Found an AD for a Ninja 250 that's been in storage for 5 years but excellent condition $1600 OBO. Don't think I'll pay $1600 for a non-running motorcycle. What should I offer? Is it worth it? Difficult to work on? It will be for my son. Unable to find a GS locally.
Ninjas are a pain in the ass to work on. They are water cooled. That adds complexity. Spark plugs? Remove tank to get at them. If you don't need to work on them, they are fine. I rent parking space to a neighbor with a 2012 Ninja 250. nice bike. I wouldn't want to work on it, though. Even the fairings are harder to remove.
I guess I am prejudice towards the ease of working on a GS500. Spark plugs: right in the open. Water cooled? nope!
Given I rent space to a friend, I will help him with his 250. My preference would be to look for another GS500. They do show up. Or get a 250 that is running.
For a new rider that wants a 250? ... CBR .. ??
You can find another Ninja 250 that already runs with decently low miles for the same price. I wouldn't touch it. It would probably need tires from sitting so long, all the fluids flushed, cleaned, and replaced, and who knows what else.
If it's an '08+ (and Kawasaki Racing Green) it's worth looking at, they have more mid HP and less peak HP than the earlier Ninja 250's up to '07. If it's below '08 look at the general overall condition and fallow yer gut, OBO the hell out of it! Ninja 250's are an absolute RiOt to ride!
Yes, this is my '10 Ninja 250R
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/nin.jpg)
Hmmm, I guess I'd mostly disagree the "harder to work on". The water cooling is a non-issue for all routine maintenence, and the plastic and tank removal isn't hard, especially after the first time. 10 minutes and you have the bike undressed. The GS is a bit easier, but not enough to really matter, IMO.
$1600 is too much for a non-running bike though, it will have to be thoroughly gone though, and you don't know if there's a major but hidden issue. And I do think the GS is a better beginner bike. (Although they're both good for that.)
(http://i.stack.imgur.com/2Iq37.gif)
$500. If they say no...Wasn't meant to be.
Hmmmm... Not disagreeing here... But do they know WHY it isn't running? ... Flat battery? ... Old fuel? ... Seized bore? ... Broken guts? .....
Can they tell ... Or will they tell you anything?? ..
A thought ... If you had a spare battery of suitable size/dimensions.... And maybe a pint of fuel? ... Would they let you attempt to start it? .... Even if its just to see if the thing will crank? ...
Repeated attempts to start it... With fails... Well yeah it raises more concerns in a way .. But also drives the potential price down too!!
Is there a point where if it was cheap enough.. You would buy it regardless and look at it as a project ... Even to restore to original running order? ...
Just a couple pennies of thoughts!
You might want to ask at www.ninja250.org , also a very good faq there to guide any maintenance. Price seems high. You'll need new tires and battery at a minimum. Ninja 250 is a great bike.