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Wow, I'm glad it's you that's testing this new bike, with all the experience and miles you've caulked up on the RX3. You can feel and experience the differences between the two bikes. It's really difficult for me to fathom that Kawalski would make even a higher revving "adv bike" than our RX3's. The lack of mid-range torque is my biggest complaint, and the green bike has even less? What is your opinion on how the two bikes handle and corner in comparison? |
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I don't recall what the Kaw 300 Ninja redline is, but yeah, screaming revs are common on such bikes. I remember when we had Brit bike customers come test ride the new Honda 350 in 1968. That first year had a 10,500 rpm redline, and it would run near that all, day, long. Not leaving even a drop of oil confounded them even more. And yes it buzzed, but compared to what they were exposed to on the Brits, all seemed to comment how smooth it was. |
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Highway cruise is at 9K, although I've done stints at 10k. You get used to revving the piss out of it. It doesn't mind, but it's a strange experience if you're not familiar with it. |
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http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psc8mhbarp.jpg jb |
Ha, they still have that standard Kawi break-in that is the subject of much mirth on the 300 forums.
If you stick to 4000rpm, you'll be overtaken by someone pushing a stroller. It is practically impossible to adhere to unless you have your own private track and lots of time. |
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On my test ride, riding very conservatively, I shifted at 5,000 rpm. At 7,000 rpm the buzz in the seat and handlebars kicked in. When checking the specs of the Ninja, I found the sprockets are 14/42. The X-300's are 14/46, which will yield an even higher rpm at the same speeds. Sully, what is the fuel mileage on your Ninja? jb |
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On the open road doing weekend rides, it's a lot better, nearer 65-70. Lighter riders (usually women) have got near 80. Here's my cut down commute. You can get a good impression of the character of the motor and how it likes to be used. https://youtu.be/ICNTjubH8VI |
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It didn't seem to have that high-pitched whine, like the large displacement, 4 cylinder sport bikes. And it seems like your Ninja had plenty of acceleration. I'm wondering if the X-300 could handle the the same 14/42 sprockets. jb |
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Acceleration is fine. It won't win many drag races but you can easily stay ahead of most cars; the bike's light too. The motor is really excellent, you just need to let it rev. One thing I didn't mention, and I don't know if this is improved with the X-300; the front brake is awful. I will put a steel-braided line in there at some point, but they're notoriously spongey from the factory: This is a bike where you definitely need to use both. |
Just like the RX3. Terrible front brake! Sintered aftermarket pads help a ton. They also sell an 11.5" rotor upgrade kit.
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I took my 3rd test ride on the X-300, another 20 miles, for a total of 50 miles over the 3 rides.
Excellent fit and finish. Good, light handling. Spin-on oil filter, and shim adjusted valves (12,000 mile valve checks). :clap: I like everything about this bike..........except the most important part....the engine. IMO, the sport bike engine is not a good match for this small adventure bike. After the ride, I had a long talk with the lady who had purchased the first X-300 I test rode. She had put several hundred miles on the bike and was very pleased. However, she told me one of her former bikes was a Ninja 250, and the X-300 engine behaved the same way. In her words, "the engine is a screamer". That confirmed my impressions, and is not what I want for taking a leisurely ride on country roads. Tomorrow I have to tell the ever-so-accommodating dealer that the X-300 is not for me. :ohno: jb |
Thanks for posting your detailed impressions of the X-300, JB. :tup: Based upon the excellent information you have provided, I'm confident I would prefer my RX3 over the new Kawasaki bike. ;) I am rapidly approaching 25,000 miles on the odometer of my RX3.
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http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=18547 With sintered brake pads and the new, Arashi brake rotor, I am now very pleased with the performance of my front brake. ;) http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psta9wkwqy.jpg |
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