Well, after selling my GS, I had to find something else.
I knew I wasn't going to let any setback keep me down for long so I started scouring Craigslist, eBay and Cycletrader.
Looked at a few bikes but most were the same.
Old and not cared for well, would need tires immediately, unknown maintenance.
Some could say, "It's a bike, what do you expect?", but to me, that's not good.
I keep meticulous records and it has helped me every time when selling a vehicle.
So, I kept looking and looking. (This sounds like it took forever but was really on a few days.)

I spotted it on Craigslist about 5 min after posting.
Called the owner and went to take a look.
I was impressed and bought it on the spot.
I pick it up tomorrow.

Now, at this point, since I respect many of you here, I'd like to make sure you don't have a mouth full of soda or something that you will spray all over your screen.
*waits a little*

Ok, I bought a 1998 Kawasaki Ninja 250 with 6,031 miles.
*waits for laughter to die down a little*

The bike is clean and all plastics were good.
Two BRAND NEW Bridgestone tires. (Still have the knobbies on the MIDDLE of the tire.)
Cobra f1 exhaust + appropriate jetting.
I asked him about any service done to the bike.
He went inside and came out with a stack of paperwork for all the service done at a speed shop here in ATL called MSP Cycles.
They did the 6,000 miles service of adjusting the valves, carbs, etc.

He was asking 1750, I offered 1400 and he accepted.
It's really a clean looking little bike.
It's not a GS500 by any means but I think I will really enjoy it while I "re-learn" everything that I forgot. (Not to mention the 60+ mpg)
I can move up in a year or so.

I'll post pics sometime tomorrow after I pick it up.

I still plan on sticking around here though.
The GS500 is just such an awesome bike and had I not bought one many years back that started me riding, I doubt I'd ride at all.
Maybe I'll have another one someday.
In the meantime, I'll at least be back on two.   

Quote from: Mayoke on August 02, 2007, 06:22:50 PM
Ok, I bought a 1998 Kawasaki Ninja 250 with 6,031 miles.
*waits for laughter to die down a little*

Congrats and don't listen to the people who think that oversized bike will compensate for their undersized 11th finger.  EX250s are amazing little bikes, and if you don't like it on the street, you can always build it into a racebike!

-b.

Quote from: bosozoku on August 02, 2007, 06:25:53 PM

Quote from: Mayoke on August 02, 2007, 06:22:50 PM
Ok, I bought a 1998 Kawasaki Ninja 250 with 6,031 miles.
*waits for laughter to die down a little*

Congrats and don't listen to the people who think that oversized bike will compensate for their undersized 11th finger.  EX250s are amazing little bikes, and if you don't like it on the street, you can always build it into a racebike!

-b.

Thanks.
I'm really not into speed and I keep telling people that yet they still say stuff like, "You need a Triumph ST" or "insert other rocket bike here."
It will most be used for back and forth to work so the excellent fuel economy was a BIG plus.
The way I look at it is, as long as I step off it with a big smile, it's worth it to me.

I'll get something else some day but for now, it's all I really need.   

congrats on the new old bike 
hopefully this one wont cause you any unfortunate problems. 

Congrats on the new bike.

One thing a smaller bike has over a bigger bike is the running costs 

Hey there Mayoke,
I'd say you got yourself a great deal.
Ninja 250s are cool bikes and you have nothing to be embarrassed about.
Ride it in good health.
And if you ever zip up here to PA, look me up.
Best wishes,
Todd

Congrats on the new bike!!!!! 

Ok...you KNOW I have to.....




Wow....this thread isn't about the Baby G... hmm.....where to move it....hmmm.... O&E?? TF??  Ok, ok. I kid! 

 

I'll post pics as soon as I get it, I promise!
Sheesh! So demanding! Wait..........do you know my ex?   

Yeah, one of the best things I saw is that on eBay there's a TON of parts and they are all inexpensive.
I can get ALL the plastic for about $150.
I can get front AND rear rims WITH tires and rotors, sprocket, etc for $100.
Gotta love that.  =)

The guy has the receipts for the services as he didn't do it himself.
The shop he took it to is a VERY good bike shop here in ATL.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed but it appeared pretty good when I saw it.  =)

WTG!  Grats again on the new bike.  Hmmm I hear 180 calling us  

Quote from: blue05twin on August 02, 2007, 08:05:08 PM
WTG!  Grats again on the new bike.  Hmmm I hear 180 calling us 

Amen man!
I may be meeting one or two people on Sunday up 400 for a ride to Suches.
I'll keep you posted.

Wow I didn't know you and pandy were married 

stop telling our secrets, bubba! 

 

even tho I hate Ninja's,good deal man,enjoy,that's all dat counts. 

Quote from: ben2go on August 02, 2007, 08:54:55 PM
even tho I hate Ninja's,good deal man,enjoy,that's all dat counts. 

Thanks.
Truthfully? I don't know if I'll like it even but it's a good deal and Im willing to try one.
The resale on them is so insane around here that I could actually turn right around and sell it for more than I just paid for it.   

Quote from: bubba zanetti on August 02, 2007, 08:08:49 PM
Wow I didn't know you and pandy were married 

OK this thread was going along great ... and this happened. Now it has to be tarded ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: seshadri_srinath on August 03, 2007, 08:07:09 AM
OK this thread was going along great ... and this happened. Now it has to be retarded ...

Good choice man. I've read many a great write-up about the 250ex. The riders are always 'surprised' and 'impressed' by it's powerband and comfort. It's very light, very quick, and gets awesome mileage.

Now, get on with posting pictures of that machine !

Well, here she is.












Well, just brought her home.
Wow! What a little machine.
It's so much smoother and it turns like CRAZY!
This bike feels ALIVE. When you give it input, you half expect to hear a voice saying, "You got it! HANG ON!"
Acceleration is COMPLETELY different though.
I got the bike and headed for I-85.
Traffic was MOVING so I decided to wring her out. (Or get run over. LOL)
12K (shift) 12.5K (shift) 12.5K (shift) 13K (shift) 12K (shift) 13K (shift)
The whole time though I'm thinking, "Oh crap! This bike has no power! DAMMIT!"
Then I looked down.........97mph indicated.   
WHOA!
It's funny though because even when you hit the torque peak, it doesn't feel like the bike is pulling.
It just feels like it's spinning and making noise but it isn't.
The pipes are the Cobra F1R's and they are LOUD.
It sounds like a VERY angry R/C car.  LOL!
Under light acceleration or de-acceleration though, it sounds SWEET!
Still, I think I'm going to change to a Muzzy or something else.

It's very stable at speed and responds to input like a Porsche.
You move, it moves.
It's really nice.

I need to replace the windscreen as it's almost cracked through.
The tank has two dents in it but I think they can easily be pulled out.
It was laid down on the right side as evident by rash on the pipe but the plastics are all good.
It does explain why there is no stripe follow through on the rear plastic though. It was either replaced or repainted.

For $1400, I think I did pretty good though.
It's going to take me a little to get used to it as the foot controls are smaller but I'll learn.
When you keep it below 9K, it's just buttery smooth.

There ya have it.
Now I'm gonna go play with my little red one some more.      (With luv to Pandy)

For Me ,It goes with looks , hence the stupid amouts of pounds in my gs , I think the gs looks amazing stock , so with sum nice mods looks the dogs . glad ur happy dude , but its a Ugly little Thing , I wouldnt want one , Glad ur sticking to 2 wheels tho buddy!