Best performing/fastest motorcycles under 500cc?

[sevet]

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Definitely not...CBR500 series is a solid bike...but they make very little hp for their displacement, and also weigh a ton, both so they fit into the A2 classification. A Ninja 300R is probably a lot faster both in the straights and in the corners.

I don't know the original sources but, according to http://www.zeroto60times.com/:

R3 = 0-60 in 5.1 & 1/4 mile in 14.1
Ninja 300 = 0-60 in 5.6 & 1/4 mile in 14.6

And then found this from another forum:

CBR500R: Corrected 1⁄4-mile: 13.63 sec. @ 93.80 mph

Ninja 300: Corrected 1⁄4-mile: 14.23 sec. @ 89.85 mph

So the CBR is more than half a second faster in the quarter mile than a Ninja 300. I think my point still stands that the R3 is faster than the Ninja but the CBR500 still edges out the R3 slightly.

 

[JP0160]

I don't know the original sources but, according to http://www.zeroto60times.com/:

R3 = 0-60 in 5.1 & 1/4 mile in 14.1
Ninja 300 = 0-60 in 5.6 & 1/4 mile in 14.6

And then found this from another forum:

CBR500R: Corrected 1⁄4-mile: 13.63 sec. @ 93.80 mph

Ninja 300: Corrected 1⁄4-mile: 14.23 sec. @ 89.85 mph

So the CBR is more than half a second faster in the quarter mile than a Ninja 300. I think my point still stands that the R3 is faster than the Ninja but the CBR500 still edges out the R3 slightly.

Cool site, didn't know that existed.

2015 CBR300R | 0-60 6.3sec <----- good enough for me!!!!! Beats my car any day. "But now I need a gixxer bro"

 

[LePhillou]

Honda really needs to get their **** together and start making exciting motorcycles again because the entire brand has lost its mojo. Honda use to be King. Now it's at the bottom.

/rant

Totally get your point.

But what Honda cares about are sales.

In their mind, if they are beating everyone in sales, they've done a good job as people are buying it and liking it enough to deem it to be the best "bang for the buck" (not only for the consumer, but for them too!)

How do you think i felt as an enthusiast when i saw that my beautiful subaru brand was going mainstream...i was sad, but it made them grow, and outgrew their long time rival mitsubishi. So much so that the Evo is no more but... the STi is still there, the Levorg is coming out (not in N/A ). If they have to sacrifice one model's awesomeness to keep all the rest of the ship sailing properly, why not?

Honda might not have made a beast out of the 500cc cbr but its still currently a milking cow for them that will allow to continue development elsewhere for the more performance oriented versions (aka the RRs...like the 250rr that might be making a comeback!!!)... i see it in that kind of light, business-wise.

It would be great to see other manufacturers come out with other bikes in the range...but that gap hasnt been filled yet and its been 3 years already since they came out and we havent heard of any other manufacturer wanting to enter that ring.
I dont know if it might be the A2 restrictions that make it more difficult to create a fun bike at this level...for world markets obviously.

 

[sevet]

Cool site, didn't know that existed.

2015 CBR300R | 0-60 6.3sec <----- good enough for me!!!!! Beats my car any day. "But now I need a gixxer bro"

In today's day and age, a Toyota Camry V6 will do 0-60 in the mid 5's...

 

[JP0160]

In today's day and age, a Toyota Camry V6 will do 0-60 in the mid 5's...

All the more reason for me to trade in my beginner bike for a litre bike with a stretch and nos, right? Gotta beat those Toyota people carriers!

 

[Face]

Totally get your point.

But what Honda cares about are sales.

How do you think i felt as an enthusiast when i saw that my beautiful subaru brand was going mainstream...i was sad, but it made them grow, and outgrew their long time rival mitsubishi. So much so that the Evo is no more but... the STi is still there, the Levorg is coming out (not in N/A ). If they have to sacrifice one model's awesomeness to keep all the rest of the ship sailing properly, why not?

