Help (Sorry) (Ninja 250)

[Lightheart]

I don't know where exactly to post this..

So here is my problem. I am looking at buying this 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250.

Problems, you can tell the bike has been laid down and abused, the spark plugs are BLACK. The bike will not start, I haven't had the time to change the spark plugs on the bike yet, but the carb's was just filthy! No gas was getting through, so I had my mechanic friend who used to work on motorcycles a lot clean them for me. It seems as if the bike isn't getting any gas to it still. ( or the spark plugs just aren't firing.. [ the spark plugs was bone dry after several attempts at trying to crank the bike.] ) I'm so lost and confused on what could be wrong with this bike..

Is it worth the chance of buying the bike and finding out there are more problems to it than the eye can see? Should I buy the spark plugs and test them?


Also please tell me/ direct me to where this thread should have been posted.. ( I am very new to the site. )

[brentde3]

I have no idea if Road Warriors was the proper place to ask this question, but I'd still tell you to pass on this particular bike and keep on looking.

There are lots of 250's running around for sale, a lot of them with few miles and no real problems. Widen your search a bit and find one of those. No need to settle for an abused Ninjette (unless the guy only wants a few hundred $$ and you're mechanically competent enough to see it back to roadworthy status).

Also, welcome to the forum. It's a hoot.

[ph0rk]

Not sure where you are, but there are tons of ninja 250's out there - it shouldn't be hard to find one that wasn't abused. I'd stay away.

[Lightheart]

The man is only asking 300$ for it, I figure even if the bike is a loss, I could salvage what good parts out of it and sell them to make the money back. ( I don't have alot of money or the credit to go buying a decent bike.. )

[ph0rk]

Originally Posted by Lightheart

The man is only asking 300$ for it, I figure even if the bike is a loss, I could salvage what good parts out of it and sell them to make the money back. ( I don't have alot of money or the credit to go buying a decent bike.. )

Then I'd suggest you avoid a likely money pit.

[YJake]

At $300 I would buy it to part out and make a profit if the plastics weren't buggered already. But I'll second the advice to keep searching. I scored a 2007 ex250 that looked and ran flawlessly with only 6k miles last year. I use it as my commuter and "scooter" to run errands.

The things can be exceptionally reliable and are in my experience.

Best of luck,

-Jake

[Lightheart]

The plastics have a few scratches in them, the bracket holding the muffler is broke from it being laid down, all the blinkers are trashed, the frame is solid, from hearing the engine turn over it sounds solid too. The tires are GREAT.

I mean if I don't buy the bike, I will probably try and find another dirtbike engine for my Kawasaki KDX 220R ( first dirtbike ever owned, 2 stroke and the man told me wrong gas mixture so my engine seized up.. )

[ph0rk]

Originally Posted by Lightheart

the frame is solid,

How do you know?

[andoulli]

I say if you had to give the carbs to a mechanic to clean, then this is not the bike for you. Besides, what if you get it running great and the owner says, thanks man, it's now worth a grand?

[Lightheart]

Originally Posted by ph0rk

How do you know?

Maybe I should have rephrased that, it's looks solid, I see no rust spots on it anywhere, or any cracks.

[boxermoose]

And if you do decide to proceed make sure he has a clean title, in his name, before you sink and dollars into it

[2000RSV]

$100.

Only put into it what you can throw away and/or what you could easily make back selling parts (like the tires/wheels).

Would be a good, cheap way to learn to wrench.

[brentde3]

For only $300, I'd go for it, but I'm confident I could do all the work myself (or sell the bits and pieces if the bike turns out to be a dud). Of course, only you know your money situation. Just don't overextend yourself on the purchase of the bike. Bikes can become money pits real quick, DAMHIK.

As others have said, make sure there's a clear title and all that other good paperwork stuff.

[Lightheart]

There is no title for it what so ever, I would have to track down the lein holder to get a title for it.. So that there is a red flag, the bike is originally from Texas.

[ph0rk]

Originally Posted by Lightheart

There is no title for it what so ever, I would have to track down the lein holder to get a title for it.. So that there is a red flag, the bike is originally from Texas.

Someone has a lien on the bike? Run like hell.

Save your pennies, we are just about to enter new bike season. There will be plenty of awesome deals used in October-November.