Under 250cc to become cheap as post-LAMS?

[TimKeegan]

What are everyone's thoughts on how LAMS is going to impact on pricing of bikes under 250cc? I'm just about to purchase my first bike and it will be a 250 or under, not sure whether it is worth waiting for a price drop.

Hope this hasn't already been covered somewhere else, thanks

[Glowerss]

What are everyone's thoughts on how LAMS is going to impact on pricing of bikes under 250cc? I'm just about to purchase my first bike and it will be a 250 or under, not sure whether it is worth waiting for a price drop.

Hope this hasn't already been covered somewhere else, thanks

2 smokes possibly will. The old raped IL4s *MIGHT*, but I doubt it. The IL4 250s are still going to be "faster" and (subjectively) more fun then anything over 250 that still exists (There are a few ridiculous bikes on the LAMS list but goodluck ever finding one).

The price of the newer 250s will most likely be unaffected. People are still going to want to learn on light easy to use bikes, or use em as commuters. Considering that the RRP from dealers will be completely unaffected, second hand values are unlikely to drop too much.

All in all, my guess is no. There might be a temporary spike in 250 prices when LAMS hits as 250 owners freak out a bit, but I'd be willing to wager that in 6 months time, most 250s are costing prices similar to now. Particularly the IL4s as theres no real replacement for them.

[McFatty1000]

I just sold a cb250 - didn't ask the world for it but it still impressed me how much attention it got; even with lams coming in there was still a reasonable amount. So I'd say apart from a small fluctuation for a short while, unlikely overall. But, you may get a seller who is already looking at lams with dread and wanting to offload their bike while they still can now? More to do with how people perceive what the market is going to do and how much they panic with it

[baffa]

Many people dont even know about LAMs, but when the law changes I think 250s will drop a bit.
The fact that people sell 5 year old 250s for about 4-5K, when you can get a 600 of similiar vintage for that money is ridiculous.

[Bradles]

It probably depends on the bikes you're looking at.

My guess is if you're looking at bikes that people see as good for learning on but not that powerful in their class you probably won't see much of a change (as they will still be good for learning on but not that powerful when the regulations change).

The other thing to keep in mind is that you're relying on sellers recognising/accepting that the market has changed. They will probably be slower to learn than buyers.

[EJK]

My hypothesis is that some price of 400-500cc bikes will rise in distant time. Not sure about 250s fluctuation tho.

[FJRider]

The 250's will only be worth what you want/afford. People will still ask the earth for their little minter ... More variety and choice for the learner rider .... so look around ...

Negotiate ....

[tigertim20]

I think prices will drop a little bit, but not significantly. alot of people are still buying and selling 250s for 3.5k, hopefully people will see the sense of buying superior bikes available under lams and the overpriced elderly il4 4 stroke market will take a beating, but Im not going to under-estimate peoples stupidity/ignorance

[FJRider]

but Im not going to under-estimate peoples stupidity/ignorance

Some rely on it for a living ... but I think time's will change.

[Oakie]

Well I'm thinking that people will no longer pay around $5k for a 20 year old ZXR250 or similar so the arse will fall out of that market for a few particular models but overall not much difference. Decent moderately aged 250s will go for a number starting with a '3' is my guess. Hopefully it'll mean we see a few more 400/600 cc bikes coming in.

[mossy1200]

The price of road legal IT490s will go up.

[GrayWolf]

The over priced, abused, thrashed 'the schizzz' Cbrr's etc, etc, will quite rightly take a beating. Minter bikes that have service histories etc, will likely stay at a reasonable price.
There I think is the 'watershed' buyers will no longer have to settle for shitbox bikes with no service history, just because, when as good, or even bikes of 500cc with better torque characteristics and flexibility are available to them. For a period of time, even the older 'LAMS' bikes are likely to stil be in better condition (read: not thrashed to buggery by a stream of fuckwit owners).

[Hitcher]

My hope is that LAMS will finally see some sense around used motorcycle pricing. I can't believe the prices that are asked for 250s that were built in the mid 1990s, and even more recent models too. A Clapped Out Piece Of Shit should be worth fuck all.

[Glowerss]

My hope is that LAMS will finally see some sense around used motorcycle pricing. I can't believe the prices that are asked for 250s that were built in the mid 1990s, and even more recent models too. A Clapped Out Piece Of Shit should be worth fuck all.

Dealerships, at least, seem to have absolutely no inclination whatsoever to change pricing on anything.

In some respects, their hands are tied. New 250s are expensive as fark, but I'm fairly sure the dealerships aren't setting the prices. It's just a shame we get hammered so bad on pricing, a 2012 250 ninja is something like 3999$ in the states. Theyre over 7.5k here, and the FI ones you're looking at 8.5+. Unless they depreciate by half magically, the price of new 250s just isn't going to drop.

The raped old mid 90s 250s, I think some dealerships don't care whether they sell or not. Red Baron Auckland has had a 1992 250 CBRRRRRRRRR up for 4500$ for the last like year. Its engine bay is all corroded, and its missing its lower fairing. It's clearly been crashed and thrashed to fuck. I dont think RB cares though or is interested in selling the fucking thing. LAMS isn't going to change that.

The only real hope is that people selling shit privately on trademe become more realistic, but I doubt that as well. People in NZ seem to think that depreciation is something that only happens to somebody else. "I paid 4500$ for it, it must still be worth that much 3 years later!".

Time will tell.