[ani_meher]

The lack of power in the lower gears in Ninja 300 can be easily addressed by using a 40T rear sprocket.


http://www.jtsprockets.com/catalogue/sprocket/JTR1486/


No chain replacement needed. I am using this and am happy to use 1st and 2nd gears as proper gears and not just a gateway to next gears.

[IshaanIan]

The Ninja is great as a sport tourer but feels a little too lazy to be called a sport bike or for daily traffic filtering use. That motor however is a dream to rev out.

I fear that with the current level of competition from KTM, TVS (rr310) and the upcoming gixxer 250, these small price reductions still aren't enough. One is still paying obscenely high amounts for just a parallel twin since the brakes, tyres and other cycle parts are still not that great. Infact if performance is not a major criteria, the Benelli 302r ought to make for a better buy considering it comes with better tyres and better suspension from the showroom itself.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by miles_hungry

Great pricing by Kawasaki for the Ninja 300, undercutting the Yamaha R3 by 50K. But if we look at the specs of both of them, we can see that that R3 comes with better tyres, instrument console and a bigger dealer/service network. Considering this, I feel that both these 2 cylinder bikes are priced similarly with respect to the kit they offer.

Metzeler Sportec M5 front and rear costs 7600/- now. Considering exchange price for the MRFs, its a small change to make. The on-road price in Bangalore however differs by almost 70k now. 3.46 for the Ninja 300 and 4.26 for the R3. Nothing much to differentiate in the console too IMO.

R3 used to handle very soft earlier, which is reportedly transformed post the Metzeler upgrade as per BHPians like PrasannaDhana. Ninja 300 should do even better post a Metzeler upgrade as well.

However, the Yamaha is cheaper to maintain and has more service centers as well. If someone is using the bike for the long term of above 50k kms, the above onroad price difference could be easily recovered in terms of service costs.

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Infact if performance is not a major criteria, the Benelli 302r ought to make for a better buy considering it comes with better tyres and better suspension from the showroom itself.

Benelli is a big risk IMO. Just changed ownership after all the issues with DSK and the new owner is their Hyderabad dealership group who took up the task of running the company India operations too. 302R hasn't clicked either - and is not a smooth twin motor too (Although it sounds sexy).

I'd rather save money and pick up the sexy Apache RR310 instead, if the asking price for the twins seem high.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Benelli is a big risk IMO. Just changed ownership after all the issues with DSK and the new owner is their Hyderabad dealership group who took up the task of running the company India operations too. 302R hasn't clicked either - and is not a smooth twin motor too (Although it sounds sexy).

The Mahavir group seems to have a very solid plan with benelli. Considering Benelli is owned by a huge Chinese company, I doubt they would be such a huge risk. Geely owns majority stake and they have a proven track record (volvo). The warranty that comes with the 302r is also one of the most comprehensive ones I have seen in the market. True what you lose out on in terms of Japanese refinement and quality, you gain in terms of sound and features like adjustable front shocks.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

The Mahavir group seems to have a very solid plan with benelli.

Agreed, but you'll also have to agree with me that there is a lot of IFs and BUTs involved in the scenario -

1. Mahavir was just a hyderabad dealer involved with Mercedes, Skoda, Benelli and few other brands. Can they run the company operations pan-India? May be, but yet to be proven.
2. Headquarters shifted to Hyderabad. New facility is also being built there. So operational delays will be introduced.
3. Not yet clear whether existing dealers appointed by DSK will be retained.

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

True what you lose out on in terms of Japanese refinement and quality, you gain in terms of sound and features like adjustable front shocks.

Agreed on adjustable shocks, but the bike is almost 20kgs more than the likes of N300 and R3. That affects the handling as mentioned in most reviews, even though the shocks might be good.

Another important point to note - Benelli is even more expensive than the Kawasaki to maintain. 3.5k for the first 1000km service and 4.5k- 5k per service on an average, with a service interval of 4000kms. Most parts are similarly priced as well. Parts availability might also be a question mark for the short term (was taking time to arrive from Pune earlier) with the shift happening from Pune to Hyderabad base.

Anyways, might be worth it - but very risky is all that I'm pointing out.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Metzeler Sportec M5 front and rear costs 7600/- now. Considering exchange price for the MRFs, its a small change to make. The on-road price in Bangalore however differs by almost 70k now. 3.46 for the Ninja 300 and 4.26 for the R3. Nothing much to differentiate in the console too IMO.

R3 used to handle very soft earlier, which is reportedly transformed post the Metzeler upgrade as per BHPians like PrasannaDhana. Ninja 300 should do even better post a Metzeler upgrade as well.

However, the Yamaha is cheaper to maintain and has more service centers as well. If someone is using the bike for the long term of above 50k kms, the above onroad price difference could be easily recovered in terms of service costs.



