Which fun little bike to get?

Toly · April 6th, 2016, 07:45 AM

So, I want a fun, nimble bike to toss around. The FZ07 I ride now is fine, but I want something smaller, more hooligun-like, to thrash around. Maybe track it, if I ever grow a pair

In my past life I had two of the "smaller" bikes: CB500F (didn't enjoy it much) and Ninjette 250, which was a lot of fun, but a bit weak on torque.

So, going forward, I see the following options:
KTM 390 Duke
Yamaha R3
Ninja 300
Honda CBR300R (possibly)

I haven't ridden any of these, so maybe someone who did, could chime in and offer his perspective on these.

Thanks folks!

adouglas · April 6th, 2016, 08:00 AM

I too had a Ninja 250 (newgen - 2008)

None of the little bikes will have much torque compared to what you're used to. The secret to fun on a small bike, as I'm sure you know, isn't torque. It's momentum and making the most of what you've got. The party starts at about 9,000 RPM and you can ride a Ninjette around all day long at 10K plus.

Of the little bikes, if I were to buy one tomorrow it'd likely be an RC390 (vs. the basically identical Duke), simply because it's the funkiest and most sport-oriented of the lot. Wish it weren't a thumper, though... the thing sounds like a weed wacker to me. Haven't ridden one.

Second place would be a toss-up between the Ninjette and R3. I like the R3's looks and it seemed decent when I test rode one. I liked it enough to put it in the selection set for further consideration. BTW during that demo day I rode the R3, FZ-09, FZ-07 and R6. Was expecting to love the 09, but the bike that spoke to me was the 07. Don't really know why.

The Ninjette is a known quantity... having had a 250 I know just what it's all about, and I know it's fun. In a way it's like the SV650. Well-sorted, very common, good support, a popular platform that you can't go wrong with. The 300 is the same with more power. On paper, the stock bike is about what you get when you do the standard mods to a 250, which I did. So I'm confident that I know what the 300 is like even though I've not actually ridden one.

I jetted mine, did the usual free things (emissions delete, etc) and put on an AreaP full exhaust, plus clip-ons and rearsets. Made the bike a lot better and gave it real character. I miss that bike. If I got a 300 I'd do the same thing.

The Honda doesn't do anything for me.

csmith12 · April 6th, 2016, 08:08 AM

Sirref · April 6th, 2016, 08:18 AM

Supermoto for small hooligan bike every day of the week

between your options the duke will have the best torque but I don't believe it to be the most fun (an RC390 would be a good choice) the R3 is the best of the bunch there but only slightly over the ninja 300. It just feels like a slightly more mature version of the baby ninja. I wonder if there will be another ninja update soon or not to one up it

cbinker · April 6th, 2016, 09:12 AM

I have heard a lot of complaints about the stability of the RC 390, you would be best to get either the Kawi or Yamaha

xorbe · April 6th, 2016, 10:40 AM

KTM 390 - most whp
Yamaha R3 - lightest weight
Ninja 300 - longest range
Honda CBR300 - gtfo

Go sit on all 4. I only felt right on one of them. Life would probably be easiest with the N300 or R3. I have an '06 Ninja 250, and just got the R3. The R3 is seriously quicker, but this also removes some of that "small bike fun factor". It doesn't wait around, or slowly wail up to 14k rpms. My first day on the R3 was an exercise of bouncing off the 12.5k rev limiter accidentally, it comes up fast. Having said that, my Ninjette is up for sale. The R3 forum is very active compared to the N300 forum.

Kinda want the FZ-07 you have lol ... gonna get a test ride from CL this weekend. FZ-07 is supposed to be the hooligan bike!

APEmike · April 6th, 2016, 11:07 AM

I have a 300, and my friend has a newgen. Riding them back to back is like night and day, power wise. The 300 make a LOT more torque and it makes it in places where you actually need it, mid-range especially. From 6k on it pulls on the 250 substantially. The R3 makes a smidge more.

Point, sure the 250 and 300 have very similar chassis dynamics, but the engine output profiles and numbers are quite different.

My 300 made 35.6whp on a dynojet. 79*F 27.43 in-Hg 8% humidity 1.08 SAE correction factor.

