Calling ALL 300 owners...

[vman1313]

Sooooo the 300's have been out now for awhile and I am curious to hear reviews after a few hundred and maybe a few thousand miles in the saddle. Especially would love to hear from those who went from a 250 to the 300.

1. How many miles have you put on your 300?
2. Is the 300 worth the upgrade from a 250?
3. Is the power noticeable over a 250?
4. How does the Fuel Injection make the bike better (or worse) then the 250?
5. Any issues/problems?
BONUS: Comments? Complaints? Praises? Recommendations?

Thanks!

[allanoue]

Upgrade the Hayabusa to a 300 and track the 250

[vman1313]

Originally Posted by allanoue

Upgrade the Hayabusa to a 300 and track the 250

You read my mind and saw what I was trying to do...

[nautica]

^^ It's a good thing you chimed in with your completely useless post (not you vman). Keep the busa for street, track the 250.

OP, I don't have the 300 but after reading a lot about how people feel about them I haven't heard much, if any complaints about it, but it really hasn't been out too long. Obviously the power will be slightly greater but if you have a decently modded 250 it'll be roughly the same. Fuel injection, in my opinion, is a lot better than carbs as you probably know with your busa (unless that doesn't have FI). If you are tired of your 250 now and want a change then get the 300 but I haven't heard anyone raving to ditch the 250 for the 300, although the looks are worth it to some, the price is not. Is there a reason you're looking to trade the 250 for a 300 or just because you could?

[Rob1980]

I have both a 250r and a 300, and in the ninjette lineup, I've also had a 500ex. I would say from experience. That yes the 300 is a good upgrade from a 250 as long as that's what your wanting ( another fun, flickable cheap to run and insure bike) it has better styling, in my opinion, is faster, better handling on highway and as far as Fi vrs carb, I like it better, no more cold start choke bs. Yes you still warm it up, but turn the key and bam on! Also I like the dash, the bigger tires a d the turn signals, and windscreen redesign. It really looks like a small big bike.. As far as if its worth it,to me yes.. But it's what I was wanting. If your wanting to hop in it and expect zero to 1000 nope it's still a twin, but yes the torque is better than the 250 hands down. But both are still fun machines. I'd compare the torqe to the 500ex

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by Rob1980

I have both a 250r and a 300, and in the ninjette lineup, I've also had a 500ex. I would say from experience. That yes the 300 is a good upgrade from a 250 as long as that's what your wanting ( another fun, flickable cheap to run and insure bike) it has better styling, in my opinion, is faster, better handling on highway and as far as Fi vrs carb, I like it better, no more cold start choke bs. Yes you still warm it up, but turn the key and bam on! Also I like the dash, the bigger tires a d the turn signals, and windscreen redesign. It really looks like a small big bike.. As far as if its worth it,to me yes.. But it's what I was wanting. If your wanting to hop in it and expect zero to 1000 nope it's still a twin, but yes the torque is better than the 250 hands down. But both are still fun machines. I'd compare the torqe to the 500ex

Originally Posted by nautica

^^ It's a good thing you chimed in with your completely useless post (not you vman). Keep the busa for street, track the 250.

OP, I don't have the 300 but after reading a lot about how people feel about them?

your about as much help as me except I actually do own/ride a 300

[nautica]

Then why not post something useful instead. And I gave info on my thoughts from all the threads explaining how people felt about the 300, my apologies if you didn't like it.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by nautica

Obviously the power will be slightly greater but if you have a decently modded 250 it'll be roughly the same.

Does it not make more sense to consider both bikes with similar mods? That way the playing field is level.

Using your example and real data, it appears that the 300 significantly outshines even a modded 250 on a percentage basis. Gaining 3 hp on a Hyabusa is nothing. Gaining 3 hp when you only have 25 to start with is a much bigger deal.

According to the Area P dyno runs below, at the rear wheel the horsepower and torque numbers are as follows:

250R, stock: 25.32 hp, 13.27 lb ft
250R, mods: 30.72 hp, 14.99 lb ft

300, stock: 34.11 hp, 17.32 lb ft
300, mods: 38.04 hp, 18.31 lb ft

I trust Area P's data. They're a reputable business and it's likely that both bikes were tested on the same dyno. According to their results, on a percentage basis the stock 300 makes significantly more horsepower (11%) and torque (15.5%) than a modded newgen 250.

