[Timbo64]

1. Clutch cable has stretched more in 150 miles than any other bike
I've ever owned. No big deal...I just tighten it up a little.

2. The WORST grips I've ever had on a motorcycle. ****, maybe
even on a bicycle. They HAVE to go.

3. I LOVE riding this motorcycle. I've already gotten lots of
complements on it from other riders.

4. I wish the rear fender was a little less bulky like the one on a Ninja
300. I could live with that. However, this monstrosity has got to go!
I'll replace it with a Vegabond FE.

5. This is a small displacement bike that even very experienced
riders, I'm 50 and started riding when I was 13, will have
a blast riding.

 

[FangShui]

1. Clutch cable has stretched more in 150 miles than any other bike
I've ever owned. No big deal...I just tighten it up a little.

2. The WORST grips I've ever had on a motorcycle. ****, maybe
even on a bicycle. They HAVE to go.

3. I LOVE riding this motorcycle. I've already gotten lots of
complements on it from other riders.

4. I wish the rear fender was a little less bulky like the one on a Ninja
300. I could live with that. However, this monstrosity has got to go!
I'll replace it with a Vegabond FE.

5. This is a small displacement bike that even very experienced
riders, I'm 50 and started riding when I was 13, will have
a blast riding.

+1 on all that you report. I'm 62, started riding off-road at age 12, have always liked the smaller displacement, lightweight bikes.

I bought some of these Driven Racing D-axis Gel grips through eBay. They should be here any day now. I've used Driven grips before and liked them. The end rings come in several colors.

View attachment 1706

 

[YR3]

Thanks for sharing your feedback, with all the years you have under you it helps to hear what someone that experienced has to say.
Did you get a chance to ride any of its competitors?

 

[Timbo64]

YR3, I've owned a 2102 Ninja 250 and a 2012 Honda CBR 250. (I've been a little "bike crazy" and have bought and sold 9 new motorcycles in the last four years) I have not ridden a CBR300 and have only ridden a Ninja 300 around the block.
The build quality of the R3 is as good, if not a little better than, the CBR250 and somewhat better than the Ninja 250.
The R3's power, as we all know, is far superior to the CBR 250 and the Ninja 250 and, from my short time in the saddle, a little better than the Ninja 300.

I really like the styling of the CBR 300, but the Ninja 300's leaves me a little cold. The CBR250/300 is a well put together motorcycle that a lot of reviewers actually like more than the Ninja 300 even though it's lacking in the power department.

As a pure commuter that will see little highway use, the CBR is a fantastic ride...it's a very nice little bike...it just needs more power!
If you need more performance, the R3 ranks above the Ninja 300, but both are nice rides. It's a personal preference thing, but I like the build quality, performance, and styling of the R3 better than the Ninja 300.

As to long term value and how well the CBR and Ninja hold up, I don't know because I sold both of them before they had 2500 miles on the odometer. (There is always a market for great quality, well maintained, non-abused 250/300 sport bikes)
However, I can't see myself getting bored with the R3 and selling it anytime soon. I'll probably get a 4 year extended warranty, something I never purchase, and keep it for at least four or five years.......I LOVE this motorcycle.

Also, I've already gotten some very nice comments and questions from riders on larger sport bikes about the R3. That NEVER happened on the CBR or Ninja 250.

My dream sport bike would be the R3 with 65 HP, ABS, better tires, triple disk, and a more aggressive riding position!

 

[Marquiess]

I hear a lot of complaints about the grips. Haven't ridden enough to notice but interested to see how you feel about the new ones after you install them.

 

[wasimlhr]

+1 on all that you report. I'm 62, started riding off-road at age 12, have always liked the smaller displacement, lightweight bikes.

I bought some of these Driven Racing D-axis Gel grips through eBay. They should be here any day now. I've used Driven grips before and liked them. The end rings come in several colors.

View attachment 1706

Sweet, How was the installation? How much difference do you feel now?

Got my R3 I want to change them too.

 

[Marquiess]

+1 on all that you report. I'm 62, started riding off-road at age 12, have always liked the smaller displacement, lightweight bikes.


View attachment 1706

62 huh? I am 47 and friends have told me I am too old for a bike like this! But now I see on here that there are a few of us that are older, I don't feel as awkward. I am like you, have had motorcycles from 8 years old and I just can't get away from the thrills.

 

[AJ Nin]

Whippersnappers! I'm 69. I traded in my 2011 Gixxer 1000 last year with 11,000 miles on it and although I prefer the naked bike riding position, I also like the sport bike look.

