Honda CB300R

[Krooklyn]

If I were in the market for a beginner bike, this would be high on my list. USD forks and radial brake? Sign me up.

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news...-cb300r-with-neo-sports-caf-inspired-styling/

 

[Junkie]

Reasonable MSRP too, $4649 non-ABS $4949 ABS.

That engine has a fair amount of headroom too - you can get it up to 350cc (vs 286 stock). Of course, that's not cheap.

I'm glad to see suspension and brakes that look decent, but imagine they'll still be pretty budget - the brake master isn't radial and it wouldn't surprise me if there's zero adjustment.

 

[Marcoose]

Reasonable MSRP too, $4649 non-ABS $4949 ABS.

Funny, I have a CL search bot for CBR954RR's, and today I received a note for a all-stock, low miles for $4500. OK, one is an entry-level, the other a serious widow-maker litre sprotbile, but still, forking over five grand to test if motorcycling fits one's lifestyle doesn't seem reasonable. IMO, YMMV, of course.

 

[Roadstergal]

So - this vs BMW 310R?

 

[Aware]

So - this vs BMW 310R?

This. But if you cut me, I bleed Honda

 

[Roadstergal]

OK, let me add - Show Your Work.

 

[Krooklyn]

So - this vs BMW 310R?

I think the styling on the Honda is a bit better, but they are pretty close in terms of features/price.

 

[Junkie]

Funny, I have a CL search bot for CBR954RR's, and today I received a note for a all-stock, low miles for $4500. OK, one is an entry-level, the other a serious widow-maker litre sprotbile, but still, forking over five grand to test if motorcycling fits one's lifestyle doesn't seem reasonable. IMO, YMMV, of course.

What full size street legal motorcycle is significantly cheaper?

 

[Marcoose]

What full size street legal motorcycle is significantly cheaper?

New? Perhaps few models.

Used, a quick CL search in the Bay Area returns 789 'motorcycles' between $1000 and $3000. Possibly 2/3 are scooters, quads and project bikes, but it still leaves 250 motorbikes to choose from.

For a beginner, here's a gem: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/d/1986-honda-vfr750-vfr-clean/6551343495.html

Five grand doesn't sound reasonable for a beginner who doesn't know 'cover the brake' from countersteering

 

[rsrider]

You can pick up Ninjettes and the rest of the recent hoard of newb bikes for under $3K, and get late model, low mileage, examples.

I'm very interested in the Kawi 400. I don't find any of the newer 300's enough to for me to sell my 2fiddy and move up a step. But 400? ah yeah.........

sadly, not one bite for my Triumph RS.....I think it's the high mileage.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Funny, I have a CL search bot for CBR954RR's, and today I received a note for a all-stock, low miles for $4500. OK, one is an entry-level, the other a serious widow-maker litre sprotbile, but still, forking over five grand to test if motorcycling fits one's lifestyle doesn't seem reasonable. IMO, YMMV, of course.

I'm not here to start a fight, but you're way off base here. A brand new motorcycle will be expensive. Comparing a used literbike to a brand new anything is pointless.

We could make this into a liter sport bike vs standard argument, or an internet fanboy "anything the factory does, I can do cheaper and better" argument, but the bottom line here is that brand new bikes are not cheap.

If you want to discuss the state of the motorcycle industry and how it needs to be cheaper to enter, I'm on board with that. Just not here.

This bike has the specs and components that so many enthusiasts complain are lacking. It also looks spot on. Honda has a reputation for making a high quality product. Count me as an advocate.

 

[Marcoose]

I'm not here to start a fight, but you're way off base here. A brand new motorcycle will be expensive. Comparing a used literbike to a brand new anything is pointless.

We could make this into a liter sport bike vs standard argument, or an internet fanboy "anything the factory does, I can do cheaper and better" argument, but the bottom line here is that brand new bikes are not cheap.

If you want to discuss the state of the motorcycle industry and how it needs to be cheaper to enter, I'm on board with that. Just not here.

This bike has the specs and components that so many enthusiasts complain are lacking. It also looks spot on. Honda has a reputation for making a high quality product. Count me as an advocate.

So I pick a Honda that is cheaper and rated one of the best Fireblades of all time, and yet somehow you think I’m being pointless. Huh?

I play a little guitar too. Now and then buddies say it’s cool and want to try music. They want to buy the $10K Korg synthesiser. I advise them to buy a used recorder flute for $20, to see if they have music in them. Wanna know how many musical instruments I’ve helped sell? Same for scuba diving, skiing and hunting.

By the time a newb bought an ‘approved’ motorbike, gear, insurance, app, etc, the newb is close to $8K-$10K in the hole, and is yet to learn about chain maintenance. Call me crazy, but that’s ridiculous. The keen reader will remember in the past I’ve said motorcycling is an expensive hobby, and if you don’t have money for proper maintenance, gear and insurance, you better off picking up gardening, and I stand by that. But between buying a $6K OTD motorbike and $4.5K one, the latter sounds very interesting.

 

[j5m]

I think getting a motorcycle is intimidating to most outsiders.

For them, rolling into a dealership and buying something awesome looking with a warranty is already a big ask. Never mind the Craigslist shit show.

 

[Junkie]

New? Perhaps few models.

Used, a quick CL search in the Bay Area returns 789 'motorcycles' between $1000 and $3000. Possibly 2/3 are scooters, quads and project bikes, but it still leaves 250 motorbikes to choose from.

For a beginner, here's a gem: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/d/1986-honda-vfr750-vfr-clean/6551343495.html

Five grand doesn't sound reasonable for a beginner who doesn't know 'cover the brake' from countersteering

And how many of them have ABS?

