2013 vs 2014 N300s

ally99 · November 24th, 2014, 11:58 AM

Hey y'all. I'm looking for opinions.
I could get the attached 2013 N300 SE w/ ABS for $4100 walkout price or a new 2014 one (black like my last one) for $4850 walkout.

Admittedly, I do like the green halo headlights on the SE, but I've also never felt like I needed or wanted ABS on a bike.

Any notable difference between the 2013s and the 2014s?

Sirref · November 24th, 2014, 12:06 PM

Is the 2013 new?

I've never kicked the front abs in, even with trying to do so. I'd go for it off the price difference myself. 4,100 is a really good price for a '13 N300 even on the used market here.

Rogue · November 24th, 2014, 12:06 PM

The graphics patterns and for 2014 they offered ABS in color schemes other than the green SE. That's they only difference.

Keep in mind that ABS makes it more difficult to do some mods/maintenance such as switching out the brake lines.

LittleRedNinjette · November 24th, 2014, 12:10 PM

Do you like the SE more than all black?

Halos would look good on either... The black you can accent with different colors. But the SE has sweet graphics.

Never had ABS so i can't realy comment there.

If it was me i would probably go for the cheaper 2013 and spend the difference on upgrades.

tfkrocks · November 24th, 2014, 12:38 PM

Id just go for the cheaper option. I've never had my abs kick in either so I can't speak to that. Yes the brake lines are more annoying though.

csmith12 · November 24th, 2014, 01:22 PM

Ally, you plan on not hitting the track again. So ask yourself, would ABS benefit you on the street in any way? Only you know how you ride street. If your defensive enough then maybe abs is not worth the extra expense. Then again... after just hitting a deer where the abs kicked in in my cage... one can never predict the future ya know.

Do I feel abs helped, yes. Would it have changed the outcome? No. Had I ever had abs kick in before? No

Up to you, but just sharing my experience. Like you, I was somewhat "meh" for abs, but maybe there is something more that I don't know.

ally99 · November 24th, 2014, 01:29 PM

Great points mentioned! Ben, the 2013 is used with 1,500 miles on it.
I don't love the graphics on the SE, but they can be peeled off pretty easily.

Thanks Chris. Good food for thought. The ABS bike is actually the cheaper option since it's used. I wonder how it was treated during its break-in period, but I guess buying used, one never knows.
Overall, I like it and am leaning toward the 2013.

Brother Michigan · November 24th, 2014, 02:08 PM

Check for gaps where the side fairings meet the headlight fairing; some of the 2013s have issues with the side fairings popping out there.

Hero Danny · December 8th, 2014, 08:56 AM

Definitely go with the ABS 2013. You may not need the ABS, but it's a better deal. Also ABS on these 300's don't really weigh that much more.

Hero Danny · December 8th, 2014, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Michigan

Check for gaps where the side fairings meet the headlight fairing; some of the 2013s have issues with the side fairings popping out there.

Mine does that :'(

EsrTek · December 8th, 2014, 10:28 AM

No difference in Bike other than graphics (and possibly ABS).

cadd · December 8th, 2014, 11:45 AM

I would personally go for the 13 w/abs. It's less expensive and abs is there in case you ever are in a situation where you may instinctively stab at the brakes (especially in the rain).

CZroe · December 12th, 2014, 07:32 AM

"Green halo headlights?"

ninjamunky85 · December 12th, 2014, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

"Green halo headlights?"

It's a used bike, so must have been installed by the original owner. The SE didn't come with different headlights from the factory.

Like this

Bubba · January 9th, 2015, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue

The graphics patterns and for 2014 they offered ABS in color schemes other than the green SE. That's they only difference.

Keep in mind that ABS makes it more difficult to do some mods/maintenance such as switching out the brake lines.

Galfer sells ABS line kits.

Bubba · January 9th, 2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Definitely go with the ABS 2013. You may not need the ABS, but it's a better deal. Also ABS on these 300's don't really weigh that much more.

