I need some help on a first bike!

[sharpmagna]

as for the ex250 being a "girls" bike, that's the biggest cop out ever from people who don't know jack about bikes. the 250 will do a 5 second quarter mile which is faster than pretty much any car on the market.

I'm sure you mean 0-60. If that bike could do a 1320 in 5 seconds I'd have two of them... It can do a 1320 in the 14s

[bok]

I'm sure you mean 0-60. If that bike could do a 1320 in 5 seconds I'd have two of them... It can do a 1320 in the 14s

yeah, minor brain fart this morning...too much watching those girls on Driving Force last night or something heh

[Yngvai X]

Aside from the gear question, what should i be looking for in a used bike? and what should i NOT be looking for?

[bok]

in a used bike, look for a price you can afford most of all.

you will want to see how the bar ends, pipes and plastics look. a few drops isn't bad, but totally thrashed/missing plastics are some indicators of someone who wiped out once or twice and you can never really tell what may have happened if you aren't a mechanic.

check the chain to see how it is worn, check the mileage although that's not a great indicator of how well it was ridden. check the tires if the bike has been sitting for a while for cracks/bulges/flatspots

tires and chains aren't terribly expensive to replace but it's not fun to lose a chain or tire at 65mph

if you know someone who fixes their own bikes, get them to come along with you or call a local dealer and see if they have a "lemon busting" service (basic bike checkup)

there are so many things to look at but one of the best things to do is to go sit on a bunch of bikes. when i take people to sit on bikes i usually get them on the bike, have them stand it up, and i will balance it while they put their feet on the pegs and check controls. you get a much better feel for it that way instead of the bike somewhat leaned over.

[Yngvai X]

Yeah this bike im looking at is a 1990 VTR250, needs a little work. The guy said the carb needs to be cleaned and probably a new set of tires. is that worth 1100?

[bok]

not sure bike prices in your area so tough to judge, depending on other bike prices i'd say offer him 800 since you will be putting a couple hundred bucks in right away on tires and carb work (who knows might be more there)

before you buy, phone your local dealer who would be doing repairs and ask them if they work on bikes of that age. some dealers won't touch them because it's not always easy to get parts and other excuses. would hate to buy it and find noone to work on it.

[Yngvai X]

I emailed the guy and this is what he said back to me.

"I do not know too much about the bike, since its not mine, but It's been sitting quite a while so it will need a good carb cleaning and new tires but everything else seems pretty good. I can take some photos tonight if that will be helpful. Owner has a clean title and can provide but is firm on the $1100 price"

I should try to get it for 800, the bike isnt even his. plus i would want to go look at it, sit on it, test drive it.

[flynrider]

but It's been sitting quite a while so it will need a good carb cleaning and new tires but everything else seems pretty good.

This usually translates to : " The bike is not running". If that's the case, you really won't know what the bike needs until you own it and have started to sink your own money into it. I don't have enough fingers on my hands to count the number of guys I know that have bought a bike that "just needs the carbs cleaned", only to find out that there was a lot more wrong with it.

Unless you are experienced with motorcycle mechanics, don't buy a non-running bike unless you can get it for bottom dollar. The bottom line is that the seller (who doesn't even own this bike) is telling you what he thinks might be wrong with it and asking you to plunk down big bucks on his word. You can be sure he's not going to be pitching in if the bike turns out to have other problems once you get it running.

For a first bike, find something that is already in good running condition. Wouldn't you rather be out riding than writing checks to a shop?

[Yngvai X]

well he said it runs, but then he said all of that about the carb and tires.
so were still emailing eachother.. anything inparticular i should ask him?

[bok]

i'd ask why the owner isn't selling it? unless it's the owner's brother or something, there might be some title issues here to worry about.

all in all, this sounds like it might not be a good starter bike. keep looking around, you will find a good one sooner or later.