Should I get this bike?

There's a 1989 Ninja 600R that I'm considering getting. The current owner said runs smooth and has never been laid down. But the water pump needs to be replaced and he things something is wrong with the fuel line because it won't keep running after the starter fluid burns off.

It's my first bike, and I will be mainly using it for commuting. The guy selling it wants less than $500 but I don't know how much the repairs will cost.

What do you think?

If your OK with mechanical work or you gotta friend who can help you this bike could be worth a look
I just brought a ZX6R Ninja and it has a couple of problems Fuel pump and broken frame and starter motor, so far I've done most of my buying parts from the internet (Ebay) and it has turned out realy good parts are not to hard to find and the cost is much better than shop prices

I found my Ninja to be an excellent bike even with the smaller problems as mentioned above.

You can even pick up boxes of bits for these older bikes which can have all sorts of goodies in them.

Info isn't hard to find either with electronic workshop manuals available.

The water pump shouldnt cost too much and when its replaced (new is probably best for relaibility) make sure you make a strong mix of coolant for the system.

With the fuel system could be that the float levels are out this is a common problem and once adjusted they will run fine find the specks and adjust for 1mm increase to see if that helps Good Luck you might be on a winner but be careful too.

Well the watter pump is easy to fix. But firt off if he has been "starting" it with started flued that is bad, starter flued is harmfull to engins, and also if the fuel line is not pinched or cloged upp, witch you just have to pull it off to check that, then its not the fuel line, check int he tank, if there is a bunch of stuff floating or sunk in it, and also check the fuel filter in it if it has one, but it not starting and just killing could be a maze of problems, if it has a carb the float in it might be stuck or any number of things, if it is fuel injected there could be anumber of other thing wrong, If you know how to work on bikes or engin or have any firends that are good at it, it could be a very good buy..but if not taking it to the shop is really expensive

I know its hard to pass up a bargain, especially a motorcycle in the summer time, but I don't know about this one? If it has been parked for a while/ridden very little in the last few years, I would say there is definitely problems with the carbs. But, that's likely not the only problem. You've got the carbs and the water pump for sure and likely a few others. Its pretty normal for older bikes, especially when not used.
Your $500 will quickly turn into $1000+. That is the price range for a 90-91 Katana in perfect condition. Especially being new to bikes, I'd recommend buying one that's ready to ride as/is. For $1200 you can get a nice older bike. I suspect he's selling it because he doesn't wanna mess with it any more. Don't buy someone else's problem! You can do better!

It sounds to me as though the current owner is simply trying to sell his problems. DO NOT bite. Sure it could be just a few simple problems but more likely the thing has been neglected in the maintenance department and will be one headache after another. Your money would be much better spent on another bike which has been better taken care of. Many times a bike like this will cost more than it is worth to get into good running order. Bike parts are never cheap, just to put this point into perspective, my last set of tires alone was only $50 shy of the asking price of that bike and you will go through a set a year. Cheap is not really an option for a sportbike rider, so do not try to make it one. At least try to find one that has been better taken care of than that steaming pile, better bikes are out there.

you may be looking at a couple of grand in repairs for a bike that old. the carbs are screwed, 400 bucks, water pump 300 bucks tires, oil change, etc,... should I go on ? BTW any sport bike that is 19 years old has definitely been dropped a couple of times. maybe not by him , but by someone.these are cool old bikes though , so it may be worth buying if you can repair some of it yourself.

chicken

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this one is easy walk away there is plenty of bike out there shop about and take your time get one that your heart wants not your head

no don't buy the repairs could high

pass on it. noone sales a bike thats never been laid down.

i would not take my chances. if so many things are wrong with the bike.. obviously it has been thru some abuse...

nope