Bike that hasn't had its first break in

timtimtim1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 30 Mar 2019 Karma :

Hi,

I've found a ninja 650 for a good price.

Unfortunately it has done 5000 km and the first service has yet to be completed.

Would the bike have significant engine damage at this point?

Quite on the fence about getting it at this stage.

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

Storage of equipment is a significant factor.
If it was stored 'properly' Tires over pressured and the frame lifted off the tires, the engine oil refreshed, All holes plugged, shoved in a air-tight-ish crate/container with possibly some desicant bags used
then it should be worry free. Fresh oil, adjust the tire pressures (or fit new) and ride off into the sunset.

If nothing of the above have been considered then Caveat Emptor.

Could be a pig in a poke.

Oil will oxidise, absorb moisture, wash off surfaces etc. That may encourage corrosion.
Tires will deteriorate over time and wil be shagged if a load if placed on them they can go out of round.

But Barn-Finds are always interesting.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

Minty · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Karma :

Why would normal use have damaged it? Take it for a ride and do the usual checks.
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timtimtim1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 30 Mar 2019 Karma :

So there's no issue that the first service is 4000 km overdue (ie it still has the break in oil in it from the factory)?

Just needs a fresh service?

I figured you may have issues given you'd have all that metal floating around for 4000 extra km's?

Minty · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

That's dodgy as hell... The first service is the most critical. I'd probably avoid it if I were you.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

timtimtim1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 30 Mar 2019 Karma :

Not so much of a barn find as it is a 2016 bike.

It has been garaged its whole life, just never been serviced... ever.

Only has 5000 kms though...

Minty · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Karma :

How do you know it has definitely not had one? It could have been done but not by a main dealer or done and not stamped.
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My fingers smell of your mum.

timtimtim1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 30 Mar 2019 Karma :

The owner had no idea it required a first service at 1000 km.

The dealer never explained it to them it seems.

The owner doesn't know much about bikes but is happy to get it serviced immediately by a mechanic as they didn't know (but it will be a very late service!)

Sister Sledge · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2018 Karma :

Sounds suspicious.
It's a big bike. If they've ridden it then they've surely ridden other bikes too?
Even if they simply went through bike lessons and tests to be able to ride it, the training will surely have taught about maintenance (not the absent parent type).

For me I'm out. It's your money though.
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

I don't think there's anything special about the oil it's supplied with.
It's just that at least historically there's a chance of bits of metal swarf from machining being flushed through into the bottom of the crankcase and filter.
After a few hundred miles an oil change should get rid of that, the mechanic would pay particular attention to any debris found in case any assembly problems were revealed.

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

As an aside, a not-mechanically-minded neighbour bought a Vauxhall Cavalier car new when they retired and never had it serviced at all, just ran it until some strange noises were noticed at about 100,000 miles.
He did top the oil up.
It went in for investigation and was written off with sludge having blocked various oilways and wearing parts badly scored.

Thing is it still lasted about ten years and he saved thousands on servicing. Laughing

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

If the owner didn't realise that the bike needs servicing, I wonder what other mistakes they've made.

Getting it serviced immediately won't undo damage that's already been done.

The bike would need to be very, very well priced for me to consider taking a chance on it.

So keep looking for a different bike to buy. Thumbs Up

grr666 · Super Spammer Joined: 16 Jun 2014 Karma :

Ninja 650 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmOVGu_fEIU

ER6F - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyUQrKUPn8A

Same but different.
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stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

It depends on how much cheaper you can get it than another example of an ER6 in excellent condition. Let's face it it's not hard to find several other ER6's without much effort is it?

As Ste said, it'd need to be a steal to buy over another much better equivalent bike, it's not like your looking for an RC30 or RG500 is it.

For a beat to death price I'd consider it if:

1, Cosmetics are spotless and it's never been dropped and has no signs of corrosion etc.

2, If you can do any work required yourself to re-comission it and do a full service or any remedial work. Its going to want new tyres, all fluids and filters changed, and a comprehensive service for piece of mind. The cost of all that at the least needs to come off the purchase price, then there's your effort and time.

Otherwise walk on by to the next shiny ER6.

timtimtim1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 30 Mar 2019 Karma :

St George · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 19 Feb 2019 Karma :

I just bought a bike not run for 14 years, started fine with a new plug. Changed the oil and it runs like a dream. The Ninja will have an oil filter in any case. I would service it and enjoy, loved my one.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Link to the advert?

And how much cheaper is it than other ones?

The bike will appear to be in great condition right up until the point where it needs expensive work doing to the engine.

If the owner is saying that the dealer didn't tell him when the bike needed servicing, does that mean he was never going to have it serviced? Laughing

kgm · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :

The fact that the owner is that clueless would be enough for me to walk. It's not a rare bike.

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Walk away.
It has missed the most important service. It has no warranty. It has no resale value.

It is possible that it's fine. I don't know if this bike ships with mineral oil which is only meant to stay in until the first service. It is also possible that it isn't fine. If I was buying an ER6 and paying the premium of having one quite new, it would be for peace of mind and resale value.

Courier265 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2017 Karma :

Riejufixing · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jun 2018 Karma :

weasley · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :

5,000 km is what, 3,000 miles? I would use missed services as a bargaining tool and if you can get a bargain, have it without a second thought about the oil or engine condition.
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