Manufacturing motorcycles costs money. If nobody is selling a full size bike cheaper than that, there's probably a reason.

a VFR750, even an older one, isn't a great choice for a new rider.

 

[MysterYvil]

So I pick a Honda that is cheaper and rated one of the best Fireblades of all time, and yet somehow you think I’m being pointless. Huh?

I play a little guitar too. Now and then buddies say it’s cool and want to try music. They want to buy the $10K Korg synthesiser. I advise them to buy a used recorder flute for $20, to see if they have music in them. Wanna know how many musical instruments I’ve helped sell? Same for scuba diving, skiing and hunting.

By the time a newb bought an ‘approved’ motorbike, gear, insurance, app, etc, the newb is close to $8K-$10K in the hole, and is yet to learn about chain maintenance. Call me crazy, but that’s ridiculous. The keen reader will remember in the past I’ve said motorcycling is an expensive hobby, and if you don’t have money for proper maintenance, gear and insurance, you better off picking up gardening, and I stand by that. But between buying a $6K OTD motorbike and $4.5K one, the latter sounds very interesting.

Your pick is 32 years old. 32. Years. Old.

 

[norcalkid]

So - this vs BMW 310R?

I test rode the 310R, was a great bike. Price was 200k baht for the adv one in Thailand(I rode the non adv one in stock) VS Honda CB500X for 209k. Id go with a Honda 500 for $300 more. If I can find a good CB300F used I'll pick one up to leave in Thailand. I believe there is a crankshaft recall on the 15/16 models you gota watch out for.

After owning a Ninja 250 I'm not sure I'd buy that small again for a bike to ride in the US. And I'd certainly not recommend a brand new rider buy new.

Met a newbee last week riding a CB300 while out on the VStrom. He loved it and was very happy he went with it. Was his first bike and he'd had it about a year.


One thing I like about bike pricing over seas, the price is the price. Not 5k + tax+reg+freight+doc fees+++. A new 5k bike here is a 7k bike + gear.

 

[Marcoose]

And how many of them have ABS?

Sure, if a good newb-friendly motorbike is one that the rider can strangle the lever without locking the brakes, you're right, go spend $6,000 then.

Your pick is 32 years old. 32. Years. Old.

True, the Hurricane goes back to the mid '80s, and point taken, the new crop of new riders eager to post photos with the GGB in the background doesn't want to do it with his/her grandpa's motorbike. That said, you and I know the 954 still is, today, an awesome motorbike, and 'only' 15 years old. And that one $1,500 cheaper than the new one.

I have a nephew that is going to start his tier licence thing. He sees himself on a Harley. I told him his first motorbike ought to be old, ugly, cheap, beat-up, de-tuned, low-power. So neither of these Hondas.

Six grand OTD for a newb who has never thrown a leg over a bike is insane. It may be a reason ridership is down.

And let me put it clearer this time: In My Humble Opinion, Your Mileage May Vary.

 

[RightCoastBias]

I think getting a motorcycle is intimidating to most outsiders.

For them, rolling into a dealership and buying something awesome looking with a warranty is already a big ask. Never mind the Craigslist shit show.

I bought my last bike new and it's a lot better, for me, than dealing with Craigslist folks and driving all around to look at shit bikes.

There's also something great about being the first owner. Yeah, you take a financial hit, but that's not a big concern for me. I like things easy.

I just recommended this bike to a friend buying a bike for his daughter. Seems like the perfect starter bike and a good bike for a rider of any experience.

 

[Junkie]

Sure, if a good newb-friendly motorbike is one that the rider can strangle the lever without locking the brakes, you're right, go spend $6,000 then.



True, the Hurricane goes back to the mid '80s, and point taken, the new crop of new riders eager to post photos with the GGB in the background doesn't want to do it with his/her grandpa's motorbike. That said, you and I know the 954 still is, today, an awesome motorbike, and 'only' 15 years old. And that one $1,500 cheaper than the new one.

I have a nephew that is going to start his tier licence thing. He sees himself on a Harley. I told him his first motorbike ought to be old, ugly, cheap, beat-up, de-tuned, low-power. So neither of these Hondas.

Six grand OTD for a newb who has never thrown a leg over a bike is insane. It may be a reason ridership is down.

And let me put it clearer this time: In My Humble Opinion, Your Mileage May Vary.

Why do you keep repeating $1500 cheaper when the price difference is <$500 (<$150 for non-ABS)?

A 954 is a horrible bike for a new rider.

 

[Marcoose]

Why do you keep repeating $1500 cheaper when the price difference is <$500 (<$150 for non-ABS)?

How much is the OTD of $4,949 MSRP motorbike? With all the dealer fees, charges and taxes, I'm thinking close to $5,500. I could be wrong.

Somebody advertising on CL for $4,500 likely will take closer to $4,000. And you know what the 'taxes' will likely be.

Hence the $1,500 delta. If it's wrong, I stand corrected.

A 954 is a horrible bike for a new rider.

Yes! I wrote it above. I've also said $5,500-$6,000 is a horrible bike price for a new rider. Have you ever seen ads that begin with 'bought new, rode a few times, it's been parked since'? For real, other than the tech kids making 6 figures right off college, most Millennials are struggling to make ends meet. How many can afford $8K-$10K for new bike and new gear and good insurance from day-1, without even knowing if motorcycling is for them? Looking back at my first time on a motorbike over 30 years ago, I was delivering flowers and water mattresses during the summer to pay for school. There was no way I could buy a new motorbike.