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Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

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  • #1

    Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

    Hello everyone this my first post in this forum. Looking for some advice regarding choosing my first bike.

    I am 5'4" tall and weigh 58 kg. My age is 20. I am looking to purchase a new bike but have limited experience with bikes. That being said i have ridden a Hero Honda CD Deluxe that is lying around my house and know the basics of riding a bike. I need the bike to ride around the city as well as commute to my college and some pleasure trips along highway and such.

    Budget and mileage is not an issue. I am currently considering the following bikes: Yamaha R15 v2, KTM Duke 200/390, Honda CBR250R, Ninja 300. The major predicament i have in my case is that i currently live in Nagpur and have about 2 years of college left and it is almost certain that i will leave for USA in september 2015. So i have to ride this bike for just two years. I really like the Ninja 300 but spending around 4 lakh on it for just two years doesnt feel right to me. Plus i am inexperienced when it comes to bikes so all my opinions are from reviews and impressions that come from other riders.

    I have taken a test ride of R15, Duke 200 and the CBR250R. Out of the three the CBR appealed to me the most, but i am going to test the ninja and the duke 390 on saturday. To be frank i couldnt make out much from the test rides as they were very short. So i need some help in making the right buying decision.

    Also judging from online reviews and videos on youtube and my choice this is what i feel: Duke 390>Ninja 300>CBR250R>Duke 200>R15. I really liked the duke 390 from what has been said about it and its pricing but i am not a huge fan of its looks. But i dont know if it would be right for me.

    PS:I want to know how good is the resale value of Ninja 300? If i plan to sell it after two years will i find any takers and will it go for a decent price?
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  • #2
    Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

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    • #3
      Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

      In your place, I would pick the Duke 200 in one of its funky colours (black maybe). I think its the ultimate city/college commute bike. You will be thanking your Duke when you take your girlfriend out for a spin

      Duke 390 has a big waiting period currently so even if you like the bike - you won't get it quickly. The R15 has a charm of its own but loses out on the sheer bottom end torque of the 200. That being said, if you are into a bit of serious biking and aspire to be a corner carver - it would be an ideal bike. I recently sold off my CBR and frankly, the CBR is more happy on the highway where it excels upto a certain speed. In the city, the Duke is much more fun!
      I doubt that you will be fully utilizing the capabilities of the Ninja 300 if college/city commute is going to be a major part of your usage. So, it might not be worth the price you pay. Ofcourse, going by looks -- that is a different ball game!

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      • #4
        Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

        If it's just for two years, why don't you just get some used bike out of the above said, ride it however you want and then sell it off after two years. . . Or else if you want new one only, then go for R15, I think that's the one which can suit your height or else as you said 250R. . . Ninja according to me also is priced heavily and I don't know the resale value of it, may be it's not as much as others. . . So, choose wisely. . .

        Cheers!!!
        Yamaha Rx135 - 2005 - 2007 (stolen :mad:)
        Scooty Pep - 2008 - 2012 (sold)
        Honda Unicorn - 2012 - 2015 (crashed)
        Hero Honda Splendor+ 2015 - present (temporary ride)
        Bajaj Pulsar AS200 - 16th September 2015 - present ride

        10 years into riding :D
         Live2Race. . .

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        • #5
          Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

          Duke 200 should be your choice. 2nd should be R15. Others are premium bikes and selling them too will take more time.

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          • #6
            Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

            Your list contains NINJA 300....... I don't know why looking for something else....

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            • #7
              Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

              For u the duke 200 is better than duke 390
              . . . .d biker guy

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              • #8
                Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

                Wow thanks for the opinions

                I am in no particular hurry for this bike and the KTM dealership has promised me the delivery in october if i book the 390 now. That being said, you guys have recommended the 200 over the 390 any particular reason other that it being bad for a resale or is there more for it. I am not a big fan of the way the dukes look, the mad performance of the 390 was what drew me it.
                I am willing to forego the resale of the bike for a better experience and from what i heard the 390 put a smile on everyone's face who tried it. I am a motorsport enthusiast even though i dont have much riding experience myself. I believe if i have the resources to buy the better duke 390 shouldnt i go for it? I am a fast learner and i think i will catch up on my riding skills soon enough to let me enjoy the 390 to its fullest.
                I can spend approx 2-2.5 lakh on my bike without any regrets and without worrying about resale. Not to sound like a douche but my parents have no problem financially even if i go for the Ninja 300 but my conscience wont allow me to spend that much of parents money for just two years.

                The ninja 300 is an another story though, yeah it surely is a looker and i really love the bike but i feel that if i can get similar performance from the duke 390 why pay extra for the looks. I know both the Ninja and the Duke are fundamentally different bikes and the fairing aint there just for the looks but for me the lighter weight of the duke works as an advantage while giving a similar performance. The duke 200 is a good bike but isnt the 390 like a better duke 200. I heard it is even better for commuting because of its different gear ratios than the 200.
                This video is the reason 390 is my top choice:
                KTM 390 Duke India road test summary - YouTube

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                • #9
                  Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

                  Since you said money isn't a problem, i'd say choose either the 390 or the CBR250 (choice between naked and faired based on what you prefer as you are a college student) - you know some guys just like faired bikes and some like them naked !! (looks wise for most college guys)

                  but remember, you maybe a fast learner in learning to ride them, but FIRST you must learn to RESPECT them .. don't try the road side rossi stuff on these machines!
                  btw... just go get the 390 and be a responsible kid

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                  • #10
                    Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

                    If you were going to have the bike for a long term, I would have suggested the Ninja. But since you are going to use it just for a couple of years, there is no point in getting the Ninja. You are better off with Duke 390 or CBR 250. In terms of resale value, the 300 should fetch atleast 2.5 L after 2 years, if its kept in a good condition. But the problem is, its hard to find someone looking for a second hand Ninja than say someone looking for a secondhand CBR.
                    2013 R15(Sold) | 2014 Duke 390 (Sold) | 2022 Adv 390 | 2022 Ninja 300

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                    • #11
                      Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

                      Finally got the test ride for duke 390 today. what can i say, i was really impressed. It is indeed a very powerful bike and very enjoyable to ride. Needless to say i booked it immediately. Expected delivery around 1st or second week of october.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

                        Originally posted by ayu135 View Post
                        Finally got the test ride for duke 390 today. what can i say, i was really impressed. It is indeed a very powerful bike and very enjoyable to ride. Needless to say i booked it immediately. Expected delivery around 1st or second week of october.
                        Congratulations!
                        Now onto the next step. Do buy proper gear like riding jacket, riding gloves apart from an awesome helmet. You can put any specific query on the riding gear thread.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Help choosing between duke 390/cbr 250/ninja 300/r15 v2

                          Congratulations on your choice !!! You really have selected one of the best bikes.

                          I was checking its video review probably on OverDrive few days back the guy said it needs complete commitment from rider too. For e.g. if you rev it up, other bikes accelerate 20-25 kmph whereas this one does 35-40 kmph and so the amount of attention and control you need it very high. The tyres are fantastic but their life is not more than 12000kms and the new set would cost you around 22k. They are just one of the few things you need to consider after this awesome beast.

                          Link 2013 KTM 390 Duke India Road Test Review - Road Test By Overdrive

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