Wanted 250 (Sport)

**Corbmyster** · 24th February 2008, 14:17

Gday

About the mid-winter mark, I was hoping to have around $3500 or more for a sport bike. I am preparing to pay $4000 if I can find the money.
On Learner licence

Criteria:

- Japanese
- 250cc 4 stroke, mechanically sound and regularly serviced.
- Preferably under 30K km's
- Rough around the edges is OK (I like projects and fixing stuff)
- Good tyres
- 1990ish and above (late late 80's maybe)
CBRR, FZR, ZZR, GSXRR etc... (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki)

If anyone is planning to sell this coming winter, hold off the cosmetics and touchups and consider selling a little bit cheaper. If you have a decent bike and you think it fits my preference, let me know.

Im keen to hear what people have out there.

I will be a weekender more than a commuter.

Cheers,

Corban
021 168 6435
corbanborrie@hotmail.com

**Taz** · 24th February 2008, 14:22

That 3.5k is a bloody good deposit on a new GPX250 or a ZX2R. No problems with repairs then. GPX is 5995, ZX2R is 6995 new, would hold it's value fairly well also. Why would anyone buy an old CBR/ZXR/GSXR/FZR and all the problems associated with an old 250?
Just my 0.02c
Andy.

**Corbmyster** · 24th February 2008, 14:29

Thanks Andy,

Realistically, I dont have that much money to dish out on a new bike which is why I am seeking the next best thing, second hand

hey maybe if everyone threw in 0.02 cents every day, I might be able to get one of them new ones by next summer :P

Cheers

**Taz** · 24th February 2008, 15:12

2c pieces are no good to you now though.......

**Mikkel** · 24th February 2008, 18:18

Originally Posted by Anthrax

That 3.5k is a bloody good deposit on a new GPX250 or a ZX2R. No problems with repairs then. GPX is 5995, ZX2R is 6995 new, would hold it's value fairly well also. Why would anyone buy an old CBR/ZXR/GSXR/FZR and all the problems associated with an old 250?
Just my 0.02c
Andy.

Because the old inline 4s are faster and more sporty than the new 250s - which are more of a sportstourer than anything.

And new bikes loose value fast!

Originally Posted by Corbmyster

Thanks Andy,

Realistically, I dont have that much money to dish out on a new bike which is why I am seeking the next best thing, second hand

hey maybe if everyone threw in 0.02 cents every day, I might be able to get one of them new ones by next summer :P

Cheers

$3,500 isn't likely to land you a mechanically sound 250 sportsbike. I got lucky at $5,000 myself and have since then thrown a significant amount of dollars at it to lift it up to the standard I require.

Bear in mind - some of the 250s are restricted and anything newer than '92 will be less powerful due to japanese emission requirements. You can be very lucky and find a post-92 which has been "de-restricted" and is running the full 45 hps - but I very much doubt they'll be cheap!

If you want a proper 250 ccm 4 stroke sportsbike there are only four options:

Kawasaki ZXR250 (A, B and C)
Honda CBR250RR
Suzuki GSX-R 250 (not very common)
Yamaha FZR (I think it's FZR but am not certain - and there aren't many of them either)

**Wally Simmonds** · 24th February 2008, 20:43

I've got a GSXRR that I'd probably let go around that price. It's an 89 with 20k on the clock. I'll be holding on to it for at least another month, though. Body wise its okay, think I've got a pic in my profile. It has been cleaned up a little since that pic though.

Goes pretty good for a 250.

**Ragingrob** · 24th February 2008, 21:03

Well I got mine for $2,700 had it for four months now not one problem really, runs like a dream! :P now that's a steal! So there are bikes out there you've just gotta get in quick and find a good one!

**MidnightMike** · 24th February 2008, 21:11

Here you go:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...tm?key=1134359

Not mine but sounds like you, and the GSX's are highly underated.

Very reliable etc.

**Corbmyster** · 24th February 2008, 22:45

Mikel, Wally, Ragingrob, midnight mike:

Thanks for the comments

I know that there are bikes out there for my budget which is why I have put that as my figure. I just got to find the right bike and bypass the dreamers who still want what they paid for it, from Red Baron for example.

I think bike stores has set the price for second hand bikes much higher than they need to be but because there is a market for it - it 'seems' that 'some' people are willing to pay.

But, if we could only trust a bike being purchased from a bike store then nobody would buy second hand.

Store propoganda?
Stores running the market?
Sounds like a conspiracy to me! lol

Talking to a bike mechanic from a store, he told me that some of NZ's biggest bike stores are willing to import 250s at top dollar, which raises the market's price.. you would think that our dollar would bring prices down for new, however second hand must be completely different.

I have seen over the past few weeks many nice bikes with low km's being sold nicely. I got an offer for a CBR which was 30,000 on the click for $3400; so if its still there in a few months then who knows..

Originally Posted by Wally Simmonds

I've got a GSXRR that I'd probably let go around that price. It's an 89 with 20k on the clock. I'll be holding on to it for at least another month, though. Body wise its okay, think I've got a pic in my profile. It has been cleaned up a little since that pic though.

Goes pretty good for a 250.

Wally if you are still selling in a few months then perhaps we could talk more

- oh and sadly the profile pic didnt work. I loaded up something you attached on perhaps another thread - is it the black/silver GSXRR on the walkway next to the retaining wall? Nice ride!

email me when you are thinking about selling (corbanborrie@hotmail.com)

(just quietly, I think these bikes tickle my fancy quite alot)

Cheers

**Mikkel** · 25th February 2008, 10:29

Well, a free market works in the way that a commodity is worth what the purchase will pay for it.

You can argue that you may not be getting as much bike for your money with the 250s - however, if it sells then it's not overpriced.

**HungusMaximist** · 25th February 2008, 10:40

Hey bro $3500 is a good amount of money for a bike and I reckon if you're strict with your budget and stick with it, you'll find something eventually.

Of course, it will help if you got a mate who also rides or is more experienced, so he can give you a hand with things.

I like your attitude that you don't get to distracted by too much fancy dealer/seller bull shit.

One thing to note though is keep an open mind, you don't necessary have to get a sports Jap, Hornets and Spadas for example are really sweet rides.

Check out my ride in my profile, I paid 4.5k for it!

A deal awaits you!

that last bit was a joke k?

**RSrider** · 25th February 2008, 14:10

I got my 1993 ZXR250 for $3700 and its mint. Only done 14,000kms. The only thing wrong with it was the fork seals which were $170 to replace. Don't like blowing me own trumpet, but I havent seen (with my own eyes) a nicer zxr, even for twice the price.

**Wally Simmonds** · 25th February 2008, 16:45

That's a pretty good deal!

**Seraph** · 25th February 2008, 16:55

was thinking about selling my kawa zr250 ..(naked zxr with tubular frame) 28'000 (or so) k's, but theres another bike I want at the moment so unlikely i'll still have it when you want 1...wanting around $3200 though.

**Corbmyster** · 25th February 2008, 22:24

Originally Posted by RSrider

I got my 1993 ZXR250 for $3700 and its mint. Only done 14,000kms. The only thing wrong with it was the fork seals which were $170 to replace. Don't like blowing me own trumpet, but I havent seen (with my own eyes) a nicer zxr, even for twice the price.

I guess thats what I am after - A nice bike which needs minor touchups here and there, in your case fork seals.

nice ride man - also nice colour.