When you do an apples-to-apples comparison (modded 250 vs. modded 300) you get even greater gains. The modded 300 makes almost 24% more horsepower and over 22% more torque than the modded 250. That's a big bump.

Since I own a newgen and have done the Area P quiet core mod, I can tell you from first-hand experience that a gain of a few horsepower and lb ft in this context is definitely noticeable.

Here are the charts:

Newgen 250 with Area P mods.Red trace is stock, blue trace is full system, jetted. It's not stated whether this is the standard or long muffler but based on the number I think it's the standard. My Quiet Core doesn't quite get to 30 hp... but then, different dyno and I'm no fueling expert.




Ninja 300 with and without mods. Blue trace is stock, the others are the standard and long AreaP systems with appropriate electronic tweaks to the fueling.

[Alex]

/moved to 300 discussion area

[Alex]

Originally Posted by vman1313

1. How many miles have you put on your 300?
2. Is the 300 worth the upgrade from a 250?
3. Is the power noticeable over a 250?
4. How does the Fuel Injection make the bike better (or worse) then the 250?
5. Any issues/problems?
BONUS: Comments? Complaints? Praises? Recommendations?

Thanks!

1 - not as many as I'd like
2 - yes
3 - very much so
4 - less worry that the carbs will gum up if I have to leave the bike unridden for a couple weeks (like now).
5 - front brake pads on the non-abs models at least are less powerful than what came on the 250's, so the brakes feel weaker. They are virtually the same components, so a pad switch negates the problem.

Check out any of the reviews in this section for more info, here's mine.

[S1att3r]

1.1550
5.My only complaint is the front left fairing that keeps popping out.(I'm just nitpicking here.)

[nautica]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Does it not make more sense to consider both bikes with similar mods? That way the playing field is level.

I only made that comparison because I wasn't sure if he was going to go from a modded 250 to a stock 300. Obviously stock vs stock or modded vs modded there will be a big difference but modded vs stock isn't too much different, depending on what all is done.

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by nautica

I only made that comparison because I wasn't sure if he was going to go from a modded 250 to a stock 300. Obviously stock vs stock or modded vs modded there will be a big difference but modded vs stock isn't too much different, depending on what all is done.

I had a Jardine RT-5 Full Exhaust jetted 250. It was not close to my 300 out of the crate. Stop blowing smoke.

[Rob1980]

If you haven't owned both.... How could you comment. They are night and day different. No it's not a 600 but its nothing like the 250, aside from its size, it's a diff bike. Period , I have them both in my garage sooooo, think I qualify

[adouglas]

Which one does the girl in your avatar ride?

I'm guessing "both at once."

[Rob1980]

I'd say whatever she wants!! Ha

[Rob1980]

That bike just sitting still is hauling ass!!

[Tigerpaw]

1. I have 750 miles on my 300(2/20/13)
2. The 300 is a better bike than the 250r, worthy of upgrade if you have the coin
3. The power and gearing are noticeable, compared to the 250r
4. The FI, eliminates the need for a choke. Squeezes out more power/economy
5. Brakes seem less capable than the 250r. Paint scratches easily
BONUS: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=120130

[S1att3r]

Originally Posted by Tigerpaw

1. I have 750 miles on my 300(2/20/13)
2. The 300 is a better bike than the 250r, worthy of upgrade if you have the coin
3. The power and gearing are noticeable, compared to the 250r
4. The FI, eliminates the need for a choke. Squeezes out more power/economy
5. Brakes seem less capable than the 250r. Paint scratches easily
BONUS: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=120130

I have more scratches on my bike than my friend does on his '12 250 and hes dropped his 3 times.

[nautica]

Originally Posted by allanoue

I had a Jardine RT-5 Full Exhaust jetted 250. It was not close to my 300 out of the crate. Stop blowing smoke.

Maybe I should have clarified, adding an exhaust isn't what I would really consider modded but that's my fault for not being specific.

