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Hey Guys!! It has been a very long time since I have been away from xbhp. Last time I penned down something regarding my ownership experience, it was for my 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 650. While I have been away a lot has happened. I have replaced my Ninja 650 with a Blue Yamaha R3. While most of you may be astonished at this so called downgrade, I had my own reasons for moving on to Yamaha R3. My brief ownership of Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Kawasaki Ninja 300 for 4 years and 40,000 kilometers between them opened up a different outlook, and made me think about other aspects of owning a big bike or a CKD. While Kawasaki Ninja 300 is not a big bike, the cost or pains of ownership does not make you feel any lesser. So, this ownership report is a sort of summary of the 3 most important bikes that I have owned in the last 4 years of my life.
To begin with, it was in 2013 that I decided to move up a segment from my Yamaha R15v2 and KTM Duke 200. Having loved the reliability, refinement, handling, robust engineering of the Yamaha, I decided to splurge on a Kawasaki Ninja 300, as we usually relate those attributes to Japanese manufacturers. My not so pleasant ownership experience of KTM Duke 200 and numerous Bajaj bikes that I had before that, was the prime reason to move my focus to Kawasaki.
The strange thing is I always wanted to move up from my R15v2 to a bigger bike from Yamaha, something in 300 to 400 cc range, however, at that time R3 was not yet launched globally.
Anyways moving ahead, my Ninja 300 clicked all the boxes, namely reliability, refinement, handling, robust engineering. I covered around 20,000 kilometers on it within 15 months of my ownership. I also had a small crash in between. The bike held itself very well, and I was impressed with the way Japanese go about making their machines. However, having said that there was something that just didn't click with me. It was like that situation where you date a girl, but always feel the spark is missing. Nothing wrong with the girl, its just that the chemistry is not there. I am sorry for wandering away from the topic, the point is I wasn't happy from within. And then I started nitpicking.
To begin with, I am not a very sedate rider, I am not sedate by any yardstick. In-fact, it is more of rash riding. Also, I just cant stop myself from enjoying a corner, no matter how strict the rules of a group ride are. And the one thing that stopped me from using the potential of the 300 to my limits was the cost of repairs. While the bike is more than happy to do whatever I want, the cost of repairs was always playing in the back of my mind. While I had a 0 dep poicy, I am someone who would prefer to fork out the cost of repairs, and take the bike back within a week or two. But with the 300, the cost of spares is so exorbitant that I could not dare to do that. Yes, some would say you could use your card to foot the bill and claim it later, but the cost of spares is too much for my card limit. Also, the spares take time to arrive at the service center, as these spares (accidental replacements) are mostly never in stock. Also, my small crash I had, I had racked in a bill of 95,000. And I had damaged my headlamp, RHS fairing, indicators, and the internal bracket that holds the headlamp. Though the Insurance company paid for it, the cost was huge for a 300 cc bike, and moreover I had to wait for more than a month to get the bike back. I am not sure if most are aware, the cost of all the spares of the Ninja 300 put together is lot more than the price at which Kawasaki sells the bike for.
While there was joy of owning a Ninja 300, the pains made think if this is what I wanted. I love riding, and it is my passion, and no matter how much I spend on my bike, if I don't love it, or I am not able to enjoy it there is no way anyone can convince me to live with the bike.
While I was going through all that, Yamaha launched the R3 in India. Some of the people I know got the R3, and I was able to ride the R3 quite a lot. I dont know what it is with the Yamaha's but they always appeal straight to the heart. Hence the tussle began between my head and the heart. Head said to stick with the 300 as I had already paid lot of money, plus the depreciation is hugs on these bikes. Some how I was able to convince myself for a short period, and one fine day I took the dreaded decision. I followed the heart, and made up my mind to let my Ninja 300 go. I let my agent know that I wanted to sell my bike, and he offered me a price that I was OK with. Yes, when it comes to bikes and accessories I am a very impulsive buyer. Having taken the decision, I set out for Naman Yamaha in Panvel to make the payment for the R3.
