Official 2013 Ninja 300 (and 250) Thread

[itsEnZo]

Wouldn't we have already seen at least one leaked pic by now? I guess kawi is really good at keeping things a secret lol

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by itsEnZo

Wouldn't we have already seen at least one leaked pic by now? I guess kawi is really good at keeping things a secret lol

There's a commercial that's been put out for it, I'll grab the link

[Jiggles]

Link to original page on YouTube.

[tac12345]

lol, engine sounds like an I-4

[Buffalony]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I haven't heard about a 300 but I did notice the 250 isn't in the line-up for 2013. There has been rumors that the 250 Ninja is being dropped due to the enormous amount of riders crashing, then posting about their crash online. The Honda has been given numerous awards for being such a good bike. They are winning all the 250 class races with their new bike. There hasn't been record numbers of riders crashing either.

On a lighter note, the 250 Ninja will become a collector's item ( as long as the condition is mint ) and prices are expecting to be in the $10,000 to $12,500 range with in a few years.

There has been a rush of investors buying out dealers stock in the Kawasaki 250 Ninja which is driving the price up as we speak. They aren't even riders but are Wall Street investors trying to corner the market before the 250 Ninja wannabe riders realize the value of this bike. With new bikes becoming in
short supply the asking price will sky rocket very soon.

You havent changed much over the years!

[nickjpass]

More RPM's = More Problems

Saying that...a CBR250RR is still my dream bike!

[itsEnZo]

I remember that vid from another thread, jiggles -.- it turned out to be a Honda iirc

[NinjetteNewfie]

Just to comment on the possibility of kawi introducing a 400 class bike, it is already being sold here in Canada for the last year and a half. Looks just like the 650 with the "banana seat". Personally, I like the look of the 250 much more. You can find the bike at Kawasaki.ca.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by NinjetteNewfie

Just to comment on the possibility of kawi introducing a 400 class bike, it is already being sold here in Canada for the last year and a half. Looks just like the 650 with the "banana seat". Personally, I like the look of the 250 much more. You can find the bike at Kawasaki.ca.

Are the motors a similar size?

Seems like a more realistic transplant than a 500cc motor.

[sombo]

Originally Posted by NinjetteNewfie

Just to comment on the possibility of kawi introducing a 400 class bike, it is already being sold here in Canada for the last year and a half. Looks just like the 650 with the "banana seat". Personally, I like the look of the 250 much more. You can find the bike at Kawasaki.ca.

Originally Posted by lgk

Are the motors a similar size?

Seems like a more realistic transplant than a 500cc motor.

It's a watered down (sleeved cylinders to reduce cc's) 650 motor in the exact same bike. What the others are talking about is a true 400cc, different bike, different motor, like the old 400cc I-4 motors of old.

[NikRN06]

Here is a shot of that Canadian Ninja 400. Other than the banana seat its not bad.

[ninjamunky85]

I haven't seen anybody mention that in Europe new riders are limited to 125cc. While that wouldn't fly in America, it's not a bad idea to have a limit for new riders.

For once I agree with Jiggles though. This is America, and you should be able to buy whatever bike your wallet allows.

The sad truth is though that small bikes are a hard sell in this country, especially since they aren't much or any cheaper than bigger bikes. Hell, the WR250X was over 7K off the showroom floor. The Ninja250 is a success story. Yet, even though the old gen was one of Kawi's best selling models for 20 years, I didn't even know they made a 250 Ninja until I bought one.

I'd be very surprised to see any big changes to the Ninja250, and very disappointed if it wasn't being sold.

[nrninja]

Looks like it's time to start importing RVF400s from the UK. Who's with me?

[ninjamunky85]

That is a sweet bike, so was the Bandit 400. You don't have to go across the ocean to find a nice 400 though. Kawasaki sell the Ninja 400R in Canada. Problem is it's just the 650 with a smaller engine. It wouldn't sell in America, cause anything less than a 600 is lame.

http://www.kawasaki.ca/model/STREET-...443/Ninja-400R

[walty87]

if yamaha made a 250 that looks like an r6....

i don't even wanna say it, but I'd prob sell my ninja and get one of those.