Originally Posted by Rob1980

If you haven't owned both.... How could you comment. They are night and day different. No it's not a 600 but its nothing like the 250, aside from its size, it's a diff bike. Period , I have them both in my garage sooooo, think I qualify

Never said I was qualified in the sense that I don't own both, and I never said you weren't qualified, I originally stated I didn't have a 300 and what I said is what I've read (and not just on here) about the differences from people and threw that out there since no one chimed in yet with anything helpful. And there are plenty of people on here who think they're qualified to state there opinion as facts but I won't go there.

By the way nothing I said was false so it's not like I'm making **** up, so I see no issue..I said the 300 has slightly more power (7 hp constitutes slight, opinions may vary), FI is a lot better/convenient than carbureted since I've had both and that's what I think, and it's only worth the upgrade if the person making the decision can justify it. Nitpick at whatever you want, doesn't bother me. Not going to clutter this up with another bitch fest.

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by nautica

Not going to clutter this up with another bitch fest.

Your problem is you love your GSXR so much any perceived slight sends you over the deep end. You own a very nice toy but I have the best toy in the world and I will not trade you my toy for yours. Just like you would not trading your toy for mine. I can respect that. Can you?

[Rob1980]

Hey brother, I'm just saying that reading numbers and riding the bike are not the same. Op asked ppl who had both,..Either way, mine is an opinion based on my experience with both bikes, and the comparisons of them. Yours is an assumption. I'm not a buttdyno specialist, 7hp is 7hp, but its whats perceived, again, varied from rider to rider. But I would say anyone who has both or had both, would say that's its different all around.

. But you can't dismiss someone's experience with both machines. But again this is the Internet, full of specialists and since the title of the post was calling all three hundred owners., you say you don't want to clutter this up but, you don't own one and four posts later.................

[nautica]

Originally Posted by allanoue

Your problem is you love your GSXR so much any perceived slight sends you over the deep end. You own a very nice toy but I have the best toy in the world and I will not trade you my toy for yours. Just like you would not trading your toy for mine. I can respect that. Can you?

I don't love my gsxr, it's more of a love-hate relationship ha. All I tried to do was state what people have told me and compare specs and everyone starts complaining because I'm not an owner, though I never claimed to. Not sure how your statement came about but I can respect that.

Originally Posted by Rob1980

Hey brother, I'm just saying that reading numbers and riding the bike are not the same.

I agree and didn't say they were. As I said, no one had any input so I explained what I've read and heard from owners and take what I say although it's not the same as yours, it's just more info to add which can't hurt.

[Tigerpaw]

Originally Posted by S1att3r

I have more scratches on my bike than my friend does on his '12 250 and hes dropped his 3 times.

At first I thought it was just more noticeable on a black bike...but this thing will get a scratch if you look at it wrong.

[Rob1980]

Wasn't trying to put you on blast bro

[tfkrocks]

1. About 1200 mi. right now.
2. Definitely
3. Very much so. The 300 can cruise on the highway without screaming like the 250.
4. Starts every time!
5. Many people have noticed, myself included, that the fairings aren't very well fitting and there will be a gap in the fairings on the left side by the windscreen. Kawasaki currently doesn't have a solution for it.
BONUS: Definitely a huge improvement over my pre-gen 250. It's so sexy looking that I still can hardly believe it's mine every time I look at it

[tnr4]

Howdy.

So, I'm closing in on 3000 miles now. Will be a lot more once it gets over 40 freakin degrees here! Anyway:

Huge improvement over my pregen.
Only issue is I'm having the same fairing gap that a lot of users are reporting. I'll take off the fairings and deal with it when I have time.

Was on the interstate today, which is a rarity, and just for kicks, was rollin along at 60ish, and just twisted the throttle. Hit 90 real quick, with plenty left to go. That never happened on my pregen! Still purring, easy to ride. Having a blast.

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by vman1313

Sooooo the 300's have been out now for awhile and I am curious to hear reviews after a few hundred and maybe a few thousand miles in the saddle. Especially would love to hear from those who went from a 250 to the 300.

1. How many miles have you put on your 300?
2. Is the 300 worth the upgrade from a 250?
3. Is the power noticeable over a 250?
4. How does the Fuel Injection make the bike better (or worse) then the 250?
5. Any issues/problems?
BONUS: Comments? Complaints? Praises? Recommendations?

Thanks!

