Buying Advice Needed

[p4tz]

I've pretty much decided on an EX250 as my first bike, but I can't decide whether to buy new or used. Both have their pros and cons, but I'm hoping someone on here might be able to shed some light on this for me. Here is what I have so far.

Buying New, Pros:
-Brand new, get to break it in yourself
-Will be perfect condition
-Warrantied

Buying Used, Pros:
-Much cheaper
-NO BREAK IN PERIOD (this is big for me, I'm impatient to start riding and 1,000 miles for break in is a long time on a bike)
-Will have blemishes

Could anyone help me out?

[kabob983]

I've pretty much decided on an EX250 as my first bike, but I can't decide whether to buy new or used. Both have their pros and cons, but I'm hoping someone on here might be able to shed some light on this for me. Here is what I have so far.

Buying New, Pros:
-Brand new, get to break it in yourself
-Will be perfect condition
-Warrantied

Buying Used, Pros:
-Much cheaper
-NO BREAK IN PERIOD (this is big for me, I'm impatient to start riding and 1,000 miles for break in is a long time on a bike)
-Will have blemishes

Could anyone help me out?

Ultimately the choice will be yours. A few things to think about though:

How long are you going to keep this first bike? The difference in resale value between one that's a few years old and a new one that will be a few years old in a few years isn't going to be all that big. You can get a used EX250 very cheap if you look around enough. It took me 6 months to find the right bike, but when I did I got (in my mind) a great deal on it. This is your first bike, not your last!

As a new rider you are more likely to drop or slide your bike. Which is going to feel worse, sliding your perfect new bike across the ground or one that's already a little banged up? I put myself in the category of new rider as well and I know that while it's certainly not a definite thing, it is likely that it will happen.

Insuring a used bike is going to cost you less as well. While a new EX250 isn't going to be particularly pricey, the difference can add up.

Personally I'd say go used. The perks outweigh the shortfalls, and I think that in the end you'll come out ahead financially.

Just my

[SuperRookie]

Definitely go used. As long as the bike is in good condition, and assuming for the most part that you KEEP it in good condition, when you're ready to sell it you can get back almost what you paid for it.

[BubbaGump]

My suggestion would be to buy used if you get a good deal and it's in good shape and abuse the hell out of it while you learn. Personally, I'm buying new myself, but then I plan on riding it like a blue hair driving a 72 cadillac.

[dieziege]

Look at the real prices in your area before you decide.

I spent a few weeks scanning all the classifieds I could looking for EX250s... and looking in dealer used lots... the price difference between a '02 with thousands of miles and a '06 with zero miles was about $600. Get into the '03-'05 range and the price difference was about $400. That is disregarding the crazy prices...there were used EX250s listed well above MSRP. I don't know what sort of disease it takes to convince yourself that a bike you can buy for $3400 from a dealer should cost $4000 used from a private party...but some EX250 owners have that disease.

If you decide on used, get something really used. Mid 90s with road rash. Expect to pay about $2000. Or keep watching for a sane deal on a newer bike. Otherwise... well... I thought that "it's new and I know the history" was worth $500 so I bought new.

[dr_bar]

It's actually quite amazing when you check Craigslist. The older ninja 250's are all around $2000 - $2500, but a new one is about $3000. I've always been lead to believe a bike loses about $1000 of it's value just rolling off the lot. If these prices are consistant with where you live, then I don't see a problem with the new bike, if you can pick up a good used one for less than $2000, that is the way I'd go. I'm assuming you're in the USA


Edit: Gee, spend a minute or two doing a bit of research and someone jumps in and posts basically the same info... lol

[BigChickenStrips]

if gas prices keep going up they will appreciate in value at 65-75MPG.

i bought new, but i think its a personal choice, i would not say that my new one is better than someone elses used one.

[kabob983]

Look at the real prices in your area before you decide.

I spent a few weeks scanning all the classifieds I could looking for EX250s... and looking in dealer used lots... the price difference between a '02 with thousands of miles and a '06 with zero miles was about $600. Get into the '03-'05 range and the price difference was about $400. That is disregarding the crazy prices...there were used EX250s listed well above MSRP. I don't know what sort of disease it takes to convince yourself that a bike you can buy for $3400 from a dealer should cost $4000 used from a private party...but some EX250 owners have that disease.

If you decide on used, get something really used. Mid 90s with road rash. Expect to pay about $2000. Or keep watching for a sane deal on a newer bike. Otherwise... well... I thought that "it's new and I know the history" was worth $500 so I bought new.

I'm not sure where you get your prices from. Most I have seen run between $1500 and $2300, with the one that was $2300 being less than 1 year old and in "like new" condition. Maybe it just depends on where you live. Usually the people who trade on cycletrader charge alot more than the bike is worth, I stick with craigslist and my local classified's.

[dieziege]

As I said in my previous post: Look at the real prices in your area before you decide.

I think the prices around here are nuts. I might think the prices where you are are just fine. Just don't take the word of someone who lives in Alabama (or Los Angeles) as significant if you don't live there too.

As for where I looked... craigslist, local dealerships, local papers, ebay, recycler, cycletrader, etc...all were nuts. Oh, there were some OK deals in there too... but those bikes had parts broken off and half-assed replacements and so forth...major road rash... and I don't want someone else's road rash on my bike. If parts are busted I want to be able to tell a story about breakin' em!

[KarateChick]

All the responses are quite valid. It will depend on a large degree, where you are and whether there are good used 250's to be had for a decent price or not. I picked up a used 01 250 last season from the original owner for all the reasons you indicated for about 1/2 the price of a new one. Sure, it had been a little bashed around in terms of drops but nothing significant. Bike ran great. Sold it this season for the same price and bought an 06 and had the difference to pay in cash. Basically, I wanted a new one for the reasons you indicated. That and something about what "dieziege" mentioned in terms of explaining my own messes on the bike

My costs last season were all operating: insurance, gas, chain lube, oil, etc. The insurance on the newer bike was not significant.

But definitely look around. I've seen some pretty crazy asking prices for 250's around here that were older and had more mileage than mine did. (I ended up selling it to a friend of a friend and wasn't out to screw her & make a potload of moolah)

Good luck! Kabob has a good point too: "Ultimately the choice will be yours."