Everything to do with a New vs Used Ninja 250 + fair pricing + lowering ? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Everything to do with a New vs Used Ninja 250 + fair pricing + lowering ?

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ice05

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Hi Guys,
I realize its a common question but I have tried finding the exact info but was unable to.
Ive searched GTAM everywhere and have read the following posts:
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...or-a-new-Ninja-250r&highlight=ninja+250+price


Ive been searching GTAM, autotrader, kijiji and craiglist and for the main part, used Ninja 250 motorcycles are going for around 3900-4500...I think I saw one for a 2007 dropped bike with a dent in the gas tank asking $3500.

1. With these prices would it just be better to suck it up and pay the extra $1-2000 for a new one? Ive gotten dealer quotes
(A) if new is one stealership same as the rest, are some better than others?Based out of either Mississauga or Hamilton but Im willing to drive for a good deal/service. I was thinking kahuna before seeing all the posts :S

2. For used is there such a thing as "fair pricing" / offer? Seems a lot of the sellers are "firm"

3. I am short female 5'0 and though I acknowledge the thought that short people shouldnt ride, I am still hoping where theres a will theres a way.
posts like:
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...-powersports-never-again.&highlight=ninja+250
have scared me a little from lowering links, anyone have a negative experience like the guy from the 2nd post? is shaving the seat a better option?

thankin everyone for their patience
 
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ice05 said:
3. I am short female 5'0 and though I acknowledge the thought that short people shouldnt ride, I am still hoping where theres a will theres a way.
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Why shouldn't short people ride? Everyone should ride.

Have you considered a CBR 125? The 250s are overpriced. Yea they're in demand but it just looks like some people are trying to make money off theirs. You may have to go real far to get a deal, maybe not. Just keep looking. I'll keep a lookout also for people selling their 250s and I'll give you a heads up.

As for the last link you provided, I just think they lowered it too much. I bought a 650R lowered and I 2-up all the time and it doesn't even come close to touching the wheels.

Good luck!
 
Whether or not you're looking to keep it for a couple seasons or for the long haul, I think you should find a used one. There are a LOT of 08+ 250's with under 5000 km that were used by someone as a stepping stone to a 600+ that are in like new condition, as I'm sure you've seen through your searching. If I were in your small shoes, I would get a relatively new one for a few thousand less and go from there.
 
Who says short people shouldn't ride?? It just means a little more work, planning, and practice. First off, you don't necessarily *have* to flatfoot a bike (although I understand the confidence it lends to new riders). Second, there's the seat-shaving option. Third, there's boots that can lend you some extra height. Lastly, you can still lower the bike an inch or so and it won't be the end of the world. In the end you may want to do all of the above.
 
In my humble opinion, you'll probably want to upgrade the 250 once you get comfortable riding it, and peaked on it. In that case, you'd be better off buying a bike used, and selling it next season at a slightly reduced price depending on how many KM's you put on it. So if you buy one @ $4k now, you can easily be rid of it for $3k next year. It'd have only cost you a grand to ride, and perfect your abilities, before moving on to a higher class bike.

On the other hand, if you intend to keep the bike (which in all likelihood you won't want to, but may have to), I'd still buy a used 250. There's a reason the market is flooded with them.
 
How about the older styled ninja 250s? (Prior to the 08+)
Prices for those are more reasonable, and they tend to hold their value ok if you were thinking of changing bikes.
 
If you want to lower it go ahead and do it. Even dropped an inch front and back you'll still have more than enough cornering clearance for the street. best part about that is all you need are the dogbones for the rear and just lower the triple clamp in the front, and there's nothing that can't be put back to stock when you go to sell it or if you decide to raise it back up. I'm not saying that you should slam it 3 or 4 inches, but an inch isn't anything to get worried about.

as for pricing, call around, send out some emails, see if you can find a dealer that wants to sell a bike for what you want to pay. last year when I decided to get mine, I went around to a couple dealers, none of which would budge on price. frustrated, I decided how much I wanted to pay OTD (out the door, meaning all taxes, bs dealer fees, etc), drafted up an email and CC'd 4 dealers. That was a Thursday night. The next morning I had 1 dealer that told me to call him with a credit card deposit, another that wanted $100 over my price, and a third dealer that thought I was crazy (cough cough kahuna cough) and the 4th told me they couldn't get the colour I wanted. Monday morning I went and saw the first dealer, and put the order in for the bike from Kawi (he didn't have the colour I wanted, but could order it) and the next Friday I rode her home. Best bet if you decide to buy new is decide on an OTD price, and let the dealer figure out how to make it all fit into that number. The other thing you can look for if you aren't sold on a 2011 colour is to look for new 2010 models. colour selection may be limited but you'll find dealers selling them for less than the 2011's to get rid of them. functionally, all ninja 250s from 08 and up are the same except for colour.
 
Chaos said:
How about the older styled ninja 250s? (Prior to the 08+)
Prices for those are more reasonable, and they tend to hold their value ok if you were thinking of changing bikes.
Click to expand...

