bike buying advice request

[Motofiend]

as far as insurance goes. 650 is waaaay tooo much for the 250 and your age and such. I got a quote for 209 on a new 250 ninja. shop around. i think its called sentinal(sp?)

if your looking at ninja 250's might as well buy new cuz like someone already meantioned they are selling used at outrageouse prices. Also its most ppl's first bike so although they may not be abused intentionally in a squidly fashion they are still abused..

good luck on the bike search and keep in mind that the season has started so the deals you remember from fall or the one's your friends tell you about are gone already.

good luck

[dieziege]

is it socially unacceptable to call the dealer to negociate the price?
or do i have to go down there in person?

Socially acceptable? Doesn't matter... they are a business, you are the customer, they should accomodate your needs.

also- is it appropriate to ask them to help me load the bike/tie it down in the back of my truck? i dont know anythign about loading a bike, but i have a truck, and a nice hill where i want to offload it that i can back up against. should htye have a ramp there? can i ask them for help racheting it down? i dont want to insult them, but i also dont want ot (A) pay for delivry of a bike when i have a truck there (B) wreck the bike when it falls out the back of my truck because i didnt know how to tie it down.

Some dealerships have stacks of MC trailers to lend/rent/? to customers. That might be easier.... anyway, it can't hurt to ask. Personally I've seen dealer guys ride bikes up to a ramp and park them but I've never seen a dealer guy actually help load...but I haven't researched the subject at all.

I walked to the dealer and I rode my bike back to my office, putting about 0.1 miles on it in the process. That was just luck though.

[NorthernPete]

ask them to help load the thing up, but a set of ratchet straps at the local hardware shop, and get them to help ya. you just dropped 3 G's, they shouldnt have a problem with helping you. I know when I had my bike at the shp, they rode the thing up the ramp into the truck and helped me tie it down. just compress the front forks down hard and you shouldnt have aproblem getting it home upright. take it easy. and remember, you can NEVER have too mnay tie downs.

[KarateChick]

Ryan, Good luck on getting the new bike 'n all. I just brought home my 06 ninja last week. I hear you on the high prices of a used one having just sold the 01 I bought last season for the same price I got it - went to a friend of a friend that I didn't want to rip off. There's ads around right now from people looking for $1000 more for their 250's that are even older - but they have to be asking way too high as the same ads keep appearing. For the new one the dealer said they could help load & tie it down if I took it home on a truck and even offered to deliver for me at no extra charge if that is an option for you. Hope all goes well & update us when you get your bike.