What to look for in a bike.

[Aro]

the closest craigslist location is baltimore area, right?

[storysunfolding]

DC http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/

[Jamers!]

Was there even a ninja 600 in 85? thought the ninja first appeared around 88 or so.
l

i think so, i thought tom cruise rode a ninja 600 or something like that in Top Gun which came out in 84 if i remember right, though i could be way off who knows.


JWF

[jmillheiser]

top gun came out in 86. so yes that probably is an 85 ninja.

definately stay away from that bike if the guy tried to screw with the brakes.

[Aro]

just talked to a guy about a suzuki bandit 600 that is md state inspected and should pass. I'm going to go look at it soon but like, what questions should i ask, what to look for. heh

[storysunfolding]

Things to look for:
-scrapes
-dents
-rust (check tank too)
-Check to see if all parts are there
-See if she'll turn over
-make sure it shifts
-See if the forks are bent

What to ask:
-Has it ever been dropped or has it ever fallen over
-How was it maintained
-When was it last running
-Can I have it for free

[canuckerjay]

Avoid money pits at all cost. better to wait another year if necessary, save and get something in better condition.

85 -- that's 20 years old, dude. When you buy something that old, it's luck of the draw. It could turn out to be a mint of a find that's been babied. More often than not, I hear stories of metal in the oil pan, random stalls and a consistent need for new parts.

Most people who buy a bike thinking they'll run it into the ground and not spend money to fix it usually run much more into it than the thing's worth, and when they add up all they've spent, they find they could have bought a much more reliable beast.

Avoid the money pit.
They're nothing but an abyss of stressful despair.