R3 vs Sv650 (and do looks matter?)

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I say the 300. I started on a 650 and just always felt like I was babying it trying not to speed. Even a "slow" 650 is speeding in the city by second gear. Sold it and bought a 125 2-stroke I can wring out like crazy (and have to as all the power is in high RPM) and find it more fun to ride. Only difference is now instead of putting around I'm up near redline more and my launches require more concentration. Less comfortable and way more maintenance being a 2 stroke but a 300 4-stroke would be perfect.
 
The Ninja 650 isn't insured as a SS, when I was buying a few months ago it was between a ninja and an SV650S and they were the same rate. Ended up with the SV and liking it so far, it's my first bike
 
Drennan57 said:
Not entirely as the 500 is much heavier then the 300. BUT the torque is much greater and as a result the 500 rides like a "bigger" bike compared to the 300's. By this i mean it's more stable (holds it's line in the wind better), handles hills better etc.

I don't know if you have sat on any of them yet but at 6'1 the 300's just aren't comfortable to me. I'd imagine you would feel the same being even taller. If you want a cheap alternative to learn on with a low seat height give the Ninja 500 a look. I actually like the retro styling.
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Since when does torque affect how much your bike is thrown around by the wind?
 
unL33T said:
Since when does torque affect how much your bike is thrown around by the wind?
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i think he meant "it riding like a bigger bike means it gets thrown in the wind less and handles hills better"

Its a mix of his thoughts UNLEASHED ON US...
 
LePhillou said:
i think he meant "it riding like a bigger bike means it gets thrown in the wind less and handles hills better"

Its a mix of his thoughts UNLEASHED ON US...
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I usually don't like to get involved in other people's business but I'm with you if this comes to blows. I think you nailed it.
 
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I am 27, 245lbs, and 6'1...

I ride an R3 on the street and a Bandit 400 on the race track (when it works)

I fit on both easily. The R3 is a fun little bike (it will need a suspension adjustment for your size...but so will the SV)

The R3 with me on it was capable of 192kmh...so its fast if you wanna go fast, its comfortable for out size, and its cheap...Small tires- cheap, 67mpg- cheap...$890/year insurance...cheap...
 
LWTRacer said:
I am 27, 245lbs, and 6'1...

I ride an R3 on the street and a Bandit 400 on the race track (when it works)

I fit on both easily. The R3 is a fun little bike (it will need a suspension adjustment for your size...but so will the SV)

The R3 with me on it was capable of 192kmh...so its fast if you wanna go fast, its comfortable for out size, and its cheap...Small tires- cheap, 67mpg- cheap...$890/year insurance...cheap...
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That's pretty quick. Although Google says the R3 tops out at 183 kph, Ninja 300 tops out at 160 kph, RC390 (believe this has the most power), tops out at 179 kph. Could be gearing I guess.
 
unL33T said:
That's pretty quick. Although Google says the R3 tops out at 183 kph, Ninja 300 tops out at 160 kph, RC390 (believe this has the most power), tops out at 179 kph. Could be gearing I guess.
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I've had my Ninja up to 177km/h. An I'm over 200lbs so I don't know where the 160km/h claim is from.
 
177kmh based off the speedo or a GPS on inclined or flat road? I'm pretty sure speedos show a little higher for most bikes than they are actually going(5%-10%)... Could be bike specific tho. I know my old CBR250 was guilty of it

Drennan57 said:
I've had my Ninja up to 177km/h. An I'm over 200lbs so I don't know where the 160km/h claim is from.
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Mango Rider said:
177kmh based off the speedo or a GPS on inclined or flat road? I'm pretty sure speedos show a little higher for most bikes than they are actually going(5%-10%)... Could be bike specific tho. I know my old CBR250 was guilty of it
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Speedo, although It still had some more to give if I held it longer. My FZ reads higher with stock gearing too, an by a significant amount. It's off by about 4km/h at 70 with stock gearing. Although i don't know how accurate the current automated speed signs are.
 
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The N300 speedo is supposed to be off by ~10% according to the N300 forum, but I haven't verified this myself yet. Gotta get on getting a phone mount...
 
unL33T said:
That's pretty quick. Although Google says the R3 tops out at 183 kph, Ninja 300 tops out at 160 kph, RC390 (believe this has the most power), tops out at 179 kph. Could be gearing I guess.
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That was with a speedo healer, and a 35kmh tail wind on a very very long slightly down hill road.

