[Mike]

On YouTube skyline 44512 has a video entitled "Riding the Ninja 300" He says he rides a 600rr and is a MSF instructor. It's a pretty positive review.

That's me...I have posted these all on here too

I enjoy the 300 more than my 600RR for most types of riding. The 600 is now a track bike as it really never had any business on the street with 120HP all in the upper RPM range.

Here is my 600 hangin out with the new 300. I was letting a friend try the 300 and he agrees it is a blast and if he didn't go 130 every time he got on the highway he would replace his ZX10 with it

 

[Mike]

The same thing happened when I bought my WR250R, I almost stopped riding the CBR completely. The narrower tires and reduced weight makes it turn much faster. Being able to ride the bike to its limits frequently is very rewarding. If you do that on a supersport you have to be in triple digit speeds. Having taken a sweeping turn at 160 on the CBR and nearly had my heart stop I can say its a different kind of a fun on the 300. The adrenaline rush of the speed and danger is not there, but that takes away from the actual fun factor in some ways. The 300 is pure fun and is more of a blast to ride.

Then when you take into account the 87 octane gas AND way better gas mileage/range, incredibly cheap insurance, and lower cost of the bike itself it starts to make bigger bikes seem really ridiculous.

 

[Mike]

A big part to me was feeling my own mortality. I have had two near fatal high speed motorcycle accidents. I know several bikers who have died and had the misfortune of seeing a rider in pieces after a foreigner visiting the US turned into the oncoming lane in hi rental car, hitting him head on.

No matter how careful you are there are a lot of reasons that a bigger bike is more dangerous and the argument that you need the power to get out of trouble doesn't really hold up.

People often misjudge bikes and turn in front of them because of how quickly they can accelerate. I am much less tempted to break the law on a bike that can be ridden hard under the speed limit than on a bike I have to hit 73 to redline in 1st gear

To answer your actual question though, a 600 supersport is probably better in the canyons, but only if you are riding FAST. The extra grip and smoother/stronger I4 is just better for that kind of riding. When I put the power down on my RR the back end digs in and says its ready to test my skills. To push the bike I have to go really fast...it's a track bike. The big question is what speeds are riding the canyons at and do you do much regular street riding?

If you are always under 100mph the 300 will blow your mind. With stickier tires, exhaust , tune and MAYBE a damper, I could wreak havoc on much bigger bikes in the turns (I should know I have own one!)

The only disappointing thing about the 300 is the front brake but with better pads and SS lines I think they will have more bite but I would say they are adequate now- just have to get used to squeezing really hard compared to my CBR

With how nimble this thing is- it almost feels like the best kept secret in motorcycling. Everyone thinks once you know how to ride you have to get faster and faster bikes...all along the most fun to be had is with the "beginner" bikes

 

[Mike]

thanks for the youtube info dkw...would have enjoyed it more if the video quality was better...

hmmm...410 lbs v 379 lbs...100 hp v 39 hp...maybe numbers don't mean much...

anybody own a bigger sportbike for comparison?...

Geez I will start posting the **** things in HD. I never do just because I have to be on wifi and I post from my iPhone wherever I am.

All future videos will be HD

 

[Mike]

the most i have taken the cbr is 104 at 12k on a straight in the canyons...

i am thinking that i can get rid of my 600 and 250, and get a 300...one bike to do both canyon rides and commuting...

still can't get over trading 39 hp for 100+ hp...

mike...you son of a gun...you just posted before me...thanks for the input...

I have seen 105 GPS on the 300, and 162 GPS on the CBR. 300 probably would do a bit more. The speedo is pretty accurate, about 4% error.

Don't think about the HP numbers, the 300 is more fun overall. If I had to have ONe bike it would be my WR250R or BMW GS but thankfully my finances permit whatever I feel like buying lol.

The 300 has a ton of potential when you get a but more power from the top end with exhaust and a tune. Like I mentioned earlier the turn-in is much quicker on this bike also, making it feel much lighter than it actually is. I abuse it more than I do to my supersports because it is cheap and light...jumping it off curbs here and there even

Still has all the sex appeal of a bigger bike

 

[Mike]

I came from a 600, straight line speed is the only big difference. I am not one to get excited about straight line speed though..

That's something called "maturity" haha

When you don't have to ride a literbike just because its a literbike...then you don't have to ride a supersport just because its a supersport.

Beginner bike=Hogwash.

 

[Mike]

Another thing I love about the 300 (or a 250) is that it is not expensive. I always worry about the 600rr being knocked down when I park at places. Not as much with a 300.

If I could only choose one I would choose the 600 but in the city the 600 is too much machine in my opinion. The 300 works well and is affordable. You definitely do notice the weight difference and the 300 has plenty power for street riding.

I drive it over curbs and just generally abuse it...almost like a dualsport but not quite as hardcore.

I just don't worry about it, it was cheap and I have full coverage.