thinking about buying a 1983 yamaha exciter 250. good idea?

[boombox360]

hey i'm looking to buy a motorcycle, my first motorcycle actually. i have found one. its a 1983 yamaha exciter 250.

http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles ... Z277986931

i basically want to know more about it. so if anyone has any knowledge about exciters, it would be greatly appreciated.

thank you

Rob

[HYPERR]

What does the bike need? It looks pretty complete and in decent shape; definitely needs a good cleaning and TLC. Being a thumper (single cylinder), it's definitely an easy bike to work on.

[totalmotorcycle]

What I know about Exciters is they were pretty basic bikes in their day, which does make them easy to work on and parts should be ok to get (eBay is your friend). But I would advise not getting a first bike that needs work right off the bat, you have so much to learn that learning to fix a bike at the same time can ruin the experience.

For work on the 83 Exciter 250 you are looking at, I would say:

$300 for the carb work
$150 for a recovered seat with new foam (reusing the same seat bucket).
$250 for tires
$35 for oil, filter, new sparkplugs and brake fluid change.
$? for a new air filter
+ $ for any other parts it needs. It wouldn't be a "Deal" for $300 unless you loved the bike.


I took a look and there isn't much under $1000 in your area, but I did find this stunning example:

http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles ... Z289012261



1994, GN125 with just 6,400km!!! No work needed, just fun riding.

[totalmotorcycle]

Looking into the GTA area, here are 2 more:

A little high in KM's but a good starter bike:

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... Z284074022

I like this one, but do you like the style?

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... Z284074022

[boombox360]

hyperr
yeah i thought it looked pretty intact and in good shape, however dirty. good to know it should be an easier bike to work on.
thanks for your input

totlalmotorcycle
yeah thats the big thing about this bike. its pretty cheap, but it could need alot of work. i wouldn't mind a bit of a project bike, but it could get to be a pain. i know a few mechanicaly inclined friends, and they would help out. would be nice to just buy something and giver, but i don't think i got the money for that. if i can buy it and get it on the road for 1000 bucks or less, i would be happy. i don't love the bike i just like it because i think it would be easy to learn on, and if i drop it i won't die a little instde the way i would if i dropped a Harley.
thanks for putting together a price and part list by the way. and yeah that suzuki would be pretty sweet. i think its sold though. those honda's are decent to. i'd prefer not to go to toronto though. its a few hours away, but may be the best bet.
thanks for your input, i appreciate it.

[ranger l]

Another one in Oakville if you want to go all the way to the Big Smoke:
http://kitchener.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehic ... Z280902317#

I am looking too, but am afraid of anything that will need me to fiddle all the time - getting too old for that.
If one just wants to have say 3 years of regular but recreational riding, and wants to pay say $1,500 and then only oil and plugs, is it best to look for an old bike with low mileage or recent model year with higher mileage?