I've not been able to ride much lately. Mostly because lately if I am not adulting, I am not sober. I never ride under the influence. Anyway, the adulting has paid off big for me monetarily. So with this boon I have been very tempted by the siren song of the 2017 Ninja 650, or possibly the FZ07. I was not sure.
So I set aside the money and have been making sure to get some ride time in this week. After spending some time with my Ninja, I am in love all over again. While a new bike certainly sounds appealing, I think I might just restore the drop damage from the previous owner and bling her out.
She is almost completely stock right now, only mod are black adjustable shorty levers, and a dark smoke Zero Gravity Double Bubble.
Loving it as well. I say mod her up and go for another bike in a few years or something. After my m4 full exhaust / flash tune and all the rest of the mods she feels like a new bike that I will be cherishing for a while to come. Driven clip ons angled inwards and rear sets highly recommended.
I feel you on that! I've had mine for almost exactly 3 years now and I have decided I will never get rid of it, even when I get my 2017 Aprilia RSV4 RF later this year. My 300 has taught me so much about riding, though it has been dedicated to being a track ready bike that is still street legal (not in all states of course). Mine has been modified to the point where it is just about FIM World Super Stock 300 spec if I were to remove the street legal stuff on it. It wasn't cheap to do but my god was it worth it all. To simply say what was done with mine, take it completely apart, throw away 75% of what is there, and buy much better things. My list of mods is too much to type but I do list them in my "Garage section" of my profile on here. I usually am not on this forum very often but feel free to check it out.
If you have any questions about modding, feel free to PM and I can help.
As a Ninja 650 owner I wouldn't recommend going from the 300 to a 650. (I started on a 650.) Let me qualify that statement. The 650 is a sport touring bike. Compared to the 300 it's very upright. If that's what you're interested in, then go for it. I've easily done 1000 miles on the bike in a day without the need for a chiropractor or orthopedic surgeon. The bike's pretty comfy. It's a wonderful beginner street bike and the 2017 updates ought to help it a lot. Hell, I'd sell my 2012 and take a 2017 any day of the week.
However, if your interested in more performance oriented riding at the track, the 650 isn't the bike for you. It's a beginner bike. I took mine to the track several times and learned quite a lot on it. IN fact, I did a lot of work on the brakes and I really learned how to brake on this bike. I had a great time on it but, I wanted to push my riding a bit further. On track, within about 6 days, I started sliding the bike and reaching the limits of chassis and suspension of the stock bike. To further improve on it would have cost me a pretty penny, money better spent on an actual track bike. Instead I bought a 600cc, a ZX6R. I'll have trouble reaching the limits of the ZX6R. With the way my ZX6R is decked out I should be able to reach similar times to a Moto2 bike. (My home track is COTA.) My ZX6R has already turned a 2:21 with a decent amature rider.
So depending on what your looking for in your next bike the 650 may or may not be a good bike. (I've got a novice buddy that's learning on my 650.)
What are your goals, where do you want to take your riding?
Thanks for the replies guys! Its good to know I am not alone in my love of the Ninja 300.
Gregg I checked out your bike, I have never seen a full Brembo setup on a 300! I also checked out your youtube. Those are sick track runs! You are riding the brains out of that little bike. I just might try and pick your brain a little bit once I get things in motion.
Elijah you ask some very good questions. So, 20 year old me would absolutely already be in possession of a 636 no questions asked. I am 35 years old now, and I have a kid. I really don't think something like a 636 is right for me. The 636 is a great looking bike. The family resemblance maybe why I am so in love with the way the Ninja 300 looks. Really thought the riding position is the biggest turn off to me, I want to be comfortable. I also discovered I have no love for the feet forward position cruisers offer when I took my MSF course. My Ninja feels good, the seat is not as comfortable as my CBR 250R's but the position is great. Relaxed but at attention.
I was tempted by the much better looks and weight(compared to previous years) and better torque of the New 650. Also the dash is right on them. Digital tachs for no real logical reason turn me off. The lower red line on 650 is in my opinion a draw back. I like to rev, its no I4 but to my ear the twin sounds great once wound up! Now what do I want out of my riding? Well, I am not a racer and never have been. I just ride for fun and adventure. To feel alive and have some me time.
The 650 may be a good bike for you. Iv'e had a complete knee reconstruction and two (serious) spinal surgeries and the 650R is a comfy bike for me. It's sporty enough to have fun in the twisties or do a track day yet upright enough that I can ride all day with no troubles. Mine pulls to about 115MPH with no trouble, hitting the 127MPH top end takes a little longer. Basically where this is going is that the bike has zero issues with the highways with plenty of overhead. So if you're looking at the 300, take a look at the 650 too. You won't be disappointed.
FZ07 has tons of power. I accidentally power wheelied pulling out of the dealership on a test ride. Havent ridden a 650, but I prefer naked bikes. When I upgrade from the Ninja to something else, the Ninja will become the wife's bike.
chevyguyjoe- The FZ07 looks like such a fun wheelie machine. While I love the look of a bike with fairings... I really start thinking about the naked bikes when I finish putting the fairings on my bike and realize I suddenly have some extra bolts.
Elijah- Yeah I still think the 650 might be a good fit, but the 2017 model is the one I want. Being brand new, there's no left overstock to make a good deal on. I think I will revisit the idea in a couple years.
I currently have a 300 and I take it on the highway, it's capable. Just some more grunt at 80 mph would be nice. So I think I am going to work on cosmetics and upgrades for her. I just bought an Akraprovic mated to an FMF header for a great price from a forum member!
So I am thinking I will get a fender eliminator on her, get the steel braided brake lines, upgrade the pads. Then get a base line dyno done, mount the exhaust and get a tune done(so I can see the gains on this bike.) Maybe even a quick shifter! I know its not going to add a lot of power, but just a little bump on an already great bike will be fun and exciting.
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