2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 revealed

[DaveAlvarado]

Originally Posted by el_chupo_

I only wish they had given the same treatment to the EX500 and Ninja 250. A few more horses for the 250 with fuel injection, and add the styling and EFI to the 500 boosting its HP up a bit... But I guess that would cut into the 650 sales, etc.

This *is* the treatment of the 250. There is no 2013 Ninja 250. The Ninja 300 replaces it.

[TwoSmokeDS]

Nice. But wish they would have made it more standard. That leaning forward is too much for my back. Hoping they'll make a adventure bike out of it for us inseam challenged. It would rock the DS world.

[bmcdonau]

Originally Posted by P-Ratt

*sigh* The logic behind this statement is the reason we don't get the cool smaller displacement bikes in the US. Lower displacement automatically reduces the worth to us as consumers, meaning we won't pay what we perceive to be inflated prices. I don't think this mentality is going anywhere anytime soon, nor will the smaller bikes come flooding to the US.

Bikes cost money to develop, regardless of displacement. They all go through long processes of design, analysis and such. Even parts-bin bikes have a lot of this. MSRP has to justify all the behind-the-scenes work to bring it to production. (not that I want to justify the manufacturers in pricing me out of the new bikes to come...)


FWIW, I saw $4799 standard, $4999 for the LE paint and $5499 listed for the LE ABS, but didn't ever see an ABS model only listed anywhere.

Why yes, lower cc's should equal less cost and if it doesn't there is something wrong. Less CC equal lighter engine which equals lighter frame, suspension etc. Compared to the CBR250R, you are paying a very big premium for the extra 50 ccs of the Kawasaki.

[bmcdonau]

Originally Posted by DaveAlvarado

Don't think of it as paying for the displacement, think of it as paying for the fuel injection.

the Honda is fuel injected and cost over $500 less so yes, you are paying a lot for the extra 50 ccs.

[1TallTXn]

Originally Posted by bmcdonau

the Honda is fuel injected and cost over $500 less so yes, you are paying a lot for the extra 50 ccs.

From what I've read, the CBR is down on power compared to the Ninja. Handles better, but less power.
Wonder if its the single/twin issue or something else.

I'd love a little 250 for the commute. Though I'd probably pick the WR250X over either the CBR or baby Ninja

[bmcdonau]

Originally Posted by 1TallTXn

From what I've read, the CBR is down on power compared to the Ninja. Handles better, but less power.
Wonder if its the single/twin issue or something else.

I'd love a little 250 for the commute. Though I'd probably pick the WR250X over either the CBR or baby Ninja

I think the Honda is tuned for a wider spread of power while the Kawasaki was tuned for higher peak power with a narrower power band. The Honda also has a counter balancer which reduces the output too.

With these little bikes its not about accelerating out of corners but maintaining speed through the corner. I can lean the CBR250R a lot more than I could when I started riding it, but I can't really do it justice in the corners yet!

[bmcdonau]

Originally Posted by P-Ratt

*sigh* The logic behind this statement is the reason we don't get the cool smaller displacement bikes in the US. Lower displacement automatically reduces the worth to us as consumers, meaning we won't pay what we perceive to be inflated prices. I don't think this mentality is going anywhere anytime soon, nor will the smaller bikes come flooding to the US.

Bikes cost money to develop, regardless of displacement. They all go through long processes of design, analysis and such. Even parts-bin bikes have a lot of this. MSRP has to justify all the behind-the-scenes work to bring it to production. (not that I want to justify the manufacturers in pricing me out of the new bikes to come...)


FWIW, I saw $4799 standard, $4999 for the LE paint and $5499 listed for the LE ABS, but didn't ever see an ABS model only listed anywhere.

BTW, do you HAVE one of these smaller bikes?

[1TallTXn]

I'm all for a wide power band, they're much more useful in the real world!

I've been reading Ari Henning's articles in Motorcyclist where he's racing his CBR against Ninjas. Smoking them in the corners, and getting eaten alive on the straights.

[DaveAlvarado]

Originally Posted by bmcdonau

the Honda is fuel injected and cost over $500 less so yes, you are paying a lot for the extra 50 ccs.

And a whole other cylinder, don't forget that.

And bodywork, if you're into non-naked bikes.

And a slipper clutch.

And something that looks like a sport bike and not a Cylon with wheels.

[1TallTXn]

Originally Posted by DaveAlvarado

And a whole other cylinder, don't forget that.

And bodywork, if you're into non-naked bikes.

And a slipper clutch.

And something that looks like a sport bike and not a Cylon with wheels.

Or a VFR1200 that got washed in hot water

[DaveAlvarado]

At least it didn't get washed with a red bike and come out pink.

[bmcdonau]

Originally Posted by 1TallTXn

I'm all for a wide power band, they're much more useful in the real world!

I've been reading Ari Henning's articles in Motorcyclist where he's racing his CBR against Ninjas. Smoking them in the corners, and getting eaten alive on the straights.

I've been watching his build--supposed to be some engine mods coming. The CBR is definitely not a powerhouse.

[bmcdonau]

Originally Posted by 1TallTXn

Or a VFR1200 that got washed in hot water

by itself it doesn't look small, but next to almost anything it looks like a 7/8 motorcycle.

[DaveC]

I don't care, I ain't got no money! They need to dual sport that motor.

[DFW_Warrior]

Dual sport a motor that doesn't really have any HP till 9k rpm's? Man if that is what you guys want I say go for it, but I want my power WAY lower in the grand scheme of things. Even my high strung 2-stroke comes alive at 5k.

[KenH]

Originally Posted by DFW_Warrior

Dual sport a motor that doesn't really have any HP till 9k rpm's? Man if that is what you guys want I say go for it, but I want my power WAY lower in the grand scheme of things. Even my high strung 2-stroke comes alive at 5k.

Maybe they don't plan to get it dirty. I'd like to see a that engine in a mortard or conservatively styled standard. Those would be great commuters.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by DFW_Warrior

Dual sport a motor that doesn't really have any HP till 9k rpm's? Man if that is what you guys want I say go for it, but I want my power WAY lower in the grand scheme of things. Even my high strung 2-stroke comes alive at 5k.

It is all in the cams and timing. Triumph does it across their products. Same motor different tuning.

[DFW_Warrior]

Originally Posted by DaveC

It is all in the cams and timing. Triumph does it across their products. Same motor different tuning.

Ummmm, I must be missing something. I don't see anywhere where Triumph uses a motor that can turn to 14k and then tune it with a cam to become a torque monster at 5k. In fact, I don't see a dual sport in their lineup at all.

Yes, you can certainly tune a motor with cams and timing, but there are somethings that they just can't do. Turning a high-revving street motor into a dirt bike motor is not one of them I'm afraid.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by DFW_Warrior

Ummmm, I must be missing something. I don't see anywhere where Triumph uses a motor that can turn to 14k and then tune it with a cam to become a torque monster at 5k. In fact, I don't see a dual sport in their lineup at all.

Yes, you can certainly tune a motor with cams and timing, but there are somethings that they just can't do. Turning a high-revving street motor into a dirt bike motor is not one of them I'm afraid.

Your being contrary and missing the point. Look at the triple and the different configurations, look at their twins and the different configurations, now extrapolate that to say a small displacement motor. They use cranks, cams, timing, fueling.

[bmcdonau]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Your being contrary and missing the point. Look at the triple and the different configurations, look at their twins and the different configurations, now extrapolate that to say a small displacement motor. They use cranks, cams, timing, fueling.

No, really?

Manufacturers do it all the time--the dreaded retuned for more midrange. Some people just like to be contrarian. Not that there's anything wrong with that.