Anyone ride a Kawasaki Ninja 300

[KM85]

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone had a Kawasaki Ninja 300. I'm riding a honda cbf125 at the moment and when I turn 19 in November I'm thinking of going for my A2 license and then buying a ninja300.

Just wanted to know if they're any good? I've done my research and that, but it's better if I speak to someone about it.

Thanks in advance,
KM

[notbike]

Sound bike. A lot of people will tell you to get a big bike and restrict it for A2, but why you need something larger thats restricted is beyond me when the ninja and plenty other A2 bikes are more than capable of cruising on a motorway. I'm getting the ninja once I pass my test so hopefully soon

[Diggs]

I have two friends who bought them to do trackdays. The call them 'washing machines'... Great fun by all accounts...
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Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[KM85]

Yeah I'm not gonna be doing much travelling on the motorways anyway it's just so I'm not stuck on a 125 for ages! So you're with me on that lol.

I don't understand the washing machine part?

[P.addy]

[KM85]

Ahh fair play. I was looking for a bike that sounds great as well as being a good bike overall.

Any ideas on a bike for me then? Preferably one that doesn't sound "gash" ?

[notbike]

Lol I'm not going to keep the stock exhaust when I grab mine so it probably won't sound like a washing machine for long.

[Rogerborg]

Couple of things to bear in mind.

You'll be doing your A2 training and tests on something like a CB500F or possibly even an NC700S. So you'll be used to something bigger with a bit more torque and power, like the CBR500R.

If the Honda is too dull for you, the long awaited KTM RC390 should be out soon, will cost about the same as the Ninja or the Honda, will deliver a fair bit more oomph than the former and doubtless a lot more lulz than the latter.

Don't make any decisions until you're in a position to do so, would be the nub of my gist.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Pigeon]

[Rogerborg]

[Snorty]

If I had to go for such a low output bike I'd definitely choose the KTM as well. Looks like a lot of fun and it's not trying to look like a proper Ninja.
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Current: Yamaha FZ1 '07 | GSXR 750 SRAD

Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4

[Shinigami]

that KTM looks pretty sexy actually
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[kiwisaki]

I test rode one before I bought my er6f, the 300 was a hell of a lot of fun. It's quick enough for everything and does the job well, with really good fuel economy. Also the slipper clutch is

The highlight for me was the fact that, like the 125's, you can use the full rev range and even though you may not be going that fast, it feels fast and therefore fun
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Previous: MY2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R (Sold!), MY2012 Honda CBF125 (White, Sold!), MY2013 Kawasaki ER6F (White, Sold!)
Current: MY2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX10R, MY2012 Honda CBF125 (Red)

[Rogerborg]

Why did you get the ER6f then?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[kiwisaki]

[stevo as b4]

I personally think that some of you could be raving about a 39bhp 300cc twin, if it was in an RS125 chassis, and it weighed around 145-150kg instead.

Plenty will disagree, but for out and out sports riding, the current Ninja 300 is only lacking in chassis spec, suspension quality and sophistication, and by not having ultra sharp brakes.

It could lose 20kg easy with a slim aluminium beam frame, light forged wheels, and higher spec suspension too.

The 300cc and 39bhp bit is not the problem, well not for me anyway!
I'd be happy enough with one as a second bike to my KMX, even though the idiot inside me says a 260kg 1200cc V-max is what I really want!

p.s perhaps Kawasaki could fill a small niche for small track day bikes, by offering a lighter weight better specced Ninja 300SP as an official model? They already race the bike with extensive mods in a race series, so why not?

You could go all G, and say if you want a small light track bike, why not buy an NSR250 or Aprilia RS250 and strip all the road gear off it, or even buy an ex Superteen Aprilia RS etc? But they are all 10year old+ two stroke's with all the pitfalls of them, and there is room for a brand new model of bike that can be clean and pass all todays emissions tests etc.

[deadwolf]

Here in Malaysia we aren't getting the Ninja 300, instead they're releasing a Ninja 250SL ostensibly to replace their venerable 150rr stroker. Claims 23bhp or so with a single cylinder engine and 150kg curb weight.

KTM Malaysia wants to introduce the RC200 and RC390 next year though. Will be interesting to see how the 250SL will compare to 'em.
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Motorsapien Art

[_Iain_]

Good handling. Fancy slipper clutch. Looks good. Great MPG. Felt a little underpowered on the motorway, however I usually stick around 80-90mph when I just want to get to somewhere. Will happily indicate three figures on the speedo.

I liked it a lot, I found it fun. The other half liked it a lot too from a looks perspective, whereas she diddn't take a shine to the ER6-N or the F.

The ER-6 I found bland, dull & boring regardless of it having more power. Would have picked the Ninja 300 over it anyday. I can't imagine a restricted one being any better.
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[Robby]

I would rather ride a bike with a bit less power than whatever arbitrary limit I had to stick to, than ride something restricted down to that limit. I also like the feeling of a smaller engine in a higher state of tune, they feel a bit more eager. Larger engines in a lower state of tune can feel lazy, with a slow throttle response.

I wouldn't worry about the kerb weight, but the weight distribution is important. You want the weight to be low down and close to the centre of the bike. This is often touted as a new trick, but my 1990ish NTV600 follows the principles. Fitting luggage ruins the handling.

Also, don't get too worked up about getting the perfect bike right now. You'll have lots of bikes, and probably come across the perfect bike for you entirely by mistake.

If you want it to feel fast, get something naked. If you fit a double bubble screen, it will instantly feel much slower. I don't know what sort of alchemy they do, but 150 behind a double bubble feels like 75 on a naked bike.

[kramdra]

An older 250 IL4 screamer would cost a lot less even after fully rebuilding/restoring and be far more fun

Getting rare in UK but donedeal.ie has some.

[Rogerborg]

[hachi8]

[wr6133]

[moonzoomer]

I have never even seen a Ninja 300 but have owned one of the much older ZZR250 which is basically the same rev box engine, not a bad bike on the open road if kept above 9k rpm but a pain in the ass around the town due to high RPM peak power and torque, so many revs but so little go. These engines are ancient dating back to the early 1980s and were a failed attempt to keep up with the much more powerful strokers of the time in which they failed miserably but I suppose if you want a rev hungry middle of the road machine then there is not a lot of choice out there other than the Ninja 300 but it is a toy compared to the much older CBR250RR 4 cylinder machines and the like if you can find a good one.

[moonzoomer]