Need Advice on First Bike Purchase - 2008 Honda Nighthawk 250

[saunchosmilax]

Hopefully I'm posting in the right place on here. I'm a new lady rider and looking to buy my first bike. I would also like to not get ripped off! I'm interested a 2008 Honda Nighthawk 250 with only 4k miles and appears to be in near perfect condition. However there are no service records aside from the most recent service at the garage where it's being consigned. Hard to tell how it's been maintained prior to that. Also doesn't come with any manuals. Asking price is $2750. I understand this year/model is hard to come by, but based on the research I've done online this bike is worth more like $2000-$2300 (KBB $1800, CycleTrader from $1900-$2k). Any input on the value of this bike in particular or other questions I need to be asking? What's a reasonable offer?

[JackoftheGreen]

Honda Nighthawk 250 is a great starter bike, price sounds a little steep to me though. Is that just the asking price or does that include dealer fees?

At $2750 there's just a TON of options. My local classifieds has dozens of newish (2010 - 2015) Ninjas or CBs for sale in that price range. I'd hold out for a better deal, or if you really like the bike offer them 65 to 70% of their asking price.

It's pretty rare to ever find a used bike with an owners manual, even at dealerships. You'll want to buy a good service manual for whatever bike you purchase right away.

And, welcome to the community! We're excited to have you.

[saunchosmilax]

Thanks for the reply! That's along with what I was thinking also, so glad to hear I'm not totally off base.

[sunshine229]

Hello and welcome! A Nighthawk 250 is a great bike for sure. Some people do overpay for the perfect bike (or the perfect anything, really) but you don't have to if you don't want to. As Eric said above, there are plenty of bikes in that price range so do shop around. Also, it is rare to find any used bike with manual and all service records. I keep all that stuff but can't say I've bought a used bike or car that came with all that. In fact, thanks to concerns of data privacy, most people don't want to hand over records unless they are redacted (which I have done myself when I sold my last car). Hope that helps!

[warren11U]

I would also consider about something from Honda. My first bike was from this manufacturer, and it still works perfectly. Model Nighthawk 250 is one of the best for beginning. If you some other advises about bikes and stuff that can be related to bikes which helped me a lot with useful tips about everything which is related to bike sphere of business.

[allen123]

I would say somethings that's suitable for all age, men and women. And the price is not expensive.

[NorthernPete]

I’d offer 2. If not, plenty of fish in the sea.

[Miles_Ha11]

How was his bike now? Have you undergone any mod for the last couple of months?

[Alex1759]

Definitely not a terrible bike for commuting . For commuting you want something that isn't going to be an overkill for what you want it for. You want something that doesnt drink fuel but can reach the speeds you need it for.

[GingerFarrell]

Have you bought it?