June 12th, 2015, 05:16 PM | #1 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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Adding to the stable: a Ninja 300 ABS or RC390?
To be honest, I really only wanted a Ninja 300 for ABS, though the small displacement increase is a benefit I wouldn't complain about. I like the previous generations better in every other way, including style. The similarities with the EX250F and EX250J that I already have (with their obvious synergies) and the extra displacement bump was enough to get me to start planning on buying one eventually... until I saw the RC390. Now I'm torn.
I never thought I'd want a thumper, but reading the comparisons of the RC390 to the R3 and Ninja 300 makes it seem like they don't even notice. Perhaps that's the extra 75cc so it doesn't suffer at the top end? I dunno. If so, that would give it a notable advantage at the low end (extra torque) that I don't see much mention of. Now, those comparisons are made in a vacuum as if you were shopping for your only bike or, at the very least, they wouldn't assume that you are looking for the best complement to another small-displacement bike. I have multiple EX250 bikes and adding a similar 300 doesn't change much other than a small bump in HP and ABS. From what I hear, one-bangers are uncomfortable for commuting and, at low displacements at least, are less suitable for higher speeds. Thinking about it that way, it probably has an advantage for short jaunts around town on surface streets and the Ninjette would be the perfect complement for longer, higher-speed, highway/Interstate rides. So, from the perspective of adding another bike for incrementally higher displacement and ABS, which would you guys suggest as the better option? |
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June 12th, 2015, 05:27 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Aaron
Location: Winder, GA
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 718
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The RC390 has much more aggressive ergonomics, so that's something to consider if you really want something "different" from your existing 250s.
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June 12th, 2015, 05:58 PM | #3 | |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
That trellis frame, the headlight projectors, the upside-down forks, etc are still mesmerizing me for purely cosmetic reasons. I also would like something that I don't see on the street every day. Those are petty reasons to want it, so I'm looking for more reasoned bullet points from you guys before I bite the bullet on either bike. |
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June 12th, 2015, 06:13 PM | #4 |
Freedom for Germany
Location: This World
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R-FI Posts: A lot.
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What I would look for -> WEIGHT
RC 390 - 340 lbs R3 - 368 lbs Ninja 300 - 383 lbs (all wet weight) After I lowered the weight of my 2-fiddy by 17.5 lbs it's much more fun. |
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June 12th, 2015, 06:23 PM | #5 |
Private Joker
Name: Ben
Location: Towson, MD
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '14
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Think of fuel range as well, out of the four (incl. r3 and cbr300r) the 300 has the best range and the 390 has the worst range. If you ride distance or don't like gas stations the 300 is the way to go. Not that the 390 has bad gas mileage, it's just that the tank is literally half the size.
That said I'd get the 390, but that's so I could race it as it's allowed in the same class as the 300 and is the faster bike at the track, when in full race trim from ktm.
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June 12th, 2015, 09:57 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Poul
Location: Seattle
Join Date: Jan 2015 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Triumph Legend "Arwen", 2006 Ninja 650 "Matsuo Hotaru". 2010 Ninja 250 "Firefly" - sold. Posts: 338
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The Duke is not that aggressive.
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Screw the inscrutable, eff the ineffable. |
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June 12th, 2015, 10:42 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rebecca
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13
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The RC390 comes of as more of a track toy for me whereas the Ninja 300 is better for the street. Depends on what you plan to do with the new bike.
But the RC390 isn't the Duke 390 so how is this relevant?
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My Ninja 300 |
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June 13th, 2015, 12:03 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Poul
Location: Seattle
Join Date: Jan 2015 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Triumph Legend "Arwen", 2006 Ninja 650 "Matsuo Hotaru". 2010 Ninja 250 "Firefly" - sold. Posts: 338
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What's the difference between two, except the riding position and fairing?
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Screw the inscrutable, eff the ineffable. |
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June 13th, 2015, 02:00 AM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rebecca
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13
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Because sometimes the styling matters to people?
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My Ninja 300 |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
June 13th, 2015, 05:16 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: scott
Location: australia
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 ninja 250r se Posts: 435
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how about old school zx2r, zxr400 as a race prepped road registered bike.
learner legal bikes are going to 400cc soon anyway |
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June 13th, 2015, 06:18 PM | #11 |
Blind 250 Loving Whore
Name: Tom
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R, 02 FZ1, '20 Fat Bob 114 Posts: A lot.
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
June 13th, 2015, 07:44 PM | #12 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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Yep. Only thing I dislike about the RC390's styling is the blinkers and mirrors.Functionally, neither of those bikes exist in the USA. I had a ZXR400-based avatar pic for years.
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June 13th, 2015, 08:52 PM | #13 |
"scandal!"
Name: Adan
Location: Somewhere
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250R(Crashed 2/26/2014), 09 ER6n Posts: 660
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if the CP blue isn't a race bike then the RC390 but I would go the duke myself.
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June 13th, 2015, 09:22 PM | #14 |
Track Clown
Name: Chris
Location: Kingman, AZ
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Sep '15
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i would go with the RC, but i want to use that for racing.
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June 16th, 2015, 06:50 PM | #15 |
Inline 4!!!
Name: Danny
Location: MA
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.
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Just to help visualize.
I know you really wanted ABS. But to tell you the truth, I really don't think you'd need it. But I understand why you'd want it. I'd consider the R3 if I were you. But if you had to choose between the ninja 300 and KTM. Then i'd probably go with the 300 unless you were doing the track, then I'd go KTM.
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June 16th, 2015, 07:10 PM | #16 |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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RC390
No reason to own a 250 and a 300
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
June 17th, 2015, 11:55 AM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jay
Location: CT
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2015 636 ABS - 69 Honda 305 Posts: A lot.
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Thats how i feel, if im selling the 250 then ill buy a 300. If im keeping the 250 then ill get a 390 ( i wouldnt want the R3 anyway )
or maybe ill buy an 848.....wait whaT?
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Current - 2015 30th Anniversary Ninja 636 ABS - 1969 Honda 305 Scrambler Previously - 2011 Ninja 1000, 2008 Ducati 848, 2011 Ninja 250 SE |
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June 17th, 2015, 12:18 PM | #18 |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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Can't find a good enough deal on a 300 or make good enough money on the 250 to justify or I would have made the switch myself already.
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Keep it rubber side down and enjoy the ride Get healthy - Get Fit - Change Your Life Click Here Or PM Me To Find More - Advocare |
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June 17th, 2015, 01:25 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jay
Location: CT
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2015 636 ABS - 69 Honda 305 Posts: A lot.
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Im not going to sell my 250 though, i was just throwing that out there. Ive got too much time, money and mainly emotional attachment to it since it was my first bike.
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Current - 2015 30th Anniversary Ninja 636 ABS - 1969 Honda 305 Scrambler Previously - 2011 Ninja 1000, 2008 Ducati 848, 2011 Ninja 250 SE |
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June 17th, 2015, 01:30 PM | #20 | |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
although I say that but I HATE the idea of selling any of my bikes lol
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Keep it rubber side down and enjoy the ride Get healthy - Get Fit - Change Your Life Click Here Or PM Me To Find More - Advocare |
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