Motorcycle Advice!

bich.light on 24/11/2013 - 23:17

I'd like to once again ask for some advice from the OzB community!

I'm interested in buying this second hand Bike (Kawa 300 Ninja SE) and its tyre has a small metal puncture in it. I am wondering how much that would cost to fix or if the entire tyre should be replaced?
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/49730000/20131124_222325…

The bike has been dropped once and suffers some cosmetic damage, other than that there is no noticable issue. Can dropping the bike have some greater damage on the bike which I do not know?

Thanks :)
I'll be actively on this post for the remainder of the night and day! I look forward to your advice as to whether or not to avoid the purchase or to buy the bike and ask for a lower price. The price is $5800 with 3000km's.

Automotive

Comments

  • sydney_kings on 24/11/2013 - 23:46
    +1

    I think $5800 for a second hand Kawasaki 300 that's been dropped and the owner cannot even be bothered to have the tyre fixed or replaced is saying something. Negotiate with some of the dealers around and ask for a ride away price. You should get a new one for only a few hundred more. As for damage related to dropping the bike, it depends how severe the drop is, but I would imagine they'll be damage to the fairings, levers, pedals etc.

    • bich.light on 24/11/2013 - 23:59

      Thanks for the reply!
      I had asked for a Ninja 300 SE from Bikebiz at Granvill the other day and he said its over $7000!
      I thought it was a rip-off =[

  • tyler.durden on 25/11/2013 - 07:36

    Just get Cbrr Yamaha

    Personally I would not get a bike

    I had one and they are expensive to repair compare to cars
    And there is only few places you can repair at
    So u can't shop around

  • Nalkur on 25/11/2013 - 08:44

    Are you particularly looking for a LAMS bike? There are much more affordable ones around than what this person is asking. Suzuki GS500, Honda Cbr500, Yammy …

    As sydney_kings said, drop damage depends on circumstances. Could range from superficial scrapes to fairings/indicators/levers through to bent forks/damaged frames.

    Keep looking is my advice.

  • thereyougo on 25/11/2013 - 08:49

    Sydney_kings is right, there could be something cracked or bent that's not noticeable yet. It's obvious that person doesn't care for the bike. What about regular servicing, has it been thrashed? Buy new and look after it.

  • pebee47 on 25/11/2013 - 08:50

    The Drop; Depends how hard it hit, and what it hit. If the frame is bent, forget it. Can you fix the cosmetics? At what $$ + Time cost?

    The tyre: Consider what the top speed of the bike is and if you are happy to ride at that speed with a repaired tyre. Repair cost about $50, new $140-200. (Bit like the helmet logic: "do you have a $100 or $400 brain?")

    The Price: Check Gumtree etc for some idea of what is being asked for similar bikes, then work out what they should actually sell for. Might even find a better deal.

    Also heed the previous comment re if the seller can't be bothered to fix the tyre. He/She is either trying to hide something(s) or has to be prepared to take a fair bit off the asking price because he/she just wants to get rid of it.

  • bich.light on 25/11/2013 - 09:06

    Alright, thank you all for the replies thus far.

    The drop seems to have been a small one as only the fairings are scratched. The scratch itself does not look very deep and looks more like the stickers need replacing. The right-hand side mirror was also scratched but was not very noticable?

    The tyre has been quoted to be fixed for about $185, to get a new one and then fit it.

    Bike itself was lasted service at the first 1000km mark and will next need a service at 6000km mark.

    An important thing I had forgot to mention was that the bikes owner is moving overseas mid-December, so he's not bothered to repair or anything.

  • ihfree on 25/11/2013 - 10:32
    +1

    Consider a pre purchase inspection - costs between $40 and $150.

    Depending on the service they will also give you advice on value.

  • ampublic on 25/11/2013 - 11:27

    You need to ask for road worthy certificate…

    A RWC check from a certified mechanic will highlight any structural issues (such as those caused by a major fall - bent forks, handles etc.) and also on the condition of tyres.

