Looking to buy my first bike - 2006 GZ250 PICS!!

[7thgear]

So I have been having a really bad itch to get my ass on a bike lately. I have been researching and I must say that I'm pretty impressed with the Suzuki GZ250. I like the gas mileage, reliability, simplicity, looks, and price of these little bikes. I found a 2006 with 5700 miles on it. Also has a spitfire windshield and saddle bags. They guys is asking $2000 and I'm not sure if that's such a good deal. Any input or advice to a first time bike buyer?

Also, I'm almost 6'2, 175lbs. I've never actually seen one of these in person and I'm a bit worried that they are really small and that I will look too big on it. Any input on this as well?

Here are some pics of the bike:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/ ... 050706.jpg (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/escape2music/GZ250/P1050706.jpg)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/ ... 050712.jpg (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/escape2music/GZ250/P1050712.jpg)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/ ... 050714.jpg (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/escape2music/GZ250/P1050714.jpg)

[blaine]

Welcome.The G.Z. looks much bigger than 250c.c.I have had people mistake it for a much larger bike.The same displacement bike in a Honda or Yamaha is a lot smaller looking.There are people your height that say they are quite comfortable on the G.Z.The price sounds good to me,but here in Canada bikes tend to sell for a higher price.Good-luck and keep us informed.
:rawk: :)

[dentheman]

5700 miles and $2000. A very clean looking bike, but I would also make sure any bike I had for sale was clean. I don't see any dents like the bike was dropped, that is good. Windshield, saddlebag brackets, studded seats and you said saddlebags, nice extras. I would like to take it around the block a couple times, then if happy, I would think about it! If it has original tires, they are due to be changed due to age. I would him-haw around about the tires being old (if they are) to knock $150 off the price. If I bought it, the first thing I would do is check the engine valve adjustments.

I am 5' 11", 230 lbs, and just rode a GZ at the motorcycle course. I think it fit me fine.

OK, I just looked at the photos again, if it really looks that good I would jump on it! The only thing that has me a bit concerned is that those look like the original pattern tires, but I see no wear??? Even the front brake rotor looks like it has never been used. Are you sure the photo is not of the bike when it was new, but after the insignias have been removed? (It is a beauty, though).

My final thought: If the guy added farkles to make the bike look that good, and took care of it to look that good, he probably took good care of it mechanically as well, but you never know..

[7thgear]

5700 miles and $2000. A very clean looking bike, but I would also make sure any bike I had for sale was clean. I don't see any dents like the bike was dropped, that is good. Windshield, saddlebag brackets, studded seats and you said saddlebags, nice extras. I would like to take it around the block a couple times, then if happy, I would think about it! If it has original tires, they are due to be changed due to age. I would him-haw around about the tires being old (if they are) to knock $150 off the price. If I bought it, the first thing I would do is check the engine valve adjustments.

I am 5' 11", 230 lbs, and just rode a GZ at the motorcycle course. I think it fit me fine.

OK, I just looked at the photos again, if it really looks that good I would jump on it! The only thing that has me a bit concerned is that those look like the original pattern tires, but I see no wear??? Even the front brake rotor looks like it has never been used. Are you sure the photo is not of the bike when it was new, but after the insignias have been removed? (It is a beauty, though).

My final thought: If the guy added farkles to make the bike look that good, and took care of it to look that good, he probably took good care of it mechanically as well, but you never know..

Yeah I'll find out if the pics are current or not. The saddle bags aren't mounted in these pics so I'm assuming that these pics might be at least a few months old. How much did this thing sell for brand new in 2006? I thought they sold for under $3k brand new? And tires need to be replaced after 4 years?

[dentheman]

I don't know what the 2006 went for, if you go to the Suzuki motorcycle site you can see what the 2010, 2009 and 2008 went for and figure from there. Just search Suzuki motorcycle.

As far as tires go, I know they should be changed every few years, but don't remember how often and couldn't find it in the search. I'm sure someone will fill you in here.

[7thgear]

well the MSRP was $3199. So you figure a dealer will let it go for around $2600-$2800. So 4 years later and it's selling for $2000? Kinda seems like it would be better to just buy one brand new.

[dentheman]

well the MSRP was $3199. So you figure a dealer will let it go for around $2600-$2800. So 4 years later and it's selling for $2000? Kinda seems like it would be better to just buy one brand new.
I looked at the photos one more time, it looks like the tank and side cover are dinged on the left side.

EDIT: After looking at the photos again, I can't tell if those are dings or reflections.

[7thgear]

Thanks for pointing it out. Can anyone else tell me if this is a worthwhile deal or would it be better to just buy one brand new?

[duosport]

Thanks for pointing it out. Can anyone else tell me if this is a worthwhile deal or would it be better to just buy one brand new?You can find that year with less miles. The price is OK in my opinion but if there is some damage as has been suggested I would say you certainly need to look it over to see if it has been laid down. If so I would think a significant reduction in price is in order.

As far as size and rider height goes, I am 6'-1" and 190 lbs. I am comfortable on mine. The position of the rear brake pedal is my only issue. I lower it a bunch as my height makes that angle flat.

The big thing is you have not seen this bike yet. Go look at it. You do not need to buy to look.

