Warning about the ZZR250 that's on eBay right now

[Phildo]

RE: Kawasaki ZZR250 Licensed - LOW RESERVE - eBay Kawasaki, Road Bikes, Motorcycles, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 22-Sep-08 18:00:58 AEST)

There is currently a Kawasaki ZZR250 (in Victoria Park) listed on eBay right now. The auction closes tomorrow (ie Monday).

I had a look at the bike on Friday night. It's actually in very poor physical condition (ie the photos on the listing are very old/out of date).

The engine is making some very scary noises, particularly at idle. It's making the loudest clicking noise that I've ever heard from a bike engine. This isn't some distant faint sound, it's very dominant.

If you're intending to bid on the bike, go for your life. BUT... don't bid unless you've actually seen it, and are happy to take on the risk (and the general condition of the bike).

The actual seller is actually a very helpful and nice bloke; it's just that he's not very knowledgeable with mechanical things and after some frustrating and expensive experiences with bike mechanics years ago has kept his bike away from them.

This isn't about discouraging competition/other bidders - I personally have absolutely NO intention of bidding on the bike... at any price.

And if someone from here does buy the bike: get that engine checked by a good mechanic immediately.

[Raijn]

seems the price is right.

then again, I have no previous XP with MC mechanics and therefore wouldn't know how much it would cost to get repaired...

[Machast]

Seller:

I have had it for years, and ride it nearly every day.

and in a previous post:

last year I replaced the back tyer so the tread is good.

[padfoot]

^^^ and

I do the oil changes once a year

[Phildo]

I'm amazed the thing still runs - you should hear the noise that engine makes! It sounds like it's going to implode any second now.

I pushed the guy to take it to Tyres For Bikes and speak to Alan about it (ie he's an ex Causeway Kawasaki mechanic, so will know ZZRs very well), but he's got his mind made up that all bike mechanics are just out to rip him off.

If it was just a slight clicking that would be solved by valve clearance adjustment then I would have been interested. But there is fairing damage that isn't in the eBay listing photos - the top fairing is held on by self tapping screws and there is a 1-2cm gap between the top fairing and side panel on the right-hand side. Valve adjustment and top end service would cost a few hundred dollars, but if that motor needs major headwork then there wouldn't be much change of a grand (ie replace the motor).

For a beginner bike, this GPX250 looks promising:
1994 KAWASAKI GPX ROAD BIKE - eBay Kawasaki, Road Bikes, Motorcycles, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 21-Sep-08 20:31:37 AEST)

It's in Australind and didn't make the reserve price on eBay.

[Xuaxace]

Thats a pity, it doesn't look to bad for a ZZR.

[thro]

I pushed the guy to take it to Tyres For Bikes and speak to Alan about it (ie he's an ex Causeway Kawasaki mechanic, so will know ZZRs very well), but he's got his mind made up that all bike mechanics are just out to rip him off.

Well, with an attitude like thinking that yearly oil changes are all just dandy, i'm not surprised...

[CitizenD]

Stage 1 weight reduction kit: Some shit fell off a few months ago.

[polonY]

for a beginner bike, this gpx250 looks promising:
1994 kawasaki gpx road bike - ebay kawasaki, road bikes, motorcycles, cars, bikes, boats. (end time 21-sep-08 20:31:37 aest)

engine capacity (cc): 250 cc

power: 250 bhp

lol

[Wendylee1]

if its the bike I am thinking of I wouldnt touch that bike

he hasnt owned it for 6 years, maybe like 18 mnths

it used to have red paint on it and has been thrashed to within every inch of its life,

when the tyres were replaced it was suggested at the time that the bike go for a completed service to tweek a noise that wasnt understood.

and his mum would like to see the back of that bike as soon as she can as she even tells her friends its a death trap