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by walty87

if yamaha made a 250 that looks like an r6....

i don't even wanna say it, but I'd prob sell my ninja and get one of those.

As would I

Ps i have driven the 400 in Canada and it is fantastic, Digitial Guages, lightwieght, great suspenstion and pretty quick. I never buy new but once these start showing up on craigslist i'm going to be all over it. The States are really missing out

[broilmebk]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Thank goodness they are redesigning this bike. Many people have the misconception that this bike is a great starter bike but if you look at the sales they are dismal at best. Kawi was being pushed out of the market by its vast amount of competitors like the CBR250. Without a redesign of the tired old 250 Kawasaki was likely headed for bankruptcy.

I thought the CBR wasn't doing well in sales?
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=110047

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by broilmebk

I thought the CBR wasn't doing well in sales?
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=110047

He was being sarcastic. Ninja 250 sales are high and will remain high.

[broilmebk]

hahah oops. I should have known better

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by broilmebk

hahah oops. I should have known better

dont take anything Jiggles or CC Cowboy say seriously.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by sombo

It's a watered down (sleeved cylinders to reduce cc's) 650 motor in the exact same bike. What the others are talking about is a true 400cc, different bike, different motor, like the old 400cc I-4 motors of old.

that would be nice to have a small 4 cyl.
if they came out with a 350cc or 400cc twin i would buy it as well.

[Old Lemon]

If I ever get tired of my ninja I'm taking a road trip to get that 400

[ninjaone]

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

I haven't seen anybody mention that in Europe new riders are limited to 125cc. While that wouldn't fly in America, it's not a bad idea to have a limit for new riders.

It's a terrible idea. For one thing those laws are made by people who have zero understanding of motorcycles. They pull laws out of a hat to limit what motorcyclists can and can't do. Second, it's a slippery slope. First, they limit new riders to 125cc for 6 months. Then it's a year, then it's two years. Now they are proposing four years.

That means for probably more then 10% of your adult life, you are riding around a motorcycle that you find boring because the government forced you too.

[ai4px]

Originally Posted by Apex

Meh, I think they need to make up a points system. After so many points, you are allowed to upgrade to the next class. That way you don't get those tards that say "I can handle a 1000" when they have never been on a bike before.


Maybe
≤300cc sport bike and ≤800cc cruiser for a year or two
≤600cc sport bike and ≤1000cc cruiser for a year or so
then full access.

Wife and I made a rule: No passengers until you've been riding a year. I now take the kids out 2 up on mine, but she's not there yet.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by ninjaone

It's a terrible idea. For one thing those laws are made by people who have zero understanding of motorcycles. They pull laws out of a hat to limit what motorcyclists can and can't do. Second, it's a slippery slope. First, they limit new riders to 125cc for 6 months. Then it's a year, then it's two years. Now they are proposing four years.

That means for probably more then 10% of your adult life, you are riding around a motorcycle that you find boring because the government forced you too.

i agree
let the people do what they want, the government is the worst nanny...

[ai4px]

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

This is America, and you should be able to buy whatever bike your wallet allows.

I tried like crazy to convince a girl at work that she should start on something like a 250 ninja. She got an R6 anyway. Her logic was how soon she would outgrow the 250 and just loose money on a trade/upgrade in a year anyway. Soooo..... she's got a cute R6 that really impresses me and she's scared to death of it. I suppose that's a good thing b/c she hasn't opened it up yet and killed herself. This logic though really permeates the market. People don't realize the learning curve and just promise themselves they won't do anything stupid.

[ninjaone]

Originally Posted by ai4px

I tried like crazy to convince a girl at work that she should start on something like a 250 ninja. She got an R6 anyway. Her logic was how soon she would outgrow the 250 and just loose money on a trade/upgrade in a year anyway. Soooo..... she's got a cute R6 that really impresses me and she's scared to death of it. I suppose that's a good thing b/c she hasn't opened it up yet and killed herself. This logic though really permeates the market. People don't realize the learning curve and just promise themselves they won't do anything stupid.