Toly · April 6th, 2016, 11:27 AM

FZ07 is a fun bike, and quite a few people prefer it to the FZ09 - I picked the 07 as it's lighter and feels more alive, with tons of character; it is certainly a bike you can flog much more on the street than the 09.

I'll probably keep it, as it is a good highway ride and is a hoot around town. I just want a toy second bike that I can ride the heck out of... The 07 has a bit too much HP for my skill if I were to play Rossi on it

AwDang · April 6th, 2016, 12:53 PM

Take the honda off your list. You'll be disappointed with the performance. I'd look at the R3 or a DRZ400SM

toEleven · April 6th, 2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirref

Supermoto for small hooligan bike every day of the week

and you don't have to give up that torquey feeling.

xorbe · April 6th, 2016, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirref

Supermoto for small hooligan bike every day of the week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IZn-C0Wf2g#t=136

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwDang

I'd look at the R3 or a DRZ400SM

But the DRZ400SM is carb ...

choneofakind · April 6th, 2016, 06:01 PM

CRF250L with CBR300R engine swap

Abu_Mishary · April 6th, 2016, 06:26 PM

When you said fun little bike, i was thinking smaller bikes such as the Kawasaki KSR 110. lol...

Ghostt · April 6th, 2016, 07:53 PM

EX500 a lot of similar parts to the Ninjette, and just as easy and cheap to set-up too. Look for a 2nd Gen 94 & up, the 1st Gen has some mechanical issues which Kawasaki addressed. Transmission issues, and CCT. They also upgraded the rear brake to disc instead of drum, and 17" rims.

And yes I own one.

corksil · April 6th, 2016, 10:39 PM

I spend a lot of time thinking about the term "fun little bike" and what it means.

We can all agree that it's more fun to push a tiny bike to it's limits than it is to putter around on something large without unleashing it's potential.

From my research it seems that the pinnacle of performance would be a CR500 single-cyl two stroke engine into a CRF250 dirtbike frame -- raise the front forks in the triple clamp, add some clip-ons and do away with the stock bars, supermoto wide rims and radial slick tires; barn-yard-engineering big brake kit up front with dual calipers and floating rotors, gear it for acceleration and in such a way that it tops out at 80mph. It would be a literal death machine. No riders without medical and dental insurance, and preferably with life insurance as well.

If you really do have more than a few marbles missing AND have had a few screws come loose over the years -- look into the maico 700cc two-stroke single-cyl snowmobile engines instead of the honda CR500 for a donor.

Being more realistic... I've been looking for a two-stroke 80 of some make, to couple with a stroker kit and a healthy overbore to net around 120cc of two-stroke power in a small framed 12" wheel dirt bike with adequate suspension and room for brake upgrades. Once again, a street machine with lowered front, radial slick tires and clip-ons.

If your goals are a little more sane and mild, there is large aftermarket support for 50/70/80cc four stroke minibikes. Stay away from chinese parts, they are everywhere.

A lot of fun can be had on small displacement bikes with properly set up suspension and brakes for full-sized riders.

I didn't like the ktm 390 much, it felt very tame and neutered in comparison to my built 250r.

jkv45 · April 7th, 2016, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbinker

I have heard a lot of complaints about the stability of the RC 390, you would be best to get either the Kawi or Yamaha

I have some time on a RC390, and didn't notice any stability issues. It's light and quick handling, but predictable. The engine is kinda flat and lackluster IMO. Not much happens, it just revs up without any peak or rush - then the shift light comes on.

For a fun little bike - maybe a Grom.

VaFish · April 7th, 2016, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toly

So, I want a fun, nimble bike to toss around. The FZ07 I ride now is fine, but I want something smaller, more hooligun-like, to thrash around. Maybe track it, if I ever grow a pair

In my past life I had two of the "smaller" bikes: CB500F (didn't enjoy it much) and Ninjette 250, which was a lot of fun, but a bit weak on torque.

So, going forward, I see the following options:
KTM 390 Duke
Yamaha R3
Ninja 300
Honda CBR300R (possibly)

I haven't ridden any of these, so maybe someone who did, could chime in and offer his perspective on these.

