Ninja 300 vs. CBR500R - the inevitable comparison thread

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by AgentCircus

No more comparisons?

A couple of French ones if you can read it but basically:

Honda = soft, linear engine, suspension a let down when pushed, better build quality and decent rubber, a more versatile bike all around

Kawasaki = lighter and more nimble, cheaper build quality and bad tires, engine has more soul and character

[Tigerpaw]

Originally Posted by Boom King

A couple of French ones if you can read it but basically:

Honda = soft, linear engine, suspension a let down when pushed, better build quality and decent rubber, a more versatile bike all around

Kawasaki = lighter and more nimble, cheaper build quality and bad tires, engine has more soul and character

I'm still curious why people don't like the OEM tires for the street.

If they are that bad...remove them immediately, and ship to me!

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by Tigerpaw

I'm still curious why people don't like the OEM tires for the street.

If they are that bad...remove them immediately, and ship to me!

According to the writers, they lacked feedback.

[Neenja]

Originally Posted by Toly

Folks, may I suggest you beg, borrow or steal a ride the on CBR and then decide for yourselves. You're not doing yourself any favors by paper-picking one over the other.

Ok so here's real life comparison from me. I've owned quite a few bikes. from 250's to 750's. Previous 3 bikes have been 08 CBR600RR (Graffiti Edition), Ninja 300, and I just acquired the CBR500R. I can confirm and assure that everything mentioned on the article comparing the CBR500R and Ninja 300 is TRUE.

My opinion.
Ninja 300 - Same thing everyone says, it's the ultimate Trainer. Inspires confidence, easy to ride, excellent handling, the bike will do what you want it to do,and slipper clutch a big plus. If I would hop on to the CBR600RR after riding the Ninja 300, you would apply what you have learned and enjoy the extra power.

CBR500R - DOES NOT FEEL/HANDLE/RIDE LIKE A SPORT BIKE BUT IT IS EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE!!!!!!
You will not be able to ride this thing like the ninja 300 at all. I tried it when I went on my 300 to go get the 500 and it is totally different. Not what I expected. I have to get used to the bike and change my riding style on this one, I was actually cautious with this bike and felt like a Noobie while riding it.

This is my initial impression on the CBR500R since I've only had it for 2 days now.

Oh and a heads up if anyone is thinking about buying a CBR500R, you need to do a Valve Clearance check on first 600 mi service which will cost around 350-400 bucks. And tool bag only comes with an allen wrench. If this was my first bike, that would've been a real turnoff for me.

[ai4px]

My wife just got a 2013 CBR500R despite my insistence she get a ninjette. I've not ridden a ninj300, so I can't really compare.

So far, the cbr is very good. It's light and nimble, it isn't going to get out from under you. The torque / hp curve is very broad, so it's a good commuter.

As far as maintenence goes, I don't have to stip the fairings to change the oil, which I like better than my ninj 650.

We can't seem to get side case mounts from Givi for this bike yet. As it stands, they've said they would be out in August and they aren't. Also, the ones we get may be for the CB500X model and I may have to cut on them a bit to make them fit the CBR500R. This is flustering me b/c I'd really like to have v35 bags for her so we can interchange.

Wes

[Toly]

Originally Posted by Neenja

My opinion.
Ninja 300 - Same thing everyone says, it's the ultimate Trainer. Inspires confidence, easy to ride, excellent handling, the bike will do what you want it to do,and slipper clutch a big plus. If I would hop on to the CBR600RR after riding the Ninja 300, you would apply what you have learned and enjoy the extra power.

CBR500R - DOES NOT FEEL/HANDLE/RIDE LIKE A SPORT BIKE BUT IT IS EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE!!!!!!
You will not be able to ride this thing like the ninja 300 at all. I tried it when I went on my 300 to go get the 500 and it is totally different. Not what I expected. I have to get used to the bike and change my riding style on this one, I was actually cautious with this bike and felt like a Noobie while riding it.

If I get your drift, you're sayin' that Ninja 300 to CBR600 transition is seamless as they're both true sportbikes; whereas the 500 somehow feels different. I agree that the 500 is a bit of different animal, but you can't just hop on the 600rr from Ninja 300 and ride it the same way, with extra power on tap.

You can redline 300 (and most of the times, 500) at will. Do that on a 600, and your experience will be very, very different. The wider tire of the 600 makes it less flickable than the other two. Both 300 and 500 have more upright seating position, with less stress on the hands / core muscles, making commuting much easier. Riding around in heavy traffic is a breeze on 300/500 and a torture on 600. I could go on, but the point is, all three are very different, and there is a learning curve for each.

