Advice...is this a good deal?

[lunchmeat]

Yup, it's another post by the infamous Lunchmeat.

A lot of people are instilling doubt in me about the bike thing (some unintentionally, some intentionally) and I came across a listing on craigslist. My mother (one of the intentional ones) doesn't like the idea, and told me she'd talk to some motorcycle riders at her job and get them to look at the bike I found. This was about a week ago, I think. She came back and said that they said it was too fast...which led me to believe she wasn't being truthful with me, as I've done a lot of reasearch and gotten a lot of opinions on the EX250. Don't know who I can trust.

So I'm pressing on...the way I see it, if I make a mistake, it will be MY mistake, and nobody else's. I can't back down now. However, I'm still looking for opinions. As I said before, I found an EX250 on craigslist...I held off on calling about it. However, it's been relisted for $300 less due to some minor cosmetic damage.

Now, taking into consideration that when I look at the bike I'll get someone to inspect it thoroughly, is this a good deal? Check it out.

http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/mcy/285601736.html

i am thinking that I might be able to knock at least $200 off the price, since it started at $2500 and the KBB value was about $200 lower than that.

Advice? Should I check it out? Or should I just wait for something else? I haven't seen many EX250s on craigslist lately. Suggestions would be very welcome. And if I do call, are there any specific questions I should ask over the phone? There's a great article on buying used bikes, and it has a question about quizzing the seller but nothing about getting information over the phone before you go to see the bike. Ideas?

Thanks, guys.

[DivideOverflow]

Looks like a decent enough deal. Most learner bikes have been dropped, that damage is quite minor and appears to be purely cosmetic. I would check it out.

[storysunfolding]

My mother (one of the intentional ones) doesn't like the idea, and told me she'd talk to some motorcycle riders at her job and get them to look at the bike I found. This was about a week ago, I think. She came back and said that they said it was too fast...which led me to believe she wasn't being truthful with me, .

Ding ding ding!

Lies are the new love

Ex250 is a great learners bike. Not alot of power, but can still maintain highway speeds. Great gas mileage and they are in such demand (as beginner bikes) that you can almost sell it for what you paid for it (barring lots of damage)

[Sev]

IF the EX250 is to fast a bike to start riding on then you're never going to start riding street. They don't come much smaller for the road then the EX250 in North America.

[Dragonhawk]

She came back and said that they said it was too fast...which led me to believe she wasn't being truthful with me, as I've done a lot of reasearch and gotten a lot of opinions on the EX250. Don't know who I can trust.

I am so cautious and careful in my advice to new riders that I have often been called "overprotective" and "too conservative."

And the Ninja 250 is the smallest, slowest sportbike you can get. I started on one myself. It is a great bike for a beginner.

As Lou Reed sang on his New York album, "You can't always trust your mother."

[Veda]

I too have been following the Ninja 250s on craigslist and that price looks pretty on par with the others I've seen.

[Fast Eddy B]

I am so cautious and careful in my advice to new riders that I have often been called "overprotective" and "too conservative."

As I desire to hold both of these hallowed titles, I would recommend the EX-250 to be fitted with a restrictor kit AND only given 87 octane fuel.

Slow Edward

[Dragonhawk]

I am so cautious and careful in my advice to new riders that I have often been called "overprotective" and "too conservative."

As I desire to hold both of these hallowed titles, I would recommend the EX-250 to be fitted with a restrictor kit AND only given 87 octane fuel.

Slow Edward

They have those too. They're called mopeds.

[jstark47]

I too have been following the Ninja 250s on craigslist and that price looks pretty on par with the others I've seen.

So, Veda, are you defecting from the scooteristas and getting a Ninja?? Inquiring minds wanna know!!!

[Veda]

I too have been following the Ninja 250s on craigslist and that price looks pretty on par with the others I've seen.

So, Veda, are you defecting from the scooteristas and getting a Ninja?? Inquiring minds wanna know!!!

I'm thinking about it. I'd really like something I could take on the freeway now and again. In an ideal world I would love to have both, but I don't think I could afford that.