What should I look for when looking to buy a used Kawasaki Ninja ( 1999 model )?

B

Bob

New member
I've been offered a 1999, neon green Kawasaki Ninja. They want 1,000 for it. It needs new tires on it ( they're just old / weather worn/ cracked )

It says dual cam 8 something on it?? I really don't know what size it is >_< I'm VERY dumb when it comes to bikes. It's in great condition seeing as its a 99' model and it has about 6500 miles on it.
The guy rode it about ten times over a period of 2.5 years. He changed the oil when he bought it and rode it barely any ( less than 150 miles )

Definitely needs the oil changed. I knew he didn't abuse the bike at all. It looks like it has been stored inside all the other years judging on how nice it looked ( hadn't been washed or anything but it still looks in great condition )

It's street legal. He registered it last year.

What do you suggest I do instead...? I looked around and this is a "steal" as far as how much he wants for it in comparison to similar bikes
 
You are buying a 10 year old machine that has sat quite a bit. You need to hear it run. You need to see if there is any smoke coming from the exhaust when it runs. you need to see if any fluids are leaking from anywhere-engine, coolant from radiator, brakes etc.

How has it been maintained? has the oil been changed regularly and is the owner up on any current inspections (to keep it street legal). The fork seals will probably have to be replaced as it has been sitting, and since it has weather cracked tires guaranteed the oil is old in the engine. Be prepared to spend about $600 to get this thing up to snuff once you buy it, since you do not know much about bikes. And that $600 is if it only needs maintenance done-tune up, fork seals and oil changed. If it has sat any length of time add about another $300 to that amount to have the carbs cleaned and serviced. so suddenly your "good deal" is an expensive one.

Now how is the transmission. Sport bikes get trashed by idiots who wheelie them and red line them and shift them without using the clutch. this tends to tear the transmission up. Very costly to get into transmission problems
 
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