Have I just picked up a bargin of a first bike?? I hope so!

**Manxman** · 19th March 2008, 19:48

Originally Posted by jimmyj

Hey everyone.
I just bought my first bike. After several disapointments I finally have secured the right to my own bike. Un believable!!!
I Scored a 1991 Suzuki Bandit fresh from Japan, all road registared and Wof'd with only 14,000 on the odo, for $3000.
It was off trademe and I was the sole bidder. Again un believable! I thought these bikes were fetching allot higher and everyone wanted won!!!

I take possesion in the next week or so and I can't help but feel I've got a way with a steal?

What do you all think???

J

My observations:
1) assuming it is in good mechanical nick, then you scored a steal;
2) IMHO one of the best learner bikes you can get, ie one that you won't get bored of in under 3 months.
3) $500 for delivery from there to Akl is a *little* steep

, but I'm sure you have sussed that already and hopefully made alternate arrangements.

Otherwise, all good. Enjoy!!!

**Manxman** · 19th March 2008, 19:59

Originally Posted by Romeo

Two of my mates have them (Foobin and uNople) and they're freakin' awesome. Probably one of the best kept secrets within the 250cc market.

HOWEVER. Me and Foobs were debating WHY on earth the frame is painted matt black. To the best of our knowledge the GSF250P's came with the same coloured frame as their bodyworks. It seems as if the tanks are either repainted, or from a donor bike (could just be a fairing swap between two friends).

The black bandits had black frames with grey wheels, the reds had red frames with white wheels, whites had white on white, and the greens had green frames and white wheels. So it looks like this bike was originally black.

This leads to all sorts of assumptions about the bike's history, but we could just be wrong!

Regardless, here's a whole bunch of information about your bike. I've only thrown this spanner in your works because I'm jealous!

Not necessarily. Drawing a conclusion that there's a donor bike involved is quite a big assumption.

My 93 bandit was red with red frame and silver wheels. I decided to paint the engine black for no other reason than it looked better (and to cover a couple of minor scratches).

Motive may not therefore be suspicious.

As someone said, it's how it rides, not its history.

If that all stacks up then it's absolutely worth $3k. Check out that delivery charge though, cos that is a bit on the nose.

**Romeo** · 19th March 2008, 20:41

Originally Posted by Manxman

Not necessarily. Drawing a conclusion that there's a donor bike involved is quite a big assumption.

Motive may not therefore be suspicious ... As someone said, it's how it rides, not its history.

I'd hardly say that I've been so blatant in my statements as to "draw a conclusion". As far as we know, the body work isn't factory (tail, tank, front fender, airbox cover/vent), it's got aftermarket mirrors and bar ends on it - and that's all we can spot from the photos.

I'm not saying that this is necessarily bad - infact I said a number of times it could be completely benign - but it could provide an avenue for investigation if it doesn't ride right. Other bidders might have noticed these and not bid, all the better for Jimmy if you ask me. I would have happily bought this bike if I had the cash, which I most certainly don't!

Originally Posted by Romeo

could just be a fairing swap between two friends ... So it looks like this bike was originally black ... but we could just be wrong!

**jimmyj** · 20th March 2008, 08:58

WOOOOW!! I'm so impressed with you all. I go away for a few days then look back here and theres 3 pages of posts!!! Amazing Guys and Girls!!
I have read every post, so thanks so much.
So, my response.

1. Can I agree when people say it's completely ridiculous that im even paying 3 k for a 17 year old bike ( as someone said a brand new ninga is 7k with 2 year warranty) but hell, 3k doesnt seem to bad in this inflated market, but i just really wanted a bike!!
2. I'm praying the bike does ride well a year or so down the track. I plan to look after it aswell as I do my car, so i'm hoping that prevails. It could be a bike I have for the next 2 years while still at Uni and well into my full!!
3. I'm picking the bike up with a mate to drive it back on tuesday. Can't Wait to drive it but not paying 500 bucks to get it any sooner.

LASTLY, Thanks to those who have looked at the bike, questioned it, debated it and made helpful comments.I will keep you all informed. first step i guess is to see if it gets back to auckland haha. Cheers

**NOMIS** · 20th March 2008, 09:06

Originally Posted by jimmyj

Hey everyone.
I just bought my first bike. After several disapointments I finally have secured the right to my own bike. Un believable!!!
I Scored a 1991 Suzuki Bandit fresh from Japan, all road registared and Wof'd with only 14,000 on the odo, for $3000.
It was off trademe and I was the sole bidder. Again un believable! I thought these bikes were fetching allot higher and everyone wanted won!!!

I take possesion in the next week or so and I can't help but feel I've got a way with a steal?

What do you all think???

J

I GOT MY HORNET 2001 10k on the clock new tyre wof'd, reg'd, and shipped to Auckland from Christchurch for $5600 with a full tank of gas, fresh import

What you think????

**NOMIS** · 20th March 2008, 09:13

Originally Posted by R6_kid

10k a year?... get on ya bike son! I know people putting 25-30k plus on their bikes in a year.

Ive put 5K on my bike in 5months 36km to work in the morn 36km on the way back, plus riding a lil further to hit some corners to keep the chicken strips away and the odd cruise on the weekend

**marioc** · 20th March 2008, 09:32

I hope you get as much enjoyment from it as I have from mine

**TOTO** · 20th March 2008, 20:57

You are sooo lucky. i'm jelous

Flick us a PM if you wanna go for a ride.

**Ragingrob** · 22nd March 2008, 18:28

Looking forward to see how it feels for me on the ride back compared to my CBR! And to see if there are any problems that stare me in the face or if it's mint!

**ambler** · 23rd March 2008, 11:43

Originally Posted by NOMIS

Ive put 5K on my bike in 5months 36km to work in the morn 36km on the way back, plus riding a lil further to hit some corners to keep the chicken strips away and the odd cruise on the weekend

I just wanted to agree with others who said conditions are different enough in Japan to make low kms on old bikes quite normal. When I lived in Tokyo, my 12km commute took me almost 40mins, then when I moved closer to work, my 6km commute still took me 22mins. I'd say anyone with a 36km commute would be taking the train.
I hardly ever took trains since I hate them... I commuted every day on that bike in all weather, and used it to get around in the weekends as well, but even in three years I had not quite put 20,000km on it. Going for long trips like we do in NZ is quite unusual, since the highways are expensively tolled you usually only use them if you have a long weekend planned or something. Also they are usually closed in by high concrete walls on each side, so they don't make you feel like riding on them in the first place. We probably would only have done long trips a handful of times per year, and all of my bike-riding friends over there were the same.
I think the important thing to be aware of is how long the engine has been running. In Japan there are no roundabouts, and no traffic sensors at the traffic lights, so you spend an INCREDIBLE amount of time waiting at the lights. Also traffic is often thick enough so that even a bike can't get through. Of course all this time the engine is still running, so an hour timer on the engine would be a far better measure of how much use a vehicle has had.

**kerfufflez** · 23rd March 2008, 15:07

[QUOTE=ambler;1486134]I hardly ever took trains since I hate them... .[/QUOTE

(Apologies to the OP for this having nothing to do with the original topic), but I was wondering why you wrote this. Is it all trains or Japanese ones in particular? - I'm planning a trip to Japan, and thought trains would be a good way to get around... Thanks for any info.