Seeking someone to look over a first bike for me | Page 5 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Seeking someone to look over a first bike for me

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Relax said:
Yeah, I wouldn't pay 4k for one either, but he is accepting offers. No doubt they hold their value. I remember when used examples were going for $3500 when they were still in production.
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I'm also factoring in the spring inflation prices, and the OP's need (or should I say desire) to buy something now.
 
I asked about the safety since the seller said they just got it for the test, and it was done in April 8. So it’s still good for 36 days from then, it that matters.
 
The Dualsport looks amazing. Unfortunately I am trying to hard cap myself at 3k all in for a bike.

Regarding having someone to help look at a bike / give me a lift. That would be appreciated beyond belief. Seems so many bikes are out of city limits, and making the seller deliver to me just seems like the best way for them to promptly stop responding, especially if I am offering below their asking price. Problem to me seems that coordinating with one of you without wasting your time on logistical crap might be more trouble for you than its worth (I work weekends, only days off are Wednesday and Thursday, probably not like most of your regular life schedules).

Seems like every single 250 from 2011-12 is running on original tires, and nobody factors that into their cost. Seems a bit stupid to pay 3k for a bike and then another 500 or so for a new set of rubbers.

I'm getting to the point that I am almost thinking of reverting to my original 125 idea. If so many sellers post without detailed information about their bike other than "clean chain, stored indoors, tires got tread" it seems so hard to tell what I am getting. Would almost guarantee to stay under budget if I get a 125 under 2k and then have to pay through the ass to repair it. That being said, I know the 250 will take me much further, so I am really trying to make that work.

And re the spring tax. Seems to be no logic to pricing. I see bikes with 4,000km going for the high ish end. and then some with way over that selling for even more. Just no rhyme or reason on the surface (once again, the descriptions provide so little info). Though I guess most people buying a first bike weren't as picky as I and bugging the internet about how to do this right. Though that confuses me because buying a bike seems so much worse than a car, seeing as any mechanical flaw may kill you instead of just leaving you stranded somewhere.
 
MaksTO said:
Seems like every single 250 from 2011-12 is running on original tires, and nobody factors that into their cost. Seems a bit stupid to pay 3k for a bike and then another 500 or so for a new set of rubbers.
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I imagine a set of tires for a 125/250 would be about $200ish at most and there's guys in the city who will swap them for $60-80
 
Evoex said:
I imagine a set of tires for a 125/250 would be about $200ish at most and there's guys in the city who will swap them for $60-80
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Any recommendation for a shop Downtown? I work near Studio Cycle and they quoted up to 550 for two new tires + labour on a 2012 cbr250.. Seems high.
 
boyoboy said:
if I was in DT TO or scarb I would give ya lift for a look/see. Would be fun. Do you have a helmet? Maybe a member in your area out for a ride could give you a lift. and if he's mechanically inclined even better. never know.
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I purchased helmet, gloves, and jacket from GP last week, waiting to get the helmet in jacket in the mail (likely early next week) since I got sized but they didn't have the colors I wanted.
 
MaksTO said:
So I guess finding a member near me who can do that sort of thing is best?
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if saving money is your objective, yes. I know of one in Brampton, i could get you that info.
 
Damnit the dual sport is giving me flashbacks of my childhood Yamaha. The nostalgia is real, but this time with the prospect of legality lol!
 
Relax said:
Did you get an insurance quote on it? You might be surprised.
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Aren't insurance companies only open during business days? Was going to call on Monday.

Surprised by how high?

Also, guy said he wants 4000, and has multiple offers for 3500. Bike will come safetied. damn.
 
Some places might still be open today, like the online companies (you still need to call).

It should be less to insure a dirt bike over a sport bike, all else being equal.

Money talks in cases like this. An email offer of $3500 isn't the same as showing him the cash in person. Besides, ever tried to sell something on Kijiji? Half the people reply asking if you'll take half of what you're advertising for, the other tell you they'll take it and never show up.
 
Relax said:
Some places might still be open today, like the online companies (you still need to call).

It should be less to insure a dirt bike over a sport bike, all else being equal.

Money talks in cases like this. An email offer of $3500 isn't the same as showing him the cash in person. Besides, ever tried to sell something on Kijiji? Half the people reply asking if you'll take half of what you're advertising for, the other tell you they'll take it and never show up.
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Kijiji shopping is definitely frustrating for that reason.

