Bike buying advice

**mops** · 20th November 2005, 08:49

Hello.

I'm looking at buying my first bike. I found this 1999 Suzuki GSF250VZV Bandit, which I like and I went to have a look on last night. It's a 250cc and it has 16k on the clock.

I got my friend-biker test ride it, as I havent ride a proper bike for last 10 years. He says everything is really good. Bike is in very good condition, and these are the only minor things I noticed about it:

1. When started cold, it wont idle by itself for about 10 seconds, so you have to keep reeving it up. My mate says it's normal on some bikes.

2. tailpipe has some minor black residue on the end.... I'm not a bike expers but that on cars indicate rich running engine.

3. rear shoct is pretty stiff, my mate says thay are all adjustable, but we forgot to check it when viewing the bike.

4. front brake grabs really aggresively, but aparently thats adjustable too.

Thats about it... apare from that it looks pretty mint. no scratches that we did notice, it has service history, hardly used and stored in the shed. fresh tyres....

I really like the bike and I'm serious about buying it. I'd like for somebody to comment on the issues I listel, particulary the idling problem...

Lastly, the price. The guy is asking $4k for it. We went to several bike sealers and found 1989 bandit with 25k on the clock, aswell looking mint, and the asking price was 5.5k. Seems kind a lot to me for 250cc bike, I'm not sure how much they normally go for. Could somebody comment ?

Thanks in advance,
Mops.

**MSTRS:Me** · 20th November 2005, 08:58

Originally Posted by mops

Hello.

1. When started cold, it wont idle by itself for about 10 seconds, so you have to keep reeving it up. My mate says it's normal on some bikes.

2. tailpipe has some minor black residue on the end.... I'm not a bike expers but that on cars indicate rich running engine.

3. rear shoct is pretty stiff, my mate says thay are all adjustable, but we forgot to check it when viewing the bike.

4. front brake grabs really aggresively, but aparently thats adjustable too.

Lastly, the price. The guy is asking $4k for it. We went to several bike sealers and found 1989 bandit with 25k on the clock, aswell looking mint, and the asking price was 5.5k. Seems kind a lot to me for 250cc bike, I'm not sure how much they normally go for. Could somebody comment ?

Thanks in advance,
Mops.

1 Idle - not really a concern
2 Soot - unleaded petrol. only leaded or avgas burns a white pipe
3 Stiff shock - should be adjustable. Probably set hard since it is a sprotbike
4 Front brake grab - is it a twindisc. M/c brakes are waaaaay better than they were pre-90's
5 Price - seems cheap for 250 of that year & mileage. P'raps investigate reason for this??

**GSVR** · 20th November 2005, 14:43

I can remember this time last year when Suzuki summerfeast were selling GSX250's for some riddiculously low price. Trying to find the add in old bike mags.

The Bandit is budget unfaired bike. Look at the 2004 GSX 250's and what price they are selling for on Trademe.

1999 is quite an old bike and would have to be warranted every 6 months, newer bikes warrant lasts 12 months. Take all this into consideration.

**Hitcher** · 20th November 2005, 14:50

Those 250 Bandits go really well. Infinitely preferable to the POS GSX250...

**GSVR** · 20th November 2005, 14:58

If I was restricted to a 250cc and was after performance I think I'd seriously consider getting a 2 stroke.

**SPman** · 20th November 2005, 16:18

A '99 Bandit 250 for $4k seems like a reasonable price for a private sale to me.
It's late model (for jap 250 multis), better than the GSX 250 and a good bet for someone coming back into bikes.
Wouldnt mind one myself for a 2nd (or, at the moment, 1st even) bike!