The Ninja 300 will fail

[Old Guy on a '08]

I hear you about the 300... and in a couple years when one can be had used for around 4k or < I' hope to be able to score one... mayber by then there will be BLACK ABS bikes to be had... because, as we all know, "Black IS the Faster Color"... (ask Jiggles)

[hybridkid]

Originally Posted by azn370z

The type of shopper the Ninja 300 and cbr250r attract are price conscientious ones. Most shoppers for these bikes are not enthusiast but people getting into biking for the first time. Most of these new buyers have heard of Honda and its reputation and most likely haven't heard of Kawasaki. They don't care about 300cc versus 250cc, rear tire size, etc.

The Ninja 250r used to be the 5th selling motorcycle in the US.
Kawasaki had a monopoly on the entry sport bike for many years. The Ninja 300 is a reactive response to Honda's cbr250r. The whole point of the Ninja 300 was to win back loss market share. But how does Kawasaki expect to beat Honda by charging $600* more for the base and $800* more for the abs model. In 5 years I'm sure the cbr250 will continue to dominate the Ninja.

Now I'm the type of buyer that spends $3000 on wheels or $1000 for a piece of carbon fiber to attach on my car. So buying the ninja 300 abs is not an issue for me. But I just don't see Honda losing this war.

*calculated using 2012 cbr pricing with the expectation that 2013 will have a $100 increase.

$600 more is bang for your buck considering 10HP more..ABS is + for resale

[Jiggles]

Has it failed yet?

[Surferboy120]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Has it failed yet?

Nope just this thread.

[Old Guy on a '08]

Out here in NC were not seeing a whole heap of CBR250's... on the street I've seen a few but there are plenty in the showroom... the 300's are moving out the door almost as fast as they come in...

[drbyatch]

Originally Posted by azn370z

The type of shopper the Ninja 300 and cbr250r attract are price conscientious ones. Most shoppers for these bikes are not enthusiast but people getting into biking for the first time. Most of these new buyers have heard of Honda and its reputation and most likely haven't heard of Kawasaki. They don't care about 300cc versus 250cc, rear tire size, etc.

I did and I bought one.

as a new buyer i didn't mind the premium.

1. (parrellel twin) as apposed to a single donk,

2. not worried about + 90kmh (highway traffic etc)

3. fuel injection - this was a deciding factor for me.

4. slipper clutch - this may or may not be a marketing hype or a placebo affect but it does seem more forgiving on sloppy gear changes, I have only ridden a few bikes but it does seem to be slightly more forgiving.

I actually had money down on a CBR250 2012- and switched to a ninja. so i guess they must be doing something correct.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Has it failed yet?

Originally Posted by Surferboy120

Nope just this thread.

Tiny bit of necro-thread never hurt, right?

I was originally looking at the CBR250, but when the Ninja 300 was released and I saw the Cycle World dyno comparison between them, I was sold on having sufficient highway power. Add in the Ninja 300 looks proper and not a trainer or pit bike, and it was an easy choice for me.

[lgk]

i only have seen maybe two cbr250s in the past year.

from what i have seen, it has not been a good seller.

[b.miller123]

Only my second post on here (first was a wtb for some new-gen wheels), but this is the by far the dumbest thread I've actually read in a long ass time. I kept waiting for it to get better, but some people are just too damn dense.

I've been on forums long enough to know better, so I don't know what the hell I was thinking by reading this whole **** show.

[ally99]

Originally Posted by azn370z

Kawasaki does read the forums for feedback. But will they read my post? Maybe not. Anyways, I'm not saying kawasaki and the ninja are bad.

LOL! Yeah, Kawi's head-honcho's gonna read your post and change their ways. Way to make a difference in the world, man.

[drac]

Originally Posted by Old Guy on a '08

I hear you about the 300... and in a couple years when one can be had used for around 4k or < I' hope to be able to score one... mayber by then there will be BLACK ABS bikes to be had... because, as we all know, "Black IS the Faster Color"... (ask Jiggles)

As opposed to "asking" jiggles I prefer to use his anecdotal evidence. Which doesn't really speak to how fast the the black bikes are but does lead one to believe that black bikes are the least stable................ Bazinga

[JohnnyBravo]

Is this guy serious???