1) 500 miles
2) Yes
3) way noticeable
4) I ride all year round, before it took a few miles before I could cut the choke completely, and now I just go with no thought to the choke
5) I do not try to wheelie ever and I never did on my 250 or 500. I have wheelied 3 times now on my 300. I now need to be more careful in fist and second gear.

[ninjamunky85]

Originally Posted by allanoue

5) I do not try to wheele ever and I never did on my 250 or 500. I have wheelied 3 times now on my 300. I now need to be more careful in fist and second gear.

[vman1313]

Thanks to all who responded "useful" comments...
Keep'em coming!!!!

I posed the question for a couple of reasons...
1. The 300 was & is a whole new bike and with it usually comes issues such as the fairing problem and the weak front brake. I really wanted to hear what REAL riders and not a motorcycle magazine editor had to say about the bike.

2. I am interested in purchasing a 300 because of its LOOKS, POWER over my 250, and WEIGHT. Weight is about the same as the pregen so thats a tie and as far as looks, well thats an opinion question but I am sure 99.99% would say the 300 looks a zillion times better than a pregen 250. The only thing I can not tell for myself based on looks or specs is the power. Just because it has more HP doesn't always mean it is quicker or faster. So I asked the question so I would know if riding 2up would be easier, if the 300 would travel better on the interstate/hwys, and if the 300 has just enough "more" power then the 250 to make it "funner!"

[vman1313]

OOHHH and YES the CHOKE/CARBS on the 250 SUCKS!
(another big reason to get the 300)

[tuan3742]

Originally Posted by allanoue

1) 500 miles
2) Yes
3) way noticeable
4) I ride all year round, before it took a few miles before I could cut the choke completely, and now I just go with no thought to the choke
5) I do not try to wheelie ever and I never did on my 250 or 500. I have wheelied 3 times now on my 300. I now need to be more careful in fist and second gear.

you can do wheelies? =o are you modded by chance cause i've never been able to do a wheelie on my 300.

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by tuan3742

you can do wheelies? =o are you modded by chance cause I've never been able to do a wheelie on my 300.

I can not but my 300 will on its own accord when I am in a hurry. Two on mine, one on a demo both had no mods.
I think the demo was broken in the same as my bike. What brake-in method did you use?

[tuan3742]

Originally Posted by allanoue

I can not but my 300 will on its own accord when I am in a hurry. Two on mine, one on a demo both had no mods.
I think the demo was broken in the same as my bike. What brake-in method did you use?

i just followed what my dealer recommended. was my first bike so just listened intently

[allanoue]

My dealer just said don't go to crazy. That and comeback between 800 and 1000 miles for an oil change.

[vman1313]

Thanks again to all the feedback...I actually got to ride a 300 on Sunday. It was my first ride on one and I was impressed with a few things NOT impressed with other. Here is my review/feedback from just the little bit I rode:::

1. How many miles have you put on your 300?
Only rode for a few minutes
2. Is the 300 worth the upgrade from a 250?
Yes...to me it would be...looks, power, FI, almost everything
3. Is the power noticeable over a 250?
Yes but not night and day
4. How does the Fuel Injection make the bike better (or worse) then the 250?
Much smoother all around
5. Any issues/problems?
Seat seemed hard as a rock but I am use to my PREGEN seat that is soft
BONUS: Comments? Complaints? Praises? Recommendations?

[Tigerpaw]

Originally Posted by vman1313

Seat seemed hard as a rock but I am use to my PREGEN seat that is soft

IMO. The seat is hard to the touch....but...is very comfortable for the long haul. Just the way it is shaped I guess.

[Yakaru]

The whole 'fairings popping out' thing is worrying to hear -- anyone have any pics or anything that shows the issue?

[Alex]

Ruslan was showing it to me on his bike (before he destroyed it). I couldn't really tell what he was talking about, it was pretty minor. One of the gaps looked slightly different on the left side, and he couldn't get it to line up right. I think Peanut had it on his, but it sounds like it's mostly a matter of loosening and then retightening the left side fairing once it's aligned properly.

[JBinSD]

My fairings have gaps too (see below). As for a break-in, after about a week on the street I started floggin' her on the track. The tach has been between 11k and 12.5 almost since birth, and so far, so good. Still having a blast :-)