Korean Job Discussion Forums

woodstock · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

I'm considering buying a 2001 Mirage. The bike looks clean, well maintained, and in decent working order. The seller is asking for 1million won. I've checked passo and bikemart and the price seems right. I plan to have my bike guy give the Mirage a check up. I've heard these bikes are prone to electrical problems.....True? I haven't been able to find much in the way of reviews on the web.

So, any feedback, potential problems and a comments on the asking price are what I'm looking for input on....

Thanks for your time in advance....

aphase · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

i would strongly recommend NOT buying a 2001. The reason is because some parts for that bike are no longer made. For example, you can no longer get new fuel pumps for that bike (the older ones use an electrical fuel pump while the newer ones use vacuum pumps). Also the starter switch has been changed since the year that bike was made, so replacing that would also be difficult.

If you want a mirage, i would get something which is 2006 or newer.

I used to have a 2001,

1 million would definately in my opinion would be too much for that bike seeing how as you would probably have to junk it when a part on it breaks and you won't be able to replace it.

Never had electrical problems tho.

woodstock · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Thank you for the heads up on the parts availability. One of the reasons I was looking at the bike was the low cost of repairs and parts availability.

Thanks for your time.

talltony4 · Joined: 09 Aug 2004

I don't think parts availability would be *too* much of an issue.

With the number of bikes that get abandoned/written off in an accident there are plenty of second hand parts around.

Probably plenty of new parts in stock as well.

And if you really can't find a replacement fuel pump then a replacement engine will only be a few hundred.

I think if you trust the seller, and the bike is in your area and in good condition, then you should buy it.

1 million is not bad.

woodstock · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

I do trust the seller and will have the garage I use check the bike out. I just don't want to get caught with a bike that is hard to fix or has a history of problems.
The bike doesn't have a kick start and this can be a problem if the electrical isn't working.
Thanks again for your comment.

Italy37612 · Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Location: Somewhere

I would only pay 1 mil if the bike was in stellar condition with very low mileage. Otherwise I would say anything over 800,000 is too much.

woodstock · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

If the check up is positive from the mechanic, then 800,000 is what I would offer....
I can't remember the Kms right now but from my experience in Korea they're hard to determine because of the roll backs that happen with the odometer.

aphase · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

Richard Krainium · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

Any ten year old motorcycle is going to have problems. Aphase has experience with this model. Best to avoid if you need something reliable that won't spend a lot of time in the shop.

These motorcycles are so cheap. If you're going to be taking road trips around Korea, or plan on keeping this bike longer than a year or two, spend an extra million and get something newer.

v88 · Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Location: here

I would tend to agree with Aphase about buying a 2006 and up. Both the Comet (GT250) and the Mirage (GV250) had some big changes in 2006, then again in 09 (injection and what not). You can get a much better bike for 2 - 3 mil (06 - 08 model).

Although a buddy of mine is still riding his 2002 Comet and hasn't had major problems with his mechanic...he does go to the shop a lot though. He may have spent all the money he saved on the purchase price on repairs by now. He does get it fixed though as we go to a mechanic that is a master at finding used parts to keep older bikes going. His bread and butter is the quick service guys. I had a 97 Daelim 125 that he kept running and I loved riding it.

If you are not interested in forking out the change up front, don't want to worry about your bike much (who the hell cares if ya dump it or leave it locked up outside the train station for a week) and don't mind the hassle of going to the shop every couple of weeks to hang with the mechanics I say go for it.

If you would rather have something that was more enjoyable to ride and own (and safer) shell out the cash.

PS: there is a forum for expat riders here in Korea