2013 or 2014 Ninja 300, or other options (CBR250, Grom, R3, KTM)??

[SMman]

I've really been enjoying my Ninja 250 and have been using the DR-Z400SM less and less. I've owned the DR-Z since 2007 and have a CRF450R as my supermoto toy so think its time to sell the DR-Z.

My son will be 15 soon and has his eye on the Ninja 250. He's been riding dirt bikes since the age of 4 and I know he will want to ride on the street and the track. I'm not sure if my Ninja 250 will be for him or if I should buy something along the lines of a Honda Grom or leftover CBR250R, or even a CRF250L.

If I give him the Ninja 250, I would want the Ninja 300 and not sure if its better to go with the 2014 vs the 2013 which had a few small issues. I am also intrigued by Yamaha's R25/R3 and the KTM RC390 and Duke 390. I was going to sell the DR-Z last year but decided to wait for the KTM Duke 390, which never arrived yet.

So many choices and here's what I am considering now:

-leftover 2013 red Ninja 300
-2014 Ninja 300
-leftover 2013 CBR250R (I like the white and red ones, big discounts now)
-2014 Honda Grom (would probably wait until next spring for a leftover)

Bikes to possibly wait for:
-KTM RC390
-KTM Duke 390
-Yamaha R3

Curious to see what everyone else would do in my situation.

[Sirref]

I say give him the N250 (obviously along with the proper gear) and then get whatever your heart aches for. For me that would be the RC390 on this list, though you can't go wrong with a N300 or the new r25/r3. The cbr250r would work well if you don't mind losing a little power in exchange for your fuel injection at a great price. If you ride a decent amount of highway miles the cbr250r probably isn't for you though.

I'd personally give it and get a new cbr650f or a triumph street triple r (or a used supersport from craigslist)

[SMman]

Funny you mention the Street Triple because I was looking at a purple leftover 2012 for my wife (her favorite color). I like the CBR650F and have been looking at the Versys 650 since it came out in 2008. I already have a 2003 ZX-6R which I`ve owned since 2004, so I don`t want another supersport. I`ve owned a GSX-R600, ZX-6RR race bike, VFR800, SV650S, ZZR250, and FZR400. I can`t behave on the bigger bikes on the street so will definitely be going with another small bike. I don`t think I would be happy with the CBR250R for myself but it might be a good first street bike for my son. I can get a brand new 2013 for $3200 Canadian. As much as I love the KTMs, I worry a bit about the reliability, cost of parts, maintenance schedule, and initial purchase price. I am leaning towards the red 2013 Ninja 300 if I sell the DR-Z now and Yamaha R25/R3 if I wait.

[Sirref]

I love the street triple but it's not quite what I would need for my uses with commuting (windscreens and fairings are good for cold weather/rain)

Totally understand not needing multiple supersports though I want one since I don't have one lol. A reliable dd car and a supersport are what I'm aiming for in the future at this point now that I have a track 250 and a commuter 300 (might sell the 300 for the supersport, don't know how that'll go down but ideally I'd keep it) the cbr650f looks to be a fantastic bike other than the front headlights looking a bit too gsxrish for my taste.

If you want a reliable bike I'd say the 300 is every bit as reliable as the honda, and I do agree that the ktm has a certain lack of knowledge on it's reliability to it.

[alex.s]

why r6 is not option?

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by alex.s

why r6 is not option?

you can only get an r6 if you crash your 250/300

I don't believe he qualifies (though I do lol)

[alex.s]

not many people know this but after crashing i bought a yamaha 600. its a requirement.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by alex.s

not many people know this but after crashing i bought a yamaha 600. its a requirement.

I should get on that then, I was looking at zx6rs and cbr600rrs though. For some reason R6s are on average $1000 more expensive and they don't have steering dampeners like they should.