Hi Chaos,
Im fully willing to consider it, even got a spreadsheet goin... with the used private sale, sellers are still asking between 3500-4k for a 2007...I guess the owners of Ninjas know that theyre bikes are in high demand? I dont know if I should start considering going down to the states (with all the possible headaches) or outside the general (or close to) GTA area
 
kamikaze said:
If you want to lower it go ahead and do it. Even dropped an inch front and back you'll still have more than enough cornering clearance for the street. best part about that is all you need are the dogbones for the rear and just lower the triple clamp in the front, and there's nothing that can't be put back to stock when you go to sell it or if you decide to raise it back up. I'm not saying that you should slam it 3 or 4 inches, but an inch isn't anything to get worried about.

as for pricing, call around, send out some emails, see if you can find a dealer that wants to sell a bike for what you want to pay. last year when I decided to get mine, I went around to a couple dealers, none of which would budge on price. frustrated, I decided how much I wanted to pay OTD (out the door, meaning all taxes, bs dealer fees, etc), drafted up an email and CC'd 4 dealers. That was a Thursday night. The next morning I had 1 dealer that told me to call him with a credit card deposit, another that wanted $100 over my price, and a third dealer that thought I was crazy (cough cough kahuna cough) and the 4th told me they couldn't get the colour I wanted. Monday morning I went and saw the first dealer, and put the order in for the bike from Kawi (he didn't have the colour I wanted, but could order it) and the next Friday I rode her home. Best bet if you decide to buy new is decide on an OTD price, and let the dealer figure out how to make it all fit into that number. The other thing you can look for if you aren't sold on a 2011 colour is to look for new 2010 models. colour selection may be limited but you'll find dealers selling them for less than the 2011's to get rid of them. functionally, all ninja 250s from 08 and up are the same except for colour.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that Kamikaze! It kinda gives me hope... if you dont mind which store did you finally go with? do you mind saying how much your OTD pricing was? if you dont want to publicize it do you mind PM-ing it to me?
 
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short stop said:
Who says short people shouldn't ride?? It just means a little more work, planning, and practice. First off, you don't necessarily *have* to flatfoot a bike (although I understand the confidence it lends to new riders). Second, there's the seat-shaving option. Third, there's boots that can lend you some extra height. Lastly, you can still lower the bike an inch or so and it won't be the end of the world. In the end you may want to do all of the above.
Click to expand...

Hi Shortstop, in reading and doing my research on GTAM when it comes to lowering the bike there were some that were saying that if youre below XX feet you shouldnt ride, etc etc.
It was actually weird I was talking to a store and they said they cant drop it the 1inch I requested, it would have to be 2"... do you know if each store has a threshold? I thought asking for them to lower it just an inch would be simpler but I got a big fat no on that one...
 
ice05 said:
Hi Shortstop, in reading and doing my research on GTAM when it comes to lowering the bike there were some that were saying that if youre below XX feet you shouldnt ride, etc etc.
It was actually weird I was talking to a store and they said they cant drop it the 1inch I requested, it would have to be 2"... do you know if each store has a threshold? I thought asking for them to lower it just an inch would be simpler but I got a big fat no on that one...
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To be honest, I've never lowered a bike so you'll have to wait for someone with more experience to answer that one.

As for height - there's no ultimate rule in terms of riding. I mean, anyone on the extreme side of the spectrum (short AND tall) is going to have some comfort and usability issues that your average-inseamed folk don't have to worry about. It *is* possible for you to ride, but ultimately it will be up to you in terms of whether you feel comfortable.

I recommend these boots so often here that ppl must think I work for them: http://www.helimot.com/shopexd.asp?id=73
 
My friend bought a '08 250r, lowered for $3700. He is about 5'3"?
another friend of mine also rode an older 250r and she was about 5'2" and after a season or two she bumped it up back to stock and she said the difference was noticeable (better handling).

None of us can flatfoot. I ride a gsxr and need to lean the bike over when I stop. I know a girl who is your height and rides a R1 lol.
 
bboySushi said:
None of us can flatfoot. I ride a gsxr and need to lean the bike over when I stop. I know a girl who is your height and rides a R1 lol.
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I can flat foot my 250, but I demoed a Gixxer 750 and I couldn't flat foot it at all. I did the same that Sushi did, just stop in the ready position that they teach you when you take the MSF, right foot on the rear brake, left foot down, just had to scootch my *** over on the seat to do it.
 
Ya'll are shorties! I can flat foot most any SS bike. Suckers.

You guys should see Omnivore and his katoom. That's a short guy who knows how to ride a tall bike!
 
LOL...if I can get away with wearing shoes that boost my height, when I sat on a stock height at Kahuna I thought I only needed an 1inch off... the one that they have lowered is for 2" and it felt "too" low if that was even possible.
Im not as heavy as draco on the 2nd post but Im just nervous of any problems lowering would create...
has anyone tried lowering bikes on their own?
if not, which mechanics did you guys use that you can vouch for?
anyone tried shaving their seats? (I see all the posts regarding DIY)
 
are you sure you really need it lowered? as long as you can get your left foot down and keep your right on the brake you'll be fine. I'll admit, being able to flat foot it inspires confidence, but it's not a necessity.
 
I am in the same position as you. I want a 08 Kawi Green Ninja 250. Finding one is tough. And when I do its $4000 to 4500 dollars!
 
Alvito said:
I am in the same position as you. I want a 08 Kawi Green Ninja 250. Finding one is tough. And when I do its $4000 to 4500 dollars!
Click to expand...

Want mine? It's an 09 SE edition. It runs fantastic, better than new, but cosmetically, it's a bit banged up.
 
Alvito said:
I am in the same position as you. I want a 08 Kawi Green Ninja 250. Finding one is tough. And when I do its $4000 to 4500 dollars!
Click to expand...

ya thats what I am finding..some of the sellers I think are little bit in la-la land... asking for a high price when their bike has ridiculous mileage...

how long have you been looking?
 
has anyone figured out a good boot with a higher sole to add height?
I know short stop recommended http://www.helimot.com/shopexd.asp?id=73

I wanna try boots on before I drop that much $$.

the bombshell http://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/icon-bombshell-motorcycle-boots.html seems to a be a bit too...over the top girly?
there was also mention of daytona ladystar in a previous post...how bout the SIDI jasmine or TCX lady aura for height?

Anyone know of boots I can find at one of the local dealers? and if so where?
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