Ninja 300R vs 400R

[Smilygo]

Kawasaki produces 400R because of Japanese DL thing. They have several levels of motorcycle DL, the bi-annual inspection and registration fee.

1. Gen-tsuki: Valid for 50cc bikes only
2. Kogata-Nirin: Up to 125cc
3. Futsu-Nirin: Up to 400cc
4. Ogata-Nirin: Anything and everything

Anything over 400cc requires bi-annual inspection (typaically cost a lot)

Registration fee for >400cc is a lot more than say 250cc or less

Due to these factors all manufacturers make 400cc bikes there. Basically a 300cc motorcycle is not as attractive as a 400cc because both require the bi-annual inspeciotn and the same registration fee. Performance-wise, 400 is better than 300.

I don't think Kaw will bring 400cc to US. In the past, Honda and Suzuki brought 400cc to US but not a big hit. Honda CB1 (naked 400), Nighthawk 450 and Suzy GS425. Here 400 seems to be to0 "in-between". If 400, why not 500? THat is what happend to Kaw EX500. It was sold as EX400 in Japan.

 

[mean dad]

Anyone have the new 300, and has ridden with a passenger? How are the comments from your pillion rider?

 

[Zerox]

Basically a 300cc motorcycle is not as attractive as a 400cc because both require the bi-annual inspeciotn and the same registration fee. Performance-wise, 400 is better than 300.

That's the same reason that 600's are almost invisible in Japan. If someone goes to all the trouble of getting the very expensive Oogata big bike license, they are not stopping at some measley 600 that's hardly bigger than an easily licensed 400....they are going for the big bike. Lots of literbikes on the roads in Japan, few 600's. Unlike here where 600's are extremely popular.

Various countries have licensing, registration and insurance quirks that influence the motorcycle engine sizes. Must be annoying for the bike makers to fit their products for each country.