Benelli is a big risk IMO. Just changed ownership after all the issues with DSK and the new owner is their Hyderabad dealership group who took up the task of running the company India operations too. 302R hasn't clicked either - and is not a smooth twin motor too (Although it sounds sexy).

I'd rather save money and pick up the sexy Apache RR310 instead, if the asking price for the twins seem high.

Ninja 300 is 3.78 OTR bangalore and not 3.46, so that makes the difference 48K and not 70k

[dextor]

3.78L for Ninja 300!

At 18% tax in BLR, Road tax = 54K
RTO fees for registration =1 k (max)
What are they charging 69540 for? That too without Insurance.
Are there some additional charges or taxes? or 15K is handling charges.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by dextor

At 18% tax in BLR, Road tax = 54K

Not very sure, but I guess its 20% now.

Even the G310R having ex-showroom price of 2.99L has 'Registration and Road tax' of 69,740 and Insurance of 9965 bringing the on-road price to 3.78L In Bangalore.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by dextor

3.78L for Ninja 300!

At 18% tax in BLR, Road tax = 54K
RTO fees for registration =1 k (max)
What are they charging 69540 for? That too without Insurance.
Are there some additional charges or taxes? or 15K is handling charges.

As far as i know, it is calculated at 22.5% and then some more added for rto fees.

[dextor]

Checked Karnataka RTO website http://rto.kar.nic.in

Road Tax on bikes above 1L is 18% + 11% cess on tax amount
So overall tax should be 18% + 1.98% (11% of 18) = 19.98%

So actually on a bike of 2.98L, road tax should be 59.5K

[hungrygamer]

Ladies and Gents

have a basic query/advice needed - planning to upgrade to Ninja 300 from my old trusty steed of 14 years - Honda unicorn

Average riding hours will be 2-3 days a week 12 round trip km in peak Bangalore-Whitefield traffic

Was all set to go for RR310 but the dealership guys told about 6 months waiting period plus the charm of twin cylinders is luring me

No plans for long drives , do not think wifey and son can both come aboard this like my unicorn

Needed 1 info from previous Ninja/Kawasaki owners - how is the service like in Bangalore

[Aniket6]

Originally Posted by hungrygamer

Needed 1 info from previous Ninja/Kawasaki owners - how is the service like in Bangalore

Unfortunately, they have only one service centre in Bangalore and that too in Jayanagar.

Bike is brilliant but there are no great stories about their service. It might be average at best though certainly pricey.
Made in India version bike will be available in Oct for TD and end Oct-Nov for delivery if you book now, as per their SAs.

Why not look at R3 too? Service has been pretty good and upkeep costs are decent.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by hungrygamer

Ladies and Gents

have a basic query/advice needed - planning to upgrade to Ninja 300 from my old trusty steed of 14 years - Honda unicorn

Average riding hours will be 2-3 days a week 12 round trip km in peak Bangalore-Whitefield traffic

Was all set to go for RR310 but the dealership guys told about 6 months waiting period plus the charm of twin cylinders is luring me

No plans for long drives , do not think wifey and son can both come aboard this like my unicorn

Needed 1 info from previous Ninja/Kawasaki owners - how is the service like in Bangalore

Who told you 6 months waiting for RR310, it's much lesser, let me know in case you decide to switch back to rr, I can help.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by hungrygamer

planning to upgrade to Ninja 300 from my old trusty steed of 14 years - Honda unicorn

Average riding hours will be 2-3 days a week 12 round trip km in peak Bangalore-Whitefield traffic

Originally Posted by Aniket6

Why not look at R3 too? Service has been pretty good and upkeep costs are decent.

Originally Posted by AtheK

switch back to rr

Doubt any of these options will feel like an upgrade, in peak Whitefield traffic. IMO - you should resist the temptation and stick to the Unicorn (unless it has developed issues) till you get a clear picture of how your biking days are going to evolve later on.

3L plus for a commuter, that too for Whitefield traffic is a waste of money IMO. Most owners of higher capacity motorcycles would gladly zoom around in an Activa, when it comes to city rides.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Doubt any of these options will feel like an upgrade, in peak Whitefield traffic. IMO - you should resist the temptation and stick to the Unicorn (unless it has developed issues) till you get a clear picture of how your biking days are going to evolve later on.

3L plus for a commuter, that too for Whitefield traffic is a waste of money IMO. Most owners of higher capacity motorcycles would gladly zoom around in an Activa, when it comes to city rides.

Without a doubt, even though RR is not too high a capacity bike, i still prefer to take my trusty old RTR to office, much easier to commute.

It's on highways that these bikes shine, and give you a lot of joy, on any bangalore road, an activa is more then enough.

OT: Sometimes i get tempted to buy Navi, just for fun :P