Thanks folks!

You are asking this question on a Ninja 250/300 forum. The correct answer from your list is the Ninja 300.

xorbe · April 7th, 2016, 10:50 AM

Get the Grom with a Panigale engine swap.

April 6th, 2016, 07:45 AM	#1
Toly ninjette.org guru Name: Toly Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428	Which fun little bike to get? So, I want a fun, nimble bike to toss around. The FZ07 I ride now is fine, but I want something smaller, more hooligun-like, to thrash around. Maybe track it, if I ever grow a pair In my past life I had two of the "smaller" bikes: CB500F (didn't enjoy it much) and Ninjette 250, which was a lot of fun, but a bit weak on torque. So, going forward, I see the following options: KTM 390 Duke Yamaha R3 Ninja 300 Honda CBR300R (possibly) I haven't ridden any of these, so maybe someone who did, could chime in and offer his perspective on these. Thanks folks!

April 6th, 2016, 08:00 AM	#2
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	I too had a Ninja 250 (newgen - 2008) None of the little bikes will have much torque compared to what you're used to. The secret to fun on a small bike, as I'm sure you know, isn't torque. It's momentum and making the most of what you've got. The party starts at about 9,000 RPM and you can ride a Ninjette around all day long at 10K plus. Of the little bikes, if I were to buy one tomorrow it'd likely be an RC390 (vs. the basically identical Duke), simply because it's the funkiest and most sport-oriented of the lot. Wish it weren't a thumper, though... the thing sounds like a weed wacker to me. Haven't ridden one. Second place would be a toss-up between the Ninjette and R3. I like the R3's looks and it seemed decent when I test rode one. I liked it enough to put it in the selection set for further consideration. BTW during that demo day I rode the R3, FZ-09, FZ-07 and R6. Was expecting to love the 09, but the bike that spoke to me was the 07. Don't really know why. The Ninjette is a known quantity... having had a 250 I know just what it's all about, and I know it's fun. In a way it's like the SV650. Well-sorted, very common, good support, a popular platform that you can't go wrong with. The 300 is the same with more power. On paper, the stock bike is about what you get when you do the standard mods to a 250, which I did. So I'm confident that I know what the 300 is like even though I've not actually ridden one. I jetted mine, did the usual free things (emissions delete, etc) and put on an AreaP full exhaust, plus clip-ons and rearsets. Made the bike a lot better and gave it real character. I miss that bike. If I got a 300 I'd do the same thing. The Honda doesn't do anything for me. __________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. Last futzed with by adouglas; April 6th, 2016 at 10:41 AM.

April 6th, 2016, 08:08 AM	#3
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	__________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

April 6th, 2016, 08:18 AM	#4
Sirref 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	Supermoto for small hooligan bike every day of the week between your options the duke will have the best torque but I don't believe it to be the most fun (an RC390 would be a good choice) the R3 is the best of the bunch there but only slightly over the ninja 300. It just feels like a slightly more mature version of the baby ninja. I wonder if there will be another ninja update soon or not to one up it __________________________________________________ I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see?

April 6th, 2016, 09:12 AM	#5
cbinker 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	I have heard a lot of complaints about the stability of the RC 390, you would be best to get either the Kawi or Yamaha __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

April 6th, 2016, 10:40 AM	#6
xorbe ninjette.org guru Name: xorbe Location: Bay Area, CA Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): N650 (and others) Posts: 408	KTM 390 - most whp Yamaha R3 - lightest weight Ninja 300 - longest range Honda CBR300 - gtfo Go sit on all 4. I only felt right on one of them. Life would probably be easiest with the N300 or R3. I have an '06 Ninja 250, and just got the R3. The R3 is seriously quicker, but this also removes some of that "small bike fun factor". It doesn't wait around, or slowly wail up to 14k rpms. My first day on the R3 was an exercise of bouncing off the 12.5k rev limiter accidentally, it comes up fast. Having said that, my Ninjette is up for sale. The R3 forum is very active compared to the N300 forum. Kinda want the FZ-07 you have lol ... gonna get a test ride from CL this weekend. FZ-07 is supposed to be the hooligan bike!