[dentheman]

Take duosport's advice and look at the bike. See if those actually are dings on the left side, or just reflections (I can't tell from the photos). The owner is probably prepared to go down a couple hundred on the price, most will overprice a little to give them some room to wrangle over the price they really will sell for.

[dentheman]

Look it over real good, spend a lot of time looking it over. If you want to buy her, get up and say: "Weeelll, I'll give you, ohhhhh I don't know, fifteen hundred!" Let the wrangling begin, although the owner may surprise you with "sold".

OH!: Do make sure the owner has the title before you consider paying anything.

[Easy Rider]

OH!: Do make sure the owner has the title before you consider paying anything.

Yep. Sad that we even have to mention stuff like that.

Two other cautions:
You should see the engine start COLD. If it's "pre-warmed" there might be a problem.

If the seller says: "It ONLY needs (anything not cosmetic)....", your answer should be: "Fine. Call me when that is fixed and THEN we can talk." The "little" thing that needs fixing might be a LOT bigger than the seller is making out.

Oh, and get a test ride too, no matter how short.......or take an experienced rider with you to do that.

As for price, he's a little high.
KBB shows $1880 and NADA says $1935, dealer retail.
Private sale should be a little less.
Added accessories add virtually nothing to the actual price.
And as somebody else said, it's gonna be due for tires soon......on time if not on mileage.

[dentheman]

well the MSRP was $3199. So you figure a dealer will let it go for around $2600-$2800. So 4 years later and it's selling for $2000? Kinda seems like it would be better to just buy one brand new.
I suppose it is still possible to find a new one, but the last they were made was this year, 2010.

[7thgear]

Hey guys I bought one this morning. Got a great deal on it too. You can see pics of it here:

http://www.getauto.com/vehicledetail/ad ... nd-park/il (http://www.getauto.com/vehicledetail/adid-20285171/2007/suzuki/gz250/orland-park/il)

Damn, I must say I had a really fun time just riding it down the highway. I have so many questions to ask and I am getting ready to research the crap out of it for modifications. This bike is really clean and runs and rides awesome! I have to run for now but I'll be back later.

[duosport]

She's a beauty! Congrats.


Number one, number one, Joe Rizza Ford is number one.

(A little Orland Park humor)

[dentheman]

Very Nice! I am envious! Have fun. You will find a lot of carb and sprocket modification suggestions on this forum. And there are some nice accessories available.

[mole2]

Very nice...congratulations! Were you able to chew them down any on the price? Ride safe and keep the shiney side up.


:)

[7thgear]

Thanks guys. I used to work as a salesman at a dealership so I know how things are run and I know how to get a good deal. I basically just called them, asked them about it, and then told the used car manager that if he gives me a great deal I'll come pick it up within a few hours. We shot back and forth a few numbers and finally settled on $1550 out the door. So they paid my tax, title transfer, got me a license/registration, a brand new battery, and they even polished the bike up. So yeah, I'm really happy about the price I got.

[Viirin]

damn, i should have trained as a salesman before i got mine...

[duosport]

Super deal. Way to go. I think you bought at the right time. A dealership does not want that thing hanging around the showroom till next spring. Also they are a car dealership and probably the manager said "get that thing out of here".

[dentheman]

Thanks for the 'tip' to check auto dealers, not just motorcycle dealers. Just another little lesson from this forum.

[7thgear]

There isn't much to it. Dealers only care about one thing: MOVING INVENTORY. They don't like to fuck around showing you the product, giving demonstrations, and just plain old wasting time talking to you. If you walk in there, or call, and take the initiative by telling them that you want to make a deal TODAY, then they will literally cut to the chase with you. All you have to say is that you want a great price and the deal is done. That's it. Do your research beforehand and make sure you know what price you want. When I was a salesman, the people that did this got the absolute greatest deals. Trust me, the dealer loves these customers because, although the profit margins are small, it is a quick sale. Plus, they appreciate it when you walk in there, know what you want, and get straight to business without wasting their time. If there is one thing salesman and managers hate, it's the people who spend 30 minutes there, asking questions, going on a test drive, and then saying "ok we'll think about it". 95% of the time these people do NOT buy a car/motorcycle, and salesman fucking hate the people. In fact, the jargon referring to them is "strokes". Eg, a guys walks into the dealership lot, and one salesman says to another, "don't waste your time with that guy, he's a fucking stroke. He comes here once a month, looks around, asks question, and never buys shit."

However, I worked at a dealership in horrible economy and my dealer was pretty desperate to move inventory. In a good economy, the dealer might not be willing to give such good prices. I don't know, I would have to wait till the economy gets better and work at a dealership again to see how they operate in a good economy.

One more thing. Sometimes, managers might think they smell vulnerability in you. Thus, they may not give you your price because they think you're willing to pay more. If this is the case, simply say "If you wont give me this price, then the deal is off." That's it. As the customer with the money, YOU have ALL the POWER. The managers will usually shit their pants and give up the bluff. Obviously, they would rather make very little money than no money at all. As long as your price presents a profit margin to them, they will give it to you.

[5th_bike]

Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely read your post again before I get anything motorized.
:rawk: