Next bike - Ninja 300?

Wepohn · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:23

Hey guys, I've not been on my bike long (YBR 125), only 2 weeks but I can't help but wanting a bigger bike and I'm wanting somethin' a bit more than the standard 250 but I'm not so sure about a 600.

So, been looking for some reviews on the Ninja 300 but I really can't find much about it, what do you guys think?

wazza300 · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:32

a 300? didnt know they made one i know they doo a mini zx250r ninja

MrKeeno · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:34

I dont think the 300 is even out yet, I was in a local kwak dealer last week and no sign of it.

arctine · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:48

ZXR400?

On Holiday · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:49

Why aren't you sure about a 600? I've been looking at quotes and the Ninja 250 cost same as an ER6F to insure. You'll still be limited to the 33bhp anyway.

Have you really got the upgrade-itch within 2 weeks?!

Sagalout · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:56

Saw a review of the 300 the other week - bike mag or MCN. Anyway, they loved it - a lot of fun and decent quality.

It's a shame that riders these days want to go straight to 600's, especially restricted ones. There's a lot of fun to be had on smaller bikes?

Always used to be a natural progression from 125 to 250 then 400/600 etc

Brackish · 12 Oct 2012 at 00:38

Natural progression these days goes 125 then 600. So few 250 - 400's and so many 600's around. A new design of a 400cc range of bikes would be ideal these days.

PS it really is horrible posting from a .mobile.

Souleh · 12 Oct 2012 at 00:47

People are buying 600's cause theyre stylish. Start making well built and good spec 400's and you might see a return. 300 is new this year but looks promising, kawasaki are going back to their old ethos of power is better now with the 636, 300 and buck mad zx10r.

On Holiday · 12 Oct 2012 at 07:11

I'm thinking the 300 won't come to the UK til after the test/license changes etc?

hlxbravo · 12 Oct 2012 at 10:40

Wasn't that zx250 an absolute screamer of an engine? If its the one I am thinking of I saw a US of A video of one and I think the guy gets it up to about 18 or 19k on the revs !

VoG · 12 Oct 2012 at 23:04

Wepohn said:
been looking for some reviews on the Ninja 300 but I really can't find much about it, what do you guys think?

I think £4800 for the vanilla & £5200 for the ABS version would put me right off, frankly ide rather spend a fraction of that on some disposable 600 i could get some much needed experience on.

Ide be terrified of dropping that new Ninja 300 at those kinda prices. :eek:

wazza300 · 13 Oct 2012 at 17:07

i read a review in a bike magazine today,gets great reviews,good spec too with a 140 section rear tyre and a slipper clutch to boot!!! something like 39bhp

i agree with vog though a cheap second hand 600 with around 100bhp would be a more futureproof choice,depends on insurance costs

Scythe · 13 Oct 2012 at 17:34

Souleh said:
People are buying 600's cause theyre stylish. Start making well built and good spec 400's and you might see a return. 300 is new this year but looks promising, kawasaki are going back to their old ethos of power is better now with the 636, 300 and buck mad zx10r.

I went straight for a 650 because parts and stuff are not easily available for 250/400s and a lot have been thrashed. Also when I derestricted mine, it was like a new bike

Looking at a street triple or GSXR600 for next year

Wepohn · 13 Oct 2012 at 17:48

wazza300 said:
i read a review in a bike magazine today,gets great reviews,good spec too with a 140 section rear tyre and a slipper clutch to boot!!! something like 39bhp

i agree with vog though a cheap second hand 600 with around 100bhp would be a more futureproof choice,depends on insurance costs

100bhp? would I not be looking at the supersports then? :O (zx6r looks nice

)

Really I figured that there wouldn't be all that much difference between the Ninja 300 and a ER6F but the insurance costs for the 600 are much lower than I thought.

Am I right in thinking that I wont be restricted to 33bhp if I do Direct Access. I'm 24 and thought the changes in January wouldn't affect me.

On Holiday · 13 Oct 2012 at 17:51

Yep, I'm fairly sure if you do DAS you won't be restricted.

TheYoungster · 13 Oct 2012 at 19:16

Suzuki DRZ 400 SM

dsb · 13 Oct 2012 at 20:23

Don't be scared of how powerful a bike is, I test rode a 173bhp BMW today coming from a vstrom 650 and I rode it like I stole it.

The worst advice I have ever been given was don't get a big bike for a first bike. I'm looking at trading in for what I wanted originally. It will only go as fast as you will let it.

Dogbreath · 13 Oct 2012 at 20:52

You don't have to go straight to a full on 600 sports bike, something like an SV650 or ER6 will give you a very nice step up in power without being ridiculous.

wazza300 said:
i read a review in a bike magazine today,gets great reviews,good spec too with a 140 section rear tyre and a slipper clutch to boot!!! something like 39bhp

A slipper clutch on a 300 twin is as much use as a chocolate teapot. However, the slipper clutch in this case is essentially a side effect. The clutch is designed to bite harder the more the torque you put through it so Kawasaki could use light clutch springs and get a nice light feel at the lever which was the actual aim of this IIRC.

The Ninja 300 looks like a nice bike, but it has two downsides: it's pretty heavy for a 300cc bike (174kg) and it looks like it's going to be very expensive; more than a new SV650 and almost as much as the ER6 according to a review in one of the bike mags.

Dogbreath · 13 Oct 2012 at 20:53

dsb said:
It will only go as fast as you will let it.

And a lot of people don't seem to have much self control...

pugheaven · 17 Oct 2012 at 13:00

That price on the 300 is a waste of cash, blimey my mate got a 11 plate CBR600 for £6k... I mean... why spend so much ona 300 that won't last you a lifetime (probably)... may as well just save cash and buy a 6xx