Looking to upgrade from my crf250L | GTAMotorcycle.com

Looking to upgrade from my crf250L

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dallasmcmahon

Well-known member
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Hey everyone,

I've been looking at potential upgrades after riding a crf250L for almost 2 seasons now. My first season 3 years ago I had a cbr250 and loved the bike for what it was. The next season I traded it for a crf250L so my dad was able to ride it and I wanted to try some dual sport action. However, on my third season now, I've realized I'm missing the street oriented bike. I also want my own bike so my dad and I can ride together. He will be keeping the crf250.

A little bit about myself; I am currently turning 19 this year so I am a young rider. I'm looking for a motorcycle that will be fun and nimble, but will give me enough power that I can travel on the highway sometimes without feeling powerless. It will probably be a 65/35 city/highway motorcycle. Im really looking into the new yamaha R3. I have only ridden 250s and have never been on anything bigger. Do you think that an R3 would be worth the upgrade for myself since my dad is taking over my 250? Being 42hp with an impressive power to weight ratio, will this be something I will glad to have bought?

Let me know what you guys think, or if there are other bikes that you think would be a better option giving my age and experience? Im mainly looking for a sport/naked style of bike.

Thanks

Dallas
 
dallasmcmahon said:
Hey everyone,

I've been looking at potential upgrades after riding a crf250L for almost 2 seasons now. My first season 3 years ago I had a cbr250 and loved the bike for what it was. The next season I traded it for a crf250L so my dad was able to ride it and I wanted to try some dual sport action. However, on my third season now, I've realized I'm missing the street oriented bike. I also want my own bike so my dad and I can ride together. He will be keeping the crf250.

A little bit about myself; I am currently turning 19 this year so I am a young rider. I'm looking for a motorcycle that will be fun and nimble, but will give me enough power that I can travel on the highway sometimes without feeling powerless. It will probably be a 65/35 city/highway motorcycle. Im really looking into the new yamaha R3. I have only ridden 250s and have never been on anything bigger. Do you think that an R3 would be worth the upgrade for myself since my dad is taking over my 250? Being 42hp with an impressive power to weight ratio, will this be something I will glad to have bought?

Let me know what you guys think, or if there are other bikes that you think would be a better option giving my age and experience? Im mainly looking for a sport/naked style of bike.

Thanks

Dallas
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I think the R3 fits your described needs well. If you're planning on doing substantial riding with your father then it sounds great. Myself, I would rather go on the used market so as to keep the costs down. Deciding on your next bike is the best part of motorcycling, take your time and get what YOU want, not what others think you should have.
 
RedDogDarren said:
I think the R3 fits your described needs well. If you're planning on doing substantial riding with your father then it sounds great. Myself, I would rather go on the used market so as to keep the costs down. Deciding on your next bike is the best part of motorcycling, take your time and get what YOU want, not what others think you should have.
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This.^ If I were in your shoes, I might also check out the cbr500 models. However, make sure to check out insurance rates first.
 
Iceman said:
This.^ If I were in your shoes, I might also check out the cbr500 models. However, make sure to check out insurance rates first.
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Insurance for the R3 will be $1600 for me which is fair enough. I was considering a cbr500 but I figured the new R3 makes pretty comparable HP. I know the 500 will be stronger on the highway, however i feel that the 300 is just way more sporty. Let me know what you think.
 
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dallasmcmahon said:
Insurance for the R3 will be $1600 for me which is fair enough. However i would put my dad the primary on the cbr500. I was considering a cbr500 but I figured the new R3 makes pretty comparable HP. I know the 500 will be stronger on the highway, however i feel that the 300 is just way more sporty. Let me know what you think.
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If super sporty is what you like, go for for it. You'll be happier.
 
dallasmcmahon said:
Insurance for the R3 will be $1600 for me which is fair enough. However i would put my dad the primary on the cbr500. I was considering a cbr500 but I figured the new R3 makes pretty comparable HP. I know the 500 will be stronger on the highway, however i feel that the 300 is just way more sporty. Let me know what you think.
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You've probably already picked your bike, and I agree. The r3 is a sweet bike, the 500 may have a little more power, but it's got the extra weight to go with it. I'm with Dricked on this one, pick what YOU want to ride. I doubt you'll get many suggestions you haven't already looked into.
I recently bought a Versys 650, everyone I know asks the same thing, "why only a 650?". Because I test rode one and it made me grin, it's what I wanted.
 
^^^not everyone. I didn't ask. I don't judge. ?

R3 is nice. Are you sure about the insurance? Seems low. I wouldn't mention any potential thoughts of listing someone else as primary on a public forum.

Btw, cool name. Much cooler than Joe.
 
Joe Bass said:
^^^not everyone. I didn't ask. I don't judge. ��

R3 is nice. Are you sure about the insurance? Seems low. I wouldn't mention any potential thoughts of listing someone else as primary on a public forum.

Btw, cool name. Much cooler than Joe.
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Yes, I only called Desjardins just to get an estimate. and the 300 for me would be $1651, while my dad on the 250 would be $621.
 