After 170kmh the R3 runs out of puff and very slowly keeps climbing.

The ninja cup bikes at Shannonville this weekend were doing 175kmh with stock gearing.
 
LWTRacer said:
That was with a speedo healer, and a 35kmh tail wind on a very very long slightly down hill road.

After 170kmh the R3 runs out of puff and very slowly keeps climbing.

The ninja cup bikes at Shannonville this weekend were doing 175kmh with stock gearing.
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What sort of engine mods does the series allow? Ninja cup that is.
 
Drennan57 said:
What sort of engine mods does the series allow? Ninja cup that is.
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According to the CSBK website:

Bikes are required to be stock Kawasaki 300 models, model year 2013 or newer, and ABS equipped bikes are permitted. Maximum power permitted post-race on the Official Series Dynojet rear wheel Dynamometer, operated by Brooklin Cycle Racing, is 38 horsepower.

The bikes must remain in showroom condition, except for the following changes: 1. Dunlop Sportmax Alpha 13 race spec tires must be utilized; 2. A fluid-retaining, sealed, aftermarket race fairing with number panels must be used; 3. A brake guard protector must be installed; 4. All typical race spec fitting and fasteners must be lock wired or contained.

Optional Changes allowed include: 1. HIndle Racing aftermarket racing slip on pipe can be fitted; 2. Hindle set-back plates can be used with the stock pegs and brackets; 3. Dynojet V Power Commander and Quick Shifter can be fitted; 4. Elka racing rear shock can be utilized; 5. Restricted Front fork modification carried out by Accelerated Technologies, up to and including a K-Tech kit, are permitted; 6. Crash guards or frame sliders can be fitted. All other items must remain as delivered with the original, OE model.
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LWTRacer said:
I am 27, 245lbs, and 6'1...

I ride an R3 on the street and a Bandit 400 on the race track (when it works)

I fit on both easily. The R3 is a fun little bike (it will need a suspension adjustment for your size...but so will the SV)

The R3 with me on it was capable of 192kmh...so its fast if you wanna go fast, its comfortable for out size, and its cheap...Small tires- cheap, 67mpg- cheap...$890/year insurance...cheap...
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thanks this is just what i was looking for, im guessing the reason the insurance is so cheap is because you fully own and dont have full coverage?
 
So i just got off the phone with Statefarm, i know some people dislike them since their merger with dejardin or w.e ...

but i got some pretty good quotes from them, about the same as i did with paul south(aviva) and better than riders plus(who were close)


And apparently the CBR650F is not looked at as a supersport(Thought ill still stick with the SV650 because, SV and cheaper price tag)
 
Personally, I'd rather be cranking the throttle wide on a 300, than try and wet nurse a bigger bike.

Sure you'll get bored of it, but that just means that your desire has outstripped your ability for a time.
 
Baggsy said:
Personally, I'd rather be cranking the throttle wide on a 300, than try and wet nurse a bigger bike.

Sure you'll get bored of it, but that just means that your desire has outstripped your ability for a time.
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:roll:

He's looking at an SV650 here not a superbike, he's 6'2 250lbs and intends to slab quite a bit.

The 650 suits his needs better then any 300 baring he can find a fair deal on insurance. Which shouldn't be too difficult.
 
bigpoppa said:
thanks this is just what i was looking for, im guessing the reason the insurance is so cheap is because you fully own and dont have full coverage?
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That is full coverage as I have a loan on the bike. I have also had insurance for over 10 years on bikes with no incidents.

The sv is a great bike but also a pig on gas but the amount of spares available is amazing.

Personally I would get the r3, it's fun and sporty and if ridden properly can be as fast as you want it to be.

I gave up on big bikes purely because I was paying lots more for insurance and no being able to use the bike to its potential. And I have a track bike if I want to go fast (either a bandit 400, or borrowed gpz550 or 650 hawk, when the bandit is being a wench)

I get that lots of riders like the "roll on" ability of a bigger bike...but the r3 does just fine you just have to shift a lot more.

And remember an r3 doing 120kmh on the highway can easily overtake an r1 doing 110kmh....

And i should add...any monkey can twist a throttle in a straight line....and learning how to corner quickly on a little bike is a lot safer and easier at 65kmh vs 150kmh .
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