I hear people talking about these anecdotes all the time but I'm really not sure why anyone would be "afraid" to ride a Japanese 600 supersport like the R6, CBR600RR, ZX6R, etc.

They all have very little torque, and all the power comes on at the high end of the rev range. If you keep the revs below 6000, they are like little puppies and in many ways easier to ride then a 250.

I would think anyone would figure this out after spending 10 minutes on a 600.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by ai4px

I tried like crazy to convince a girl at work that she should start on something like a 250 ninja. She got an R6 anyway. Her logic was how soon she would outgrow the 250 and just loose money on a trade/upgrade in a year anyway. Soooo..... she's got a cute R6 that really impresses me and she's scared to death of it. I suppose that's a good thing b/c she hasn't opened it up yet and killed herself. This logic though really permeates the market. People don't realize the learning curve and just promise themselves they won't do anything stupid.

did she get a new r6 or used?
I'm curious how much money she spent on gear.

[ai4px]

Originally Posted by ninjaone

If you keep the revs below 6000, they are like little puppies and in many ways easier to ride then a 250.

You have a point there, I may have to adjust my thinking.

[Racer x]

I had the same conversation ten minutes ago with an insurance adjuster. Never rode before no license has not even ridden a bicycle since he was 14. And now he is buying a 600 Honda for 6000 dollars because he likes the muffler under the seat. Would not want the 250 because it's not big enough. I just told him to be careful and walked away. O ya he said the heat coming off the engine of his friends bike was not to bad . He could ride in shorts with no problem.

[choneofakind]

Bah ha ha hahaha!
Posted via Mobile Device

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

dont take anything Jiggles or CC Cowboy say seriously.

You are very hurtful.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

You are very hurtful.

don't take it personally. Its Justin were talking about here. No one takes him seriously anyways; too short for that
Posted via Mobile Device

[ai4px]

Oh yeah!! riding with shorts is definitely a priority for me. You've got to be kidding me!

You - yes YOU... outta the gene pool!

[seanshawnS]

Originally Posted by NinjetteNewfie

Just to comment on the possibility of kawi introducing a 400 class bike, it is already being sold here in Canada for the last year and a half. Looks just like the 650 with the "banana seat". Personally, I like the look of the 250 much more. You can find the bike at Kawasaki.ca.

I considered it, but in my mind It's a ganked 650 rather than it's own bike. Sort of like the fz6r or something.

As for the 650, the 2013 in white looks gorgeous.

[Racer x]

I did a lot of measurements. With custom sleeves and pistons. The max you can bore a 250 ninja into is a 299cc. Kawasaki could built a 299cc bike and not change the price. The extra 50cc would be worth 5-10 hp so would you like to have a stock 250 ninja with 30 to 35 hp?

[NinjaVanish]

I was, to put it nicely, advised by my friends to buy a used 600 sports bike versus buying a new 250 because of how quickly I would outgrow the quarter liter; but I decided to listen to others that told me to learn how to corner well with the 250 and upgrade if/when I wanted to. I feel like I can increase my confidence and riding skills much quicker with the 250 since I'm new to motorcycling than starting off on a 600. The shop owner I purchased my 250 also told me that he would buy my bike back next season for most of what I paid for it if I do want to upgrade.

I would be very interested to see how a 300 would differ from a 250...

[Racer x]

I started on a 600 kawasaki then a vfr800 before upgrading to a ninja 250. Big bikes are heavy ,hot and expensive. I went 145 on the VFR. I never went over 100 mph on the 600 and regularly go over 100 mph with my 250. Funny hu??

[sendler]

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

If I ever get tired of my ninja I'm taking a road trip to get that 400

Most people don't like the Ninja 400. It is the same weight and price as the 650.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

dont take anything Jiggles or CC Cowboy say seriously.

Justin is straight