A2 "sport" bikes - Ninja 300 vs CBR500R

[notbike]

Which of these two would you have if you were stuck on an A2 license for two years?

Disregarding the the whole cost effectiveness thing and the "Just get any old 47bhp bike" mentality, what would be more fun in terms of power and the bike being exciting and fun etc. Not thinking about the commuting aspect so much or reliability.

I like sport bikes (I'm fascinated by them idk why, sorry ) and I'm getting my A2 license soon which means I'm looking at bikes right now, and these are the two bikes I've chosen as my options.

Also I don't want to get a restricted bigger bike, that's already a do-not-want for me 'cause when I get my full license I'm jumping straight on an R6 if my wallet can handle it, meaning any bike I had restricted I wouldn't derestrict and keep anyway, so that's out the window.

I cannot for the life of me decide which of these two bikes I want.

I know the Ninja 300 is slower than the CBR500R in taking off and at top end it's slower too but I won't need or use all the power anyway? Reviews also say the Ninja 300 is more capable in cornering than the CBR500R. I also really love a bike that revs high, for no reason at all I like it and it gives me a sport bike boner, meaning the Ninja 300 wins on that.

I've sat on a bigger bike than both of these two and enjoyed the sheer pulling power it gave, but the CBR500R wouldn't have arm-pulling throttle response so I dont think the extra BHP it gives over the Ninja is that big of a deal. I'm doubting that the CBR500R would satisfy my sport-bike-wannabe-boner as much as the Ninja probably would.

The only thing the CBR500R has in favour over the Ninja is the extra BHP imo, if the ninja had 47bhp like the honda I'd choose it straight away.

So... Help me choose one gogogo

[FlightRisk]

Ninja 300 'cos it's just sexier.


Edit:
I was wrong, I take it back. Just had a little look on youTube, the Honda goes faster AND sounds nicer. Kinda sounds a lot like mine actually.
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Honda CB500S

[c_dug]

Whats the budget? Around £3k?

I'd have one of the old proper mini sports bike 250's myself, a cbr250rr or something similar, I reckon for £3k you'd find a tidy, not ragged to death model.

I believe they do fit into the new licence categories too?
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[Slacker24seve...]

Neither. I'd wait for the KTM RC390.
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[thepuma]

The CBR500R Has a more upright seeting position...the Ninja300 is more sporty and leant forward.

Go test ride both and see how you feel.
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[wr6133]

Neither I'd get a CBR400 and restrict it.

But if I had to choose........ the Ninja, looks better and will be quick enough. I have an aversion to the 500 as it's just a CB in a dress.

[grr666]

Slipper clutch on the Ninja 300

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSjhr1aHpeE

Oh and why don't UK female bikers look like that???
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[dydey90]

I thought it would be a good idea to get a bike that falls under the 70kW level and restrict it down, that way when I get an unrestricted licence next year I don't feel like I need to trade up with 18 months of finance remaining.
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This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[thepuma]

[notbike]

Cheers for the feedback guys, it really looks like most people prefer the Ninja 300. The Duke 390 seems like an awesome bike but the problem is I'm probably not buying new just cause I know I'll only be keeping it a couple years until the restriction is up and flogging it.

I still have months to decide but it looks like the Ninja is the way forward so far

[stevo as b4]

I'd quite like a Ninja 300R as a sporty commuter and weekend bike, but no way would I buy the CB500R. Have looked at them up close, and they seem no better in many ways than a CB500 twin mk1.

They are not sporty, and the finish does not look very 1990's Honda either. A de-tuned 46bhp 500cc would feel pants compared to a 39bhp 300cc revvy motor I would imagine too.

[notbike]

I just had a look at the CB500 xD it looks like if you sellotaped a bit of plastic on the sides it'd look like a CBR500R. What pisses me off atm is the Ninja 300's insurance quote is almost double that of a CBR500R.

Fucksticks.

I might just stick with the R125 until I get a year of no claims then see if either is affordable. I said I wouldn't get into the money side of things but forgot to take into account insurance somehow xD

[Conzar]

I wouldn't class any of them as sports bikes.

Id be looking for the most fun you can get on the 47bhp license IE.DRZ, rc390
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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[Aff]

[notbike]

Omfg I just remembered supermotos exist.. That could be a good alternative. I've always thought those would be super fun actually. Hold on let me google around a bit

Also the more I look at that RC390 the more I want one

[Conzar]

Just get a supermoto, i got bored of a 33bhp bike after 3 gear changes.
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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[smithyithy]

I bought a 90's 400 import for miles less.

Yeah it's a bit older, but 55bhp standard, proper inline-4 screamer.

[grimgunner]

I'm in the same boat as you, I passed my A2 last year Aug and was in 2 minds whether to get the ninja or honda, still a year down line i don't want either....I just want a R6! And now i think i might wait until next year just to buy the R6.... it's only 12 months away

[notbike]

I wouldn't mind a cbr250rr mc22 or something actually. Can chav it up with a Tyga bodykit XD

Grimgunner are you me xD some reason can't get my mind off the R6. Its the only bike I want.

[G]

I was going to edit the poll to add 'digging your own eyes out with a rusty spoon', but realised that'd make the pool irrelevant as most would find that considerably more fun than the bikes listed.



In the end, you can have fun on any bike, including the two distinctly lacklustre commuters-with-fairings you list.

For fun, I'd probably go for the smaller one out of the two, for daily riding the bigger.

In reality - spend £1k on a SV650 and get a little dyno time to make some throttle restricters.

[DRZ4Hunned]

I'm going for a CBR400 for my A2, insurance is only £255 TPFT. I prefer the styling of earlier bikes and believe the build quality is superior to the modern ones that are built in india/ brazil.

[stevo as b4]

I do think it's a shame that the 39bhp 13000rpm 300cc Gem in the Kawasaki is not housed in a chassis of a spec similar to an Aprilia RS125, but with fully adjustable suspension etc, as I think there is an excellent small track bike waiting to get out in the Ninja 300, if it had the chassis to do so, instead of being a semi sporty commuter or half assed attempt at a 300cc sportsbike depending on how you look at it?

[FlightRisk]

[kramdra]

You realise a CBR500 is not a sportsbike, and actually has 10hp less than a cb500 commuter?

[deadwolf]

Dunno about you guys but in Malaysia we're getting a Ninja 250SL (slim, light, apparently) that is meant to replace the 2t 150RR, compared to which it costs double the price, weighs more, and produces less power. Total fuckery

https://www.kawasaki-cp.khi.co.jp/mcy/street/14_bx250ab_e.html

Still looks fun but I wish they could have gotten the weight down even further. The 150RR is like a bicycle!
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