Used bike: dealer or private seller? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Used bike: dealer or private seller?

H

highflyer

Active member
Forum Sponsor
I'm thinking about buying a Ninja 250. I've never owned a motorcycle before.

At a dealer, it'd cost me $4500 (list price), plus tax, license plate fees, and vehicle tax, so up to $5100? I'm going to try to knock off $500 or something.

With a private seller, it'd cost me $3500 + tax + whatever other costs associated with it, maybe closer to $4000?

Obviously, I'd feel a lot safer by buying from a dealer than random Joe on the street, but does that justify the $1000 premium? If somehow I can negotiate a better price with the dealer, I think a premium of a few hundred justifies the comfort and security I get by purchasing from a dealer.

What are your thoughts?
 
Bring someone who knows bikes to check out the private sale or ask to have a mechanic look it over (on your own dime). You will save money and get similar security to purchasing from a dealer.
 
JD1 said:
Bring someone who knows bikes to check out the private sale or ask to have a mechanic look it over (on your own dime). You will save money and get similar security to purchasing from a dealer.
Click to expand...

Im sure if you offer to buy someone a nice lunch...they would take time of their day to come out and look over a potential bike for you....
 
all things equal, go with the best deal. you'd think the dealer is going to have a margin of a couple grand on a used bike. although they need to make their money, you may be able to do better than only $500 off. it's whatever you feel most comfortable with..no right or wrong way of buying so long as you are as informed as you can be. there isn't a lot you can check outside of general visual assessment, tires, chain, sprockets. maintenance records are nice if they are available.
 
I actually don't know anyone who rides a motorcycle, nor do I know any mechanics.

Walking out paying $4500 was just a conservative estimate I had. It would be fantastic if I can get the bike for $4000 out the door, but I'm not sure if that'd be possible when the private sellers are listing $3500-4000. I'll have to see when I visit the dealer next week.
 
Do some shopping around check out the various beginner bikes, and get some insurance quotes before you pull the trigger on that Ninja 250. The reason I say so, is that although the Ninja 250 is the PERFECT beginner bike, it's also one of the most commonly claimed against and people who buy them find out insurance can be painful. When you are looking at used bikes, it's common to find some motorcycles that are 30 years old, and in better shape than some of the 5-10 year old bikes.

A well maintained, mechanically fit older bike, especially if it is under 550cc's, will likely be very affordable to insure and still a ton of fun to ride. In fact it might even smoke that 2010 ninja 250 you were originally considering, and be cheaper to insure to boot. :)
 
Most dealers are asking more for a used 250R than I paid for it new 3 years ago. The 250's have a high resale value. If you are going the dealer route I would just by new. If you are looking for a used bike , go private but definately either get someone to go with you (who is familiar with bikes) or get a mechanic to check it out.
 
Those bikes the dealer will sell you are from private owners. Cut out the middle man and go private with a knowledgable person to evaluate it.

Unless you just want to pay more.
 
Agreed, there are good dealers and bad ones, just like private sellers. Going dealer doesn't protect you any more, but you often end up paying more for it. Like JD1 said, bring someone along who knows what to look for.

r1junky said:
all things equal, go with the best deal. you'd think the dealer is going to have a margin of a couple grand on a used bike. although they need to make their money, you may be able to do better than only $500 off. it's whatever you feel most comfortable with..no right or wrong way of buying so long as you are as informed as you can be. there isn't a lot you can check outside of general visual assessment, tires, chain, sprockets. maintenance records are nice if they are available.
Click to expand...
 
I already got a quote for insurance for the Ninja 250. It'll cost me $2000 a year and I can live with it.

The CBR 125 was for $1750 a year, so I figured why not just go for the Ninja.
 
I bought a Ninja 250 in a private deal. Trusted the guy since he was a GTAMer. He screwed me. Sold me a bike with damage and didn't disclose it. Then denyed it was even there.

Definitely my mistake that I didn't see it either when buying the bike. But the bottom line is if I had bought it from a dealer it would've been easier to recover money or return product. With the private sale the guy doesn't even respond to my messages once he knew he was busted.
 
My first bike was from a dealer...second from a private seller, this next one is about to be from a dealer but it's a great deal otherwise I'd be going private too. Just do your homework and be prepared to walk away from anything that doesn't feel right.
 
There are other older sport bikes available, as well as tons of other options. I saw a Zephyr on there, some nice Honda's, even a Ninja 400. You just gotta be willing to be different!!
 
Some dealers offer no waranty. Make sure its on paper before you buy and check what is covered under waranty. I've bought almost 1/2 my bikes private and never had an issue. If it has low km's, easily starts when cold and hot, rev's without issue and has no wierd noises thats a good start.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom