Buying a used motorycle?

[WheelieGrip]

I'm going to look at the motorcycle im supposto buy for the first time this sunday...It is a 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Black 1000 Miles. I was just wondering what you guys would suggest to look for to make sure this bike hasnt been beaten on with wheelies and speed. So far I basically know to keep my eye out for..

Oil dripping out of the engine..

Make sure the rear tire has all the tread (it should have all the tread if there is only 1k miles on the bike)

No scrapes dents etc on fairings tanks and exahust...(obv)

If a part has been replaced know WHY it was.

He sais he changed the stock blinkers because they stuck out pretty far (4 inches) so he replaced them with stubbier ones... This could also mean he dumped it and had to get new turn signals...

Is there anything else I can do to ensure the bike hasnt been beaten? and because most people clean the motorcycle before people look at them, how ill I be able to tell if there is oil leaking? a trip around the block probably wont make any oil come out..What if I get it and 100 miles later I see oil...And Where do I look for the oil?

Thanks guys!!! I will be leaving early this sunday to drive up, (180 Miles) I dont want to drive all that way and come back with a peice of junk. He claims it was easy miles. (back roads) Not freeways. etc. Thanks for reading the post this far haha.

[Kal]

Wheelies are hard on the chain, sprocket and the headstock.

If you can see the rear sprocket it should have even troughs and peaks. If the teeth are curved like on a rotary saw then it's had a LOT of hard acceleration and little servicing.

If you wheel the bike backwards and forwards in a straightline for a few steps you should NOT feel a 'clunk' in the heastock. If you can feel a clunk then the head barings are shot.

Either could just be a slack maintainence issue - and neither is really a problem but combined they would suggest to me that the bike had been wheelied.

That wouldn't bother me though - thats just maintainence and replacement of disposable parts.

I'd be more inclined to get down on my knees and insure the rear wheel lines up with the front.

Enginewise I'm an idiot. So I'd be looking for how easily it starts from cold, if it smokes and listening for weird noises from it.

[camthepyro]

As far as oil, you can feel under the oil drain pluggy thingy, and see if you feel oil.

I think you have everything else down.

[WheelieGrip]

Thanks guys

[Sev]

There's a bunch of other stuff to check, look at the front forks, see if there are oil rings, or any nicks that would score the seal, or indicate that the seal rings are leaking.

Check inside the tank for rust

Mayke sure the engine is actually cold before it gets started up.

Check the brake pads, and the lines, check the sidewalls of the tires for scratching.

See if it rolls straight

Stick a finger in the exhaust while it's still cool, the powder in there should be brown, if it's black it's running rich, if it's white it's running lean.

[BigChickenStrips]

if he was doing wheelies on the ninja 250, you probably would need a new clutch as the engine is not torquey enough to do roll on power wheelies. if the bike was dropped it would need more than just new blinkers (the fairings would hit the ground too) and changing blinkers is not at all uncommon (you might ask for the originals).otherwise, its a great bike. if you get it you'll have lots of fun. i just bought an 06, and i love it.

have fun and ride safe

[WheelieGrip]

Ugh I can't wait!!! I'm gettin it tomorow... I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking about it...I don't know how I will sleep tonight!!!

Thanks for all the tips guys... and whats a fair amount of distance to test ride it? how far of a test ride...? Thanks!!!

[JonDoe]

Youll know within 5 miles or so... just make sure there is no clunks or rough spots in the ride... and ask him of any known problems.. so you can have them fixed asap

[WheelieGrip]

I got it!!! I tried it out for a few miles...5-10...It was really smooth and VERY clean no scratches or anything...

So I am now a motorcyclist

[Loonette]

Dude - you've got two posts going on regarding the purchase of this bike. Did you get the title?? viewtopic.php?t=11932&start=0&postdays= ... highlight=

You might have been seriously screwed if you didn't get the title.

Cheers,
Loonette