The Big 3!

[Rikard]

Hey Guys

I've been hearing a lot about the ninja 300, cbr 500 and the rc390. Which one is best?

GO!!

[rastuscat]

Best is such a personal choice thing. Whatever opinion you get from folk is likely to conflict with the next opinion you get.

For example, if you asked which car is better, a Morris Minor or a Falcon XR8, you'd still get a bunch of people defending the Morrie.

You just have to ride the, and make your own call.

Ultimately, you will be best to buy a bike that lights your candle. Riding is so much about passion that I find that if I have a bike I'm only luke-warm about, I get rid of it quickly. I just don't buy bikes these days that I don't look forward to riding. You have to love your bike.

Where folk go wrong is in the process. Be honest, and assess your needs. Then find bikes that meet your needs. If there are a few, make a list. Then pick the one that you personally lust for.

It may be that you need a trusty, reliable, mile eater, with luggage space. You might need fuel economy, you might need weather protection. But if all that practical stuff goes out the window when you see your Ducati Lustmeister, a couple of things will happen. You'll love the Duc, but you might wish you hadn't bought it, as it doesn't do what you want a bike to.

You really have to find that balance for yourself.

Of those three, the KTM looks the ducks nuts to me, but it's a long way from what I want in a bike.

[5ive]

The best at what exactly? They're all completely different bikes ;)

[Banditbandit]

This one is not ripe yet ...

<img src="http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoGallerys/2013KawasakiNinja300FirstRide15.jpg" width="400px"/>


Some members would say this is gay

<img src="http://www.motoprogress.com/photo/HONDA/HONDA-CBR-500-R-2013-5.jpg" width="400px"/>



Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen WTF ??? .. That's what KTM stands for ...

<img src="http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/gallery/2014-ktm-rc390-official/2014-ktm-rc390-05.jpg" width="400px"/>

[sil3nt]

Yamaha R3 :yes:

[Rikard]

Yamaha R3 :yes:

Yeah I've heard good things about them. Any ideas on where to test ride in Auckland? I've ridden the rc a couple of times now. That's a hell of a bike!

[mossy1200]

This one is not ripe yet ...




That looks good.
The KTM also looks good. Not into orange. Honda had orange in some late 80 early 90s bikes and look what it did to their rep.

Spoilt for choice on learners licence now.
A long period of time where manufactures ignored the learner market.
Got down to picking a gsx250 twin or a gn250 for a while.

Did my time on a rg250f personally but that was 25 years ago. Mates had tzrs and nsrs. Was the age of smokers. Bought a rg400 then 500 while on restricted licence. Only penalty if caught was a licence extension (one mate had 4 years added to his learners). Never got caught on mine though.:woohoo:

[Rikard]

That looks good.
The KTM also looks good. Not into orange. Honda had orange in some late 80 early 90s bikes and look what it did to their rep.

Spoilt for choice on learners licence now.
A long period of time where manufactures ignored the learner market.
Got down to picking a gsx250 twin or a gn250 for a while.

Did my time on a rg250f personally but that was 25 years ago. Mates had tzrs and nsrs. Was the age of smokers. Bought a rg400 then 500 while on restricted licence. Only penalty if caught was a licence extension (one mate had 4 years added to his learners). Never got caught on mine though.:woohoo:

Lucky for some huh :). I made the mistake of giving my sister a ride to her mates on my bandit and got pulled up. First time I've done it, typical. Well 35 demerits later I think I'll be going on the straight and narrow!

Keen to give the ninja 300 a go before committing to the rc390 but it would have to be pretty incredible. I was stoked with the rc, heeeeaps better than the duke in my opinion but then I'm just going to be using it on the weekends for hoons through the windys and the odd track day not as a commuter.

As to the cbr500 they definitely have their advantages particularly in delivering a full sized bike experience for a lams rider but the price tag is definitely up there.

Any thoughts on which will hold its value?

[mossy1200]

Any thoughts on which will hold its value?

Money in your bank.
Most well kept lams bikes will return 70+ % if kms arnt high and its not damaged.
CBR only if your planning long distance trips of the overnight variety.
KTM is the prestige option and Kwaka is likely a slightly more sensible option.

[Rikard]

Money in your bank.
Most well kept lams bikes will return 70+ % if kms arnt high and its not damaged.
CBR only if your planning long distance trips of the overnight variety.
KTM is the prestige option and Kwaka is likely a slightly more sensible option.

Hmmm not that I'm particularly into 'prestige' but I'm definitely swinging towards the Ktm right now. If I wanted a sensible bike (and this is just me) I'd buy a car.

[Rikard]

Hmmm not that I'm particularly into 'prestige' but I'm definitely swinging towards the Ktm right now. If I wanted a sensible bike (and this is just me) I'd buy a car.

Let me rephrase that. I want a bike that makes me smile like a chimpanzee being tickled. Sounds like the Ktm fits that bill :).

[mossy1200]

Let me rephrase that. I want a bike that makes me smile like a chimpanzee being tickled. Sounds like the Ktm fits that bill :).

So it was already decided.

[MisterD]

I looked at the 390 Duke and apart from it just feeling too damn small, I wasn't convinced of reliability out of the Indian factory but I have a feeling I read somewhere that production has shifted to China for non-Indian markets now?

Honda, great, competent bike, unquestionably reliable and...may as well be made by Fisher & Paykel (except for the reliable bit).

If I was back with no bike and a pocket full of cash again, I'd make almost the same decision...http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-880441271.htm

[n3Xro]

I test rode the CBR500 late last year, coming from a 2008 ex250 Ninja at the time it definitely felt like a step up to a bigger bike and while it had plenty of pull when it was demanded(much better overtaking at open road speeds) it felt like its 8k redline(if I remember correctly) came just as the bike was about to become a lot of fun....

[helbnd]

Let me rephrase that. I want a bike that makes me smile like a chimpanzee being tickled. Sounds like the Ktm fits that bill :).

Just be sure to remove the cat and rejet accordingly :2thumbsup

[eelracing]

If I wanted a sensible bike (and this is just me) I'd buy a car.

The best rider in the world is the one having the most fun.

[sil3nt]

This is what you want:
http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/beginner-ish-sportbike-shootout

[caspernz]

Let me rephrase that. I want a bike that makes me smile like a chimpanzee being tickled. Sounds like the Ktm fits that bill :).

Sounds like what you get with a bottle of wine and the local bike...unless you were still talking about bikes with two wheels as opposed to two legs :innocent:

[Rikard]

I looked at the 390 Duke and apart from it just feeling too damn small, I wasn't convinced of reliability out of the Indian factory but I have a feeling I read somewhere that production has shifted to China for non-Indian markets now?

Honda, great, competent bike, unquestionably reliable and...may as well be made by Fisher & Paykel (except for the reliable bit).

If I was back with no bike and a pocket full of cash again, I'd make almost the same decision...http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-880441271.htm

Now that's interesting about the KTM quality. Not something I've looked in to but should. Awesome trademe listing. If I was looking for a daily that would definitely be up my alley!