First Bike - CBR500R vs Ninja 300ABS what else?

First Bike - CBR500R vs Ninja 300ABS what else?

Author
Discussion

MudwiG

Original Poster:

283 posts

263 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
Looking to get my first bike, I have been on a 125cc scooter for the last year and will soon be on my full licence, which means I can ride anything.

Supersports are out as I want a commuter (10miles round trip) so fairly upright and easy to ride.

I will be looking at used from 2012 onwards.

Anyone got any recommendations or thoughts on a Honda CBR500R or Ninja 300 ABS, (ninja 650 is out of budget). Based in Sydney so would like to be able to take it out for some rides in the hills too.

trickywoo

11,705 posts

229 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
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MudwiG said:
Supersports are out as I want a commuter (10miles round trip) so fairly upright and easy to ride.
Is that a typo and should read 100 miles?

I'd go for a z750. No need to get hung up on the age of bikes if they are well maintained.

EagleMoto4-2

669 posts

103 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
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I am slightly biased but recommend the CBR500R. I commute 20 miles a day and use my 500R in all weathers. I get 90mpg out of mine and it is more than capable on fast roads. Is pretty much the perfect commuter and is ok for those weekend rides as well.

bgunn

1,416 posts

130 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
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My Ex had a 500R - whilst it's a very nice bike, I think you'll find it a little bit limiting if you want to really get into your biking. She loved it and it was very light and quite girly.

I'd save up more - or buy something a little older and get a 600, something a little less 'learner friendly' orientated..

wilbo83

1,535 posts

164 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
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How about a Yamaha XJ6 (FZ6R in US, so not sure what it is called in Oz)? Great first big bike, very smooth, it has a detuned old R6 engine. Can be had naked, half faired or full faired.

binka1000

69 posts

198 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
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Passed my test on Wed test rode a few bikes and have put a deposit down n a Suzuki gsr750, nice bike to ride, very light and flick able has enough power for a new rider like myself, good brakes and very comfy. Just my opinion.

Tall_Paul

1,915 posts

226 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
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As you're in Aus are you limited to LAMS bikes? Equivalent of our A2 licence.

The CB400 VTEC super revo is one of the best LAMS bikes, 50ish bhp, ABS on the current ones. I have a jap import 2001 model and it's an awesome little bike. I believe you can still buy them new over there.

If you can ride anything, get something with more than 50bhp, you'll very soon get used to the power. I've had the CB400 for a year and a half, done 15k roughly and find myself at full throttle in most gears apart from 1st a lot of the time. Something with 100ish bhp would be perfect.

Edited by Tall_Paul on Friday 3rd June 10:57

daniel-5zjw7

598 posts

100 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
Yamaha R3 - sports bike look but with a pretty upright position and a nice engine. Probably the best of the lightweight small cc sports bikes currently with the benefit of a sensible riding position and meant to be great fun. Also appears to be well put together, unlike the KTM Duke/RC390's!

sprinter1050

11,550 posts

226 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
My personal fave- the Kawasaki ER6-n or f. Not sure what it's called if you're in Oz or if it's imported there,or even if your licence covers that.

So feel free to ignore this post if any of above is wrong....! smile

Wildfire

9,774 posts

251 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
trickywoo said:
I'd go for a z750. No need to get hung up on the age of bikes if they are well maintained.
I rode around on a 2011 Z750 for 5000 miles and compared to my GSX-R K7 (which was in for repairs) it was great. I commuted around 50 miles a day, it was decent on fuel, benign on handling generally no stress. A bit heavy at standstill and nothing to shout home about, but very competent and much more grunt than an ER6/SV650.

They are fairly cheap these days and also bulletproof.

MudwiG

Original Poster:

283 posts

263 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
trickywoo said:
Is that a typo and should read 100 miles?
Not a typo, its a short commute over the bridge into the city, so no need for anything too big, would want it to be fun for the weekends though

MudwiG

Original Poster:

283 posts

263 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
Tall_Paul said:
As you're in Aus are you limited to LAMS bikes? Equivalent of our A2 licence.

The CB400 VTEC super revo is one of the best LAMS bikes, 50ish bhp, ABS on the current ones. I have a jap import 2001 model and it's an awesome little bike. I believe you can still buy them new over there.

If you can ride anything, get something with more than 50bhp, you'll very soon get used to the power. I've had the CB400 for a year and a half, done 15k roughly and find myself at full throttle in most gears apart from 1st a lot of the time. Something with 100ish bhp would be perfect.

Edited by Tall_Paul on Friday 3rd June 10:57
Not LAMS, I will be on the equivalent of a UK A licence so no power restrictions.

It will be my first bike coming from a scooter, im 35 so not going to be stupid but worried about hoping straight on something too powerful and difficult to ride?

Also dont want to be buying something else in 6 months if I do find it too slow, hence the CBR500 as a compromise?

MudwiG

Original Poster:

283 posts

263 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
wilbo83 said:
How about a Yamaha XJ6 (FZ6R in US, so not sure what it is called in Oz)? Great first big bike, very smooth, it has a detuned old R6 engine. Can be had naked, half faired or full faired.
Good suggestion, this looks good

http://www.bikesales.com.au/dealer/OAG-AD-5658258/...

EagleMoto4-2

669 posts

103 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
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MudwiG said:
Not LAMS, I will be on the equivalent of a UK A licence so no power restrictions.

It will be my first bike coming from a scooter, im 35 so not going to be stupid but worried about hoping straight on something too powerful and difficult to ride?

Also dont want to be buying something else in 6 months if I do find it too slow, hence the CBR500 as a compromise?
Unfortunately you will probably find the 500 too slow. I ended up getting a second faster bike for the fun, keeping the 500 for commuting duties.
If you just want a capable commuter then the 500 is fine, otherwise you will need something bigger.

Ilovejapcrap

3,274 posts

111 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
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Mudwig why so new a machine ?

Not sure what it's like where you are but here bikers tend to really look after them.

MudwiG

Original Poster:

283 posts

263 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Doesn't need to be that new, just dont want to worry about repairs as much, but you are right if its looked after should be fine, so the concenus seems to be that the 500 will start feeling slow pretty quickly

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
MT-07 maybe?

trickywoo

11,705 posts

229 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
MudwiG said:
trickywoo said:
Is that a typo and should read 100 miles?
Not a typo, its a short commute over the bridge into the city, so no need for anything too big, would want it to be fun for the weekends though
Msx 125 grom then! Check out Royal Jordanians review of a London run on one (YouTube).

EagleMoto4-2

669 posts

103 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Mr2Mike said:
MT-07 maybe?
Too similar performance to the 500R to stop boredom.
OP, how about a CBR600f, seeing as reliability is important to you.

Edited by EagleMoto4-2 on Saturday 4th June 09:12

Chainsaw Rebuild

1,997 posts

101 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Are you really going to get bored of a 500r that quickly? I haven't ridden one but my mate still enjoys his a year later.

Maybe you could get a 500r for a year of improving your riding, cheap insurance and fuel etc.

Then after a year you will know what you want.