[Jiggles]

When I bought my 30@ I asked about the cbr250s and the dealer said they don't even bother to carry them

[JohnnyBravo]

I saw one of the baby repsol bikes... Dude wasn't happy that I was petting it an told him it was cute. Told him I hoped power sports would carry a real bike like the 300

[70's kid]

I spoke to a young lad at our local bike meeting place (devil's bridge), He turned up on a fairly new cbr250, He absolutely hated it & wished he'd waited for the new 300 ninja instead of buying the cbr. Infact when he asked me what other bike's I had, He was rather pissed when I told him I had a 88 gpx 250 (ninja). Something like "Well you'ed blow my cbr into weeds" 70's kid (Paul)

[lgk]

The cbr isnt too bad, if you're looking for something better than a hyosung.

Dont see them too often around here, maybe its due to the large number of used ninjas.

[Rowdy76]

Ok that was brain overload reading all that. Now I will be a statistic based on what I read. I knew Kawi made bikes, Honda, Suzuki, Harley, etc. What I did not know what Kawi was the major market holder of the 250 CC sport bikes until Honda came in with the CBR250. Doing searches for Suzuki, Yamaha 250's I was like hmm they dont make one. I did not know what a NINJA was.

I started watching Youtube videos (thank god for internet) about the 250 vs 300 since I had a one up with the 300 being out for 7mths when I started looking for my first bike. It became very clear after reading forums, articles, and watching review videos the Ninja 250 or 300 was the bike for me. Sorry CBR250 just doesnt do it. If I want a clunky sports bike it better go fast. I would not buy a 250 Gixxer ... why be slumped over like a track bike topping out 90-100 miles per hour. The Ninja however just looks mean even if the 250/300 is the baby and has a better riding position in my opinion.

After a month of researching and figuring out what I wanted to spend....3k on used 250 or 6k on new 300 with considerable upgrades that would keep me satisfied for quite some time. New powerband, larger engine, FI, ABS option (great for me being a noob - already grabbed the front brake hard one time and was just waiting to go down but nope) and the slipper clutch which prob wont come into play on skipping shifts (i hope) is smooth as butter.

The 300 sold itself to me... and I think anyone looking for a bike in this category that does research and not just run to the dealer and say "I want a beginner bike that is cheap" will buy a 300.

My 2 cents.

[fishdip]

Its sad the dealer I got my 300 at had 4 used Honda 250 he told me every single one was a trade in for the ninja 300.

[pmason718]

Originally Posted by azn370z

Everything I say is just my opinion. But for most shoppers the difference between a 250 and 300 is not as great as say a 250 and 600. People that buy a 600 or 1000 are most likely buying their 2nd maybe 3rd bike. They have experienced what they like and don't like. Most people that buy a 250 are getting their first bike. So they are not an experienced enthusiast. And this is just my opinion but most shoppers do not study and research before buying their first bike, unlike members on this forum.

I am aware about weight savings as my tire and wheel package weighs less than my oem forged wheels. See, you and I research and know a lot of detail. I wouldn't say that about most shoppers that go into the dealerships.

The difference between the 250 and 300 is great especially when comparing looks and fuel injection. I've been riding since I was 8 and since fuel injection came along I wont even consider a carburated bike but that's my opinion. I think theirs enough interest in the market for both bikes and at the end of the day its going to come down to what you like and can afford. If your financing and can only get approved for enough money for a 250 than that's what you have to get.

Originally Posted by Racer x

Who is this Kawasaki company? Never heard of em.

Believe it or not people know who Kawasaki is every motorcycle people see they think its a Ninja.

Originally Posted by FrugalNinja250

If Kawasaki had sold the FI 250 here that they sell everywhere else Honda wouldn't be selling their 250 here and we wouldn't even be having this conversation. Snubbing their customers is a good way for a company to lose those customer's business. I see the 300 as being too little, too late to save Kawasaki's dominance in the small bike market in this country.