But while the 500 feels more different, it is only the initial impression; mastering it and riding it to the limit is way easier than doing the same with the 600.

[Neenja]

Originally Posted by Toly

If I get your drift, you're sayin' that Ninja 300 to CBR600 transition is seamless as they're both true sportbikes; whereas the 500 somehow feels different. I agree that the 500 is a bit of different animal, but you can't just hop on the 600rr from Ninja 300 and ride it the same way, with extra power on tap.

You can redline 300 (and most of the times, 500) at will. Do that on a 600, and your experience will be very, very different.

Yes, that's what I was trying to say, that when I hop on the 600 after the 300 it feels familiar. Not that I wanna be redlining the 600 all the time, just get up to speed quicker.

But while the 500 feels more different, it is only the initial impression; mastering it and riding it to the limit is way easier than doing the same with the 600.

Yeah I just have to get used to it I guess. It does feel lathargic right now, and I'm trying to see how well I could make it handle. Although I feel I could handle the 600 better than the 500, either that or I just really suck as a rider (always a possibility). The 500 does excel on turning radius though (low speed turning the handle bars).

The wider tire of the 600 makes it less flickable than the other two. Both 300 and 500 have more upright seating position, with less stress on the hands / core muscles, making commuting much easier.

That's why I like the 600rr over the rest of the middleweights, because it keeps some of the 250/300 properties that I love which is awesome handling and flickability, and is also not as bad around town as with some other bikes (thanks to the handlebars being a little higer than the rest), also I'm tall with long arms so that might contribute.

Again, it's only my personal opinion.

[Klondike1020]

This is a good read

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/co...0/viewall.html

I enjoyed this comparison ..... and its dead on.

The CBR has a little more power but it just doesn't feel as good as the ninja300

they have the torque curves and the ergonomic measurements charted at the bottom of the article

[Daks]

All of these reviews peg the 300 as the more "fun" bike and the winner while just shrugging off the torque of the honda being better on the freeway and city pacing.

Meanwhile, most people ride on the freeway or city.

I guess as a sportbike or toy, yeah, the 300 is best but I need a daily ride. The 500 seems better for that. (I'd get the CBF)

[Rugby Winger]

I might get the CBR500R on this one. When it comes to the 300 and the CBR250R then I'm getting neither.

[Alex]

/merged

[allanoue]

$1200 price difference makes this a no brainer

[KawiKid860]

I'd go with a 300 simply because I prefer sportbikes. If the honda was tuned more like a Ninja 500R and had better suspension I'd be allllllll over it as a replacement for my old girl while she gets a complete overhaul.

I'd personally go with like an SV650, Duc monster or preferably a DRZ400 for a torquey, commuter/city bike. I just like power, and if I'm getting something for the purpose of it's torque and good manners might as well get something that's going to have some nice get up and go when you really want it to. In my opinion at least.

[Boom King]

The Ninja 300 does really well in a comparison against the Honda. Both seem to be great bikes.

Link to original page on YouTube.

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs...hootout-part-2

[mtbang]

Like many others, I was considering the Honda over the Ninja until I stopped by the dealership today. I wanted to test out the extra weight and seating position. I was sort of maybe leaning towards the Honda due to already having a Ninja 250. But for me just sitting on it was a buzz kill. I do not care for the upright, narrow bars. Feels too much like the Ninja 650 which a family members owns and I do not care for the riding position at all. Easy enough decision and didn't cost me a dime, back to the '14 300 as I really like the SE green color scheme. Spring can't get here soon enough!

[Boom King]

Motorcycle USA Comparison

A good comparison but I wouldn't put too much emphasis into which one was the "winner". All the riders were 6 feet or plus and naturally felt more comfortable on a bigger bike.

[Tigerpaw]

Originally Posted by Daks

Meanwhile, most people ride on the freeway or city.

On the 300

Not This guy

Freeways and city roads are an ends to a mean...basically only used to get to twisties.

[rasta]

Originally Posted by Tigerpaw

On the 300

Not This guy

Freeways and city roads are an ends to a mean...basically only used to get to twisties.

This

[Toly]

http://rideapart.com/2013/10/2014-ka...abs-se-review/

[Daks]

Originally Posted by Tigerpaw

On the 300

Not This guy

Freeways and city roads are an ends to a mean...basically only used to get to twisties.

well aren't you special?

[Tigerpaw]

Originally Posted by Daks

well aren't you special?

The State says so.