This move backfired for Subaru with me. When the Forester changed from a tall wagon to an SUV with the 2009 model year, and the XT (turbo w WRX underpinnings) was no longer offered with a stick, I decided to get my m/c licence and a bike for commuting to save mileage on my 2006 XT. So thanks to Subaru's change in philosophy, I've spent my money on Suzuki, Kawasaki, two m/c tour/rental companies in Europe, two track racing schools, and 1 dirt bike operation. With Honda's mainstream thinking, vanilla offerings and their decision to close their only motorcycle dealership withing the City (Eglinton & DVP), they aren't even on my radar. I thought Subaru may be appealing to their core audience when they developed the Advanced Tourer Concept, and the Levorg looks pretty nice (if we ever get it, and with a stick), but I'm not holding out much hope.

Rant over, now back to the topic of the thread. My vote is for the RC390!

 

[LePhillou]

This move backfired for Subaru with me. When the Forester changed from a tall wagon to an SUV with the 2009 model year, and the XT (turbo w WRX underpinnings) was no longer offered with a stick, I decided to get my m/c licence and a bike for commuting to save mileage on my 2006 XT. So thanks to Subaru's change in philosophy, I've spent my money on Suzuki, Kawasaki, two m/c tour/rental companies in Europe, two track racing schools, and 1 dirt bike operation. With Honda's mainstream thinking, vanilla offerings and their decision to close their only motorcycle dealership withing the City (Eglinton & DVP), they aren't even on my radar. I thought Subaru may be appealing to their core audience when they developed the Advanced Tourer Concept, and the Levorg looks pretty nice (if we ever get it, and with a stick), but I'm not holding out much hope.

Rant over, now back to the topic of the thread. My vote is for the RC390!

hmmm your Forester is what i wanted when i first learned i was gonna be a dad. Right now, i'd want a levorg if we get it but still have a hard on for those turbo'd fozzies! Especially when they're lowered.

And that's the thing, subaru, like honda, is gonna lose the smaller core of enthusiast to trade for the bigger pool of sheep that just want an a-to-b mobile or a-to-b cycle. Toyota lost its Celica which was its last sports car until the ft-86/frs/brz came out. (Of course im not looking at the lexus premium market)
I'm guessing most of the Japanese leaned out their production model, as they're well known for, and now they can start being creative and trying to get more soul (Honda with its new Type-R coming out, the NSX, etc) Toyota with its FRS (and rumours of Supra successor/comeback), subaru well.. it's always been the odd rebel child out of the jap manufacturers.

SO my hope is that with the success Honda's had with their 'blanding' and leaning out, they'll be able to comeback with a more solid product line.

 

[unL33T]

This move backfired for Subaru with me. When the Forester changed from a tall wagon to an SUV with the 2009 model year, and the XT (turbo w WRX underpinnings) was no longer offered with a stick, I decided to get my m/c licence and a bike for commuting to save mileage on my 2006 XT. So thanks to Subaru's change in philosophy, I've spent my money on Suzuki, Kawasaki, two m/c tour/rental companies in Europe, two track racing schools, and 1 dirt bike operation. With Honda's mainstream thinking, vanilla offerings and their decision to close their only motorcycle dealership withing the City (Eglinton & DVP), they aren't even on my radar. I thought Subaru may be appealing to their core audience when they developed the Advanced Tourer Concept, and the Levorg looks pretty nice (if we ever get it, and with a stick), but I'm not holding out much hope.

Rant over, now back to the topic of the thread. My vote is for the RC390!

It's REALLY hard to find an AWD manual SUV. Ended up with a 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander last time I tried. Subaru royally screwed me when I had a 2009 WRX before that so I swore I'd never buy another.

But the Outlander only has a measly 2.4L engine which is quite slow even with the stick so now I'm trying to find something quicker to upgrade to next year. Everything available in AWD and manual is only a 2.3-2.5L so not much improvement.

That led me to a used X5 or Cayenne but both are very expensive and I'm concerned the reliability will be garbage. I already have the 944 and my 2 stroke Aprilia eating up money. Don't need another money pit.

If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm open to it. Maybe I'll hunt for an older Forester XT even though I'm still salty towards Subaru.

Test drove a Forester that had the entire drive train and suspension swapped from an STI. It was an amazing vehicle but the guy wanted $12k for it and it was like a 2006 or something so it seemed a bit much since regular used ones were going for like $8k or less at the time. Plus I was worried I'd have a tough time with insurance since it was so modified.

 

[LePhillou]

Test drove a Forester that had the entire drive train and suspension swapped from an STI. It was an amazing vehicle but the guy wanted $12k for it and it was like a 2006 or something so it seemed a bit much since regular used ones were going for like $8k or less at the time. Plus I was worried I'd have a tough time with insurance since it was so modified.

