Need some advice on possible bike purchase....

[highsider]

So, I'm looking at possibly buying this:

1998 Kawasaki ZX9R

I'd like to use it for sport touring, the wife and I sat on it, and its as comfy as any sportbike gets. Also, it has a great prerequisite - my wife can see over my head, which disposes of her irritating habit of always trying to look over my shoulder as I'm getting ready to bend it into a corner.

The biks is owned by the original owner, and it is spotless. It is apparent that the guy took great care of it, and added nice, quality mods - stainless brake lines, RaceTech suspension, gold valves, etc. He also has a full maintenance history.

It seems like a lot of money for an older bike, but it really has been taken care of.

Interestingly, he also had this for sale:

1999 Honda CR250R

This bike also has an upgraded suspension, as well as a rebuilt motor. It also looks like new.

Both bikes have steering damper mounts, and share a Scott's damper.

My question is this: what do you all think is a reasonable offer? The way I figure it, he's is looking for $4700 for the pair, and he wants to keep his steering damper for his next bike. I was thinking of offering him $4600, and having him leave the damper on. Am I being a cheap prick? Anybody know what these rigs are worth?

Any advice is appreciated.

[butcher bergs]

Well that 9 is horribly overpriced, for one.

I can find you a nice 2001-2003 liter-bike for the same money....don't believe me?

3000 for the 9

1000 for the CR

See, I am a cheap prick so I'd show up with a check for no more than 4300 and be done. If he doesn't bite, oh well.

[Manny]

Get the 07 tiger and be done with it. Oh yea, I dont know shit about the bikes in question....

[mycirus]

I think the fact that you are going to buy both will be your levereging factor. It doesnt hurt to ask, the worst that happens is he says no.

Bruce

[scootertrash]

Good choice for a sport / touring bike. I have a '99 ZX9R and it's great for both track days and also for riding 2-up. It's a great all around bike.
The offer you are thinking of making sounds reasonable. Go for it.

[mikeb]

I think the fact that you are going to buy both will be your levereging factor. It doesnt hurt to ask, the worst that happens is he says no.

Bruce

thats what i would do. show up with cash and offer him 4200 to start and stop at 4500.

that nine looks real nice and is ready for many more miles. sucks sportbikes don't hold there value well.

[richw]

Only if you want the dirtbike

the 9 is tada 10 years old so worth about 3K

and in VT it is the end of the season

make the low offer keep his number call back in 3 weeks

crickets

[Stoneman]

Walk the giraffe & pitch to the elephant...

[highsider]

Walk the giraffe & pitch to the elephant...

No more posts!

I'm thinking that offering the guy $4300 for the pair, with the stupid steering damper included. I do want the dirt bike, because I'd like to do that hare scramble posted in the dirty bastards section in a couple of weeks, and it seems like a perfect bike for that. I also like the ZX-9 because it seems to be a pretty good for what I want.

If it doesn't work out, I should be all set with either a new Tiger 1050 or a Suzuki Bandit 1250 by next week.

[beet]

Way UNDERRATED one sweet bike, & verry 2 up friendly.

Good choice for a sport / touring bike. I have a '99 ZX9R and it's great for both track days and also for riding 2-up. It's a great all around bike.
The offer you are thinking of making sounds reasonable. Go for it.

GREAT BIKES

[bigred875]

i think you just want to buy them because you want to get a good deal.....thrill of the hunt

I think there are much better sport touring 2up bikes and that dirt bike is nothing special....

[beet]

i think you just want to buy them because you want to get a good deal.....thrill of the hunt

I think there are much better sport touring 2up bikes and that dirt bike is nothing special....

[Jacko636]

Check out Kawiforums.com. There is a section for the nines where you can get some great advice and reviews on it.

[markbvt]

If it doesn't work out, I should be all set with either a new Tiger 1050 or a Suzuki Bandit 1250 by next week.

Have you test-ridden the Tiger? Great bike, but I found that the windshield was at exactly the wrong angle and funneled the windblast directly into my face. Riding the Tiger at 70mph was almost intolerable -- WAY worse than riding my Bonneville with no wind protection at all.

But buy it anyway, get the taller windshield if you need it, and join my RAT pack.

--mark

[bigred875]

no YOU!

[highsider]

i think you just want to buy them because you want to get a good deal.....thrill of the hunt

I think there are much better sport touring 2up bikes and that dirt bike is nothing special....

Meat whistle.

The ZX-9 is actually my wife's pick. She flat out refused to ride on the back of my R1 because it was miserably uncomfortable, but when I bought a Concours she bitched about not being able to see over my head and called it an "old man's bike." The ZX-9 has an aggressive enough riding position where she can see over my head, but not so aggressive she is miserable.

The CR250 seems reasonably priced, and I've always wanted to try out a 2-smoke motocross bike for the big power they have (at least when compared to a woods oriented 4-stroke).

I like the idea of buying the pair because I think I'll get a better deal; the other bonus is that if I keep my DRZ, I will effectively always have a bike for guests, for both dirt and street.

There is one sort of odd thing that makes me nervous about the ZX-9. I had a cousin who had one, and he died on it. It had absolutely nothing to do with the bike, an asshole towing a boat pulled out in front of him, but for some reason it gives me pause.

I'm going to offer the dude $4000 and see if he bites.

[LuvDog]

The ZX9 is a great bike and very under-rated. It does lots of things well.

Sure it's older and heavier than current year liter bikes.

But its still a very comfortable and capable bike and nothing right now quit fits the same niche as the 9.

For what you've described it sounds like a great match.

As for price... the comments above seem right... the asking price is high.

[highsider]

Have you test-ridden the Tiger? Great bike, but I found that the windshield was at exactly the wrong angle and funneled the windblast directly into my face. Riding the Tiger at 70mph was almost intolerable -- WAY worse than riding my Bonneville with no wind protection at all.

But buy it anyway, get the taller windshield if you need it, and join my RAT pack.

--mark

Hmm, Frank's offered me a test ride, I guess I'd better get over there and take one. I'm a pretty tall guy (6'1"), and I dont want a constant blast of air in my face.

[bigred875]

Meat whistle.

The ZX-9 is actually my wife's pick. She flat out refused to ride on the back of my R1 because it was miserably uncomfortable, but when I bought a Concours she bitched about not being able to see over my head and called it an "old man's bike." The ZX-9 has an aggressive enough riding position where she can see over my head, but not so aggressive she is miserable.

The CR250 seems reasonably priced, and I've always wanted to try out a 2-smoke motocross bike for the big power they have (at least when compared to a woods oriented 4-stroke).

I like the idea of buying the pair because I think I'll get a better deal; the other bonus is that if I keep my DRZ, I will effectively always have a bike for guests, for both dirt and street.

There is one sort of odd thing that makes me nervous about the ZX-9. I had a cousin who had one, and he died on it. It had absolutely nothing to do with the bike, an asshole towing a boat pulled out in front of him, but for some reason it gives me pause.

I'm going to offer the dude $4000 and see if he bites.

we'll as long as you've already talked yourself into it

i'm sure you'll have fun...hold out for $4k w/ the damper

[markbvt]

Hmm, Frank's offered me a test ride, I guess I'd better get over there and take one. I'm a pretty tall guy (6'1"), and I dont want a constant blast of air in my face.

Yeah, take the test ride. I'm 6'4" and the windblast hit me square in the face.

But that said, Triumph does have a taller windscreen available. And I'm sure there are/will be plenty of aftermarket options as well. It's a nice bike otherwise, comfortable, handles well, accelerates great.

--mark