I agree with the FI 250 comment but not the dominance in the small bike market

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by pmason718

...Believe it or not people know who Kawasaki is every motorcycle people see they think its a Ninja...

LOL! See, @ninjaone (see conversation earlier in this thread)? Rowdy76 is one of the very few who didn't know before-hand.

Edit: Oops. Alex said to "put up numbers or shut up," so I had better get my Looxcie fixed and make my poll of random people.

[joe_5700]

Originally Posted by fishdip

Its sad the dealer I got my 300 at had 4 used Honda 250 he told me every single one was a trade in for the ninja 300.

All of the dealers by me are loaded with Honda CBR250R's. The Ninja 300's are selling like crazy. When I first started thinking about getting a bike I immediately thought of a new Ninja 250. Once I learned that 2012 was it's last year and the 300 was the replacement, it was a no brainer that it was on my short list. The Honda appealed to me with it's proven reliability and lower price, but I quickly realized that I would quickly outgrow it and want a Ninja 300 in a few months time. To me the extra power, better looks etc. are well worth the slightly higher price of admission.

[lgk]

i'll buy a cbr 250 for $1000 only to crash it and turn it into a streetfighter, lol.

its the only way my soul will remain whole, and the only way it'll ever be cool....

[snowbandit]

Typical college kid income
I'm a money conscious college student in Idaho, Econ major. I work a part time making about $300/mo. My wife works as a cosmetologist and makes $9/hr.
Ride situation
2 cars: 00' Eclipse GT, and my hammered off-roading Jeep (15mpg). I sold the Jeep when a guy offered me $1200. My wife really wanted a Vulcan 900. She's never had a bike so I'm like "Woah babe, you're 135lbs and NUTS." I said we should buy her a 250 V-Star. But she wanted something more legit.
Why the Ninja>CBR
CBR had ugly.
Ninja 300 had fresh looking fairings, gauges, and wheels. It had a slipper clutch, 50% +hp, and at NO RPM is the CBR's HP/Torque up with the 300's.
It was honestly an easy choice.
Why not used?
I considered a used bike (Honda Rebel, not a ninja) for her at $1300. Of course, that'd mean no slipper clutch, ABS, HP, or sexy. On top of $1300 i'd have to buy gear etc, adding up to the better part of another $1k.
I put $1k down on the bike, and got 2 free ICON helmets in the negotiation (totaling $480+t). After more negotiating, my OTD price was $5420 for the 300 SE w/ ABS, and I don't need to buy lids. And my wife loves it.
She's wearing my mx helmet, our ICON lids will be here Friday =)

[Jiggles]

Nice! $300/mo income and bought a new bike, way to live within your means

[snowbandit]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Nice! $300/mo income and bought a new bike, way to live within your means

lol, my wife makes $1400/mo, and driving the Jeep was $350/mo in gas alone. That's more than the payment and gas combined for the bike. I have no student loans, and rent in Idaho is cheap. I'll be graduating next year and we should be able to pay off the bike by the end of 2014

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by snowbandit

Typical college kid income
I'm a money conscious college student in Idaho, Econ major. I work a part time making about $300/mo. My wife works as a cosmetologist and makes $9/hr.
Ride situation
2 cars: 00' Eclipse GT, and my hammered off-roading Jeep (15mpg). I sold the Jeep when a guy offered me $1200. My wife really wanted a Vulcan 900. She's never had a bike so I'm like "Woah babe, you're 135lbs and NUTS." I said we should buy her a 250 V-Star. But she wanted something more legit.
Why the Ninja>CBR
CBR had ugly.
Ninja 300 had fresh looking fairings, gauges, and wheels. It had a slipper clutch, 50% +hp, and at NO RPM is the CBR's HP/Torque up with the 300's.
It was honestly an easy choice.
Why not used?
I considered a used bike at $1300. Of course, that'd mean no slipper clutch, ABS, HP, or sexy. On top of $1300 i'd have to buy gear etc, adding up to the better part of another $1k.
I put $1k down on the bike, and got 2 free ICON helmets in the negotiation (totaling $480+t). After more negotiating, my OTD price was $5420 for the 300 SE w/ ABS, and I don't need to buy lids. And my wife loves it.
She's wearing my mx helmet, our ICON lids will be here Friday =)

Look at that huge grin. Great price and ABS but the white one is faster.

