Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

Wow. You guys are all off enjoying your Ninjas aren't you? No time to reply to the aspiring Ninja kid. :P

Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

[MENTION=43265]madhav766[/MENTION] - I don't own a 300 but a 250 and since you didn't get the response yet, I'd like to pitch in since some advice is better than none
Keeping accessories out of the picture, the ninja is not tough to afford considering regular maintenance like general check up and servicing. The bill would rarely cost over 2000 bucks. You would start to come across many other alternatives once you start looking for them and discussing with owners.
The cost of spare parts however is a different story. They cost more than you expect. You might know that the fairings for 8.5k a piece. Similarly lights, indicators, cables, etc all have extra cost. There are many experienced riders who have used the ninja and moved on but very few who still have it. So, you can get lots of advice on resources to procure spare parts if you want to save some bucks, but you would have to find those advisors first
As far as my experience is concerned, I've had the 250 for more than 3 yrs now and I manage everything on my bike on my own apart from electrical circuit. No fiddling there. I usually order parts from out side and have some used parts installed as well, however anything that you can't find and need urgently, for that the svc is the only source. The latest I've had to wait for a part is 45 days. But that was only one off case, else you'll get them in say 15-20 days max. Personal recommendation, if you are planning to upgrade after 2-3 yrs, don't spend on the ninja. Save the money and buy a bigger bike later. If you want to keep this for at least 5 yrs or so, go for it. It won't disappoint and is worth every penny spent.

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

Ah. Well. Let's put it this way. I am looking at a bike that will be my upgrade for the next 5-10 years and I do not want one that will run two years without complaint and then go willy wonka on me(my RTR is proving to be a menace in that light.) I also want a practical solution. Many have suggest the 650 and ER-6N. But I do not see the practicality. Am I right?

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

I am a new owner of the Ninja 300 and yes, it is costly compared to other bikes of its class. But the maintenance cost is not that high, should come in the range of 3-3.5K but the period is long, i.e once every 6000kms. The spares are going to be costlier too as they are imported but the bike if ridden well will not have any major replacements required and is built to last and the only thing which you will spend on would be tyres after a couple of years and may be brake pads depending on how you use them.

No idea about z250, though I feel it is as good a machine and good for urban commute but it's priced quite high and comes close to N300.

The 650 IMO is too big to be used as a regular commute vehicle.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

Whether it's two years or five, this will run without any issue. However, the replacement cost will only come after around a few years or 20000km approx. That's why I suggested that till two years it's nothing but after that the replacements might start digging your pocket.
As far as the 650 bikes are concerned, I personally don't feel they can be used for daily use since fuel cost is not the only thing they come with. Their security, parking and care is a big insecurity specially for someone who has saved for years and then invested to buy a bike worth 6L. Apart from this though, there are many 650 owners who use them they should be able to comment better.

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

Anyone from chromepet, chennai got a new ninja?? Spotted a guy with new spartan jacket and Mt helmet with box.

If anyone from here, i was the guy on R15 at the railway gate..

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

I went to the showroom to discuss about loan, but I am not eligible it seems. My salary is eligible for the loan but I do not have form 16 as I have recently got a new job.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

if this is your first job you would not get the F16 right away, however, if you've switched jobs, your previous employer should have or will provide that once you get full and final documents. F16 is basically a consolidated sheet of your taxes deducted at source of your income for the financial year.

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

I have just switched my job, but my previous salary was not coming under the taxable slab, so I don't think that I'll be getting one from my previous employer.

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

Every company is mandated to issue you form 16 before June 1 irrespective of the tax slab. Also, make a habit of filing IT return even if the tax is zero.
Get in touch with your previous employer and ask them to issue your form 16.

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

If this is your fisrt job with pay enough to put you in tax bracket, I would suggest that you calculate how much tax will get deducted for the year and then see if the remaining can enable you to pay the EMI. Please consider saving for a year or two before going for big loan for vehicles.

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

Anyone can get a form 16 irrespective of whether the salary is taxable or not. Filing the form 16 when the tax is zero is not necessary, but it is a good habit to get form 16 every year.

BTW an extremely unwarranted, but very friendly advise. I will recommend you not to get a loan to buy this or any bike if you are just coming into taxable brackets. Create some assets first, like real estate or mutual funds etc, and then with extra money buy a bigger bike. Bikes/cars/holidays are not assets, they are liabilities. Don't create liabilities before assets. However if you are already covered in this area (other income, parent's blessings etc), then you can proceed as per your plan.

Ideally, a vehicle should not cost more than 25-50% of annual salary. Otherwise you are putting yourself at a risky position if and when it needs repairs.

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience


Exactly!
One more thing is even if you want to go ahead with loan, first save for few months, try to make at least 50% down payment. You will get to know importance over long run.

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

Wise words Sir.!

Re: Kawasaki Ninja 300 Ownership Experience

Here I thought this thread was dead. I am planning to sell my 2014 duke 390 and do have some cash around.
I get it that the interest rates are very high and it's not cheap to maintain a bike like this, but I still think I can maintain this bike.
More over the reason for change is that my duke has been a royal pain. Even with regular service(maintenance), regular chain cleaning, it has been a very troublesome ownership for me. I'll talk to my previous company regarding form 16 and I appreciate the concern shown by you people. I'll finalize this decision after discussing it with my family considering all the above points.