What to look for when buying a bike? [Newbie]

[silent_]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of getting my learner license. Did the practical test a few days ago and now I just need to go and do the scratchy test. Anyhow, I'm looking to buy an Old CBR250 and was wondering what I should be looking for? How many km's, price etc?. I'd be keen for a FZR or ZXR too but the CBR has sort of been a dream of mine even though the thing is 20years old now!, damn am I late but oh well.

Some help would be much appreciated .

[ducatilover]

Ask somebody knowledgeable to go with you and check it out, best way to do it

[Tigadee]

Heaps of experienced people in Auckland who can go with you if you ask nice. They'll even test ride the bike for you - No money needed, just a 'thank you' and a beer...

[silent_]

haha cheers!, I managed to rope a friend in. But just to filter some off of trademe, how many Km's should I be looking at?

[Gremlin]

haha cheers!, I managed to rope a friend in. But just to filter some off of trademe, how many Km's should I be looking at?

How they have been looked after and whether they have been regularly serviced is more important than mileage.

[Maha]

How they have been looked after and whether they have been regularly serviced is more important than mileage.

Also applies to women folk....

[English Kiwi]

Also applies to women folk....

Nothing else needs to be said Maha

Kms depends on your budget...you can get Ninja's for a good price now and they are awesome bikes Not that i'm biast or anything

[silent_]

Nothing else needs to be said Maha

Kms depends on your budget...you can get Ninja's for a good price now and they are awesome bikes Not that i'm biast or anything

budgets about 3600 bucks, the new ninjas are a wee bit outa my range at the moment. But it looks like the MC22 are also pretty much the same. Advertised at more than 4k

[ducatilover]

3.6k with or without gear?
Start simple.
Road reg trail bike
GPX/ZZR/GPZ250 (same engine as the new one, some GPXs had more power anyway, Ninja means nothing)
Hyosung GT250
Honda Hornet (best learner bike)
Honda VTR250
Honda VT250 Spada (my favourite, I'm biased)
Honda VTZ250
Honda CB250
Honda CB250 Jade
Suzuki GSX250
Suzuki GSX-R250
Suzuki GSF250/Bandit
Suzuki GN250 (I'll sell ya one...)
Yamaha SRV250
Yamaha SR250
Yamaha SRX250
Yamaha FZR250 (most of them can be had for 3.6k)


And that's only the start of the list

[English Kiwi]

budgets about 3600 bucks, the new ninjas are a wee bit outa my range at the moment. But it looks like the MC22 are also pretty much the same. Advertised at more than 4k

Yeh that's true...good bikes though

MC22's are meant to be pretty good, you just have to make sure you get one in good nick and like Gremlin said...has been well maintained. I'm sure George the Motorcycle Doctor will be able to mechanically take a look at a bike you are keen on

[SMOKEU]

Remember that a bike of that age is going to need a lot of maintenance, and if you're not mechanically minded the labour costs can get very expensive, very quickly.

[The End]

Remember that a bike of that age is going to need a lot of maintenance, and if you're not mechanically minded the labour costs can get very expensive, very quickly.

And with the MC22's in particular, every owner will say it has been "meticulously looked after, never ridden hard". Don't let pretty fairings sway your opinion, it's what's between them that counts.

[zique]

budgets about 3600 bucks, the new ninjas are a wee bit outa my range at the moment. But it looks like the MC22 are also pretty much the same. Advertised at more than 4k

I was in your situation some weeks ago,looking for a bike.Was also keen on a CBR250RR,you just can't be too sure how well they have been looked after unless you get a pro to look at them...etc etc The bike queens on here have steered me away from them lol.
I've settled on the Spada (thanks to Frosty and Ducatilover) It is a nice,light bike.Looks better than a hornet.

[The Lone Rider]

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