moved up to a ninja 300 from a cbr 125, regretting it --- why is bigger better?

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Crazy... I couldn't image driving anything less than 60hp. 125 tires are so skinny imo a Hazard in themselves.

Lane spitting if you get caught is a 172.

Imo 125 are only good for street and where speed is 60/km and less. I couldn't image taking something so gutless on the highway. Then again I don't drive on the highway cause outside of the gta the drive is Effin boring and inside the gta it's basically suicidal.
 
conundrum said:
I doubt the 300 and 125 will feel all that much differently, once you do get used to the minor weight difference. Like others have said if you jumped to a Z1000 or VFR800 then that might be different.

As for the 300R barley doing highway speeds that's wrong...it will be more than fine. The 300R has more power than my CBR250RA, and it can do the 401 fine up to 140ish, although overtaking is a bit of an issue (and no reserve power to get out of trouble quickly). I think my CBR has about 26hp and the Ninja 300R has high 30s? Also weighs less than the CBR iirc.
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huh?

There's night and day difference between the two...I've ridden them both...

140 kmphish??? Try 160 kmphish.... I got asked by SS guys how my "250" was at those speeds...
 
Elwoodpdowd said:
Riding a low cc bike on a highway is asking for trouble it will barely make it is correct try a pass on a windy day and see what happens or a big rig flying past your lane on a lighweight bike....you need some weight and speed on a highway not a potentially dangerous light toy.
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I think 250cc is probably the minimum. I don't think I would ever take a CBR125 on a real highway.
 
koma said:
I think 250cc is probably the minimum. I don't think I would ever take a CBR125 on a real highway.
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No passing room even on a 250cc, and the wind gusts will shake it all over the road, it will get you home granted and many country's a 250cc is big.
 
Elwoodpdowd said:
No passing room even on a 250cc, and the wind gusts will shake it all over the road, it will get you home granted and many country's a 250cc is big.
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It does get blown around a bit but I haven't had an issue with it. Passing is only with careful planning if you're above 100 km/h. :D
 
koma said:
It does get blown around a bit but I haven't had an issue with it. Passing is only with careful planning if you're above 100 km/h. :D
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My usual highway is along the seashore/mountains ie Vancouver to Whisltler beleive me can get very windy and lot of logging trucks on the highway and they don't stop on a dime to begin with..I usually go when less traffic days it's a lovely scenic route with good roads that were improved for the Olympic games.
 
I think 250s in highway all depend on rider weight if your like me 160 pounds u can do 165 K on a ninja 250 if ur like 200+ maybe 140? I know it makes a world of difference

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2motors said:
I think 250s in highway all depend on rider weight if your like me 160 pounds u can do 165 K on a ninja 250 if ur like 200+ maybe 140? I know it makes a world of difference

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Good point re weight but my guess speed on a 250 would be maxed out on a pass unless your super light then the wind would throw the bike around, get a big rig pass
and you will almost get whiplash if your helmet is not on tight... I tried the highway with a 250 not for me, my Sportster 883 does ok I will not say excellent but close.

Ride what you like is my motto..
 
wideiris said:
why does everyone say they want to 'upgrade'? i don't understand. as the bike gets bigger, it gets less 'sporty', no? can't really throw it around like a smaller bike. My 125 i can split lanes (i know, not saying i do it all the time, but you know how traffic is in toronto sometimes), u turn, park anywhere, etc. I bought the 300 because my 125 is getting up in kms and i can't take the rattle in my wrist at redline on the way home every day. I used to have an interceptor 500, and i find the 125 more 'fun', just not a great distance bike. your thoughts? the idea of driving around downtown every day on an r6 seems less fun than on the 125, but i'm sure i'm missing something, i'd just like to know what it is! :) just speed? power?
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You won't ever know if you keep trading one bicycle for another. You basically went from a CCM 10 speed to a Raleigh 21 speed. You are right though about the sporty part. After you get past 1300 it gets a bit less sporty. But sporty doesn't really start until 600 on Ontario roads. Your 300 will be excellent, you should love it to bits if you liked your 125.
 
I've had 6 bikes and now I'm on Ninja 250 #2. I love these little Ninjas...and the best part is red lining the **** out of them. I'm in the camp of riding slow bikes fast. Riding her right pass her performance limits. I find all that very satisfying.
 
Elwoodpdowd said:
Riding a low cc bike on a highway is asking for trouble it will barely make it is correct try a pass on a windy day and see what happens or a big rig flying past your lane on a lighweight bike....you need some weight and speed on a highway not a potentially dangerous light toy.
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come ride with me in any conditions you choose and then tell me that...I will be on my 250.
 
LoneRonin said:
come ride with me in any conditions you choose and then tell me that...I will be on my 250.
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Not saying you can't do it, from my view and comfort level I like a bike that is not maxed out on freeway passing...I still say 250 is rather small for highways.
 
Get a 1000cc ss and you won't need to split lanes.
You will be so far ahead of the pack.
You don't have to shift gears either because they will go at least 150kmh in 1st gear.
How cool is that?

Pm Paul1000RR he did that.
 
Elwoodpdowd said:
My usual highway is along the seashore/mountains ie Vancouver to Whisltler beleive me can get very windy and lot of logging trucks on the highway and they don't stop on a dime to begin with..I usually go when less traffic days it's a lovely scenic route with good roads that were improved for the Olympic games.
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I'm the OP. I learned on a 500 on those roads! my god, if we had something like that here. the drive to whistler was amazing. traffic could suck but breathless nonetheless.
 
thanks everyone, for posting. i understand the blowback. but aside from my gripe about waiting for the new bike, what i really wanted to know was, "why is bigger better" (insert "ask your mom" joke here). and i don't know if i really have a clear answer. like i said, I've had a 500 before and i like the 125 better for its responsiveness (just not, you know, throttle responsiveness). i'll respond in a month and see if i have had the epiphany that so many of you seem to have had! :)
 
wideiris said:
I'm the OP. I learned on a 500 on those roads! my god, if we had something like that here. the drive to whistler was amazing. traffic could suck but breathless nonetheless.
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Yes nice ride there, I'm 2 minuts away from the start of route, many side routes also... I usually install a windshield but normal rides don't like windshields. My neighbor has a Goldwing that I tag along with..he has rode across Canada twice and one bike was a 350cc.
 
The solution is obvious: Burgman 650.
 
CBR125R gear ratios are annoying as **** in traffic when pace keeps picking up then slowing down.

All comes down to highway performance. It could definitely use better acceleration for highway but it has more than enough top speed.
Due to its size, the skinny tires are proportionately necessary but sketchy in the twisties, rain or winds.
 
Elwoodpdowd said:
Riding a low cc bike on a highway is asking for trouble it will barely make it is correct try a pass on a windy day and see what happens or a big rig flying past your lane on a lighweight bike....you need some weight and speed on a highway not a potentially dangerous light toy.
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The 250 has more acceleration than my old crappy RAV4 even at 100km/h+.

A few 250s riders I know will merge into the highway faster than 100km/h. I've also ridden a 250 on multiple occasions; there is nothing wrong with them. The only time where they go to poo is if you're trying to keep up with an SS that is riding like an idiot.
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