Kawasaki Ballius - thoughts for an L plater?

**Hmmmmark** · 12th October 2013, 15:33

I'm looking for my first bike, and briefly looked at an '01 Kawasaki Ballius today. I'm hoping someone can help advise what steps I should consider before making an offer.

Cosmetically the bike was in passable condition - tear in the seat, scratch on the muffler and a scratch on the crank case - low speed drops by the looks.

Started just fine cold, though the owner insisted on starting with the choke on (is this normal for a 12yo carbed bike?). Took it for a hoon around the carpark before the weather packed in. It accelerated smoothly, gears felt fine up to 3rd (didn't get higher). So nothing untoward came up on the brief ridearound but I'm still nervous about dropping $$ on a bike I know very little about.

Any sage words of wisdom to offer?

Cheers!

**george formby** · 12th October 2013, 15:52

Condition of chain, sprockets, tires, brake pads, oil, coolant, wheel & swing arm bearings, wiring loom, air filter etc. Are all the mounting points on plastics, radiator, hoses etc in good condition? How old is the battery, service history, new wof?

Be a pain in the arse, every little thing you find helps to haggle a lower price.

**BigAl** · 12th October 2013, 17:22

Yes choke used in cold starting a carbed bike.

Did it smoke? A little is nothing to worry about but significant is a worry.

Service history? Unless recently serviced you'd need to factor in plugs, oil, filter, coolant as a minimum. Say $150.

As George said chains and sprockets, will set you back at least a couple of hundred tyres may need changing if more than 4 yrs old.

**Ender EnZed** · 12th October 2013, 17:34

Using the choke to start from cold is normal for any bike that has one.

For about $50 any bike shop will give it a pre-purchase inspection for you. Sounds like it could be well worth it for the peace of mind.

**george formby** · 12th October 2013, 17:54

Never used the choke on my 4t 850 twin, admittedly garaged. Occasionally needed the choke on my 2t. If it was not a cold, damp morning I would not think the choke should be needed for a cold start, well, that is my perspective living oop north.
Smoke? Would be a tad sideways if I saw smoke coming from a modern bike. The old 98 TDM with nearly 60'000km on the clock does not guff at all & they are renowned for liking a drink of oil.

**nzspokes** · 12th October 2013, 18:01

If you ask nicely an experienced KBer may go look at it for you. If its on TM put up a link.

**speeding_ant** · 12th October 2013, 18:17

How many $$'s are we talking about as well.

**Erelyes** · 12th October 2013, 21:35

Buy it. Irrespective of the cost.

Chicks'll love you when you say 'Check out my Ballius'.

**haydes55** · 12th October 2013, 22:09

Originally Posted by Erelyes

Buy it. Irrespective of the cost.

Chicks'll love you when you say 'Check out my Ballius'.

And any chick who thinks they know about motorbikes:

"What bike do you ride?

"A kawasaki..."

"Ooo do you ride a ninja?"

"Bitch let me finish my sentence! I ride a Ball..."

"Gosh you don't have to be mean, you could of just said you're gay"

**Hmmmmark** · 13th October 2013, 09:13

Originally Posted by george formby

Condition of chain, sprockets, tires, brake pads, oil, coolant, wheel & swing arm bearings, wiring loom, air filter etc. Are all the mounting points on plastics, radiator, hoses etc in good condition? How old is the battery, service history, new wof?

Be a pain in the arse, every little thing you find helps to haggle a lower price.

Ah cheers, I think I need to chill out an pay some goddamn attention

Originally Posted by Ender EnZed

Using the choke to start from cold is normal for any bike that has one.

For about $50 any bike shop will give it a pre-purchase inspection for you. Sounds like it could be well worth it for the peace of mind.

Thanks! It was just something I hadn't considered previously. Any tips on getting a bike with no current WOF/Rego down to a bike shop? Or should the promise of a fresh WOF & Rego upon sale be sufficient.

It was on TM, listing has since expired

Originally Posted by speeding_ant

How many $$'s are we talking about as well.

$3500 ONO

**george formby** · 13th October 2013, 09:20

Don't touch it without wof & reg. As such you will just be shelling out on an ornament & potentially a load of hassle.

**ducatilover** · 13th October 2013, 12:01

Make sure the oil looks nice.
Make sure there are no ticking cam chain noises, they commonly want replacement around 60,000km.

**speeding_ant** · 13th October 2013, 15:57

$3500 with no WOF or Reg? Don't even go there, much better deals to be had.

**fastoyz** · 14th October 2013, 18:52

I have a slightly older balius 1992, black, 64,000kms, very tidy for age, will be sold with new wof & rego $1800 if any interest to you probably wont be ready till end of month though as have quite a few others on the go first