Anti-lock brakes are like helmets -a segment of riders will swear they never need them, and the data is overwhelming that both can safe your life.

spacemonkey · January 9th, 2015, 12:55 PM

I bought a 250 instead of a 300 with ABS. I have locked the brakes a couple times trying to brake aggressively before a corner to find out there was a little sand on the road. I haven't dumped it but came close the last time the brakes locked. I wish I had ABS.

ally99 · January 9th, 2015, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

"Green halo headlights?"

Yep.

November 24th, 2014, 12:06 PM	#2
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	Is the 2013 new? I've never kicked the front abs in, even with trying to do so. I'd go for it off the price difference myself. 4,100 is a really good price for a '13 N300 even on the used market here. __________________________________________________ I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see?

November 24th, 2014, 12:06 PM	#3
Rogue Hooligan Name: Robin Location: Central Iowa Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja EX300 Posts: 250	The graphics patterns and for 2014 they offered ABS in color schemes other than the green SE. That's they only difference. Keep in mind that ABS makes it more difficult to do some mods/maintenance such as switching out the brake lines. __________________________________________________ Qui patiens est, teres. Teres est, ieiunare. \| Twitter: @Rogue_300

November 24th, 2014, 12:10 PM	#4
LittleRedNinjette Certified Troublemaker Name: Teri Location: Hamilton, NJ Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250r "Pikachu", 2017 Ninja 650 "Epona" Posts: A lot. MOTM - Aug '13, Aug '14, Feb '17	Do you like the SE more than all black? Halos would look good on either... The black you can accent with different colors. But the SE has sweet graphics. Never had ABS so i can't realy comment there. If it was me i would probably go for the cheaper 2013 and spend the difference on upgrades. __________________________________________________ Raven's Rejuvenation A bruise is a lesson... and each lesson makes us better...

November 24th, 2014, 12:38 PM	#5
tfkrocks 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	Id just go for the cheaper option. I've never had my abs kick in either so I can't speak to that. Yes the brake lines are more annoying though. __________________________________________________ My Ninja 300

November 24th, 2014, 01:22 PM	#6
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	Ally, you plan on not hitting the track again. So ask yourself, would ABS benefit you on the street in any way? Only you know how you ride street. If your defensive enough then maybe abs is not worth the extra expense. Then again... after just hitting a deer where the abs kicked in in my cage... one can never predict the future ya know. Do I feel abs helped, yes. Would it have changed the outcome? No. Had I ever had abs kick in before? No Up to you, but just sharing my experience. Like you, I was somewhat "meh" for abs, but maybe there is something more that I don't know. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

November 24th, 2014, 01:29 PM	#7
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	Great points mentioned! Ben, the 2013 is used with 1,500 miles on it. I don't love the graphics on the SE, but they can be peeled off pretty easily. Thanks Chris. Good food for thought. The ABS bike is actually the cheaper option since it's used. I wonder how it was treated during its break-in period, but I guess buying used, one never knows. Overall, I like it and am leaning toward the 2013. __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

November 24th, 2014, 02:08 PM	#8
Brother Michigan ninjette.org sage Name: Aaron Location: Winder, GA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 718	Check for gaps where the side fairings meet the headlight fairing; some of the 2013s have issues with the side fairings popping out there. __________________________________________________ DISCLAIMER: I generally have no idea what I'm talking about.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

December 8th, 2014, 08:56 AM	#9
Hero Danny Inline 4!!! Name: Danny Location: MA Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.	Definitely go with the ABS 2013. You may not need the ABS, but it's a better deal. Also ABS on these 300's don't really weigh that much more. __________________________________________________ Be careful. Remember you are invisible

December 8th, 2014, 10:28 AM	#11
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	No difference in Bike other than graphics (and possibly ABS).

December 8th, 2014, 11:45 AM	#12
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	I would personally go for the 13 w/abs. It's less expensive and abs is there in case you ever are in a situation where you may instinctively stab at the brakes (especially in the rain).

December 12th, 2014, 07:32 AM	#13
CZroe 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.	"Green halo headlights?"

January 9th, 2015, 12:55 PM	#17
spacemonkey ninjette.org member Name: Jim Location: North Hills, CA Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Posts: 36	I bought a 250 instead of a 300 with ABS. I have locked the brakes a couple times trying to brake aggressively before a corner to find out there was a little sand on the road. I haven't dumped it but came close the last time the brakes locked. I wish I had ABS.