[thecomputerguy06]

I doesn't make sense to me why they would even manuCRAPture that bike. I know it's 200 more CCs but that bike is fugly to the core! People who root for that bike talk about performance. If they really wanted performance they should get a 600.

You either want an entry level bike or a sport bike. The 500 is neither in my book. A good rider on a 300 will smoke a granny shifting, tank squeezing, noob on that 500 any day of the week.

Back in the day Kawasaki made two different 600s. One toned down beginner version and one super sport version. ZZR600 & ZX-6R

I think Honda will be sorely disappointed with this bike. Only the real hardcore Honda die hards will really be into it. Ninja cornered the market with the 300, gonna be tough to beat unless Zook or Yammi comes out with a 349CC inline 4. Not likely ever! LOL

 

[hogire]

Yea well my eyes are stuck on the 300 but unfortunately, I just got off the phone with my insurance company and theres no way ill be able to get it now. $1760 for the year. Due to two tickets I had several years ago and an accident that was not my fault. So now I have to wait till 2014 to get the bike so that the tickets get off my record and insurance goes down. So upset, my heart flatlined when I heard the numbers.

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[fishdip]

Yea well my eyes are stuck on the 300 but unfortunately, I just got off the phone with my insurance company and theres no way ill be able to get it now. $1760 for the year. Due to two tickets I had several years ago and an accident that was not my fault. So now I have to wait till 2014 to get the bike so that the tickets get off my record and insurance goes down. So upset, my heart flatlined when I heard the numbers.

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Call around that is still a lot mine was 850.00 for full coverage and that is with losing my licence 2 times for speeding and laying out 1 bike and crashing a car. Now its all off and i pay 534 a year

 

[thecomputerguy06]

Yea well my eyes are stuck on the 300 but now I have to wait till 2014 to get the bike

It's a blessing in disguise. The 2014 model will have all the kinks worked out.
No fender pop out, no clutch stall, maybe the brakes will be better, and hopefully the brake and shift levers won't be so fragile.

Sometimes if you take a defensive driving course, they'll come down on your rate a bit.

 

[fishdip]

Or get the bike and use it to rob a bank and then u can pay the insurance. And on the good side u don't get away u still won't need to get insurance

 

[Brother Michigan]

Not sure what all the Honda hate is about...

A lot of people are just getting defensive about their purchases in the face of what will likely be the first realistic competition for the 300.

 

[Truesday]

A lot of people are just getting defensive about their purchases in the face of what will likely be the first realistic competition for the 300.

I look at it this way. Ninja 300 is a great bike. No further defense needed to be made for its quality.

Who knows? The 500 may find its niche market. I personally kinda dig the cb500f. I always wanted the CB400 and the 500f could hit the spot.

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[hogire]

Yea the defensive course will help but I think thecomputerguy06 might be right. At least in the second version they will work out some of the kinks. Hopefully they come out with a black/orange color. Prolly easier if I just wait till next year and just outright buy the bike and just get liability insurance then switch to full when my insurance record wipes clean. That way I dont need to pay for finances. Thx for all the help guys. It really hurts that I decided not to get it yet but I think building up and paying it off will be the better of the decisions. :'(

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[CopperHead]

@fishdip- So you would rather ride a moped than a small cc MOTORCYCLE? Just saying.

Honestly if you are getting a beginner bike/commuter then I would say 300. The 500 is too close to the 650 in price you are better off getting a 650 than 500 but only if you are comfortable with a middleweight bike.

300s are in the lightweight category with the 125s and 250s. But a little on the higher end.

If it wasn't for the fact I like smaller cc bikes and cars for their fun factor and economics. I would be going for a 650. I may get a larger cc bike later but I plan to keep the 300 for a commuter or the track.

Typed and sent by my right thumb using a Moto AtrixHD.

 

[fishdip]

I have a Honda metropolitan 06 that I have put just over 26k on. If I was Geting something just to ride to work or say school then I don't mind it. Heck it gots scrape marks on it after taking it around turns so hard I drag the plastic. To me its not about the size of the cc its having fun with it and around town a moped works just fine

 

[cruizin]

the 300 is an awesome entry level sports tourer for rookie and seasoned riders alike. the riding position is extremely comfortable and theres dozens of aftermarket accessories already available that fit it.
i get about 4 litres of fuel to the 100 kilometers of travel, with a 17 litre tank, thats awesome stuff, better then when i had my 2000 model vfr800 with power commander 3 & k&n air clean & pipe.
in the hands of someone who knows how to ride, this bike is a formidable weapon

 

[jgalen0025]

I am a noob to the motorcycle world but I still dont get why they(top 4) dont make a 3-400cc inline 4 supersport. I would buy that in a second!!

Back to the on task. I did some extensive research before i bought the 300. I too was originally going to wait for the cbr500r but the power to weight ratio is almost exactly the same as the ninja. The 500 seems really heavy and for what your getting the extra money doesnt seem to warrant the purchase. The only reason you would get the 500 over the 300 for entry level is if your a DIE Hard honda fanboy. Dont get me wrong I love honda but im not brand loyal. Proven by my 300 purchase.

My next purchase will be either a gixxer or cbr rr!

 

[cruizin]

once upon a time honda made the vfr400, fantastic bike in its day, 16,000 rpm and man it handled awesome.

if they re-released it, but shoved efi on it with upside down forks, that would be sensational.


however, i think now days politics has killed all the fun with all the emission controls and the likes

 

[Cracker7]

I was going to get the 300. But instead I bought the cbr250r. Fits my needs better. But that's me. Everyone's different. To me, the 300 has a great engine and looks awesome. But that's it. Fit and finish is not on par with Honda. And super sports are awesome. I've had a couple over the years. But most people riding them will never use the bike to its potential. Everyone thinks they're Rossi. Kinda funny.


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[Arcade16]

I was going to get the 300. But instead I bought the cbr250r. Fits my needs better. But that's me. Everyone's different. To me, the 300 has a great engine and looks awesome. But that's it. Fit and finish is not on par with Honda. And super sports are awesome. I've had a couple over the years. But most people riding them will never use the bike to its potential. Everyone thinks they're Rossi. Kinda funny.


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This. 300's performance is better, but the fit and finish of Honda's bikes is a step up.

Though you do get more vibration from the ride on the cbr250r.

As for Honda in general being "awful", let's not forget they have quite the racing pedigree...and kawasaki, well, they don't.

 

[Cracker7]

Yep.

Don't get me wrong though, Kawi makes great bikes. But this time around I went with the Honda. I'm a huge fan of Honda and Yamaha. Those are my tops


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[fishdip]

I hate Yamaha to many R1 squids who think they are cool.

 

[airin21]

I hate Yamaha to many R1 squids who think they are cool.

Haha, same reason I would NEVER buy a "gixxer"..

 

[Cracker7]

A lot of people out there riding 1000cc bikes with no idea what's going on, I'll give you that. But not liking Yamaha is crazy. Lol. Great bikes. Have you ever went for a ride on one? I've had a couple and they are very sweet. Fit and finish is top notch and they are built like tanks. Simply awesome bikes. IMO.


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[Cracker7]

As for Suzuki, I wouldn't buy one of those either. ?


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