R3 Questions: Steering feel/ Worthy Upgrade?

3255 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by sedanman, Aug 25, 2015

Raven1

Discussion Starter · Aug 23, 2015

Hi guys (and ladies),
I've found an awesome looking Raven black R3 for sale used and I took it for a very brief ride to see how the R3 feels. I'm coming from a 2013 CBR 250R ABS that I had for a few months but I really appreciate how the R3 looks and the reviews are very positive for this bike.

Getting on with the questions; when I test rode the bike I noticed the steering seemed to almost "pull" slightly to the right or left compared to my CBR... The bike has very low k's and seems to be in mint condition (no noticeable damage at all and still rode straight) but I'm a little concerned as the steering feel is "different" than the CBR; anyone else experience this? The seller said it felt different from the CBR because the front fork is shorter and more direct!? Weight difference, tires, steering angle difference???

Secondly, does anyone have opinions on whether or not the R3 will be a noticeable upgrade from the CBR. Of course the R3 is newer and on paper, better in so many ways but what about real-world experience? Is the R3 a lot more powerful on acceleration, better on the highway, and just "worth it"? The gut selling said he's going to get a used CBR 500... reviews have given the impression that the R3 is very comparable to the CBR 500...?

Thanks in advance for your opinions and advice. Really love the R3 but want to make a good decision on buying my next bike

Peace.

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FangShui

· #2 · Aug 23, 2015 (Edited)

Raven1 said:
Hi guys (and ladies),
I've found an awesome looking Raven black R3 for sale used and I took it for a very brief ride to see how the R3 feels. I'm coming from a 2013 CBR 250R ABS that I had for a few months but I really appreciate how the R3 looks and the reviews are very positive for this bike.

Getting on with the questions; when I test rode the bike I noticed the steering seemed to almost "pull" slightly to the right or left compared to my CBR... The bike has very low k's and seems to be in mint condition (no noticeable damage at all and still rode straight) but I'm a little concerned as the steering feel is "different" than the CBR; anyone else experience this? The seller said it felt different from the CBR because the front fork is shorter and more direct!? Weight difference, tires, steering angle difference???

Secondly, does anyone have opinions on whether or not the R3 will be a noticeable upgrade from the CBR. Of course the R3 is newer and on paper, better in so many ways but what about real-world experience? Is the R3 a lot more powerful on acceleration, better on the highway, and just "worth it"? The gut selling said he's going to get a used CBR 500... reviews have given the impression that the R3 is very comparable to the CBR 500...?

Thanks in advance for your opinions and advice. Really love the R3 but want to make a good decision on buying my next bike

Peace.

If it pulled to one side OR the other, then it could be a front end issue (damage from a hard curb impact, etc.). Pulling to both sides is something else.

The differences in geometry between the two bikes isn't enough to make any difference in the handling that you could feel.

CBR250R

Rake = 25 degrees
Trail = 3.9"
Wheelbase = 53.9"
Front tire = 110/70-17

R3
Rake = 25 degrees
Trail = 3.7"
Wheelbase = 54.3
Front tire = 110/70-17

The R3's front tire is a Bias Ply vs the CBR250R's Radial tire. This could make a difference. Radials tend to be more stable than Bias Plys in the upright position, then some of them can have a noticeable rollover when they transition onto the shoulders of the tire.

The R3 is a very noticeable improvement over the CBR250R (I had one). Power is much greater and pulling (particularly on hills) is VERY noticebly better.

I also have a CB500X, same engine as the CBR500R but different geometry, and the R3 isn't comparable to it, power-wise. The 500s extra 8 HP (on the dyno) can be felt, as can the 500s extra 13.40 nm of torque. Plus, the 500s max torque comes at 7,000 rpm vs the R3s at 9,000 rpm. The 500 pulls better in all gears.

The two bikes (CBR and R3) feel very different. R3 feels more stable at freeway speeds and still has pulling power at 70 mph, whereas the CBR250R is pretty much tapped out at that speed.

I'd have a shop check out the bike via a test ride and frame/fork check......

