Magic numbers

[DODO``]

OK, so my initial plan was buying a new GN125 from the Barron for $2000 riding it for 12 months and then selling it for $1500. But I'm smart enough to know that I won't be the only one thinking of this.

Basically the bike is to get me to work in Wellington and then get me home again. But I saw The Long Way Round and dream to...

So, buying a quality used 250 may well be the go. Problem here is I don't know a lot about bike and I don't have any friends, yet, who ride. Is there an advantage to buying from a dealer in terms of service history and mechanical check?

Is it rude to ask a seller on TradeMe: Do you have the service history? I can't see the point to go look a the bike if they don't.

Looking at bikes I often see rust on the exhaust, is this just normal and easily to fix or a sign of a badly maintained bike?

I think I know the answer to this but should I consider the Arrow Samurai 200?

Oh, and anybody know where to buy a Yamaha in Wellington? Maidstone Yamaha have a site which is either broken or useless and don't seem interested in answering my emails. Sadly, they are also the only listed Yamaha dealer in the Wellington area.

Oh I love long way around and long way down haha just watched the whole thing again not too long ago!
Personally I wouldn't buy one from the dealer unless the deal is real good or rare bike because the price difference is quite significant.
yeah sure they have been properly maintained so on and so forth, but its not hard to find the private sales with properly maintained bikes.
if no one around you can help just do AA, not the best option but if its the only one do it for your peace of mind.
and its not rude, in fact you SHOULD ask for service history. if they mumble or don't have them , then id walk away haha
surface rust on exhaust is not uncommon, if exhaust is rusted thu, you sould really start worrying about and check if the chassis got any rust.
surface rust on exhaust is not hard to fix, no biggy, just tedious light sanding and polishing with treatment should get rid of them, then after that the exhaust would need constant polish.. or just replace them.. but many dont seem to bother about the exhaust surface rust. same as car really, you just dont see it in cars because its under the car.
as to where to buy,? Trademe man..

[FJRider]

Looking at bikes I often see rust on the exhaust, is this just normal and easily to fix or a sign of a badly maintained bike?

Oh, and anybody know where to buy a Yamaha in Wellington? Maidstone Yamaha have a site which is either broken or useless and don't seem interested in answering my emails. Sadly, they are also the only listed Yamaha dealer in the Wellington area.

You live in Wellington ... figure it out ....

Suzuki shops ARE allowed to sell Yamahas ... look around all the bike shops.

[ducatilover]

thanks for all the replies and advice. I think as this will be my first bike I'm going to save the pennies and buy new.

thanks again

You'll lose huge chunks of money on a new bike that's no better than an "old" bike.
On a well cared for bike, kms are irrelevant really.
I've had some very high km bikes and cars and that doesn't have any effect on my maintenance costs, I'm currently driving a BMW with 295,000km, most people would run a mile, because most people are idiots.
I agree with Subike's posts, I'm not a fan of uber low KM motors, I had an uber low KM GN (2004 model) and my current '88 GN hack goes far better.