Hey everybody, new to the forum. I'm currently looking at a black CBR300R, just deciding if I want ABS or not. I'm leaning towards the extra $500 just for peace of mind.
A little background, I had an '09 Yamaha R6 about 5 years ago. I had it for only one year, haven't rode since up until last year . Purchased a full automatic Honda PCX150 scooter to commute with and save on gas (diesel in my case). I ended up selling it after about a year of owning it. It was a great scooter, I got 80+ mpg's on it, but ultimately, it just couldn't handle the highways very well. I have a 100 mile round trip commute to work (80/20 hwy/city).
Right now I have been driving my 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD to work. Which you can easily of guessed, drinks diesel like no tomorrow (18mpg). I am in need for a commuter in the summer/fall months since the truck will be used in the winter/spring for commuting.
I prefer to only use the truck for long trips in the summer/fall and for the use of towing my boat.
I know the CBR300R is a great starter bike, I do have experience riding, but haven't worked a clutch since my '09 Yamaha R6. My biggest need is for an economical bike that will get me great gas and the CBR300R is one of my options among others I'm looking at (Honda CTX700, Honda NM4, Yamaha YZF-R3). I'm not looking for anything bigger. My R6+ days are long gone lol
In your guys' opinions, how are your CBR's holding up? How long will the engine last? 50k miles, 100k miles, etc.?
Is ABS a must? And what can I expect for MPG's with 80/20 hwy/city riding? Can it handle 65+ mph on a highway? How about going uphill?
Thanks in advance everyone, I am looking to buy within a few weeks. So collecting as much info I can before making the buy
I read that the last couple of bikes you've owned for about a year or less? If you have any doubt that you may own the 300 for a similar length of time, I would opt for a used 250 instead for pretty darn cheap so at least you can make sure and experience the bike, and that in turn may be the best way to find out your answers, perhaps.
MPG's have been great for me... Haven't kept track but maybe averaging around 50 - 60 MPG's with mixed / enthusiastic riding, and mostly city. Bike is still running fair after 3k miles and over 6 months time for me.
No telling on how long the bike and its motor will last. All one can hope to do is take care of it when riding / not riding, and maintain it properly throughout. With that said, the bike should be solid through its life.
Regarding ABS: If you have any thoughts about getting it now... Then just get it. I personally didn't want it for simplicity's sake.
This bike is not only a great starter bike, it's a great bike overall even if one has tons of experience under his / her belt. You'd be surprised at how capable, fun, and athletic / nimble this machine can be.
I appreciate the feedback. The biggest reason I let the R6 go was because it was too much bike, and I opted for a vehicle and used the bike as a trade. The PCX was mostly to help offset my truck. But it just can't handle the highways. I do plan to keep my next bike for a much much longer period of time. Thanks for the feedback. My biggest hope is that it can handle uphill grades in 65mph zones.
I appreciate the feedback. The biggest reason I let the R6 go was it was too much bike, and I opted for vehicle and used it as a trade. The PCX was mostly to help offset my truck. But it just can't handle the highways. I do plan to keep my next bike for a much much longer period of time. Thanks for the feedback. My biggest hope is that it can handle uphill grades in 65mph zones.
I haven't talked about a test ride yet so hopefully they allow them. I was quoted $5,400 OTD. So I think that's a good deal. Im going this sat to check one out. It's red but at least I'll get an idea on what I can expect.
$5,400 seems a little too high to me. MSRP is going for 3,999.00. My local dealer has a sale and has had it for a few months now it seems. The sale is for $3,509.00 . I'm sure you could talk them down on those extra fees and get it for a few hundred cheaper at least.
Hate to be that guy(http://www.cbr300forum.com/forum/new-2014-cbr300-vehicle-sales/6753-wts-2015-honda-cbr300r.html). But like he said, a used bike is always a good idea as the pros outweigh the cons IMO. The value of new bikes drop as soon as you leave the dealership by a large amount. If you ARE going to get new(or even not), I'd suggest ABS. It's not a very big investment and it's nice to have, as you said, that peace of mind.
Welcome to the forum. A well maintained used bike could save you some cash. But if you decide to go new the CBR300R is a great choice IMHO. The hwy near my house has a fairly steep grade and I can accelerate from 65mph on 6th gear. Not neck snapping, but accelerating. BTW I am 6' 3" and 205lbs. Only time will tell if this bike will last 50,000mi, but if properly maintained it should. After all, it IS a Honda. My bike does not have ABS because it is a 300F, but I would have sprung for it if available.
Thanks for the replies guys. I am sorta skeptical with used bikes. I guess you can say I don't trust people when it comes to maintenance, but mostly because I'm meticulous about my vehicles and maintenance.
