Should I buy 1989 Ninja 250?

[dtrujillo63]

Hello,

I am totally new to the bike world. I have been reading about them for the past month or so and I can’t seem to stop.

I have also been shopping around for a starter bike and I found this 1989 Ninja 250

It has 13k miles on it; they said they just got the carbs cleaned and a new front tire. “Runs Great”…

Since I don’t know the first thing about bike maintenance nor have I ridden one I wouldn’t know if this is a good buy.

Please help me out.

Is this a good starter bike?

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/d ... mybike.jpg

The bike is going for $1100

Thanks!

[Shiv]

I have been reading about them for the past month or so and I can’t seem to stop.

Welcome to the addiction. You've been bitten by the Motorcycle Bug which is just a bit more potent (and addicting, as mentioned) then heroine.

Did you buy that bike? If not, I think I would. The year is kind of old but it looks good, won't kill you, and the price is ok.

[CNF2002]

The price is way too high.

I've heard the engines on the ninja 250s are supposed to be replaced completely at a certain mileage.

You can find a much newer ninja 250 for that price. I bet they just took it straight from KBB. Consider this, "retail" on a 1989 250 is 1100, retail on a 2000 ninja 250 is 1900. And private sales should go for less than that. IMO.

[J.R. Bob Dobbs]

To me it sounds like a good deal on a bike with a great reputation, unless there's some problem with it. Around here that bike with that mileage, in great shape, will go for closer to $2000.

Replace the engine at a certain mileage? First I've ever heard of that, and I was looking into Ninja 250's about 8mo ago.

[Motofiend]

That seems waaayyy too high. The bike is 17 years old and since you have no maintenance experience basic 17 year old bike work is going to cost you.

I just bought this bike on ebay, I was also looking at the Kawa250

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Ma ... 1179QQrdZ1

The MSRP on a brand new 06 is $2999

[CNF2002]

What a nice little bike Moto! You'll have to tell us how it rides. It said pocket-bike in there somewhere, but it looks like a full-size. That would be a great scooter-like alternative if the gas mileage is up there in the 90mpg range.

What kind of bike is it though? It doesn't say. I'd like to read more stats/reviews on it.

[dtrujillo63]

No I have not purchase the bike yet...

It’s a Ninja 250

Thanks,
Denny

[Dragonhawk]

Hello,

I am totally new to the bike world. I have been reading about them for the past month or so and I can’t seem to stop.

I have also been shopping around for a starter bike and I found this 1989 Ninja 250

It has 13k miles on it; they said they just got the carbs cleaned and a new front tire. “Runs Great”…

Since I don’t know the first thing about bike maintenance nor have I ridden one I wouldn’t know if this is a good buy.

Please help me out.

Is this a good starter bike?

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/d ... mybike.jpg

The bike is going for $1100

Thanks!

13,000 miles on a 17 year old bike?!

I put 16,000 miles on my 2004 Ninja 250 in about 18 months.

The Ninja 250 is a fantastic beginner bike. But a brand-new one is $3000. So paying $1100 for one that is 17 years old is a big rip-off.

Check out this page I made if you want a good summary of learning to ride and the kind of bikes to look for:
http://www.californiabikenights.com/learn.php

Best wishes and have fun.

[Motofiend]

So what would be a fair price for the bike? Assuming it runs well.

[Shiv]

$600-700