[SMman]

I have seat time on a few R6s but prefer my 636. The owner of the 2009 R6 I rode also preferred my 2003 ZX-6R in the corners, although his bike is stock and I have a Hyperpro shock, Ohlins spring, Ohlins steering damper, Akrapovic exhaust, Corbin seat, and some other upgrades on my 6R. Its part of the family now, after being with me for 10 years, so no plans to ever sell it.

I am away from my bikes for 3-4 weeks and will post the DR-Z for sale when I return. If it sells this summer, I think I'll get the leftover red 2013 Ninja 300. If it doesn't sell, I will wait to see what becomes of the new Yamaha and KTM models. If they aren't what I am looking for, I'm sure I will be able to find a leftover 2014 Ninja 300 next year.

I still have fun on the DR-Z so will not sell it unless I get the right price. It has lots of upgrades as well so I will probably put it back to stock and sell the aftermarket parts separately.

I will be moving within the next 18 months (not sure where yet) and I just might like a little Honda Grom if I end up doing lots of city commuting. It would be the perfect first street bike for my son too, so I haven't ruled anything out yet.

Thanks for the votes and replies.

[Singh2jz]

I chose the Yamaha, but should've voted for the KTM. That thing is nooice. But don't get what we tell you to get. You do you.

[subxero]

considering ktm's and and yamy's are not even out and there is no release date in sight if you plan on doing any of this anytime soon half your options might not even be a possibility.

my vote is left over 300 or something not on the list

[SMman]

Would anyone worry about the recalls on the 2013 Ninja 300? Did they correctly address the problems with the ecu and fairing gap issues?

I'm in no rush so might wait to see what becomes of the KTM 390s and R25/R3. If I don't like them if/when they arrive, I'm sure it will be easy to find a leftover 2014 Ninja 300 (not huge sellers in my area).

I think I have elminated the CBR250R but wouldn't turn down a test ride.

[subxero]

all new bikes will have recalls. N300 is in 3rd year of production. Bugs are starting to be known and worked out, no real secrets there.

Duke, RC 390's will be in first year of production, sure you can maybe get some info from across the pond about their issues before they got to US... if ever but it will have some problems as well.

Same with Yamy. First year of a bike they have never sold before... i might wait a year before buying one to see how it plays out.

N300's you kind have an idea what you are getting into no real surprises, plus a good aftermarket source of bits and pieces.

[Mocha Man]

I voted for the duke because of how many great things I've heard about the bike from Sport Rider magazine. Plus it looks awesome!

[antiant]

Ninja 300 '13. The recall issues are fine. I think people make a big deal about them, when they shouldn't. Kawasaki took care of them as most any company has to, by law.

[supersport]

The recall issues on the ninja 300 aren't even that big of a deal. I rode the bike for a good half a year ignoring the recalls because I wasn't able to work out a schedule to leave the bike at the dealer for them to address the issues. Ecu recall? I didn't feel anything. Break recall? It felt the same after the fix and I have the abs. And I don't remember what the 3rd recall was. Non of it was felt on my part. Bike felt the same before the recall and after the recall.

Only gripe with the 2013 still is the little gap on the left side fairing.

One thing I don't like about the 2014 models is the black tank color combo. But if you like the 2014 models, why not get a 2014 and have a piece of mind knowing they fix the kinks.

Honestly the recalls are very minor. But for people that didn't go through the recall process, the 2013 models would probably seem like a very undesirable part of the ownership experience.

[SMman]

Originally Posted by subxero

all new bikes will have recalls.

I wouldn't agree that all bikes have recalls in their first year but get what you are saying. It is often a good idea to wait for the 2nd year of production to make sure all bugs have been worked out.

I've been lucky with my 2003 ZX-6R and previous 1999 SV650S which were both first year bikes, and never gave me any issues or had any recalls.

Right now, I am leaning towards the red 2013 Ninja 300 if the DR-Z sells this summer. If not, I will wait to see what comes out in 2015.

[cbinker]

KTM 390 would be one fun bike!