I'll keep everyone posted on my experience this Sat. They do have a couple used CBR's at the dealership, so that might be worth considering once I see 'em
Same here, I've never purchased a used vehicle or bike in my life... Skeptical too. Although, it's also partly due to me being a bit spoiled as well. :laugh:
You can always test ride the used ones, and then buy the new one if you decide?
I did purchase my last bike from them, so hopefully they let me. On the Honda website, it shows symbols relating to certain things next to each dealer (i.e. test ride, internet certified, honda powerhouse dealer). However, the "test ride" symbol was not next to this dealer I'm going to.
Buy a new one you will fall in love with it. i have the 300r and it has no problems doing 120-140 kmh and up. Uphill downhill curvy mcgurvy it don't matter. Our "little" cbr's have big hearts!
If you choose to buy second hand there may be some 300's staring to pop up. Just keep in mind all bikes get flogged despite what the owner says and if it has 10,000km's or less just make sure the first service has been done and service the bike yourself as soon as you get it regardless of what the owner says. In regards to ABS I did not get it on my bike and after a few hard braking close calls I wonder what the result would have been if I had not already been well versed in how to emergency brake.
Great advice from all the above. Have a great ride on Saturday, be honest with yourself as you have been about the R6. I'm sure you're going to love the CBr they have many qualities as well as faults in some peoples opinions. 50k should not be a problem with regular oil changes etc. I'm really enjoying mine!
Had a pretty good experience this last weekend. I looked at the red one and decided I want the black one. I was quoted the $5400 OTD and I can either finance or pay full in cash. Either way the price would be the same. (minus interest of course)
The dealership didn't allow a test ride unfortunately (even with my checkbook slapping them in the face lol)
Sitting on it was very comfortable though, and the seating position was much lower than my R6 was, which I was pleasantly surprised. I'm 6'2" and my R6 would put you on your toes at stoplights. So I won't miss that lol It felt like a cross between a cruiser bike and sport bike, I didn't feel like I leaned as far forward as the R6.
I can pay $5400 cash or I can pay $600 down - $99 a month for 5 years. Dealer is bringing the black one in this week. Should be finalized by Friday I am hoping.
Can't believe they don't have a demo model. That's really poor. There's no way in **** I would by a bike without riding it first. At least u have us to let you know your on to a good thing!
$5403CAN would be around $4900US. That's practically list price without tax and fees! I'd be all over that like white on rice on a paperplate in a snowstorm!!
Dealership called me. The bike is in a crate being shipped to them now. They expect it in at the earliest Saturday, at the latest Tuesday.
They said once they receive it in, it will take them a day to assemble it.
Pardon my newbness, lol but I bought my R6 off the showroom floor, so this is new to me. Is the bike assembled after they receive it? I've always been under the impression the bike is already assembled in the crate?
When I got mine, I went to the dealership just to look, and they said they had just gotten one in but it was still crated up. I asked them to open the crate, which they did, and I ended up buying it. From what I remember, it was fully assembled, and had all its fluids from the factory. It was pretty late in the day when I was there, so I had to come back the next day to pick it up. They just had to check it all over and make sure bolts were tight, cables and chain within spec, and they had to take it for a spin to make sure it was good to go. Also since I got the black and yellow model, they gave me the option of them applying the yellow stripe on the wheels, or giving me the sticker and deciding later if I wanted them on, but I had them do it
Wonder how that happened. Their system didn't communicate the proper exterior code? I'm thinking the dealer rep didn't comprehend that there are two different kinds of blacks. Must've been frustrating for you. Glad you didn't settle.
Bummer, if you sqwint a little it may look like black :laugh:
Had a similar thing when my bike arrived. It was right color but damaged in transit even though crated. Waiting... Waiting...
Bummer! Personally I prefer the black/yellow, mainly because of matte finish. When I got mine they had a gloss black one in a crate as well. I do know how much it sucks to place an order and get the wrong thing though. Especially when it's a $5k order
It was exciting at first hearing it had come in so early, so it was a bummer! lol I didn't make too much of it though, they apologized and said they'll call me today to give me an updated ETA. They plan to put the black/yellow one on their showroom now... I would go for the matte black if the yellow could be removed, but I've been told on here that it'll be discolored under the stickers. Still a great looking bike, I just prefer solid colors
That's cool that they are going to keep it. they shouldn't have any trouble selling it, as the black/yellow seems to be the hardest to find. I would also have preferred just a solid matte black over the black/yellow. maybe someday, if i ever f*ck up the plastics I'll pop 'em off and respray them all flat black. I do really like honda's flat black though, because its a matte finish, but it has a subtle metallic sparkle to it that you only see when you're up close
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