Looking for an inexpensive D/S
 

and found this:

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/m...295559678.html

Obviously I'm new around here, but I would appreciate your opinions on this. I don't know much about the model, but I have read some reviews. I'm just looking for something to tinker with and maybe commute and also take to the local OHV park. How's the stock shock for a 200 lb guy? I know not good probably, but bearable?

When I first saw it I was on my phone and in the pics I thought it looked mint. On my computer with the images enlarged, I'm not so sure anymore. Look at the case right behind the shifter, looks like a scratch where maybe the shifter was bent at some point? The chain seems awfully old for a bike with such low miles, and it seems to have been left out or put away wet with some rust in some places. Anyhow, I am going to look at it so I should be able to check the sprockets, brake pads to tell if there is some funny business going on with the mileage.

Anybody care to venture an opinion? I really appreciate it!

That looks like new compared to mine. Looks like it never seen much dirt.

This bike is near showroom, no faded plastic or peeled decals, no scratches on the frame or swingarm and those are original tires with not much wear. The only flaw is the missing mirror. Looks like 570 mellow miles.
I recently bought an 06 with 1100 mi and I am a little over 200lbs geared up and the stock shock is fine for moderate trails. If you're going to race or ride aggressively in rough terrain it will be soft.

Well, maybe it was a good deal. I was supposed to look at 9 AM, but he said it was sold before that this morning.

The math was starting to not add up for me anyway. That low of miles is almost as bad as it is good to me, plus when you consider 10 year old tires, tubes, battery, probably brake fluid, coolant, rusted chain and sprockets, etc. it is hard to justify the final cost to make it safely road worthy and dependable. Could probably get a brand new one for $1k more or a used 1-3 year old one for $500 more.

Not to mention the missing mirror and apparent aftermath of a bent shifter seemed like there could have been a minor crash he wasn't mentioning...lol

You won't find a new one for $1000 more. Even the Honda, which isn't as well equipped (no adjustable suspension) is around $2000 more. If the bike started up and ran out well, It would be worth trying to get for around $2500. You see, the earlier model is just a shade better than the later (2009) models in front suspension and layout. Plus the $100 rack most want.

If you look at your bike for resale you should look for a newer one, but if you want to ride it hard, condition and how it runs is everything. My brother bought an 06 with a couple thousand miles on it a few years back. Near perfect, no scuffs, paid $2650 and it was worth it. I bought a used 09 for $2000, but it needed chain/sprockets and had around 10,000 miles more on it. I'd prefer the older model... but that's just me.

A bent shifter is seldom any problem, they're relatively soft steel so they can bend instead of breaking internal parts. If the bike ran out well, bent shifter is no BFD.

I'm thinking your not trying to get that bike at a bit lower price (he did say "pretty firm" so some green waved under his nose may have worked a bit) may have been a bit of a mistake. You won't find many as good as that.

Are you buying a bike to ride or an investment? When you find the bike you want to ride, buy it, you will not regret it.

Thanks all. The search goes on... I needed a Kawi forum logon anyway, doubt I'll be able to resist that Z900RS when it comes out...