[koruptor]

I’m going to check out a used ’04 Ninja 250R and need some advice about motorcycle values. It’s a private party deal.

KBB and NADA show two completely different numbers, and I don’t know which to lean on. I was only able to view the Retail Value of the bike on KBB, which includes dealer profit; I couldn’t find a private party value. I’m not totally sure if NADA incorporates dealer profit either. I’m just trying to find out the value of the bike for a private party transaction.

From what I know about the bike, it has about 13,000 miles and minor scratches on the fairings. The guy is asking for $2,000 and can provide all service records. I actually haven’t even seen it yet, so I can’t tell you more about it.

Any advice?

BTW, I love this website.

[zeppelinfromled]

I find that KBB and those numbers are a helpful starting place, but they don’t end up meaning all that much. Check craigslist for your area and see what things are going for. A search in the motorcycles category for “Ninja 250” will bring them up pretty easily.

Just a quick glance at craigslist in my area (Boston) shows a 2005 Ninja 250R with 3,000 miles and they’re asking $2000. Another one from 2004 with under 3,000 miles is asking $2100. Yet another 2004 with 800 miles is asking $2000.

So bottom line, I think the $2000 for an ’04 bike with 13,000 miles is a little pricey. Especially since there was a model update, which automatically dropped the value of all of the pre-update Ninjas. It’s possible that he’s just maintained this bike really really well and it’s worth it, but you have no real way of knowing that.

Just my $0.02, but I think it’s too much money.

[koruptor]

It looks as though ’04/’05 Ninja 250s in my area range from $2000-$2500, so this one is in the “cheaper” end. I’ll keep your advice in mind when I’m testing it. Thanks for your help, zeppelinfromled!

[gsmurfette]

It all depends on where you are. We watch the Portland and Seattle craig’s lists, and that actually sounds about right or a little low. Seattle always prices over Portland (except in extreme and rare cases)……good luck!

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