Is this a good deal?

[gls21590]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if this was a good deal for a gz250

1999 Suzuki GZ250
It has about 2,600 miles on it.
the guy wants $700 for it.
He said he didnt have the title for it.

What do you guys think?

[dhgeyer]

Too many unanswered questions. How much of a problem is lack of title in your state? If you can't register it, it won't do you much good. Have you seen the bike? What kind of shape is it in? Does it start and run? How does it look? How old are the tires? Is there a service record?

The price is very low - low enough that I'd be leery, and check everything out very very carefully. Heck, could even be a stolen bike.

[Viirin]

hmm thats pretty low mileage for a bike that's 11 years old - was it just used for Summer riding? - when you say he doesn't have the title do you mean the model of suzuki? stick a few pictures on here and we'll identify it and hopefully be able to see if there are any obvious problems

welcome by the way

Vii

[blaine]

Welcome.As the others have said we need more info to help you. :2tup: :smallrawk:

[gls21590]

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/1914758061.html
here is the craigslist link, i emailed him and he said he still had it.
so i replied to him and ask some more info about it.
I also ask for some more pictures and if there was any comsetic or mechanical damage.
Ill let you guys know what he says about it.
What should i specifically ask him?

[alantf]

when you say he doesn't have the title do you mean the model of suzuki?

No, I believe it's an American thing, like us saying that the log book's not in his name. :2tup:

[Viirin]

Crazy Americans and your weird lingo...

[Viirin]

Yeah the picture in the link is too pixelated to see any real detail - let us know of he sends you any more - as for what to ask him - dhgeyer's comment has a list there and would be a good place to start - also ask about the battery, previous owners and how long it's been declared off the road for - seems like a lot of questions but 700 bucks could be a lot to loose or only half the price if you have to get something major done to the bike after purchase

Vii

[3-D Video]

Crazy Americans and your weird lingo...
Yeh 're kidding, Mate! The septics cleaned up the pommy language 200 years ago. Here's a tip of me tiffer to Webster.

[gls21590]

So how you guys like the gz250?

[dhgeyer]

In the picture the bike looks pretty good. Ask if that's the actual bike he's selling. Best advice:

1. Ask the DMV in your state what the implications are if there's no title. Like I said before, if you can't register it, it won't do you much good.

2. Take a friend who knows something about bikes to go see it. Have the owner start it up and see how it sounds. He says there's nothing wrong with it, so it should start. If it won't start, pass on it.

If there's indeed nothing wrong with it, it's a Hell of a good price. It'll probably need new tires, if not from wear then just from age - you don't want to ride tires that are over 5 years old if you can help it. They lose their stickiness (less traction). May need a new battery and some fluid changes. But, if there's nothing basically wrong with it that some simple routine maintenance can't cure, it's a good buy.

[dhgeyer]

So how you guys like the gz250?

I love mine. Absolutely love it. Not much good on the Interstates - too slow - but a lot of us have other bikes for that. Around town or out on the back roads it's about as much fun as you can have, and a wonderful bike to start out with. Cheap to run, insure, and maintain, too.

[gls21590]

Will do!! Thanks so much for all of the responses.
The help is much appreciated! :tup:

[alanmcorcoran]

Excellent bike to learn on. After 3000 miles remains very useful for around town and shorter adventures beyond. Cheap to operate, maintain and insure. Excellent gas mileage. Relatively simple mechanics.

Not appropriate for long distance, high speed, or highway. May be a tad small if you are super tall (say 6'2" or better.) Not the best for touring or two up.

Be aware, there can be a lot wrong with a bike that has not been ridden. Carb, gas tanks, tires, battery, starter, chains, choke, etc. If you cannot repair these things yourself, your actual cost will rise rapidly and can easily exceed the price of a much newer bike.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[gls21590]

May be a tad small if you are super tall (say 6'2" or better.).

I'm 6'1, would i be too big for it?

[alanmcorcoran]

I'd say you are borderline, but there's a number of folks on here (some of whom are taller) who'd disagree. You can make some accommodations (I think) by adjusting the bars, the pegs, etc. Mine is all stock - I am only 5"11" and I can sit on the back seat for a change of pace. I think if you are learning you won't notice it much. Once you are past the novice stage (say 3000 miles) you may feel it is too small. If it's in perfect shape for $700 I'd take it regardless.

[gls21590]

Sounds good! hopefully the guy gets back to me and ill go and check it out

[alantf]

You can make some accommodations (I think) by adjusting the the pegs

I think not. The only thing you can do is swap them for different pegs or boards, but this won't change the position. :2tup:

[dhgeyer]

Be aware, there can be a lot wrong with a bike that has not been ridden. Carb, gas tanks, tires, battery, starter, chains, choke, etc. If you cannot repair these things yourself, your actual cost will rise rapidly and can easily exceed the price of a much newer bike.

This can be a mixed curse, to coin a new phrase. The GZ250 is indeed so basic, it's also a great bike to learn bike maintenance on. Tasks that are quite complicated on other bikes are much easier on this one. If you have no inclination to do your own wrenching, this is irrelevant.

If it starts and runs, and doesn't sound too bad doing it, it's unlikely that you'll have to rebuild anything major right away. You do want to make sure all the electrical components work - high/low beam, tail light, brake light (hand and foot switches), turn signals, horn. The Achilles heel of the GZ250 is that the Carb gums up from sitting if the owner didn't put fuel stabilizer in the fuel. But that will show up right away when the owner tries to start it up. Either it won't, or it'll run roughly, or won't idle properly.

If you don't know bikes, you really want to take someone with you who does.

I'm 6' 0" tall and do not find the GZ in any way confining. The seat is not designed for long periods in the saddle, but that is part of it not being a good bike for touring, or for the highway.

[Easy Rider]

What should i specifically ask him?

Why he does not have a clean title.....and if he is going to get one. If not, forget it.

If he does come up with a title, does the bike start easily and run good ??
Any known problems ??

If it is far enough away that getting it would be a problem......then again, forget it.

Like others who have responded.......too good to be true. Something is fishy.

[mole2]

Personally, no title no deal. It just might be a stolen bike.


:)

[dhgeyer]

I have personally bought at least one bike that had no title, and it was not a problem. Whether or not it's a problem depends entirely on your state's regulations, and they do vary. In NH it might be a problem or not, depending on circumstances. You do need to check with the DMV and find out what the deal is. You also need to find out why there is no title.

[gls21590]

So the guy still hasnt emailed me back
I'm guessing its a no go but ill keep you guys posted if anything comes up.