My R3 leans a little too far to the left on the kickstand, I get a resonance in 3rd and 4th gear, and it is a little hard to get on and off due to the high pillion since I'm just under 5'7". Other than that, I like it. It's a great little highway commuter, but works fine for city riding too and comfortable enough for trips. It's the first bike with fairings I've had that you don't need to remove fairings to get to the oil filter. Oil doesn't drip down on pipes either. I like that. I also like the light weight but will like it even more when I replace the battery and get a slip-on. Hoping to lose 10 lbs.

 

[Mike-the-Bike]

I'm 50 and still ride sport bikes; they keep you young. I rode my '04 GSX-R750 for over an hour today, and other than wanting to take a nap, I feel great! My R3 is more "fun" than the GSXR mainly due to the fact that on the R3, you feel like you're really flying with the revs up around 7-8 thousand, but then you look at the speed and see you're only going 50MPH.

 

[FangShui]

Sweet, How was the installation? How much difference do you feel now?

Got my R3 I want to change them too.

They're more comfortable. The grip area feels like Kraton rubber, slightly squishy and has 1,000's of little diamonds sticking up for good grip.

Installation was easy.

1.) Remove the handlebar end weights. Wrap the weight with electrical tape and hold with pliers if the hex head bolt won't come loose easily.

2.) Cut off the stock grips with a razor blade or razor knife. Clutch side is glued on and a bit harder to remove. I peeled it back, which worked well.
Throttle side isn't glued on because the throttle tube has a whole bunch of raised rectangles on it that fit in the indentations on the inside stock grips.

3.) Shave off the 3 plastic tabs at the end of the throttle tube with razor blade. They make it too hard to get the new grips on all the way.

4.) Spray some Windex, or similar, inside the new grips.

5.) Slide them on. When the Windex dries, it acts like glue. Mine didn't slip around once dry.

6.) Replace the handlebar end weights.

NOTE: if you get the Driven D-axis grips, leave the alloy rings on them when installing.

 

[FangShui]

Whippersnappers! I'm 69. I traded in my 2011 Gixxer 1000 last year with 11,000 miles on it and although I prefer the naked bike riding position, I also like the sport bike look.

My R3 leans a little too far to the left on the kickstand, I get a resonance in 3rd and 4th gear, and it is a little hard to get on and off due to the high pillion since I'm just under 5'7". Other than that, I like it. It's a great little highway commuter, but works fine for city riding too and comfortable enough for trips. It's the first bike with fairings I've had that you don't need to remove fairings to get to the oil filter. Oil doesn't drip down on pipes either. I like that. I also like the light weight but will like it even more when I replace the battery and get a slip-on. Hoping to lose 10 lbs.

I'm shooting for a 20-30 pound weight loss, off me, then I'll see how much I can lighten the R3, too.

 

[AJ Nin]

Haha. That's one way. Actually it is probably the best way since you are losing up high weight which will move the center of gravity lower which should improve stability.

 

[Marquiess]

Like the mini tutorial. Sounds easy to do. Thanks.

 

[CptNight]

I haven't had any problems with the Grips. What exactly are you having problems with???
The only Real Compliant that I have is about the Stupid Turn Signal Switch Placement.
Most of the time I find myself letting go of the grip entirely, just to turn the turn signals on or off.
Its really annoying.
I really loved the placement of the CBR500R switches (the turn and horn switch were flipped), it was so nice not having to stretch my thumb or let go of the grip.

 

[FangShui]

The stock grips look like they were purchased at the Dollar Store, as do the levers.

Cost-cutting to meet a price point, I'm sure.

 

[Inkbytrip]

I've noticed my cable stretched a lot to and the grips do suck I got the driven racing d-3 grips and they are amazing check those out you will love them
Here's a pic of my r3

 

[Piperman]

What pipe/slip-on are you running on here?
I am going to get those driven grips.

I've noticed my cable stretched a lot to and the grips do suck I got the driven racing d-3 grips and they are amazing check those out you will love them
Here's a pic of my r3

 

[ash73]

I haven't had any problems with the Grips. What exactly are you having problems with???
The only Real Compliant that I have is about the Stupid Turn Signal Switch Placement.
Most of the time I find myself letting go of the grip entirely, just to turn the turn signals on or off.
Its really annoying.
I really loved the placement of the CBR500R switches (the turn and horn switch were flipped), it was so nice not having to stretch my thumb or let go of the grip.

How are you finding the R3 compared to the CBR500R overall?

 

[Timbo64]

I don't like the way the grips feel in my gloved hand....slippery and hard.
Also, the throttle grip is very flimsy.
****, they're probably not as bad as I make them out to be!

 

[mobadger72]

43 been riding for 23 years now and LOVE my R3 !!!
I just got back into riding after a few years off after almost being killed while on my new 06' Buell XB12R...
I was pulling out from a light and a kid ran over me...

This little bike is a BLAST !!!