First time buyer, what is a 1989 model Kawasaki Ninja 250 worth?

[dman]

I'm looking at buying my first motorbike, and wondering what others would think is a fair price for a 1989 model Kawasaki Ninja 250 in cosmetically poor condition but is mechanically sound? (as I've been offered one by a friend, but rather totally clueless at what would be a fair market price for it, as I've never purchased a motorbike before)

[haydes55]

Spend $5 more and buy a bike 20 years newer.

[WristTwister]

I see a similar 250 on trademe for $1650 dollars. I think you should shop around unless your friend is offering you a great deal already.

[dman]

I see a similar 250 on trademe for $1650 dollars.

Hmmm... very far away for me, as I'm in Auckland. So I don't see how it possible I could buy this bike?

I think my friend's is similar to that, but more roughed up:

"mirror is bent weirdly because a door fell on it. Still good for wofs though. And the fairings at the bottom aren't attached."

I think you should shop around unless your friend is offering you a great deal already.

Yeah, that is why I'm asking here.... to try and work out beforehand what would be a great deal price or not? $2.5K? $2K? $1.5K? etc

Spend $5 more and buy a bike 20 years newer.

I think if I spent $5 more then the only bike 20yrs newer I could buy would be say a GN250....


http://www.kbb.com/motorcycles/kawas...icetype=retail

How do USA pricings compare to NZ pricings as a rough guide? As KBB indicates an excellent condition 1989 Kawasaki Ninja 250 is US$1325 which is roughly NZ$2K

[Laava]

A bike that old is likely to be a "mechanics bike." In that you will need to be one to keep on top of the endless repairs and maintenance. If this does not sound like you, take the advice from early on and get something much newer. Such as LAMS Kawasaki en650 or similar?

[WristTwister]

The example I gave wasn't a purchase suggestion, it was just for comparison.

Shop around, seriously. It's your money and you need to be happy with what you get.

[dman]

The bike I'm looking at has done 18 thousand kilometers on the clock. It is this model specifically:

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...x250r%2089.htm

[Oakie]

The kilometres are ok but the bike is over a quarter of a century old.
OK if you are a mechanic or if you are indeed looking for your first bike and just wanting something you can drop a few times without worrying and then buy another newer bike when this one dies, then sure.

[dman]

None of this really answers my core question of what would such a bike be worth.... ? Just looking for a ballpark range

[Ender EnZed]

Does it have a recent wof and is it currently registered? If so, then spending $1500 won't get you laughed at for taking a gamble on an old, probably well-raped learner mobile.

[dman]

Reg ended in April and he thinks the WOF has too, but he says it has always sailed through WOFs without trouble.

What if he was wanting somewhat more than $1.5K, would that still sound reasonable?

[Ender EnZed]

Did the reg expire or lapse in April? Saying it sails through wofs without trouble isn't worth any more than saying that he wants it out of his garage.

Will it pass a wof and could you register it tomorrow if you bought it tomorrow? If you can't answer these questions then you can't know what it's worth, regardless of the overall mechanical condition. Which no one on the Internet can tell you.

[AllanB]

If he is a genuine friend he will get a fresh WOF for the bike first. Saying it will sail through is usually code for being told previously it will fail on tyres or something expensive so he/she is not running it through this time.

You have stated it is cosmetically rough - bent items, lower fairing not fixed (why?) - all pointing to a bit of a neglected ride. Who has told you it is mechanically fine? The friend who won;t WOF it before selling it to you? Hows the brakes? Wheel bearings, steering head bearings? All checked when running it through for a WOF.

IMO It's worth $500 now. Get a WOF maybe a grand. Tidy it up to match the one on Trademe $1,500.

[OddDuck]

OP: extreme caution purchasing this bike, at any price. Yeah, I know it's a mate and all.

Rubber: there will be failed seals everywhere, especially the seals through the inside of the engine. With the rubber it's not just kilometers, it's time as well. Plasticisers evaporate or the rubber sets under compression. It doesn't lead to catastrophic failures (usually) but expect fouled spark plugs, embarrassing oil leaks, weird running problems like the bike having trouble idling.

Rust: you can expect massive frustration trying to do simple jobs like taking a wheel axle out. Rust will have locked a lot of things in place. It's fine until you've got a repair to sort out, then things that should take ten seconds will need two hours or more.

Electrical system: expect gremlins, due to dirt, oil and corrosion. Insulation will be starting to crack, too.

Spares: might not be able to get them any more, even out of a wreckers. Lack of a spare might kill the bike, unless you have the skills or the contacts to custom fabricate a replacement.

Money: Purchase sounds OK, spares / labour / tools / facilities will add up in one hell of a hurry. You are going to spend a lot more than the initial purchase price.

Others are telling you that this is a mechanic's bike... they are not kidding. This is experience talking. I know it's not what you want to hear, but we're trying to help. You want to actually ride, right?

[Jin]

Sub 2k but make him get a wof.