However, luck had something else in store. I think it was around Diwali, and the KTM-Kawasaki showroom Manager near my area is a good friend of mine. He gave me a call to wish me Happy Diwali, and having learnt of my decision to sell the 300, he asked me to visit his showroom to have a look at the Ninja 650. Ninja 650 was never on my radar until then, and since I didn't want to tell him No directly, I made a visit to the showroom just to meet him, as it was on my way to Naman Yamaha. On entering the showroom, I saw a fresh petti-pack Ninja 650 on display. The manager wasted no time, and offered me a ride on one of his test bikes. He said its ok if you dont like it and dont buy it. It was my first time on any bike more than 390 cc and needless to say I was blown away by the oodles of low down power and torque, plus the healthy mid-range. I could ride the bike fast, and no sooner i felt quite comfortable on it. The Manager could read my mind. And he was all out to make a sale. Eventually I decided to take the plunge and went back home with another Ninja, my new Ninja 650.
I was quite happy for the initial few months. The power and torque on demand kept me amused for the initial few months. I did a lot of Mumbai-Goa trips and breakfast rides on my 650. And before I realised I had 10,000 kilometers on my odo within first 6 months. Thanks to Ninja 650 my skills were also improving. 200+ kilos, coupled with non-ABS zero electronics and too much of power helped me in understanding the dynamics of the bike. It also helped me in improving my braking. I was able to control the bike a lot better than I had anticipated, and eventually I realised that going further I will have to look at attending more of track days. Riding fast on our streets was a perfect recipe for disaster. I was getting quicker, however, I was not able to push the bike more, as the same reasons that played in my mind while riding my 300, began to worry me again. Also, once the novelty of owning a big bike died down, I started to see the same reasons that made me move away from my Ninja 300. On the Ninja 650 not only the spares were expensive, but also the routine consumables like the tyres, chain sprockets, disc pads, insurance renewals wee burning a big hole. I love to ride my bike extensively, and there was no way I was going to cut down on my riding to save on the consumables like tyres, pads, chain sprockets etc. Also, I had plans of doing lot of track days in the near future. Eventually after a year I sold my Ninja 650 to my best friend from college. My bike had clocked close to 20,000 kilometers when I let her go. I am happy atleast the bike is in the family.
Having wasted a lot of money on buying and selling of Ninja twins, I did not have the courage to spend on a new bike again. Fortunately a friend of mine, whom I knew for a while was planning to sell his blue Yamaha R3. I had ridden his bike earlier, and I was also aware of the way he maintained the bike. I loved the bike whenever I rode her. I took her out for a spin again on the day I sold my Ninja 650, and immediately fell in love with his R3. I made him an offer, he accepted it, and I brought the bike home.
With another bike in less than 3 years I decided to take it easy this time, and a strict ban on any more impulsive purchases, on anything closely related to bikes. That means no more spending on accessories as I had done in the past. The bike had 18,000 kilometers on the odo and was from the very first lot. I brought the bike in January 2017, and the bike has clocked 32,000 kilometers as of today. In the last 9 months I have done numerous long trips - Mumbai to Khajuraho, 1200 KMs one way, Mumbai to Rann of Kutch, 1200 kms one way, few Mumbai Kolhapur and Mumbai Goa trips. Add to that breakfast rides on every alternate weekend, and I covered quite a lot kilometers. The 1200 KM trips were done in a single day.
In between I also attended track day on my R3 at Kolhapur. The track session was conducted by Vortex racing at Mohites track in Kolhapur.
The most important reason for me to get a R3 was that it had all the qualities I loved in my Ninja 300 i.e. reliability, refinement, handling, robust engineering, and it does not even burn a hole in my pocket while trying to maintain it. The cost of spares is quite cheap, and I no longer have that worry in my head of fixing it in case I had a fall. I think Yamaha has done a very good job, as in they have provided a very robust package (its expensive to buy initially) and they have also worked hard to keep the cost of spares very reasonable. I did a bit of research on cost of spares and I was pleasantly surprised to see them much lower than the Kawasaki. I have also attached cost of spares below.