"Replaced with factory parts"... factory of another car..but still factory lol

 

[unL33T]

"Replaced with factory parts"... factory of another car..but still factory lol

If it was an XT you might be able to get away with it since both are turbo but his started life as normally aspirated.

 

[Face]

hmmm your Forester is what i wanted when i first learned i was gonna be a dad. Right now, i'd want a levorg if we get it but still have a hard on for those turbo'd fozzies! Especially when they're lowered.

And that's the thing, subaru, like honda, is gonna lose the smaller core of enthusiast to trade for the bigger pool of sheep that just want an a-to-b mobile or a-to-b cycle. Toyota lost its Celica which was its last sports car until the ft-86/frs/brz came out. (Of course im not looking at the lexus premium market)
I'm guessing most of the Japanese leaned out their production model, as they're well known for, and now they can start being creative and trying to get more soul (Honda with its new Type-R coming out, the NSX, etc) Toyota with its FRS (and rumours of Supra successor/comeback), subaru well.. it's always been the odd rebel child out of the jap manufacturers.

SO my hope is that with the success Honda's had with their 'blanding' and leaning out, they'll be able to comeback with a more solid product line.

My sense is that if the mainstream auto makers do try to get back to more performance models, they'll do it mostly at the upper end, which is well above what I'm prepared to pay. Also dual clutch auto vs stick, like the new NSX. I've had my XT since new. It's got 187k now and is still in great shape, so I suspect I'll keep it til it drops. At that point, we'll see what's out there. I expect it won't be much, so I'll go with utility & a stick over higher performance & save my money for riding. I'll rely on bikes to fulfill my performance need. I'm thinking a Super Duke GT would make a nice 2-up long distance tourer. The performance wagon to the Super Adventure SUV.

 

[LePhillou]

My sense is that if the mainstream auto makers do try to get back to more performance models, they'll do it mostly at the upper end, which is well above what I'm prepared to pay. Also dual clutch auto vs stick, like the new NSX. I've had my XT since new. It's got 187k now and is still in great shape, so I suspect I'll keep it til it drops. At that point, we'll see what's out there. I expect it won't be much, so I'll go with utility & a stick over higher performance & save my money for riding. I'll rely on bikes to fulfill my performance need. I'm thinking a Super Duke GT would make a nice 2-up long distance tourer. The performance wagon to the Super Adventure SUV.

You sir, have good vehicular taste.

Also i agree, the new generation of 20some workers are broker than ever. So that's not the segment that will sell the most performance vehicles. I see it as a mix of more difficult/more expensive lifestyle driven by our consumerism/marketing along with people who want it all without putting in the effort. So i still see a lot of debt in our future lol

I've got to say though, another big determining factor for the motorcycle engine size for me has been insurance. Since the cb500x wasn't marginally that much more expensive than the alternatives (a newer 250 or an older gs500) and would ensure more reliability and a non-shady past..it was a non brainer for me. Especially that once everything was said and done, i found one with an OTD price that mustve been very close to what new 300s were going for.

Only time will tell what manufacturers are planning for us!

 

[Face]

You sir, have good vehicular taste. Thanks, as do you.

Also i agree, the new generation of 20some workers are broker than ever. So that's not the segment that will sell the most performance vehicles. I see it as a mix of more difficult/more expensive lifestyle driven by our consumerism/marketing along with people who want it all without putting in the effort. So i still see a lot of debt in our future lol Also most would have no idea what to do with that third peddle if they got into a car that had one.

I've got to say though, another big determining factor for the motorcycle engine size for me has been insurance. Since the cb500x wasn't marginally that much more expensive than the alternatives (a newer 250 or an older gs500) and would ensure more reliability and a non-shady past..it was a non brainer for me. Especially that once everything was said and done, i found one with an OTD price that mustve been very close to what new 300s were going for. Naked also seems to be a factor in reducing insurance rates. Probably worthwhile for the OP to talk to their insurance companies about the CB500F, CB300F & Duke 390 and compare them to their faired brothers. Also the BMW G310R, although Canadian MSRP doesn't seem to be out yet. The Yamaha MT-03 may be an option, but I haven't seen any sign that its coming to Canada.

Only time will tell what manufacturers are planning for us!

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