[astricklin]

I will throw some pure conjecture on this thread. Where I work I am the only one with a Ninja 250 (no ninja 300s that I have seen), while there are 3 CBR 250s It would be interesting to see the 2011, 2012, and 2013 sales numbers for the bikes.
Also remember that there is a huge overseas market for the small displacement bikes so truthfully the US is probably a relatively small market for both Kawasaki and Honda 250/300

[Jiggles]

Those poor misguided Honda fanatics. You should go tell them
How inferior their bikes are

[astricklin]

I do have to say I am a sucker for the Repsol graphics. I haven't seen a 250 with that paint on the street, but if they put it on the cbr500r, man that will be tempting.

[snowbandit]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Those poor misguided Honda fanatics. You should go tell them
How inferior their bikes are

Don't misunderstand, I've seen where the CBR 250r's got strengths. What's important is getting my girl what she wanted. Neither of us are street bike enthusiasts, we aren't putting a knee down in the canyon, and we aren't hitting the track. I think it is a better first bike for her in every way.

Originally Posted by astricklin

I do have to say I am a sucker for the Repsol graphics. I haven't seen a 250 with that paint on the street, but if they put it on the cbr500r, man that will be tempting.

You know that's true. I had talk my self out of buying that Repsol and saving a few bux lol. I asked Nikki if she'd want it, but she liked the 300 a lot more. To me, the Repsol looks better than the 300 se haha

[xKeegan]

As another counter to this opinion, I'm a new rider and looking at the Ninja 300 almost exclusively. I might get a CBR if they start showing up on the used market super cheap, but right now there are none around here. Even then I may hold out, the Ninja seems to be a hell of a lot more bike for $600 more. The main reason I even looked at the CBR over the old ninja is the fuel injection. Seems like a carb might be a pain in the ass at altitude and in the cold here in CO.

Too bad I'm getting into the market at such a crappy time. Maybe I can manage to hold off buying a bike long enough to get a used 300. I need to get one soon enough that I don't forget everything from the MSF course though. =P

[Aggrotech]

ive seen a total of 2 cbr's on the street and/or parked since ive been riding.

ive also seen a good 15+ ninja 300's on the street and parked.

id say 300 is winning lolol

[lgk]

i saw a maroon one yesterday, first time in months.

it was like i found the SOJ, diablo reference, except the feeling of amazement wore of in a matter of minutes.

[c-dog]

I haven't seen a single CBR250 around here even though the dealer has them and there are some at the used bike shop. But I've never seen a single one of them on the road (or parked) which I think is weird. Somebody has to have one that I see sometime right?

I have seen about 4-5 ninja 300s on the road.

And a lot of pre gen and new gen Ninja 250s. The 250s are everywhere around here it seems. It will take quite a few years for the 300 to become a bike you see tons of - too many nice 250s still out there to be displaced.

[lgk]

yea, i'll probably be riding the ninja until the engine blows up.

probably another 4-5 yrs, lol.

[crazymadbastard]

So did the 300 fail and take Kawasaki out of business?

[lgk]

i didn't buy one yet, lol.
still waiting for my engine to blow up....

[GHill762]

Originally Posted by crazymadbastard

So did the 300 fail and take Kawasaki out of business?

the black tanks on the '14 models will cause them to fail..

I love my '13 stardust white

[rasta]

The best part about forums is when people make ridiculous claims, you have the proof in writing. OP is clearly a clown that doesn't know nearly as much about business as he thought

[JohnnyBravo]

My 300 fail a few times... Once in my truck, an that one time I was riding trails on it.
OP couldn't have been serious