2013 Ninja 300 purchase

[ciderbarrel]

I need to ask, since I owned a 1999 Ninja 250 as my first bike back in the day, how does the 300 feel compared to a 250? Is there any real significant difference? I weight 300 lbs and I could still get that 250 to move despite the fact I think I weighed more than it, lol

[user removed]

I never owned a 250 Ninja. I have owned Rebels both 250 and 450, a 71 CB 350, an 87 Yamaha SRX 250, and the Suzuki TU250 X Vulcan 500, CBR 250 R (2011). I am 6 feet, weigh between 200-210 and 62 years old. A major consideration for me is riding position with the "standard" being my favorite, because it does not make my back hurt until I have covered probably over 100 miles, then it's time for a break.

Never rode a 250 Ninja but my understanding is it needs to be revved high to run decently.

The Ninja 300 pulls fine from 3k RPM in every gear. I have never rode a bike with a 13k redline but this Ninja 300, in my opninion is a quantum leap above any of the previous 250 CC bikes including the CBR250R, one of which I owned a rode several thousand miles last year (retired in my garage).

With a gross weight of about 580 for me and you being about 90 pounds heavier, I would think you would find the Ninja 300 to be profoundly better than the 250. The low speed torque is the secret to the improvement.

I can sit up straight on the Ninja, the postion is almost identical to the 71 CB350 and the Suzuki, in other words more of a standard seating position in a bike that looks like a sport bike.

Just be patient, I had been watching for a used Ninja 300 for months on craigslist, knowing that bike riders think they need more bike when they get some confidence.

I saved about a grand compared to buying new from a dealer. The taxes, fees, tags and a years insurance (no collision), cost me $253 over the $4k I paid for the bike.

After riding it for one day, I think I will sell all the other bikes except for the 71 CB 350 which has nostalgic value. Its funny how close the old CB and the Ninja are in performance, until you try to stop with those 42 year old cable operated drum brakes!

First bike I ever owned, 40 years ago was a Kawasaki 900 Z!. I got over the hyperbike phase on that one. Being where people did not expect you to be is the road to an early grave.

regards
Mech

[ciderbarrel]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Never rode a 250 Ninja but my understanding is it needs to be revved high to run decently.

The Ninja 300 pulls fine from 3k RPM in every gear. I have never rode a bike with a 13k redline but this Ninja 300, in my opninion is a quantum leap above any of the previous 250 CC bikes including the CBR250R, one of which I owned a rode several thousand miles last year (retired in my garage).

I sold it back in 2001 or so, but from I can remember, I had to keep it near 9-10k to get any decent acceleration out of it. It was like 35HP or so, so moving 650 or so (me + bike), I'm shocked I could take it on the DC beltway with "ease" (almost redlining every gear to get to speed)

I have a Valkyrie that I love for long rides. My back is like yours and I love the upright position and my back rest. I take it to the grocery store instead of my car just to save gas. I'm keeping the Valkyrie but I'd love to have a smaller bike I can throw some hard luggage on (no scooters!) sometime in the future for the small around town errands (10-15 mile or less round trips).

For as much as I hated how slow it was, that little 250 sure was fun to ride. I got a 87 VFR 700 after that, then a 03 Road Star Warrior 1700, then traded that in last year for my Valkyrie.

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I saved about a grand compared to buying new from a dealer. The taxes, fees, tags and a years insurance (no collision), cost me $253 over the $4k I paid for the bike.

That's pretty much what I pay for my Valkyrie here in the DC area w/ Geico.

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I know it coasts much better than the Suzuki, probably a combination of better aero and lower rolling resistance but the cumulative difference is significant, probably better than 30%. It is enough to change the driving strategy to utilize the longer coasting distances and the fact that it will maintain speed while coasting down hills that would not maintain speed on the Suzuki.

Sounds yummy. That scarce Fuelly data didn't impress me at all, but you make the Ninja look much better in my eyes

[renault_megane_dci]

It does very much depend on riding style on those small capacity engine.

I red above "decent acceleration", now what is that ?

Even a 125 can out perform the usual flow of cars at the lights (you have to keep it buzzed though)

I like the fact the Kawi is coasting good.

Mechman, you do as you please but for the cost of a front sprocket, I would try it (+2 availaible over the counter if it is the same as a EL 250)

[BHarvey]

Originally Posted by alvaro84

Sounds yummy. That scarce Fuelly data didn't impress me at all, but you make the Ninja look much better in my eyes

I haven't been impressed by the drivers/riders on fuelly either!

The average driver in same year car as mine averages around 24 mpg!
PATHETIC!

[user removed]

So far I have not had a chance to ride it enough to get another mileage figure. I did change the oil for the first time and do the other checks recommended in the manual at 557 miles (600 recommended).

I will probably get the 1 tooth larger front sprocket (7.14% taller) sometime soon, but after I get either a couple of thousand miles on it or when the warranty runs out in January 2014. Right now the way this thing is geared makes a Civic SI look like a VX.

I think it will get 80 or better when it gets some more miles and warmer weather. The tough thing is to not use the power that is available which is where the fuel mileage will drop offf rapidly if you ride dumb. With 0-60 times in the 6 second range and top gear good down to 30 mph if you are just maintaining speed (about 3250 RPM) try shifting 5 times in say 4 or 5 seconds.

The overall drive ratio in top gear is something like 7.8 to 1 so when you let off the gas and decelerate that deceleration is fairly severe which is another good indicator of the need to lower the final drive ratio. I would like to see the RPM match the speed, 6k at 60. Right now it is 6k at 54. That would require 1 tooth up front and 2 fewer in the rear which would get it close but then the speedo would need to be recalibrated electronically.


regards
Mech

[renault_megane_dci]

Dunno about the kawi but I had a bike with an electronic speedo once (SUZUKI XF 650 Freewind) and it was still taking the information from the front wheel !

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by BHarvey

I haven't been impressed by the drivers/riders on fuelly either!

The average driver in same year car as mine averages around 24 mpg!
PATHETIC!

That's it. They should be bad with any vehicle, not just with the Ninja 300. The new bike looked poor compared to the other types' Fuelly data when I looked it up.

Now there are many 300s there, but there's only one log that I wouldn't call awful at the first glance. Still much worse than mine with a 650, though.

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by renault_megane_dci

Dunno about the kawi but I had a bike with an electronic speedo once (SUZUKI XF 650 Freewind) and it was still taking the information from the front wheel !

I think it's easy to check: just coast a bit with the clutch. If it's calculated from the engine revs (which I wouldn't think) then the measured speed should drop immediately.