interested in other opinions as to wether it is a good or just plain silly learner bike. I have little experience (VTR250 a couple of times) and I'm a bit on the midgetty side.

Stupid me wants an '09 Ninja, but realistic me can't justify spending quite that much coin on a first bike.

So opinions, experience and complaints please

**MSTRS:Me** · 21st January 2012, 12:58

If you are a 'little' person (not a dwarf tho

) then the VTR might be best. But then, only you can know whether a bigger framed bike is OK.

**GingerMidget** · 21st January 2012, 13:06

Up on the centre stand, I can toe down. Sitting on it, just felt nicer than the vtr. That could be due to a bit of a scare on the vtr, but todays one just felt right.

Would be such a ncie bike if it hadn't been dropped!

**Katman** · 21st January 2012, 13:11

They're a great bike.

**GingerMidget** · 21st January 2012, 13:19

What sorts of things should I be looking for when I do have the coin to buy one? I would prefer an 04, and ideally in grey but I'll take an 03 in blue happily enough.
Colour is important, but not that important. (apparently I'm a girl?)

I will be talking to one of the guys from work about coming along to have a look with me, so this may involve a bribe.

**DR650gary** · 21st January 2012, 15:10

Originally Posted by GingerMidget

So I fell in love today out at motormart.

Stupid me wants an '09 Ninja, but realistic me can't justify spending quite that much coin on a first bike.

So opinions, experience and complaints please

The more you spend now, the more you will get back when move up. Generally, the newer the bike the less you will have to spend on maintenance, although that is condition related.

Buy the best your allowable budget will permit and the one that feels the nicest as you will ride it more and feel safer.

A few dollars to spend on this one but if you have a mate with some tools you're in.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-435773218.htm

This does look sexy in black and has quite a few bucks worth of gear. Even if it doesn't fit you, take it and flog it to reduce your costs.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-437319266.htm

And that's the colour range covered!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-438822509.htm

Oops, a nice green one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-439748592.htm

Cheers and enjoy your journey into motorcycles.

**FJRider** · 21st January 2012, 16:50

Originally Posted by GingerMidget

So I fell in love today out at motormart.

After spending hours on trademe last night looking at these, I found one out at motormart and went and had a better look. This one in particular looks like it may have been dropped, so that won't be coming home with me, but I'm interested in other opinions as to wether it is a good or just plain silly learner bike. I have little experience (VTR250 a couple of times) and I'm a bit on the midgetty side.

Stupid me wants an '09 Ninja, but realistic me can't justify spending quite that much coin on a first bike.

So opinions, experience and complaints please

So what damage was done when it was dropped ... you cant live with ???

Aside from being cheaper (with damage) ... you may well be able to sort the issues yourself.

As you go through the learning/restricted process ... the likely hood of further (minor) damage is great. Regardless of how good or careful you are.

**ducatilover** · 21st January 2012, 17:44

Originally Posted by Katman

They're a great bike.

Can't agree more.

Have ridden a few of the wee beasts now and think they're a brilliant first bike.
Generally very, very reliable.

The one thing to consider is, it's heavier than a VTR250, can you push it around okay?

Things to look for would be normal maintenance rubbish as I don't recall them having any model specific faults, I imagine Katman can tell us if there are though?

Good luck and ride safe!

**GingerMidget** · 21st January 2012, 18:50

The main problem is they want $5k for it, with damage, its only minor but I spotted it from a mile away. I'm very new to this, and I'm not buying something someone else has already dropped. I'm realistic that I will drop my pride and joy one day, I'd rather its first impact be my own doing!

On the vtr i can toe down, but not the cbr. Over all, I love the gixxer, but I really need to ride it before making a firm decision to save for one.

**quickbuck** · 21st January 2012, 19:00

Originally Posted by GingerMidget

The main problem is they want $5k for it, with damage, its only minor but I spotted it from a mile away. I'm very new to this, and I'm not buying something someone else has already dropped. I'm realistic that I will drop my pride and joy one day, I'd rather its first impact be my own doing!

On the vtr i can toe down, but not the cbr. Over all, I love the gixxer, but I really need to ride it before making a firm decision to save for one.

03 Blue, and 04 Grey? Nope, they are all the same bike 2003 or 2004 blue or grey, it makes no difference. Yes, the grey ones look nice in my opinion too.
The other half had one of these in 2004. We went around the south island on it, and it returned close to 400k per tank! My GSX 600 was doing about 250k on the same amount of fuel, and that was econimical...

As for the minor damage, I would say live with it, and use it to lower the sticker price, if you can.
It can be repaired if you are really fussy about it.
To be honest, you would be lucky to find one that hasn't fallen over at some point.

I also own a 2010 Ninja. The Ninja is much lighter than the GSX was (185kg for the GSX), but they perform about the same really.... give or take. In saying that, you will always get most of your money back on a 250 in any case.... Even if it is the through life cost being less than a larger bike.

**ducatilover** · 21st January 2012, 19:54

$5k?

They're worth around $3k, I looked at buying an '04 model in about 2006 and that was a shade over $4k at a stealership and was in mint condition.

**MSTRS:Me** · 22nd January 2012, 09:41

Originally Posted by GingerMidget

The main problem is they want $5k for it, with damage, its only minor but I spotted it from a mile away. I'm very new to this, and I'm not buying something someone else has already dropped. I'm realistic that I will drop my pride and joy one day, I'd rather its first impact be my own doing!

On the vtr i can toe down, but not the cbr. Over all, I love the gixxer, but I really need to ride it before making a firm decision to save for one.

Let's be clear...it's not a gixxer.
GSXR is a 4 cylinder race/replica sportsbike
GSX250 is a 2 cylinder commuter lookalike.

And $5k? No chance it's worth that. Especially with LAMS on the way.

**GrayWolf** · 22nd January 2012, 10:44

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Let's be clear...it's not a gixxer.
GSXR is a 4 cylinder race/replica sportsbike
GSX250 is a 2 cylinder commuter lookalike.

And $5k? No chance it's worth that. Especially with LAMS on the way.

Totaly agree with that sentiment. 5k is way too high unless it's sub 1000k's on the clock, even then??? LAM's will shatter the 250 bike premium value without a doubt. What WILL happen is they will be 'picked up' as commuter hacks/second bikes for far less than the current prices. IF!!! you intend on keeping it for some time? Maybe the cost is 'acceptable'.... As the date for LAM's gets closer? You'll see dealer's either not replacing 250's on the floor, or heavily discounting them to offload them. When you go back for a bigger bike? I doubt they'd even offer 40% of the purchase price after a year.