If you can afford it I think you'd really like a duke 390... its 375cc... has upright riding position but very sporty... KTM also makes the RC 390, I bought one this year and I like it alot, it might be abit to sporty though I dunno, riding position is quite aggressive... but duke is pretty upright. Just some different ideas to think about, I don't think you'll go wrong no matter what you get... R3's... cbr or ninja 500's... personally if I was upgrading I would want something that is abit more of an upgrade then just 50cc's but as everyone else has mentioned, get what you want. If your happy thats all that matters.

I think mission cycle in angus is selling a duke 390 if you look it up and like it, I'm not 100% sure though. Good luck.
 
The latest Motorcycle Consumer News compared the R3, KTM390, CBR300 and the Ninja 300. R3 a clear winner for them and my, does it sound like a good bike.
 
Iceman said:
I'm with Dricked on this one, pick what YOU want to ride.
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+1
I hope this takes a foot hold. I'm sick of watching one bike after another pull into bike night ridden by people who picked the bike they didn't want to ride. That makes a pretty tense evening.
 
Aranate said:
If you can afford it I think you'd really like a duke 390... its 375cc... has upright riding position but very sporty... KTM also makes the RC 390, I bought one this year and I like it alot, it might be abit to sporty though I dunno, riding position is quite aggressive... but duke is pretty upright. Just some different ideas to think about, I don't think you'll go wrong no matter what you get... R3's... cbr or ninja 500's... personally if I was upgrading I would want something that is abit more of an upgrade then just 50cc's but as everyone else has mentioned, get what you want. If your happy thats all that matters.

I think mission cycle in angus is selling a duke 390 if you look it up and like it, I'm not 100% sure though. Good luck.
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I was looking into the rc, but I was talking to some people who own them as well and they said that the fuel mapping seems off? How do you find it?

Also, thank you everyone for your input. Its been an interesting time trying to find my next purchase.
 
One other consideration...there's a lot to be said for a slightly heavier bike vs a lighter bike on the highways if there's a crosswind or buffeting from trucks etc. Compared to my first bike my current bike is a lot heavier and more stable on the highway. Not that the first bike was dangerous or anything, just something to consider.
 
RedDogDarren said:
I think the R3 fits your described needs well. If you're planning on doing substantial riding with your father then it sounds great. Myself, I would rather go on the used market so as to keep the costs down.
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+1, the difference between an R3 and Ninja 300 is splitting hairs, and for the price of a used 300, you can get ABS, better gear, and have money left over for pie.
 
jc100 said:
One other consideration...there's a lot to be said for a slightly heavier bike vs a lighter bike on the highways if there's a crosswind or buffeting from trucks etc. Compared to my first bike my current bike is a lot heavier and more stable on the highway. Not that the first bike was dangerous or anything, just something to consider.
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That's not weight as much as wheelbase. Your heavier bike likely has a longer wheelbase, perhaps a more relaxed head angle. Some of those little 250 cruisers are dead stable on the highway.
 
dallasmcmahon said:
I was looking into the rc, but I was talking to some people who own them as well and they said that the fuel mapping seems off? How do you find it?

Also, thank you everyone for your input. Its been an interesting time trying to find my next purchase.
Click to expand...

Free advice: believe little what you read in magazines , and test ride as many bikes as possible, even ones you don't think you would like.
 
Iceman said:
You've probably already picked your bike, and I agree. The r3 is a sweet bike, the 500 may have a little more power, but it's got the extra weight to go with it. I'm with Dricked on this one, pick what YOU want to ride. I doubt you'll get many suggestions you haven't already looked into.
I recently bought a Versys 650, everyone I know asks the same thing, "why only a 650?". Because I test rode one and it made me grin, it's what I wanted.
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Alright Top Gun, not everybody asked you why only a 650! ;)
Have not rode a Versys, but it looks pretty cool. Wouldn't mind test riding one.


I've had people ask me why I got a 690... Thinking I should have gotten a bigger/faster bike. :lmao:

I think the 690 can be more scary than a litre bike...... IMO. Essentially a large dirt-bike with 66 HP... Let's just say I have had some almost pant-crapping experiences that quickly made me respect the bike more. It's amazing what modern bikes can output in terms of power. Even the smaller bikes can get you up to speed pretty damn fast...


Crazy the amount of power the 300's are outputting now.... Ninja 300 or R3 would definitely be a solid choice. Maybe KTM Duke 390? Come to the orange side..... ;)
 
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jc100 said:
One other consideration...there's a lot to be said for a slightly heavier bike vs a lighter bike on the highways if there's a crosswind or buffeting from trucks etc. Compared to my first bike my current bike is a lot heavier and more stable on the highway. Not that the first bike was dangerous or anything, just something to consider.
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+1 on this... My bike without luggage feels really "flighty" on the highway... Packed with 60-70 pounds it becomes much much more comfortable.

KTM Duke 390 - 340 wet weight
Yamaha R3 - 368 wet weight
Ninja 300 - 385 wet weight
 
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