Pretty short and sweet situation has arisen for me. A local person is looking to possibly swap, straight up, my '90 GS500 for a '92 Ninja 600.

Here are the pictures I have of it:






I have been in contact with the person, and I am running it over and over in my head. Do I swap a good running bike for one that may or may not need some work. I know I would immediately remove most of the plastics to get it down to a more naked bike. I just don't really know what to do. I am at least planning to go look at it. Looking for insight/opinions.

Go for it.  I rode a ZX6-R (2012 mind you) and could not stop smiling.  The power...the sound...the everything.

4 cylinder bikes handle much different.

Awwww I wanna swap too I also rode a 2012 ZX6R and fell in love

I should note the issue. While it does run well, and the person said it was ridden a few months ago, the clutch "does not engage" now.

Maybe the clutch plates are worn out from abuse?

That was my thought.

The only other thing that is bugging me before I go look at it, is that it doesn't look like any other 90's 600 ninja I have found. The body work is all wrong. It seems to be more of an 80's vintage.

Yea it looks like it has an aftermarket body kit?
Maybe its an import?

Its fugly if you ask me but looks clean. I understand it is an upgrade but its still fugly

I would never trade a fully functioning bike for something of questionable mechanics.

Unless you got another working bike in the garage and you are looking for a project -- PASS.

Quote from: Bluesmudge on July 26, 2012, 11:41:31 PM
I would never trade a fully functioning bike for something of questionable mechanics.

Unless you got another working bike in the garage and you are looking for a project -- PASS.

This^^^^^^

When there is a doubt there is no doubt. You doubt the swap, so with doubt do Not do the swap 

Michael

Thing I don't like about trades like this is that they tend to confuse both parties.

The real Q is, what's the GS500 worth in current condition?
What's the Ninja 600 worth in current condition?

Personally, I think if you like the 600, then just strike a price and buy it. Then sell the GS500 outright.

I would love to just buy it...but, the cards aren't there. I just don't have the funds. My bike is maybe worth 900-1000, the 600 is maybe 12-1300. THats why a swap is so appealing, but risky at the same time.

Quote from: Soloratov on July 27, 2012, 10:18:24 AM
I would love to just buy it...but, the cards aren't there. I just don't have the funds. My bike is maybe worth 900-1000, the 600 is maybe 12-1300. THats why a swap is so appealing, but risky at the same time.

I'd rather ride a $900 bike than have a $1200 bike collecting dust in my garage. Not to mention a $1200 bike with any type of mechanical problems in no longer a $1200 bike.

Plus you need to ask yourself... why is this person looking to "downgrade"? Perhaps they are the one upgrading by getting a bike with less problems. 

Quote from: Somnospeed on July 27, 2012, 11:36:45 AM
Plus you need to ask yourself... why is this person looking to "downgrade"? Perhaps they are the one upgrading by getting a bike with less problems. 

Exactly.

I asked that question. It's a younger girl who purchased the 600 with the "it's older, it's a 600, it's not big" idea, and she just finished her rider safety course and is afraid of it. Found out some more info in the last little bit. I know it was road worthy registered and inspected last year. IF all that is wrong is the clutch not engaging, mostly looking at 50-60 bucks in parts. Like I said, I still need to physically look at it. I keep doing the back and forth. I did verify exactly what it is. It's a 1992 Kawasaki ZX600R. She has  a lot of extra parts as well. Rear wheel, front forks, etc. From her list it sounds like the PO was about to start customizing. I also know that the bike was ridden to it's current location 3 months ago.

I think right now I need to step back, and wait until I can look at it next week. It's hard being objective when something better could fall in your lap.

Quote from: Soloratov on July 27, 2012, 11:52:22 AMI also know that the bike was ridden to it's current location 3 months ago.

Ran great when parked... lol

Quote from: Soloratov on July 27, 2012, 11:52:22 AMIt's hard being objective when something better could fall in your lap.

Or already be under your but...

Take it to a motorcycle shop and get them to tell you what's wrong with it and how much it will cost to fix it. Clutch won't engage ? Maybe the transmission won't engage LOL.

Stop guessing.

My experience:
I sold the mint GS500 and bought a beated up CBR600 F4. The F4 was almost the same price I sold my GS500, it seemed a very good deal, although that was the worst move of all! I had the bike for 4 months, in which 3 spent in the garage! Apart from the usual service, plugs, oil, filter, valves, etc... I spent a lot of time (and some money), in rubber (gaskets!). Rotten, dried up gaskets appeared as soon as I opened a different part. Each time something was fixed, another one came up. The day I sold it, the sun shined brightly through the clouds!
It was a traumatic situation, so the time I bought a good condition GSXR, took a while to get used to having a bike that you can actually ride without worries. You wake up in the morning and can actually ride your bike!!

Better riding a slower bike fast, than a faster bike slow... 

Quote from: piresito on August 02, 2012, 02:42:05 AM

Better riding a slower bike fast, than a faster bike slow... 

I disagree. I love riding my faster bike slow as I revel in the knowledge I could smoke everything around me - without needing to prove it.

You too will learn this with maturity. 

Michael