My .02.

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Capn Kirk

· #3 · Aug 23, 2015

Different

I can't compare to the CBR but I came off of a Kawasaki Versy 650. I found the steering on the R3 to require a lot more force to lean the bike and make it change direction. It is not as "fickable" as the Versys but it is also does not have the same geometry. Once I got used to the difference and learned the feel of the R3, I no longer feel the extra effort needed to lean.

I imagine the geometry being this way is intentional for high speed due to racing. This has been a big plus on the highway for me as I do not get blown around on the R3 as much as I did on the Versys.

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Lollingthunder

· #4 · Aug 23, 2015

TC, are you referring to a heaviness when you turn slowly? Slow speed maneuver turns, the bike's steering continues to turn in the direction you are turning at low speeds? If that is the case, that is normal. Compared to my own bike, I noticed this when I first left the dealership turning out into traffic. And continue to notice this every single time I ride my wife's r3.

If you are referring to while riding in a straight line, then no, that is not normal.

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Capitalview

· #5 · Aug 23, 2015

The weird steering could have also been due to tire pressure. The front tire may have been over inflated.

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Raven1

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 24, 2015

Some great information here!
Well it's hard to articulate the "feeling" on the bike, but as Lollingthunder pointed out it was during slow speed turn-in... I was just riding the bike around the block but noticed the bike really wanted to "turn-in" a lot more as I slowed down to enter the drive-way at slow speed. The R3 almost felt like the bars were "weighted" as when I turned in, more so than with my old CBR. As if there was some added weight tied to the ends of the bars so when I turned, the bars wanted to turn in even more... Don't mean to sound paranoid but it's still a lot of money for a used bike and want to be sure.

Anyone else have a similar experience going from a cbr 250 to an R3?

Peace.

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Lollingthunder

· #7 · Aug 24, 2015

Basically it is leverage. I had the same issue and posted a topic a while back and people informed me it is normal. I ride a naked upright that has wider handlebars that are more horizontally placed (instead of angling inward like sport bike clipons).

Whether it be the angle of the clip ons, or how much closer they are together, one or both of those are factoring in the "heaviness" relative to your cbr. Either the cbr's handle angles are not as steep or the handles are placed further apart, one of those things is making your cbr have more steering leverage compared to the r3.

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Mase

· #8 · Aug 24, 2015

I currently ride both a 2013 cbr250ra and an r3. They do handle differently but I think you'll get used to the r3 pretty quickly.

The r3 is definitely a worthy upgrade in performance. It feels like it's in a different class.

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Yamamama

· #9 · Aug 24, 2015

Sounds like it could be the front tire profile, too - depending on what tires you had on the 250. Michelins have a reputation for being more of a triangular shape vs other brands' more uniform curve. If I'm understanding you correctly, tire profile could definitely cause that feeling.

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sedanman

· #10 · Aug 24, 2015

My wife just picked her bike up Saturday. We have already ordered replacement tires. We are getting Bridgestone battlax S20's. They have a much softer compound, are radials, and have a angular, agressive profile. These should "turn in" very nicely. Our stock tires will be for sale shortly. They'll have less than 200 miles on them.

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anthercitecole09

· #11 · Aug 25, 2015

sedanman said:
My wife just picked her bike up Saturday. We have already ordered replacement tires. We are getting Bridgestone battlax S20's. They have a much softer compound, are radials, and have a angular, agressive profile. These should "turn in" very nicely. Our stock tires will be for sale shortly. They'll have less than 200 miles on them.

I ditched the stockers as soon as I could as well. Least confidence inspiring rubber I've ever ridden on. Switched to the S20 Evos as well. It's a very good tire, just make sure you get it good and warm before getting too crazy, they don't heat up as quickly as some other tires I've had in the past.

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sedanman

· #12 · Aug 25, 2015

I really wanted Batlax BT 003's but they're not available in the right sizes yet and we're taking it to the track in 2 weeks. Plus she's going to be riding it on the street and the S20's are a little better for the street than the BT 003's

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