Yamalube Engine Oil (1 litre) ₹450
Air Filter ₹545
Spark Plug ₹85
Fork Oil (487 ml required in each fork) ₹185 per 500 ml
Clutch Lever ₹320
Brake Lever ₹260
Front Alloy Rim ₹5,610
Rear Alloy rim ₹6,580
Front Indicator ₹650
Rear Indicator ₹690
Rider Foot Rest ₹180
Pillion Foot Rest ₹190
Rear View Mirror ₹1,280
Bar End Grip ₹120
Handle Bar (One Side) ₹1,330
Brake Pedal ₹700
Exhaust ₹26,310
Tail Light Assembly ₹4,570
Front Brake Pads ₹3260
Rear Brake Pads ₹850
Oil Filter ₹360
Chain Sprocket kit ₹5850
Oil chamber ₹4000
Fairing (one side) ₹5950
Rear panel ₹575
Headlight assembly ₹8000(approx)
Indicator Stay ₹150
Front Fairing (Body cowling) ₹1365
Headlight stay ₹900
RHS rear footrest 2 ₹880
Radiator ₹3800
Gear lever Assembly ₹1800
To begin with, it was in 2013 that I decided to move up a segment from my Yamaha R15v2 and KTM Duke 200. Having loved the reliability, refinement, handling, robust engineering of the Yamaha, I decided to splurge on a Kawasaki Ninja 300, as we usually relate those attributes to Japanese manufacturers. My not so pleasant ownership experience of KTM Duke 200 and numerous Bajaj bikes that I had before that, was the prime reason to move my focus to Kawasaki.
The strange thing is I always wanted to move up from my R15v2 to a bigger bike from Yamaha, something in 300 to 400 cc range, however, at that time R3 was not yet launched globally.
Anyways moving ahead, my Ninja 300 clicked all the boxes, namely reliability, refinement, handling, robust engineering. I covered around 20,000 kilometers on it within 15 months of my ownership. I also had a small crash in between. The bike held itself very well, and I was impressed with the way Japanese go about making their machines. However, having said that there was something that just didn't click with me. It was like that situation where you date a girl, but always feel the spark is missing. Nothing wrong with the girl, its just that the chemistry is not there. I am sorry for wandering away from the topic, the point is I wasn't happy from within. And then I started nitpicking.
To begin with, I am not a very sedate rider, I am not sedate by any yardstick. In-fact, it is more of rash riding. Also, I just cant stop myself from enjoying a corner, no matter how strict the rules of a group ride are. And the one thing that stopped me from using the potential of the 300 to my limits was the cost of repairs. While the bike is more than happy to do whatever I want, the cost of repairs was always playing in the back of my mind. While I had a 0 dep poicy, I am someone who would prefer to fork out the cost of repairs, and take the bike back within a week or two. But with the 300, the cost of spares is so exorbitant that I could not dare to do that. Yes, some would say you could use your card to foot the bill and claim it later, but the cost of spares is too much for my card limit. Also, the spares take time to arrive at the service center, as these spares (accidental replacements) are mostly never in stock. Also, my small crash I had, I had racked in a bill of 95,000. And I had damaged my headlamp, RHS fairing, indicators, and the internal bracket that holds the headlamp. Though the Insurance company paid for it, the cost was huge for a 300 cc bike, and moreover I had to wait for more than a month to get the bike back. I am not sure if most are aware, the cost of all the spares of the Ninja 300 put together is lot more than the price at which Kawasaki sells the bike for.
While there was joy of owning a Ninja 300, the pains made think if this is what I wanted. I love riding, and it is my passion, and no matter how much I spend on my bike, if I don't love it, or I am not able to enjoy it there is no way anyone can convince me to live with the bike.
While I was going through all that, Yamaha launched the R3 in India. Some of the people I know got the R3, and I was able to ride the R3 quite a lot. I dont know what it is with the Yamaha's but they always appeal straight to the heart. Hence the tussle began between my head and the heart. Head said to stick with the 300 as I had already paid lot of money, plus the depreciation is hugs on these bikes. Some how I was able to convince myself for a short period, and one fine day I took the dreaded decision. I followed the heart, and made up my mind to let my Ninja 300 go. I let my agent know that I wanted to sell my bike, and he offered me a price that I was OK with. Yes, when it comes to bikes and accessories I am a very impulsive buyer. Having taken the decision, I set out for Naman Yamaha in Panvel to make the payment for the R3.
However, luck had something else in store. I think it was around Diwali, and the KTM-Kawasaki showroom Manager near my area is a good friend of mine. He gave me a call to wish me Happy Diwali, and having learnt of my decision to sell the 300, he asked me to visit his showroom to have a look at the Ninja 650. Ninja 650 was never on my radar until then, and since I didn't want to tell him No directly, I made a visit to the showroom just to meet him, as it was on my way to Naman Yamaha. On entering the showroom, I saw a fresh petti-pack Ninja 650 on display. The manager wasted no time, and offered me a ride on one of his test bikes. He said its ok if you dont like it and dont buy it. It was my first time on any bike more than 390 cc and needless to say I was blown away by the oodles of low down power and torque, plus the healthy mid-range. I could ride the bike fast, and no sooner i felt quite comfortable on it. The Manager could read my mind. And he was all out to make a sale. Eventually I decided to take the plunge and went back home with another Ninja, my new Ninja 650.
