being a Yamaha rider myself, a couple of v-stars, maxim x, virago... I loved my yahamas. I can say this about the 300r. I fell in love with it on my first test ride. my girlfriend wasn't able to test ride a bike when looking for her first. she started on a gs500f. it didn't go well. the brakes were so touchy, it caused her to drop the bike three times and almost made her quite. any way.....the 300r came out, and wow, we wanted to test one. the tri-color I have is just that very bike. she trusted me to ride a bike and pick for her. she has been so happy on her black beauty. she is not even going to consider a different bike or larger bike. I loved the 300r so much. I went back a couple weeks later and bought that tri-color I test rode, sold my Yamaha and haven't looked back. I have never ridden a Honda in my life. I was pretty dead set on a ninja 650r or even maybe the cbr500r. this little 300 baby has stolen our hearts. we sat on the R3 at the AIME in Orlando. The R3 has a seat advantage. it is narrow and at the same height provides better footing. other than that. the little torquey cbr300r is placing smiles on our faces every tie we ride. I can't go a couple of days without wanting to hop on and ride it like I stole it, lol.... everyone finds something that makes them happy. the cbr300r surprised us. I honestly can't see jumping from a new bike to a new bike. way to expensive for me, lol... will I test ride an R3, maybe. I have a rule. don't test ride something you won't buy. cuz that turns a brand new bike for a dealer into something someone else abused on a test ride, lol....of course in my case I bought my test ride. and no, I was no easy when I test rode it, lol....I wanted a real test for my girlfriend. it was literally zero miles brand new, never been wet. I wound that sucker up like crazy in town, and high way. I was pulling 75-85 mph on a new wet test ride, lol....
glad we joined the forum. we enjoy reading and listening to everyone. be safe out there.
P.S. I was very disappointed in the blue/silver r3. blue/white would have been better. the silver just looked dull and dirty, and out of place. the red/white is nicer than the blue/silver. they didn't have the raven at the show, just the red/white, and blue/silver.
kool-aide
Now, with the introduction of R3 being sold at almost matching price, I suddenly have a choice I haven't asked for. As a result, I will definitely go to a motorcycle show in January to sit on both bikes and will keep a close eye on what others have to say (issues, pros, ergonomics and so on).
