Ninja 300 vs. cbr 500r

I myself don't have a problem with Yamaha or any other manufacturer.

Suzuki I just couldn't do though..

I think they're hideous, and then the squid "image" that comes with them.
That's not to say there aren't any riding other bikes, but usually when I see some idiot on two wheels they tend to be on a gsx-r..

Probably a great bike nonetheless

Hey guys I was really looking forward to buying a ninja 300 but when I got to the dealership I just fell in love with the cbr500r, anyways much respect to u guys on the 300 forums and I'm really jealous of your aftermarket selections available for the bike.. anyways im putting up some vlogging videos on youtube and would like if you guys check them out.. don't bash the 500r too much, after all these are just starter bikes

http://youtu.be/aZ8OYI4_D3g

feel free to stick around and tell us how you like your bike. I haven't written off the honda yet so I would like to see how things turn out. One suggestion I have is to limit each video to only one or two topics and try to keep them under 6 minutes long.

Shinobi Stu said:

feel free to stick around and tell us how you like your bike. I haven't written off the honda yet so I would like to see how things turn out.

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Thanks! I have been creeping these forums and really love what yall done to the bike. Some guys have made over 40whp, with the light frame and extensive list of mods, this bike is a great starter bike. I really like the triumph daytona 675r, probably my next choice after I get some more miles under my belt.

I haven't owned a honda before but what makes it worse off than a kawasaki?what are the pros and cons of owning each of these?I was under the impression that hondas are really good bikes

kenneth davidson said:

I haven't owned a honda before but what makes it worse off than a kawasaki?what are the pros and cons of owning each of these?I was under the impression that hondas are really good bikes

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Personally, Honda motors are known to be reliable. The bike was manufactured in Thailand. Very linear power curve but 8500 rev limiter. CBR500 is fairly new so the aftermarket scene isn't as big as the ninja 300's. Promising starter bike. Very light and flickable around the corners. It sits a bit higher, so may be better for a taller rider.

arizvi85 said:

Hey guys I was really looking forward to buying a ninja 300 but when I got to the dealership I just fell in love with the cbr500r, anyways much respect to u guys on the 300 forums and I'm really jealous of your aftermarket selections available for the bike.. anyways im putting up some vlogging videos on youtube and would like if you guys check them out.. don't bash the 500r too much, after all these are just starter bikes

http://youtu.be/aZ8OYI4_D3g

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Congrats on your choice. I would have been on a non abs black cbr500 but the dealer that was willing to deal, essentially msrp plus tax and license didn't have this bike in stock. We were negotiating on the tricolor ABS cbr500. The deal was amazing. Out of all the dealers I contacted, it was a showdown between a kawi and a Honda dealer. I ended up going with the ninja 300 because I didn't want to pay more for a bike just because of ABS. A week later another kawi dealer stepped up and would have gave me the 300 for 200 less than what I bought it for. It doesn't matter the deal is what it was and I am still happy. However, had the Honda dealer had a black non abs cbr500 there is not doubt I would have been on that bike. That said, the 300 is a champ and I am happy with the bike!

Uh - oh....trouble looms....

Was in the neighborhood a couple of days ago, and dropped by the Honda dealership to test-sit the CBR500R....

I liked it - it felt as light and maneuverable as the 300, but the seating position felt more suitable to my 6'2" frame...

Granted, it's been a few months since I sat on the 300, but from what I recall, it felt smaller than the 500, like my knees were sticking up above the tank dents....

Now, gotta get the 2014's in so I can do a PROPER comparison....

Watch out for the 8000 RPM!

GreenSmitten said:

Uh - oh....trouble looms....

Was in the neighborhood a couple of days ago, and dropped by the Honda dealership to test-sit the CBR500R....

I liked it - it felt as light and maneuverable as the 300, but the seating position felt more suitable to my 6'2" frame...

Granted, it's been a few months since I sat on the 300, but from what I recall, it felt smaller than the 500, like my knees were sticking up above the tank dents....

Now, gotta get the 2014's in so I can do a PROPER comparison....

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I like the 13000 redline, another reason why the 300 has turned out to be the better bike.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/c...da_cbr500r_vs_kawasaki_ninja_300/viewall.html

^THIS!

If I lived in an area with no twisties and/or commuted daily on a highway to work, hands down the CBR500. But there are so many technical roads where I live, I love the twisties and that is where the Ninja shines. I am small in stature so the extra weight of the Honda would not appeal to me. And I love to ring out the Ninja, music to my ears.

Get both is the soultion, combined its cheaper than a new Zx6r msrp.

A guy at work has the cbr 500, he was kind enough to let me try it out... just around the block. Felt like a cheap build and was really laggy on take off's not to mention the ugly cbr family looks. But I guess Honda are a reliable manufacturer, the vtr250 I had was indestructible. Resisted all my learner stalling and gear grinding, parts and service were cheap aswell.

Doubt it's worth the extra $1300 in msrp. It's rated much worse for mileage, weighs an extra 50 pounds and has 0.4 gallon smaller gas tank.

Save the money, buy a 300 and an exhaust and fuel controller. Pocket the $500 and be on your merry way.

Dave

Cough cough cheap build ? for one grand more the cbr500 is no where near some cheapness in the levers and dash of the Ninja 300. I dont play fanboy to any maker, use to ride a zx9 and zrx1200.

Much worse mpg, first fillup I got 59mpg, define much worse.

Acesftw said:

Cough cough cheap build ? for one grand more the cbr500 is no where near some cheapness in the levers and dash of the Ninja 300. I dont play fanboy to any maker, use to ride a zx9 and zrx1200.

Much worse mpg, first fillup I got 59mpg, define much worse.

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ninja 300 forum, what do you expect?

Fuel economy appears about the same, as for torque I can accelerate up hills pretty good.

No fanboy here. Have had Suzuki, Kawasaki and Ducati. I said rated MPG, though Honda hasn't released the number on the web, I thought I read it was in the 50s.

I don't care what anyone buys just pointing out some information for the original poster and people who are considering which to go for.

Maybe post some things you like about the 500?

Dave

Its 2 different bikes, all these shootouts between the Ninja 300 and CBR500 are missing the point. I knew what I had to choose from when I was shopping between the 2.

The CBR500 was from my test rides is a sports touring bike, something you want to ride from Seattle to Portland and back on the weekends. Its feels bigger and is bigger and heavier with a bigger motor and a softer suspension. In my bike minds that's a sports touring bike.

The Ninja 300 should be compared to the upcoming CBR300/350/400 or whatever it comes to.

I choose the 500 cause I did not want to work that hard for my speed and rev as high. I did ride the 300 for a few blocks and well for hours and hours on the weekends a high revving bike is not for me in the end so I went with a bigger motor and a bigger bike.

Love the dash on the CBR500, looks very sexy.

Let down by the rear tail light yet again though, Honda really needs to give the boot to whoever is in charge of lighting design.

In my opinion, sports bikes and high revs define a bike as a sports bike. Take away the revs and you are riding a neutered sports bike. You may as well get a cruiser.