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I looked up on cycletrader for a ninja 500 and found a seller in my area and i checked out the bike today. It was a 2001 ex500. It had some small scratches on the side, a cracked fender, and the end of the clutch lever was broken. I rode it around the block and it felt good. Maintenance has been up to date and it had new tires and a chain.

The guy was cool and he came down on the price to about $2000 which is the most i can afford. For a 2001 ex500 with small cosmetic damage is this a decent deal for a first bike?

EDIT* Mileage is 14k and there's another buyer so I'm hoping it doesn't work out for him.

Check the Kelley Blue Book value of a 2001 ex500 at www.kbb.com. (I think that's the site.) I don't think you're doing too bad - don't worry about cosmetic damage, as it's your first bike. If the bike comes with the MOM and a toolkit, you're already ahead (and this bike probably will). IF you have a maintenance record, you're even better. I personally think you've got a good deal there, considering, but as it's s a 2001, it might just be average.

When you buy, be sure to ask the seller pointed questiosn about the clutch lever - if the end is broken, the bike may have been in a tipover or worse, a crash. You never know. It may be good to have someone really take the bike through its paces for you.

Good luck - I remember when I was in this position not so long ago. Here's wishing you the best.

sounds pretty good to me.

I think you might do better. I picked up an 05 in perfect condition with 264 miles on eBay for $2300 three months ago. Had to drive 3 hrs to get it, but it was worth it. You didn't mention the mileage, but maybe the new tires indicate several thousand.

p.

I picked up an 05 in perfect condition with 264 miles on eBay for $2300 three months ago.

You picked up an '05 500r with 264 miles for $2300?

That sounds like what you'd pay for a 250. If you paid that for a 500, then the seller lost over $1500.

I just paid $3550 for an '04 500r with 950 miles (it wasn't assembled and sold until '06).

$2000 for an '01 with cosmetic damage and low mileage is pretty good.

O no, very sorry. Somehow I misread that as a Ninja 250! Sorry, ignore my comment please.

p.

I was gonna say, does that dude have another one for that price?

Well I got the bike. And I am a happy, squidly owner of a 2001 Ninja 500. Pics fairly soon.

It sounds like you got it at a good price. Have it check at a dealer soon unless you have a mechanic friend before you do any hard riding for saftey and leave you on the road stranded stuff. Like tire wear, hoses, coolant, clutch wear, cables, chain condtion and battery. There are most likely several key items I left off, Sev would be good to ask.

One simple test is for you to ride the bike with a friend behind you on a bike smelling for signs of buring oil. Same for the morning check for oil or coolant on the floor check.