Buying GPX Advise for Newbie

[Seth]

Hi All! I'm currently looking at a GPX250 1997 model with 34,000 k's advertised for $3200 counter offer was $2800. I need to have an answer for Seller tomorrow so I'm hoping I could get some advise.

The problems:-
- Right fairing minor scratch
- Front mud guard broken (owner will replace @ own cost)
- 2 new tyres are needed
- New Break disc pads needed
- New chain needed
- Slight oil leak but the Mechanic wasn't worried about that so I don't think it's a major problem

Background info:- I'm 150cm short and 45kg. I'm going for my Pre-Learner's in two weeks. I find the GPX very comfortable (I can reach the ground) and the weight, height and sitting position are all very comfortable for my stature (or lack thereof) I want a second hand bike no more than $3000, pushing to $3500 if necessary as I'm learning and I do expect to drop, scratch a bike, I will also definitely upgrade when I want to, hence why I don't want to buy a brand new bike which is what Hubby wants me to do, as he did.

Anyhow, I'm not unrealistic in terms of expectations for a 12 year old bike. Cosmetics aren't a big thing to me but mechanical reliability and the ability to last at least 3 years would be a must. I don't want to spend more on the bike than what I bought it for. Seeing as a brand new one can be had for $7000, if I'm buying a $3000 bike and in the life of 3 years of me having it having to spend another $3000 (maintenance alone) then it's just not worth it when a brand new has 2 years warranty.

So I wanted to ask:-

- The seller freely admits it has been dropped, he mentions on the right (where the scratch of fairing is) however, it seems, according to mechanic it has been dropped more than once as the break lever on both sides are dented at the end...isn't it to be expected for a 12 year old bike to have been dropped? Apart from cosmetic damage is there anything else I should be worried about due to it being dropped?

- Do you think it's worth it for $2800 going by model, k's and condition is fair/good?

Any advise would be much appreciated.

[robracer]

HI Seth, considering the red book value is $1,600 - $1,900 (private sale) It seems the guy wants too much, although the K's are low so that is a bonus, seeing as cosmetic is not a problem I would concentrate on the service history, if there is written proof of good service intervals, as a minium the book services, then at the most offer $2100 at a stretch, considering cosmetic damage............ good luck with it

[Wardy]

Reckon at that price you should keep looking. By the time you do tyres, chain & sprocket, pads it's going to add up.
I'm with Rob on this one I wouldn't be paying more than $2k.

good luck

[Seth]

HI Seth, considering the red book value is $1,600 - $1,900 (private sale) It seems the guy wants too much, although the K's are low so that is a bonus, seeing as cosmetic is not a problem I would concentrate on the service history, if there is written proof of good service intervals, as a minium the book services, then at the most offer $2100 at a stretch, considering cosmetic damage............ good luck with it

Thank you both for taking the time to reply. I truly need the help

Rob, I don't think he's got service history. According to him there were only 3 owners, a police officer who didn't ride it, an old man and himself. He has only had it for a year, on his Learners/P's.

I actually thought it was good value because having looked @ Bike Sales all the GPX250 are $3000+ and they are normally late 80s early 90s with at least 30,000k's so I thought that this was a good buy. Didn't realise that red book value was $1600-$1900.

[robracer]

you should see the trade in value
Sounds like the low Kays on this bike are the only thing its got going for it, but without a service history I would think twice.
The 250's are overpriced because of the demand..... & its quite suprising this far down the track since LAMS was introduced that 250's are still in such high demand.

[Seth]

^I wouldn't mind going higher but due to my height and weight I'm more restricted than others. Once I get some experience I don't mind riding a bike heavier or taller but at this stage I want both feet planted firmly on the ground

Since looking at the Redbook site I viewed Trading Post, Bike Sales etc again and there are none in it's proper price range aka less than $1900 Do people actually sell to the price accordingly? What I'm trying to say is that is it only a good buy when it's the range of the Redbook?

Sorry totally Newbie so I'm only comparing it to the other advertisements on the sites.

[PHeonix25]

Try going over the checklist mentioned in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=28181
I think you'll find it'll fail some pretty big checks on that list.

It's not worth it, there are better ones out there, you just need to hold out for them (ala the one that I found after 4 months of searching high and low == it put me back a little bit, but it's worth it if you get a good one!)