    Providing a RWC is seller's responsibility (at least in Victoria):
    http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Registration/BuySellTran…

    Also, for $5800 you can get a new bike (Honda CBR 250R). Dealers do clearance sales in December to make way for next year's models.

  • WT on 25/11/2013 - 11:45

    Seems like its a lot considering that Honda were selling the 250r for 5990 ride away. It was all over the tv 2 weeks ago.

  • bich.light on 25/11/2013 - 12:34

    The bike brand new is $7990 from BikeBiz Granville.
    It doesn't seem like a lot when you compare the two.

  • BuyoTheCat on 25/11/2013 - 13:27

    it will cost about $50-70 to patch a puncture, but no guarantee on how long it will last. I have really bad luck with tyres and punctures. A new rear tyre will cost about $300-450 depending on the type of tyre.

    If it was my first bike, I will buy something that is dropped at a cheap price. The chances are, you will drop it at some point.

    CB400 is a nice LAMS bike, if you want something that is a bit grunty and nice to ride. but personally I prefer more sports oriented bikes.

    When I started riding, there was no LAMS and the market for learner's bikes was small. My first bike was a 88 CBR250r

    • Steptoe on 05/12/2013 - 16:01

      Tyres aren't that much. $400 will get you a pair of sport tyres for a litre bike these days.

  • OZB Al on 25/11/2013 - 14:28

    It's worth keeping an eye on the Netrider forums if you're after a 2nd hand bike, this one just sold in Melbourne:
    http://www.netrider.net.au/threads/2013-ninja-300.169950/
    And it was in much better condition for the same price. Personally I'd go for a cheap learner bike and not mind if it's been dropped as long as it's verified by an independent mechanic and has RWC, as long as the price reflects the condition.

    If you're a learner there is a very good chance you'll drop a bike, so don't pay for one that has not been dropped so you can loose money when you drop it.

  • bich.light on 25/11/2013 - 16:05
    +1

    Thanks for all the comments, I have opted to not purchase the bike in the end.

  • leeroys_dad on 26/11/2013 - 06:50
    +1

    Hey mate, always go with your gut. Always. If you think something is dodgy or just didn't add up, you're probably right.

    I bought a second hand bike, felt a bit funny buying of the guy but hey it was a good deal. Turns out he did some pretty bad work on the valves and piston and it blew up on me, costing $4000 to fix. Bike was worth $5000

    Anyway I've dropped mine plenty and usually bikes can withstand drops, they have to be built well. In saying that, I have a dirt bike

  • ranma on 26/11/2013 - 08:32

    I'm going to buying a Honda from this deal: http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/117524

    With 0% financing too. There's a link on this page that has some more info for 2013 models, http://eepurl.com/FiZ7z

    If you want, I'll share more info as I get it. But promo ends at the end of December I believe

    • bich.light on 26/11/2013 - 23:01

      Err Good luck with that I'd say, the deals gone I believe because when I enquired about it they were all sold out (both Parra and Syd).

      I ended up buying a Honda CBR500R with 39km! From ActionMC 2nd hand =]
      $6700
      Was dropped but they fixed up the blinkers and brakes for free~

      • ranma on 27/11/2013 - 15:57

        Yeah I checked - all sold out :( Wow that's a pretty good deal! Which ActionMC? I'm also looking at maybe the new Kawasaki Ninja 300's that have 3% finance on them - that's important for me.

        Did you buy yours straight out or did you put it on finance? What year is the CBR500R?

        • bich.light on 28/11/2013 - 00:50

          Parramatta!
          I don't think they have any left, they weren't even advertising the bike yet too haha

          I test rode a Ninja 300 and it was pretty good as well, but for the price of a new 300 and a new CBR500R, I think Honda is better.

          I took a personal loan out from CBA.
          CBR500R was only released in 2013? It's this years model

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