Ninja 300 or 650?

[RenoRider75]

Hi all,

I'm researching bikes so I know what to look for in my first ride.  I'm a total beginner, and I've been told many times that the Ninja 300 is the perfect sport bike for people like me.  I've been dropping by the Kawasaki dealer weekly checking them out and sitting on each one (and dreaming of riding ).

This is where it gets tough.  I'm 6'3" and 185 lbs., and if I turn the handlebars of the 300 stop-to-stop, the ends hit my knees.  The bike feels okay overall, but in a hard corner I really don't want my knees interfering with my ability to control it.  The salespeople there said a 300 is a great first bike, but given my size a 650 might be better.  It doesn't have crazy power, so it's supposed to be somewhat beginner-friendly.  I'm just a bit intimidated by its massive low-end torque; I don't want to accidentally wheelie and crash in my first week!  It definitely feels better though.  It feels like a larger bike than the 300, and it fits my legs and arms better.

So, may I ask for advice from you guys?  Do I go with the 300 and look for drop pegs or something to make it fit better?  Or do I go with the 650, which fits well from the start?  I'm a fan of speed, but I'm also a fan of being alive so I think I can be responsible with the power.  I want to have fun too though, and I was looking forward to running the 300 hard...

Sorry for the wall of text.    Thanks!

[dub]

Go with the one you are more comfortable on. 

A 650 twin is still a fine beginner bike.  That's what I started on and I'm still alive.  And don't worry, there will be no unintentional wheelies.  There are barely intentional wheelies.

[GreenMachine]

   I started on a Honda Cub 90 & CB-175.  Not bad for to/from school.  The first bike I owned was a CB-500T.  Damn fast bike and comfortable too!  But that was at lower elevation where the bikes could live up to their full potential. 

I think for you, given the elevation here (less atmosphere), your proportions and between those two choices, the 650 twin will be ideal.  If you were down near Sacramento, the 300 might have enough zip to it, but I think for up here, climbing summits and learning how to meter power through a corner, the 650 would prove safer.

If you do any dirt riding, that will accelerate your riding abilities as well.

[RenoRider75]

Thanks guys.  I feel a lot better then looking at the 650, it really does fit my build better.  While watching some reviews of the Ninja 650 online, I saw a lot of comparisons to the Yamaha FZ6R.  I like the smooth acceleration of the I-4, but it seems like (on paper, at least) that the power output and torque of both are about the same.

So now I have another conundrum...  Yamaha or Kawasaki?  Inline 4 or parallel twin?  Argh...  It was so easy with the Ninja 300, but now if I start looking at the 600cc beginner-friendly bikes, it seems like there is a lot more competition between the manufacturers.

Anyone have any opinions on either bike?  Pros and cons, as it relates to riding in Reno / in the mountains?  Thanks!

[GreenMachine]

Between a twin and an I-4, I'd take an I-4 and I'd buy used as the first bike.   I don't have any experience with either bike.  One of the riders on here has a Blue Ninja 650.  He had a good time on our ride last June.  500 - 650 class bikes can be very economical to operate too, if they're not modified much.

 

[dub]

Not sure about the FZ6R.

[RenoRider75]

I've read so many reviews over the past several days, my head is spinning. 

I went to Michael's and sat on an FZ6R, and it wasn't quite as comfortable a fit as the 650.  I've finally decided on a 650 with ABS.  I can't wait!

Thank you everyone for your opinions and help!

[GreenMachine]

Have you looked at the Suzuki SV-650 as well.  That guy above rides his everywhere, including the track.  Might be worth a quick seating experience, just to solidify which 650 will be your first.

[dub]

Sounds like he wants to buy new.

[GreenMachine]

What, Suzuki doesn't make them anymore?

[RenoRider75]

The closest Suzuki has to the Ninja 650 is their V-Strom 650 ABS.  It's a nice bike, and it's a bit taller (so it's good for a tall guy like me), but it's close to $1000 more expensive than the Ninja.  It's a little wider and quite a bit longer than the Ninja, making it feel "heavier" to me.  It's only a few pounds heavier, but it felt like I was going to drop it.

And yes, I'm looking at buying new for two reasons:

1.  ABS hasn't been an option on the 650 until 2013.     I'm a noob rider and want ABS after reading "A Twist of the Wrist".

2.  I'm buying it through the Costco program which gives me a great deal on the bike.  Add in the helmet and apparel and frame sliders I'm buying are 20% off as part of the program, and a free $250 Costco card too, the deal starts getting even better.

If, for some odd reason, the bike doesn't work out then consider it my gift to the community.  I'll eat the new bike cost to give a nice Ninja back to the used marketplace.  I really don't think that's going to happen though.   

[dub]

What, Suzuki doesn't make them anymore?

Not for a while, now.

The Vee, while still a 650 twin, is aimed at a different market segment. 

I say the Ninja 650 is your machine.

[RenoRider75]

Thank you guys for your help; the Ninja 650 is it.  The MSF course is in almost exactly a month, then it's off to Kawi to get the bike!   

[Tahoebrian5]

Well if you're willing to start on a 600, might as well get the gsxr 750 and ride it in rain mode till your comfortable that way you won't have to buy a new bike in a couple years. That was my first bike and was fine for me

[dub]

From what I read, the FZ6R aimed at beginners.  It's a very powered down, de-tuned I4 designed for usable down low power and less top end punch.  A GSXR 750 is none of those things.

Why stop at 750 CCs?  He might as well just get an S1000RR and ride it on rain mode.