I was quite happy for the initial few months. The power and torque on demand kept me amused for the initial few months. I did a lot of Mumbai-Goa trips and breakfast rides on my 650. And before I realised I had 10,000 kilometers on my odo within first 6 months. Thanks to Ninja 650 my skills were also improving. 200+ kilos, coupled with non-ABS zero electronics and too much of power helped me in understanding the dynamics of the bike. It also helped me in improving my braking. I was able to control the bike a lot better than I had anticipated, and eventually I realised that going further I will have to look at attending more of track days. Riding fast on our streets was a perfect recipe for disaster. I was getting quicker, however, I was not able to push the bike more, as the same reasons that played in my mind while riding my 300, began to worry me again. Also, once the novelty of owning a big bike died down, I started to see the same reasons that made me move away from my Ninja 300. On the Ninja 650 not only the spares were expensive, but also the routine consumables like the tyres, chain sprockets, disc pads, insurance renewals wee burning a big hole. I love to ride my bike extensively, and there was no way I was going to cut down on my riding to save on the consumables like tyres, pads, chain sprockets etc. Also, I had plans of doing lot of track days in the near future. Eventually after a year I sold my Ninja 650 to my best friend from college. My bike had clocked close to 20,000 kilometers when I let her go. I am happy atleast the bike is in the family.
Having wasted a lot of money on buying and selling of Ninja twins, I did not have the courage to spend on a new bike again. Fortunately a friend of mine, whom I knew for a while was planning to sell his blue Yamaha R3. I had ridden his bike earlier, and I was also aware of the way he maintained the bike. I loved the bike whenever I rode her. I took her out for a spin again on the day I sold my Ninja 650, and immediately fell in love with his R3. I made him an offer, he accepted it, and I brought the bike home.
With another bike in less than 3 years I decided to take it easy this time, and a strict ban on any more impulsive purchases, on anything closely related to bikes. That means no more spending on accessories as I had done in the past. The bike had 18,000 kilometers on the odo and was from the very first lot. I brought the bike in January 2017, and the bike has clocked 32,000 kilometers as of today. In the last 9 months I have done numerous long trips - Mumbai to Khajuraho, 1200 KMs one way, Mumbai to Rann of Kutch, 1200 kms one way, few Mumbai Kolhapur and Mumbai Goa trips. Add to that breakfast rides on every alternate weekend, and I covered quite a lot kilometers. The 1200 KM trips were done in a single day.
In between I also attended track day on my R3 at Kolhapur. The track session was conducted by Vortex racing at Mohites track in Kolhapur.
The most important reason for me to get a R3 was that it had all the qualities I loved in my Ninja 300 i.e. reliability, refinement, handling, robust engineering, and it does not even burn a hole in my pocket while trying to maintain it. The cost of spares is quite cheap, and I no longer have that worry in my head of fixing it in case I had a fall. I think Yamaha has done a very good job, as in they have provided a very robust package (its expensive to buy initially) and they have also worked hard to keep the cost of spares very reasonable. I did a bit of research on cost of spares and I was pleasantly surprised to see them much lower than the Kawasaki. I have also attached cost of spares below.
Yamalube Engine Oil (1 litre) ₹450
Air Filter ₹545
Spark Plug ₹85
Fork Oil (487 ml required in each fork) ₹185 per 500 ml
Clutch Lever ₹320
Brake Lever ₹260
Front Alloy Rim ₹5,610
Rear Alloy rim ₹6,580
Front Indicator ₹650
Rear Indicator ₹690
Rider Foot Rest ₹180
Pillion Foot Rest ₹190
Rear View Mirror ₹1,280
Bar End Grip ₹120
Handle Bar (One Side) ₹1,330
Brake Pedal ₹700
Exhaust ₹26,310
Tail Light Assembly ₹4,570
Front Brake Pads ₹3260
Rear Brake Pads ₹850
Oil Filter ₹360
Chain Sprocket kit ₹5850
Oil chamber ₹4000
Fairing (one side) ₹5950
Rear panel ₹575
Headlight assembly ₹8000(approx)
Indicator Stay ₹150
Front Fairing (Body cowling) ₹1365
Headlight stay ₹900
RHS rear footrest 2 ₹880
Radiator ₹3800
Gear lever Assembly ₹1800
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