April 6th, 2016, 11:07 AM	#7
APEmike ninjette.org member Name: Michael Location: Tehachapi, CA Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 Posts: 160	I have a 300, and my friend has a newgen. Riding them back to back is like night and day, power wise. The 300 make a LOT more torque and it makes it in places where you actually need it, mid-range especially. From 6k on it pulls on the 250 substantially. The R3 makes a smidge more. Point, sure the 250 and 300 have very similar chassis dynamics, but the engine output profiles and numbers are quite different. My 300 made 35.6whp on a dynojet. 79*F 27.43 in-Hg 8% humidity 1.08 SAE correction factor. __________________________________________________ I ride because therapy is too expensive, and less fun.

April 6th, 2016, 11:27 AM	#8
Toly ninjette.org guru Name: Toly Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428	FZ07 is a fun bike, and quite a few people prefer it to the FZ09 - I picked the 07 as it's lighter and feels more alive, with tons of character; it is certainly a bike you can flog much more on the street than the 09. I'll probably keep it, as it is a good highway ride and is a hoot around town. I just want a toy second bike that I can ride the heck out of... The 07 has a bit too much HP for my skill if I were to play Rossi on it

April 6th, 2016, 12:53 PM	#9
AwDang ninjette.org guru Name: Pat Location: SW VA Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 286, 296, 599, 799 Posts: 436	Take the honda off your list. You'll be disappointed with the performance. I'd look at the R3 or a DRZ400SM

April 6th, 2016, 06:01 PM	#12
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	CRF250L with CBR300R engine swap

April 6th, 2016, 06:26 PM	#13
Abu_Mishary The Asian Caucasian Name: Abu Mishary Mohd Fairus Location: Malaysia Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250 SE 2015 (sold); Honda ADV160 (current) Posts: 796 MOTM - Jan '17	When you said fun little bike, i was thinking smaller bikes such as the Kawasaki KSR 110. lol... __________________________________________________ Losing someone is not painful. They are a part of us all this while and will always be with us. But missing them is.

April 6th, 2016, 07:53 PM	#14
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	EX500 a lot of similar parts to the Ninjette, and just as easy and cheap to set-up too. Look for a 2nd Gen 94 & up, the 1st Gen has some mechanical issues which Kawasaki addressed. Transmission issues, and CCT. They also upgraded the rear brake to disc instead of drum, and 17" rims. And yes I own one. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

April 6th, 2016, 10:39 PM	#15
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	I spend a lot of time thinking about the term "fun little bike" and what it means. We can all agree that it's more fun to push a tiny bike to it's limits than it is to putter around on something large without unleashing it's potential. From my research it seems that the pinnacle of performance would be a CR500 single-cyl two stroke engine into a CRF250 dirtbike frame -- raise the front forks in the triple clamp, add some clip-ons and do away with the stock bars, supermoto wide rims and radial slick tires; barn-yard-engineering big brake kit up front with dual calipers and floating rotors, gear it for acceleration and in such a way that it tops out at 80mph. It would be a literal death machine. No riders without medical and dental insurance, and preferably with life insurance as well. If you really do have more than a few marbles missing AND have had a few screws come loose over the years -- look into the maico 700cc two-stroke single-cyl snowmobile engines instead of the honda CR500 for a donor. Being more realistic... I've been looking for a two-stroke 80 of some make, to couple with a stroker kit and a healthy overbore to net around 120cc of two-stroke power in a small framed 12" wheel dirt bike with adequate suspension and room for brake upgrades. Once again, a street machine with lowered front, radial slick tires and clip-ons. If your goals are a little more sane and mild, there is large aftermarket support for 50/70/80cc four stroke minibikes. Stay away from chinese parts, they are everywhere. A lot of fun can be had on small displacement bikes with properly set up suspension and brakes for full-sized riders. I didn't like the ktm 390 much, it felt very tame and neutered in comparison to my built 250r. __________________________________________________ Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy.

April 7th, 2016, 10:50 AM	#18
xorbe ninjette.org guru Name: xorbe Location: Bay Area, CA Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): N650 (and others) Posts: 408	Get the Grom with a Panigale engine swap.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

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