Though I feel if i trek all the way to Brampton with 3500 I still might be told to get ****** :)

would jump in an instant for 3500. If insurance makes it make sense.
 
I personally prefer the Ninja 250 - I'm guessing most riders do to considering how it the sales numbers.

Ninjas have nearly double the HP and Torque, makes them easier to ride and a lot more comfortable on the hwy. A CBR starts feeling taxed at about 115KMH, you don't get that tailing off feeling till about 140 on a Ninja. Now, you're not expected to be travelling that fast however with all the noise about speed limit changes, this could be a big factor.

Also, Ninjas are ultra reliable... CBR250s have cost issues with maintenance and some troubles with leaking seals and gaskets.
 
Mad Mike said:
I personally prefer the Ninja 250 - I'm guessing most riders do to considering how it the sales numbers.

Ninjas have nearly double the HP and Torque, makes them easier to ride and a lot more comfortable on the hwy. A CBR starts feeling taxed at about 115KMH, you don't get that tailing off feeling till about 140 on a Ninja. Now, you're not expected to be travelling that fast however with all the noise about speed limit changes, this could be a big factor.

Also, Ninjas are ultra reliable... CBR250s have cost issues with maintenance and some troubles with leaking seals and gaskets.
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Thanks for the info! Definitely overlooked the Ninja for the most part.

Honestly though, I’m flip flopping back to a 125 all over again. Realistically keeping my starting costs (bike and insurance wise) is the absolute best thing I can do for myself - realizing spending an extra grand on a 250 might feel good at first, but piling insurance and that added purchase cost, as well as the fear of losing an extra thousand in a theft may leave me more financially stressed than anything else.

I seem to have found a competent seller who can give me intelligent and straight answers on what he has, and can deliver. He will likely agree to a pre sale inspection at a shop, and though the bike is at 22k, the tires were actually replaced on it a few years back and they are able to give me more info on its history than most other sellers - lending a bit of trust, which is something I can’t say about 99% of the sellers I’ve spoken to. If only a GTAM member was selling a learner bike, then I’d be totally at peace.

I know, I will likely get tired of a 125, and sell it in a year. But considering once again that I will be in the city nearly all of the time, and will be driving up north maybe once or twice a summer on side / county roads, highway speeds are just such a low priority in this early phase of my motorcycling life. I feel privileged enough as it is to be able to do such a stupid thing at this point in my life in such a stupid place in the world for owning a motorcycle.
 
MaksTO said:
Thanks for the info! Definitely overlooked the Ninja for the most part.

Honestly though, I’m flip flopping back to a 125 all over again. Realistically keeping my starting costs (bike and insurance wise) is the absolute best thing I can do for myself - realizing spending an extra grand on a 250 might feel good at first, but piling insurance and that added purchase cost, as well as the fear of losing an extra thousand in a theft may leave me more financially stressed than anything else.

I seem to have found a competent seller who can give me intelligent and straight answers on what he has, and can deliver. He will likely agree to a pre sale inspection at a shop, and though the bike is at 22k, the tires were actually replaced on it a few years back and they are able to give me more info on its history than most other sellers - lending a bit of trust, which is something I can’t say about 99% of the sellers I’ve spoken to. If only a GTAM member was selling a learner bike, then I’d be totally at peace.

I know, I will likely get tired of a 125, and sell it in a year. But considering once again that I will be in the city nearly all of the time, and will be driving up north maybe once or twice a summer on side / county roads, highway speeds are just such a low priority in this early phase of my motorcycling life. I feel privileged enough as it is to be able to do such a stupid thing at this point in my life in such a stupid place in the world for owning a motorcycle.
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Maybe, maybe not. I have been riding for 40 years, I still have a 1984 Suzuki SP125, if all I did was tool around the city that's probably all I'd have.

I did have a Ninja 250 for a long time, they are the most popular beginner bike by far. If you check 2008 and up, there are probably 25 available anytime in the GTA for less than $2500 Some of these will have been tipped and have minor scrapes -- that's common for a beginner bike and something you can easily fix. Used parts are easy to come by, a can of paint covers scratches until you find a good used part.

A Ninja 250 is great around the city, slightly more on insurance but will have the legs to take you to the country and last an extra year or two if you feel the need for more power. I never complained about riding my Ninja 250 long distances, and I never had trouble keeping up with bigger bikes unless we were on long long slab rides. On group rides there were always experienced riders that wanted to swap with me... curious about how a 250 could keep up!
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